Letters to the Editor

The Editor
When can veterans in Whatcom and Skagit counties expect a satellite healthcare clinic? This is the question being raised by some 31,000 veterans in both counties. Satellite clinics exist in Federal Way, Bremerton and Wenatchee. We feel the size of our veteran population in Whatcom and Skagit counties warrant serious consideration for establishing a health care clinic in our region.
The DAV sends a van to Seattle daily for those veterans with appointments at the VA hospital in Seattle. Due to a long day trip, many qualified (non-handicapped) veterans choose to go without basic eye, dental, hearing, or medical care. Unfortunately, Skagit County veterans must travel to Bellingham for this transportation.
Informational meetings have been held with VA representatives, the Veterans Affairs Office in Washington, D.C., as well as district representatives from both sides of the aisle. As a result, an application from the Seattle VA office requesting a North Puget Sound clinic has been sent to Washington, D.C. The request now rests in the hands of the congress.
We ask for community support. Write to your congressman and lobby for favorable endorsement to establish a satellite healthcare center in North Puget Sound. Thank a veteran for the sacrifices he has made to keep our country free. Support his long-term health issues! It is the least any of us can do.
But our work is far from done. The state of Washington has the third largest number of veterans in the United States, but we’re ranked 48th in the amount of money we receive from the government to care for our brothers and sisters in arms.
Earl Erickson, Legion member
Blaine
George LaPold, Legion Adjutant
Bellingham
Walt DeKraai, VFW Judge Advocate & Legislative Chm.
Lynden

The Editor:
A Halloween poem: The Bells of Midnight (to be read at night):
Why do you shudder, O my soul, When the bells of midnight toll.
Does the creature born of night, now on velvet wings take flight.
Or does the dark moon, now illumene, a fell form, is it beast or human?
A beam catches a glowing eye, in the dark a strangled cry.
Followed by a scream, a thud, the sidewalk is awash with blood.
Dark forms dance in ghoulish glee, but there is no “man” to see.
Now you may think this tale a fable, but I ask you now if able.
To think about the time and place, where people have vanished without a trace.
So when you leave, go straight home, for in the dark you’re not alone.
George Tranberg
Blaine

Dear Editor:
The members of the “Sweet Road Artisans Alliance” would like to send out a big thank you to all who attended our studio tours last weekend. We appreciated the fact that many of you made it to all six sites over the course of the wet weekend which qualified you for entry into the door prize drawing. There were eight prizes, one donated by each artist on the tour. The eight winners names were drawn at our Monday night meeting and they will be contacted by phone or email. Prizes may be picked up at Northern Meadows Gifts & Wine shop located at 684 Peace Portal Drive. Hope to see you at the second annual “Winterfest” which will be held at Wildwood Dream Alpaca Farm on consecutive Saturdays from November 25 to December 9.
Allie Ryser
Blaine

The Editor:
The CAP Thanksgiving Dinner Basket Program will be held again this year on Wednesday, November 22, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The basket pick up point will be different from last year. The location will be announced later.
Those families residing in the Birch Bay, Blaine, Custer and Point Roberts area who desire to be recipients must get on the list to receive their basket through Family Services at Blaine school, (call Larissa or Andree at 332-0740). Applicants should get their names in by November 10. Baskets are sized and assigned for each individual family on the list; there are no baskets for walk-ins.
Last year we provided the makings for a complete Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings to 157 needy families on the afternoon before Thanksgiving Day.
More than 856 children and adults had a full Thanksgiving dinner as a result of the financial donations of generous friends and neighbors.
Those desiring to contribute to this charitable work may do so at Cost Cutter, Bank of America, Sterling Bank and other supporting business in Blaine. Look for the sign at these businesses. Donations may be mailed to the CAP Thanksgiving Basket Program, P.O. Box 1067, Blaine, WA 98231. CAP is an approved 501(c)3 charity program, and any donation is fully tax deductible.
The average cost for a Thanksgiving basket was $64.50 in 2005. It will probably be about $68 this year.
Brent Brentnall
Director, The Community Assistance Program
Blaine

The Editor:
My heartfelt thanks to the Whatcom County Library – I am really enjoying having the bookmobile visit Birch Bay once a week (Wednesdays, 4-7pm at the Bay Center Market).
If you are not yet using it, I hope you will soon because now through December 31 is a test period for them to decide whether or not to continue financing the bookmobile into 2007.
May I add that Canadian citizens who own property in Birch Bay (you’re paying taxes) or who have a Fraser Valley library card (reciprocal agreement) are also welcome to use the bookmobile. You can get your card at the bookmobile.
Our library system has access to books all over the country, not just in Whatcom County. I’ve been using the NY Times bestseller lists and the lists on the library website and then requesting my choice of books online to be delivered by the bookmobile. We can return the books to the new drop box (next to the grocery store) or to the bookmobile itself. Works like a charm.
Here’s something cool: Go to http://www.hclib.org/pub/books/iyl/ and enter a favorite author in the “search for” box at the bottom and they will provide you a list of other authors you might enjoy. See you on the bookmobile.
Tom Birkenhead
Birch Bay

The Editor:
In addition to all the write-ups about Ray Bice, I would like to add that I have seen all the work that he has done at the Hillside Cemetery and know of the other volunteer work he has done. At one time, he was my boss at a cannery in Alaska, and a good one at that. I am sorry about your illness Ray and hope you can hold in there much longer.
“Azever” Ed Falck
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