Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
What brings me to write this letter are the remarks made by BP Refinery president Ross Pillari at the senate hearing. Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens is doing Pillari’s bidding in an attempt to repeal the Washington state Magnuson amendment. The Magnuson Amendment is an important safeguard for our Puget Sound waters, but unless it is repealed Pillari threatens to cut oil production by 10 percent.
BP provides many jobs and a huge tax base for county, city and state governments and Pillari seems to know the power of his position.
Pillari’s remark is a hollow threat. BP is heavily invested here and will not limit production or shut down the refinery and move to somewhere else if we don’t meet their demand. Pillari is using the oil as bargaining tool to get what they want.
At some point, we must stand up for a good cause and do the right thing! Can we tell Pillari loudly and clearly that we will not be hostages to his threats?
We all know that the world will need an adequate supply of oil in the foreseeable future to survive. But we must think what we are giving up to have this oil flowing. We are even willing to go to war to secure and protect it. We send unimaginable sums of money overseas for oil and are willing to go drilling in areas we have kept aside as our national treasures.
The obvious solution is to wean us from this oil addiction. As a start we can cut the fuel consumption of cars by half or more, the technology exists right now. If we spend just a fraction of the money we send overseas to fund the research of many bright minded people to find the alternative source energy to relieve our diminishing oil supply, it will open up new frontiers. It will create a new economy with a better future.
But then, this is not on the wish list of big oil and the current administration.
Kay Schuhmacher
Blaine

The Editor:
Merry Christmas!
Every year I tell myself I’m going to write this letter, and I’ve finally had enough – this is the year. Maybe if more of the vast majority spoke up, we wouldn’t be losing so many of our grand traditions in this country, which is slowly but surely eating away at our society. Tell me one other country in the world that would change its traditions for us?
What happened to freedom of religion? We have the constitutional right to celebrate Christmas! Yes, Christmas. And you have the right not to participate if you choose, and I respect that, but please do not show disrespect for our religious expressions. Why are we allowing the minority to rule the majority in this country? Think about it folks!
How can anyone be offended by a holiday that stands for peace, joy, happiness and love thy neighbor?
And what is this about a “holiday” tree? What other holiday do we decorate trees? I’ve never in my 64 years heard such nonsense! We aren’t really going to allow all this to happen, are we?
Now I’ll feel better if we Christians all chime in together loud and clear for all to hear – Merry Christmas!
Sharon Neem
Blaine

The Editor:
North Whatcom Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 3867 is collecting non-perishable food items for the Blaine food bank from now until the end of January.
The Blaine food bank is experiencing critical shortages and is in need of food and other items. Baby items that are needed are baby food, infant cereal, formula and diapers and will help many families with young children. Cash or check donations made to Blaine food bank are accepted during regular business hours.
Donations can be dropped off anytime at Station #10 at 9408 Odell Road or at Station #7 at 4581 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. There are drop off bins located near the front entrance of each station.
If you have questions or to check if crew is at the station please call 371-2533. Please leave a message if there is no answer and the crew will return your call when they return to the station.
Donations will be accepted until Tuesday, January 31, 2006. Thank you for helping our community!
Leslee Smith, PIO, IAFF
Local 3867
Blaine

The Editor:
I want to thank everyone who voted for a study to close the Blaine airport. I will never forget the efforts of a handful of airport opponents who went out and collected over 500 airport petition signatures in five days.
I will also never forget campaigning against two of our city council members at a Semiahmoo men’s breakfast. It is unfortunate that one of these men lost his seat on the council because he is a very talented individual and could have been a real asset to the city of Blaine. We are very lucky that the person who will replace him is also a very bright businessman who will be a key figure on our council.
If you get a chance, be sure to thank our mayor John Liebert for having the leadership skills to bring the airport up for discussion. John did a good job of listening to voter’s complaints about the airport. Don’t ever forget that if John hadn’t spoken up, Blaine would be getting a $16 million dollar airport that they don’t need or want. Unlike three other council members John did a good job of staying completely neutral in the airport debate. He simply brought the airport up for discussion and left the letter writing and campaigning up to the public.
In spite of all of the work that a few council members did to promote the airport, the citizens of Blaine overwhelmingly voted, at nearly 60 percent, for a study to close the airport.
It’s disturbing to me that it took an initiative to show our city council that Blaine does not support its airport. Now it is important that the city hire an independent, objective party to work on closing the airport.
I want to thank everyone that supported closing of the Blaine airport, and I am looking forward to working with ‘Revitalize Blaine Now’ on our next project which will focus on revitalizing downtown and taking advantage of our million dollar views.
Keep your eyes on the old Blaine Book Store property and you will notice a spectacular water view condominium complex called Harborside Place which is just the start of big things in Blaine!
Dennis Hill
Blaine

The Editor:
The Sixty-Five Sisterhood Helping Hands would like to thank all the generous donors of garage sale items for their support in 2005. We were able to contribute $800 to the Blaine Family Service Center, $500 to the Community Thanksgiving Fund, $500 to Stafholt Good Samaritan Center and $500 for “goodie bags” for Whatcom County troops stationed in Iraq.
Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone in Whatcom County who contributed, to all those who attended our garage sale and to the friends who gave us much needed help during the sale. We wish you the most wonderful holiday season and a prosperous 2006.
Anyone wishing to contribute garage sale items for our 2006 sale, please call 371-9165.
Dianna Seeklander & SSHHH
Blaine

The Editor:
We recently relocated from Bellevue to Blaine. We had an antique wall clock that had stopped chiming and we wanted to have it fixed. I happened upon Blaine Jewelry Source in the small mall by Cost Cutter and asked Ny if he could repair the clock. He was very precise about price, time for the repair, etc. Everything was documented on the receipt. He called me on the day of completion and asked that I come to his shop and he would follow me to our home. He insisted he hang the clock where I wanted it hung so it would chime and work the way he wanted it to work. Well, Ny and his wife Sam hung the clock, it chimed beautifully and off they went.
This couple is so caring about everything they do. They have gorgeous gemstones in their shop and their repairs are unreal at a very reasonable cost.
I don’t know of any storekeeper who would be willing to hang the clock after repairs. Usually, you pay and you are on your own. That says a great deal for this master.
Thanks Ny & Sam for caring so much and going the extra mile.
Marlene & Terry Bawn
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