Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
I would like to compliment the great people of Blaine and the staff at the Blaine Harbor. My husband Roger and I had been marooned in Blaine for just over a month as we waited for our engine on the sailboat Boru to be repaired.
We were headed to Alaska but instead we limped into port on May 29 and were welcomed by the harbor personnel and from the first day they worked as a team to help make our stay as enjoyable as possible.
When we arrived my back had been twisted and I needed to see a chiropractor. Kenneth Ely came to the rescue; my back has returned to normal.
More important he and his wife Rachel took me under their protective wing, Rachel encouraged me to share my art work and because of her I now have cards of Blaine scenes at Blackberry House and at the port. Steve from Pelican Press was invaluable in getting this project done. If you come across the cards please remember that they were painted by someone who has a very warm spot in her heart for Blaine.
Dallas, from Diamond Yachts also did her share; she received packages for us and provided other help. When you sail in on a boat, you are definitely traveling on footback when you go ashore. She helped when I had more groceries than I could carry and she even took me to the outlet mall to get a little machine to make salsa. Your own Jack Kintner came to the boat and interviewed us for The Northern Light. We have not seen the article, but we look forward to reading it online as we sail off to Alaska.
Your city is filled with beautiful art, grand vistas and most importantly people who care about others. This is our third and longest visit to your community and every time our experiences are richer and more memorable. We are excited to continue our trip, but we will definitely be back.
Until then, Bon Voyage.
Suzie & Roger Shaffer
The Boru

The Editor:
What is the mystery of the gun?
It is a device designed to propel a projectile in a certain direction with some degree of accuracy, nothing more. A gun has no will or conscience. It is a thing - not an entity. Done within the law what matters that it be guns (sic).
Guns do not grab you by the shoulder and command you to kill. They are like any other device, when used wrongly, dangerously. The same may be said of the axe, the automobile and other commonly used implements.
In Blaine, we have a commodity - some guns that can be sold to enhance the K-9 program. As long as this is done within the law what matters that it be guns, a surplus patrol car or a street sweeper?
The city has the ability to turn a commodity into cash. Sounds like fiscal responsibility to me.
George Tranberg
Blaine

The Editor:
What a dynamite day the Fourth of July was for the city of Blaine.
Kudos to all who were involved in organizing and staging this extraordinary day recognizing the birth of our nation. Commencing with a delicious pancake breakfast at the senior center to the inspiring parade and accompanying events bringing the day to an end with the spectacularly inspiring fireworks display.
Blaine really knows how to throw a bang up bash!
Col. John W. Hobberlin
Blaine

The Editor:
I am writing in response to the letter of May 27 re: the sting by the Blaine police. While visiting my parents I witnessed three Canadian cars being stopped at the corner of H Street and the truck crossing. The police were issuing tickets. I am sure these visitors were as confused by the lack of signs and the unusual turn as I was.
Did they receive a warning? No, instead they were given a $100 citation. Will these visitors want to come back to Blaine? Probably not. Can Blaine merchants afford to lose customers? With the store closures and empty buildings I saw, I doubt it.
A police officer’s first responsibility is the safety and protection of our lives and our property, not acquiring revenue for city officials. But, don’t blame the officers. It’s city hall.
If city hall wants to collect revenue from traffic violations and protect the lives and property of Blaine’s citizens as well, look up H Street. A street with numerous blind driveways and children on bicycles with a 25 mph zone where I saw cars and trucks speeding down the hill, sometimes in excess of 50 mph.
Common sense says this area needs patrolling. It is a tragedy waiting to happen. I suggest city hall rethink their priorities.
Leslie Greenwell
Henderson, NV

The Editor:
Here are suggestions concerning items of interest I read in recent issues of our Northern Light.
Regarding the generous gift of guns and ammunition that our local police marketed in support of K-9 training, the complainants who felt the guns ought to have been destroyed were welcome to first buy them, and then destroy them. This is an alternative way of supporting the K-9 program without denigrating the donor who could have sold the guns and ammunition for a fair amount of money.
With regard to the imbalance of reporting between the bassoon and piano recital versus an art show at Semiahmoo and concerns that the jazz camp may be overlooked, I guess I’m partly culpable. Remember, first of all, that The Northern Light does not have an arts editor like, for example, the Bellingham Herald. Given my health and finances, I was able to attend an excellent homegrown recital that was nearby, admission free, and productive of music I can understand. I was able, therefore, to write a review. Although I was dissatisfied with the editing, it was published. I’m certain our newspaper will do the same for a writer who understands jazz, visits the camp, and submits a story.
Finally, a clarification: I’m receiving compliments for Sam Hill’s Peace Arch, recently “published.” The manuscript, currently without photos or indexing, was never published. One copy is in our local library, another is at Western Washington University, and 10 boxes of long-accrued data are archived at the White Rock museum. A certain firm led me to believe the book would be published, but upon completing the first draft, I was told $15,000 in presales would be required. Devoid of dough, the deal died.
Fifteen years was I pregnant with that manuscript, and I ask my community to forgive me for suffering postpartum depression after it was delivered - without a midwife - last summer. I thank our city council for recognizing my labor. The baby is bundled at www.thecshop.com with thanks to my sitter, Pat Alesse. Scroll down and open the crib.
Richard Clark
Blaine

Blaine VIC & the Editor:
My troop and I would very much like to thank you and the city of Blaine for letting us camp in Marine Park for the Peace Arch weekend. We had a great time and loved the view. We took the Plover over to Semiahmoo for the afternoon and really got a kick out of steering the boat in open water.
We felt very welcome and very safe. Thank you again for all the trouble you took to let us stay. We hope to visit you again next year.
Deborah Torgerson, leader
Girl Scout Troop 1808
Mt. Lake Terrace, WA

The Editor:
I am writing in response to the misguided letter published in the July 1 - 7 issue of The Northern Light regarding the “big bad adolescent biker boys” - or more commonly known as the Bandidos.
I have taken personal offense to this letter. One of my best friends is a Bandido and happens to be one of the finest people I have ever met. Obviously Mr. Armey, Jr., is not personally acquainted with anyone in this group or he would also know of all the good they do for our community.
Maureen Kelly
Birch Bay

Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters should be limited to 10 names. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.Please send your letter to:
225 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230 or fax 360/332-2777.
E-mail:editor@thenorthernlight.com

Letters Policy

The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com