Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
The county’s EMS proposal seems like a simple, inexpensive way to maintain an important part of our quality of life here in Whatcom County. Most of us will not need advanced life support or least so we hope. But, knowing that it’s available is comforting. Ten cents out of every hundred bucks is very cheap insurance. I’m voting for the EMS proposal and I hope most everybody else does too.
Marie M. Olsen
Blaine

The Editor:
As a former mayor who has never lost interest in city affairs, I have had ample opportunity to observe Bob Brunkow on the city council. I have been very impressed with Bob’s ability to listen, ask probing questions when necessary and come to his own conclusions.
He is just the kind of reasonable, intelligent and forward thinking person we need in our city government.
Elect Bob Brunkow.
Alma Wagner
Blaine

The Editor:
The committee for the Blaine high school class of ’65 reunion would like to thank all of those people who attended the event, making it such a great success.
Special thanks go to Steve Lawrenson from the International Café who provided the food for the event. We appreciated all the trips you made to set up and provide both lunch and dinner for us, as well as the beverage bar at the port building. The food was great. Setting up outside for our music, the Crystal Tricycle played the ole time songs for us and we thank you for your great music and all the extra work you had to do to set up.
A million thanks goes to Joni Tingley who not only helped to decorate, but stayed the entire reunion welcoming classmates and making sure that we all got to visit and didn’t have to worry about little details. You were a great help and we truly appreciated you.
We thank our two classmates, Denny Dohner and Bob Fischer for donating and cooking the delicious salmon.
Looking forward to another reunion.
The committee – Candice, Carrillee, Brooke, Marie, Jan & Barb
Blaine

The Editor:
As former board members of Birch Bay Village, we have worked with Mike Kent for many years, and he served well as our board president. His knowledge and experience in what makes good communities and his passion, innovative ideas, and tireless work resulted in a better village for all owners. Under Kent’s tenure, Birch Bay Village owners approved natural gas for the village after many public meetings, improved security, upgraded amenities and by-laws, and opened the budget process for more owners’ input.
One of Kent’s greatest assets was his sincere desire to improve our community by listening to all input – pro and con – before proposing an item for the owner’s approval.
We feel that Mike Kent’s leadership in making Birch Bay Village, a community of about 3,000 residents, a better place to live, makes him well qualified for a county council position.
Don Clark, Sherrie Bakke, Eric
Peters, Larry Vanderyacht,
Greg Flint
Blaine

The Editor:
Each year the senior class at Blaine high school has an alcohol and drug free grad night event. The festivities involve various types of supervised activities.
The event takes place immediately after graduation ceremonies and students are transported via charter bus to a particular venue where there is an evening full of fun and activities. Fundraisers are the only way that this grad night event can happen as the cost runs approximately $150 per student.
I am fully aware that each and every year, the community is bombarded with fundraisers for innumerable causes, organizations and projects. Therefore, I am proposing that we try to skip the ‘middle man’ by asking that any parent who would be willing and able to donate cash or any community business or individual that would like to help sponsor a student, please contact Nicole Armstrong at 332-8339, or send your donations to the address below. Donations are fully tax-deductible!
A deadline of December 1 has been established so that the parent committee can then determine just how much cash needs to be raised through fundraisers.
Checks can be made payable to: BBC Class of 2006, P.O. Box 3275, Blaine, WA.
Thank you.
Anne Abrams
Custer

The Editor:
On Friday, October 7 at 9:45 a.m. I was driving down H Street towards the Cost Cutter shopping area. Just down the hill past Crest Road a black cat ran right under my front wheel! Stunned – I drove into the lay-by at the entrance to Lincoln Park to collect myself. Right behind me came a car (silver Honda) and the gentleman inside shouted out of his window, “There was nothing you could do. I saw it all happen and there was nothing you could have done, it was not your fault.” I will remember his words for a long time to come. I was very upset and once I collected myself, I thanked him and we agreed that the little cat would have felt nothing, it happened so fast.
The gentleman then said, “I’m just going to the post office and on my way back I will pick him/her up and put it to the side of the road.” I thanked him and we went on our way.
Approximately two hours later I traveled up the hill and looked for any signs but there were none, my good samaritan was as good as his word and had moved the little cat off to the side.
Firstly, I want to apologize to the family whose little pet did not come home that day. The accident was unavoidable.
Secondly, my good samaritan who knew I was upset and took the time to console a stranger, then did the humanitarian thing and removed the obviously unpleasant remains of the victim. To you, whomever you are, a heartfelt “thank you.”
It’s such a shame that so often we only really acknowledge one another as fellow humans in a time of grief or panic. But thankfully we do and I am thankful to my “human for that day” for being there in my minute of grief and panic.
His kindness will not be forgotten.
Lorry Hartman
Blaine

The Editor:
During the eight years I lived in Blaine, few young business people I met have impressed me so quickly as to their grasp of business concerns, community needs and political issues that confront each of us daily – directly or indirectly.
Jason Overstreet is not only a local business owner putting down roots in Blaine, but he is also small town family oriented and grasps the real concerns that will affect our residents and businesses now and down the road. Equally important to us, is the way he can thoughtfully articulate solutions as some who merely pose the problem. There is no question in my mind that his abilities, experience and intelligence would be of great benefit to the residents of Blaine and the surrounding areas affected by what happens there. His commitment to involving himself as a member of the city council is just one example of his dedication.
I would urge voters considering the choice of city council representative give this fine young person a chance to prove his value to the city of Blaine and its residents. He is a person of great integrity and foresight.
John J. Choulochas
Blaine

The Editor:
Our current county council has worked well together and has been very effective in making progress with county concerns. Let’s re-elect Laurie Caskie-Schreiber and Seth Fleetwood to help maintain a balanced county council.
Carl Weimer is an excellent candidate to replace Sharon Roy in position 3. He will work hard to help shape growth so that our county maintains its high standard of livability.
Jeri Smith and Ted Morris will serve us well as the Northwest Park and Recreation Commissioners. In the past, they have both put a great deal of volunteer effort in causes that have greatly benefited our local parks. Laurie, Seth, Carl, Jeri and Ted – it is extremely important to see that these individuals are elected in this critical time of rapid county population growth. Please give them your vote.
John Sand
Blaine

The Editor:
My name is Gary Lysne, and I am running for Whatcom County Council At-Large. I understand that no explanation was given by the organizers of the recent Birch Bay forum for my absence. I feel it is important that voters know why I was unable to attend.
When I was contacted regarding my participation, I explained that I already had another speaking engagement that night. I offered to send my wife, Cristi, to read a statement on my behalf but was told that only candidates would be allowed to speak. However, I was assured that the audience would be informed about why I was not there.
I’m running my campaign with the same philosophy I will use if elected: with honesty and integrity. That means when I make a commitment, I follow through on that commitment even if something else arises that seeks my attention.
I welcome the opportunity to speak directly with voters. I’ve spent a significant amount of time going door-to-door. That’s the only way I think public officials can really know what the public wants – by asking them directly and really listening to their concerns and desires.
I’m running for office because I think there is a better way to do things. I have no set agenda. Holding office is not about what Gary Lysne wants, it’s about what the people of Whatcom County want. I will listen equally to people on all sides of an issue before making decisions.
I believe we have a number of challenging issues facing us. To make the best decisions for the long term, I think we need to bring people together to work on solutions that everyone can live with, not divide people into opposite camps. I think that means using logic, common sense and best management practices to come up with practical, cost-effective solutions.
I’m sorry I was unable to attend your forum. However, voters are welcome to visit my website at www.garyforcouncil.com or contact me personally to talk further.
I hope you’ll consider voting for me for County Council at Large.
Gary Lysne
Bellingham

The Editor:
Dracula, as presented by the Blaine Community Theater is a “must see.” The cast is brilliant and the adaptation in a modern setting in ingenious. There is still time to be entertained on this Halloween weekend. I recommend it to everyone. But be prepared for some hair-raising moments and some good laughs.
Marilyn Wren
Custer

The Editor:
I would like to urge Whatcom County residents to vote for Carl Weimer for County Council District 3 to help preserve our quality of life in the northwest corner. Carl has a strong record of common sense public service that emphasizes environmental protection. He has worked for years for ReSources an award-winning local environmental education non-profit during which time he started the ReStore, a business to recycle building materials. He was a leader in local response to the Whatcom Creek Pipeline explosion and worked with industry officials, governments and concerned citizens to make sure pipeline safety was strengthened in new national regulations. On county council Carl Weimer will help make sure development occurs in a thoughtful way and that developers pay infrastructure costs rather than passing them on to taxpayers. He is committed to clean drinking water, educating our children about how to reduce waste and taking care of our natural resources.
Wendy Walker
Blaine resident and Whatcom County resident for over 40 years.

The Editor:
Many of Blaine’s citizens are rightly concerned about how the infrastructure costs associated with our massive “speculative” building boom will be funded. We recently made national news for being the 16th most ‘overheated’ real estate market. Wachovia Securities said: “We think home prices are close to a multi-year plateau and will offer little or no capital appreciation over the next several years. Furthermore, we think that certain “hot” markets – mostly in the West – are vulnerable to price declines.” They went on: “The median price of an existing single-family home has risen 14.7 percent over the last year. Nationwide, gains of this magnitude are rare in the history of the U.S. housing market and have led some to believe that there is a home price bubble waiting to pop... The U.S. is experiencing a housing boom of historic proportions by almost any measure... Regional bubbles, where the average home price seems well beyond the affordability of the average income earner, are concentrated in the West, Florida and the Northeast. These are also areas where speculative activity is worryingly high and financing methods are increasingly risky... Over 90 percent of the boom markets are along the coasts.”
Fact is, only a few developers are planning to build over 4,000 homes between Blaine and Birch Bay (and appreciation has been over 23 percent by comparison) while neither the county nor the city properly accrue for the cost of roads, schools, parks, water and sewer services and open space, because such impact fees have not yet been approved. The taxpayers and the utility ratepayers are going to get fleeced when these tremendous expenses come due in the near future if these impact fees are not passed soon. If you are a taxpayer, please vote for Weimer, Caskey-Schreiber and Fleetwood for county council and Brunkow and Hawkins for city council, in order to see that builders, developers and realtors don’t prevent the concept of impact fees (to cover growth’s required infrastructure) from becoming part of our comprehensive plan.
Lincoln L. Rutter
Blaine

The Editor:
An article in the Bellingham Herald on October 21, reported that in 1988 Brown & Cole sued the mayor of Blaine and a councilmember over a possible sale of the airport. This fact is true. To continue the rest of the story, the councilmember in question could not have single-handedly sold the airport and the mayor was myself.
At that time, there were outside businesses with different ideas for the use of the airport property. We were not allowed to show any of these other proposals to the citizens at the time and it is too bad because it would have been a real eye opener. One example was a first class business park with Boblett Street connected and arterial roads off Boblett Street.
This proposal included architectural drawings and a cost analysis outlining the increased benefit for the city by selling the property versus long term leasing. The developers would have paid for the cost of development and the city would have been receiving monthly payments and good paying jobs from the businesses. Instead, we currently have leases that are break-even for the city and the property serves a few private pilots.
We were gagged by our city attorney, and told not to discuss or show any facts, figures or proposals. In May 1989, after the airport supporters humiliated us in the papers claiming that we were underhandedly trying to sell the airport and after staged fly-ins, free rides for the kids, and scare tactics exaggerating how much it would cost to buy out airport leases, there was a vote which won by a margin of 11 votes to keep the airport.
This is similar to the current situation where buttons are being handed out and the same scare tactics of the costs to close the airport and buy out leases being published by airport supporter and councilmember Mike Myers. People in the know would strongly disagree with recently published figures quoted by Mike Myers. How can you, in good conscience keep signing your airport supporting letters “Blaine City Council” when our council is supposed to be the final say on what happens to this airport?
Economic consultants refer to the airport property as one of the best pieces of land for economic growth along the U.S. border.
Don’t let the scare tactics, buttons and fly-ins win again.
And, by the way, after the vote in 1989, the judge dismissed the lawsuit stating that it looked like a matter of greed to him.
Bill Dodd
Blaine

The Editor:
Due to the problem listed below I would urge everyone who reads this letter to the editor to vote for Carl Weimer for County Council District 3.
I am very familiar with one very, very big problem in Birch Bay Village and that is the bylaw regarding voting for budgets and assessments which was passed while Mike Kent was president of the board of directors of Birch Bay Village. The bylaw was approved at the request of a letter to all property owners signed by Eric Peters and the Birch Bay Village attorney Hugh Lewis advising that the language of the bylaw was similar to language passed by the legislature. However, the language of the bylaw changed what actually passed the legislature into language that was rejected by the legislature. The way the current system works in Birch Bay Village is if 1,200 lots and say 600 lot owners vote no on budget or assessment and one person votes yes, the budget or assessment is passed automatically because 601 lot owners did not vote no. In other words we lost our majority vote system for a voting system which lets a minority group control all aspects of life in Birch Bay Village with our dues and assessments doubling within last five years despite people in village voting two to one against the budgets and assessments. This most certainly was not explained in letter, requesting approval of new bylaws.
However, this type of situation is taking place across much of the state and almost across the entire country. I would be happy to provide you with ample reading material to last you for three or four months that I have acquired during the past five years on the subject if you wish. This goes on despite Article 1 Sections 2 & 19 of Washington State Constitution and Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment of U.S. Constitution.
Steven E. Wittlake
Blaine

The Editor:
I would like to encourage all residents of Blaine to consider one point – all right, make it a few.
My issue of concern is that there is a whole world out there, full of people and places who matter to us, and to our future. There are people dying from diseases, lives shattered from earthquakes and hurricanes. There are people across the world without homes simply due to unfortunate circumstances, and somehow those who live continue to be revived and uplifted by the people in this world who choose to make a difference with what they are gifted.
But if you read the letters to the editor, local petitions, and upset people in general, I think you’ll find that apparently what matters most is the Blaine airport’s existence, which direction the newly placed cannon monument points, etc. I am not bringing this up to say these issues are not relevant and crucial decisions to be made (although I take total offense that the canon is practically pointed at the Blackberry House – just kidding).
I am encouraging everyone that while you are motivated and active in the world around you, that you think outside of Blaine in addition to our precious town. People matter here, but even more people matter “out there.” After all, how much of the population of the world actually lives in Blaine?
If you would like to discuss these issues, I am working bright and early, every morning at 6 a.m., at the Blackberry House.
Kelly Tuski
Blaine

The Editor:
I love Blaine. I grew up here, and chose to move back after college with my husband. I have been a teacher in our excellent school system, and now I am raising my precious children here, while also serving on the park and cemetery board for the city of Blaine. I am excited for the potential I have always known this town to possess, which is why I’m also very enthusiastic to cast my vote for Jason Overstreet for city council. Jason shares an excitement for Blaine, and an eagerness to represent the citizens of our town. He is an independent and thoughtful thinker who is currently running a business and raising his family in our town, and is motivated to work together with us for a stronger Blaine.
We have a chance to be part of something special by casting our vote for Jason Overstreet. Please join me in electing someone who understands our issues and shares our vision.
Shelly Button
Blaine

The Editor:
Forget everything you’ve heard about this airport debate – about whether it benefits hobbyists or whether this or that one ‘has interests.’ All you need to know is that the realtor/developers salivating to get their hands on that property want to turn it into – are you ready? – a truck stop.
Now the world needs truck stops. It also needs toxic waste dumps. But I don’t think it needs them right here in our laps.
This is about development and the question is: What does Blaine want to be when it grows up? It’s on its way to being a picturesque resort town. What’s wrong with that?
The developers say a truck stop will bring in business. But no upscale business is coming to a truck stop. Nobody who can help it is buying a house up the block from one.
Not that the developers care. They’ll hold their noses long enough to make a quick buck and move on. We’ll be stuck with what they leave behind.
This one issue will determine Blaine’s future. And the votes have been close in the past. It will only take one botched election for Blaine to nail itself to the floor – forever. Because once that airport is gone, it’s gone. And once we become a truck stop town beautiful Blaine turns into Tackyville.
P.S. Oh, and for the record, I’m for Bob Brunkow and Charlie Hawkins. They “get it.”
Cal Clements, Jr.
Blaine

The Editor:
After reading the letter from Mike Myers in last week’s issue, outlining the estimated costs of closing our airport, I am amazed that the city council would even entertain the question. The council is charged with the duty to operate the city in a fiscally responsible manner and it is beyond my understanding how disposing of a capital asset for a net loss of more than $1 million can be in our best interest
This issue is all about outside land developers trying to increase their wealth on the backs of Blaine taxpayers. I intend to vote no on the advisory ballot and I urge your readers to do likewise.
Cyrus McLean
Blaine

The Editor:
When times are tough you need to rely on someone who is steadfast, honest, believes in the goal and can stay the course. Rich Bosman is that person!
Rich Bosman has been a fire commissioner for Whatcom County Fire District 3 for the past five years. When North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Services (NWFRS) was initially planned Rich believed the best service for the citizens of Fire District 3 and Fire District 13 would be provided by consolidating services. Rich has served as chair for the NWFRS Board and continues with
NWFRS board as a fire commissioner. Due to events beyond the control of anyone on the NWFRS board, the consolidation did not move forward as designed. However, NWFRS currently has a new chief and is finally moving closer to this goal.
In situations like this it is important to maintain consistency and Rich has remained focused throughout all of these difficulties. He would like to continue in his role as fire commissioner in order to see manifest the ultimate goal of consolidation. This can only be accomplished with his re-election to the position of Whatcom County Fire District 3 commissioner.
Rich’s honesty, work ethic and commitment has been evidenced throughout his 25 year career with the Washington State Patrol. These traits continue to serve him well running a successful business. He has worked hard as a commissioner to ensure that the best medical services will continue to be provided to the citizens in his community by serving as the representative on the EMS committee in Whatcom County.
I represent the career firefighters of NWFRS who are members of the International Association of Firefighters Union and I can say that North Whatcom Professional Firefighters Local 3867 wholeheartedly endorse Rich Bosman as the candidate of choice as commissioner for Whatcom County Fire District #3, Position 3.
Make the right choice for providing consistent leadership and services for the citizens of Fire District #3 and North Whatcom Fire and Rescue. For Position 3, Whatcom Fire District 3 commissioner – elect Rich Bosman.
Leslee Smith, PIO, North
Whatcom Professional
Firefighters
Blaine

The Editor:
I strongly urge Blaine’s voters to retain Bob Brunkow on Blaine’s city council.
My support of Bob Brunkow is based on what I’ve seen and heard during city council meetings and his moderation of a neighborhood comprehensive plan update discussion. He comes prepared and considers all information before him. He takes our concerns seriously and clarifies the financial requirements and implications of the matters about which the council must make decisions. He actively encourages the council and staff to seek out potentially available sources of funds to augment Blaine’s severely stretched budget.
Bob seeks to ensure that Blaine will have a solid, balanced budget. It now exceeds $30 million and as a fiscal conservative, Bob is deeply concerned about the major long-term financial challenges (sewer, stormwater, etc.) our city faces. His experience in successfully managing a multi-million dollar business is invaluable to Blaine; he can realistically evaluate and address Blaine’s budgetary needs and constraints. Our council will be making major decisions that will impact our foreseeable future. Bob understands the immediate and long-term financial implications of these decisions.
I appreciate Bob’s position that in government, often “less is better.” While basic structure is needed, rules and regulations should serve the community’s interests. Bob is receptive to suggestions to keep regulations from inadvertently blocking good ideas and change. I saw a good example of this in his recent vote for a variance from the city’s advertising sign ordinance, requested by a new, small business owner. Bob also supported a review of the ordinance by the council.
Bob is a strong advocate for attracting new business to Blaine that can enhance our community. He seeks to ensure that Blaine is the place we will continue to want to live. His highest priority is the comprehensive plan update because it will reflect what we want Blaine to look like as a community and will keep it a desirable place to be. It will be our map to guide the city council.
Blaine needs Bob’s experience, intelligence, integrity and commitment. Please vote for Bob Brunkow.
Lois Franco
Blaine

The Editor:
The citizens of the city of Blaine are fortunate to have an Angel Flight pilot in their community. The pilot, who bases his plane at the Blaine airport is part of this national, non-profit organization of volunteer pilots who provide free air transportation for health care or other compelling human needs.
Without this service being available at the local airport, Blaine citizens would have to travel to another airport or possibly not have this service available to them, at all.
I personally have flown on two separate Angel Flight ‘missions’ out of the Blaine airport. I greatly appreciate this service being available to me because driving would have been costly, inconvenient and extremely time consuming.
When exploring the viability of the Blaine airport, please consider this fact: its use is not solely recreational – the Blaine airport provides a vital link to the chain necessary of human services.
Kathleen Dwyer
Bellingham

The Editor:
It seems that both sides of the airport issue agree that the closure of the airport would certainly require the city of Blaine to sell the airport property in order to pay for the closure expenses. The property would no longer be in the public domain. This public domain property and the open space it provides should not be lost to commercial developers.
It is interesting that those who are pushing for the airport to be closed (which would require that the land be sold) are those who hope to benefit in the commercial development of that same land. Dennis Hill who is one of the outspoken advocates for the airport’s closure stated openly in a breakfast meeting that the deep pocket money was with the truck stop interests. An inter-state truck stop within the city limits will undoubtedly bring other undesirable elements to the city of Blaine and to the doorstep of our Blaine school campus.
Let there be no confusion, the choice is not having a city airport vs. a city park; it is between having a city airport vs. an inter-state truck stop, tavern and other undesirable inter-state activities that we do not want in our community.
I choose that we keep our airport that is operating self sufficiently (not a taxpayer drain) and that the property remain with the city of Blaine and in the public domain. The quality of life that we have here in Blaine should not be handed over to the truck stop and tavern interest groups.
Jennifer & Dennis Burge
Blaine

The Editor:
Mike Kent has my vote for County Council District 3. The Northern Light would better serve its readership by adopting a letters to the editor stance similar to the Bellingham Herald’s Our View editorial, “negative election letters don’t serve the community,” October 11. The editorial stated, “There are a lot of baseless charges being thrown around. The Northern Light October 13 – 19 issue letter to the editor by Linda Haynes from Ferndale is an example of what the Herald editorial opposes.
The below facts are verifiable in the records of the Birch Bay Village Community Club (BBVCC):
Haynes resigned from the BBVCC board of directors in 1999 after a board president was recalled for cause by a vote of BBVCC membership.
In 2002, Haynes sold out of the BBVCC.
Kent was elected by the BBVCC membership to the board of directors twice.
Kent was elected by the BBVCC board of directors to be president in 1999 and 2001.
He chaired the selection committee that resulted in the hiring of the current BBVCC manager.
He led the effort that brought natural gas into the BBVCC.
Mike has made numerous anonymous financial donations for BBVCC amenities.
I served with Mike Kent on the BBVCC board of directors and observed the following:
1. Mike always tried to do what was best for the membership.
2. As president, Mike fostered and practiced nothing less than full coordination and cooperation with and among board and community members.
3. As president Mike practiced strict adherence to and enforcement of the BBVCC by-laws regarding open meetings and membership notification.
4. His business activities never conflicted with or influenced his BBVCC board duties.
Mike has served in both the public and private sectors. He is dedicated to Whatcom County and has the endorsement of both the Bellingham firefighters and the Whatcom County deputy sheriff’s guild among many other organizations and individuals. We need Mike on the county council.
Ken Woods
Birch Bay

The Editor:
I would like to encourage people to vote for Jeralynn Smith for the Northwest Parks and Recreation District position 2. She is a Birch Bay native whose family has been in Birch Bay for five generations. Jeralynn was instrumental in negotiating the purchase of the 15 acres next to the BP heron colony for the Whatcom Land Trust and Whatcom County Parks. The property is now preserved and protected from future development.
Jeralynn is very involved in volunteering in the community as a board member of Friends of Birch Bay State Park, a member of the steering committee’s parks sub-committee and the chairperson of the steering committee’s design guidelines sub-committee.
Her energy, knowledge and vision will be a great asset to the Northwest Parks and Recreation District. Please join me in voting for Jeralynn Smith.
Ted Morris
Birch Bay

The Editor:
We wish to commend the entire cast of the Dracula production which gave us a lot of enjoyment and laughs on Sunday afternoon’s matinee.
We especially thought the acting of Mikael Kenoyer (Professor Van Heising), Rick Collier (Dracula) and Kerry Walker (Mrs. Harker) were exceptional.
It’s great to have such hard working actors in your city of Blaine
Coro LeVan, Surrey, B.C., and
Milan Aleksich, Blaine

The Editor:
I live in the Blaine area and I have followed politics since I was a teenager growing up in Seattle. I moved to Blaine to get away from all of the traffic in the Lynnwood area. I enjoy the many lakes and rivers available for my favorite sport of fishing.
To keep up with local events, I attend city council meetings at least once a month. I happened to attend the July 18 meeting on the Blaine airport master plan. There was quite a heated discussion that night and I was surprised that over half of the people that spoke during the public comment time were not in favor of expanding – let alone having – an airport.
I have only lived here for a couple of years and I didn’t realize that the airport had been voted on three times in the last 27 years. I continue to read letters and articles about the airport and recently a group of citizens put a petition together to abolish the airport. It was only two months ago I was at the meeting to extend the airport and now citizens have decided they don’t even want an airport!
As I researched the history of the airport, it became very apparent that at least half of the city has wanted the airport closed for many years. As usual, in a small town, politics get in the way of most any major issue.
When I noticed last week that airport commissioner Doug Fenton is supporting incumbent Bob Brunkow for re-election to city council, I asked a few questions about Mr. Brunkow. I was a bit surprised to find out that he owns an airplane, leases a hangar and votes on airport related issues. In Seattle, we used to call that conflict of interest.
If voters want to get rid of an airport, I suggest you not vote for someone who is not capable of being objective about the airport. I have noticed a few Brunkow signs lately and they refer to his integrity. I’m sorry – but blatant conflict of interest is not integrity.
Michael Farrell
Blaine

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