The Editor:
Have you noticed how amazing the post office is looking these days? Thank you to whoever arranged for the beautification!
Sandie Miller
Blaine
The Editor:
I will be voting no on the latest school district request for funding. In spite of articles that will presumably tout the benefits of the current tax increase proposal that is on the ballot, Washington state just increased my property taxes by 59 percent to pay for schools, and my Blaine school district taxes went up this year by another 24 percent even before this request.
Why am I expected to just hand them money – whether I can afford it or not – and they can just keep taking more and more?
Maybe the school board should sit down and figure out how to use the increased money they are getting before they come asking us for more.
Calvin Armerding
Blaine
The Editor:
I participated in the “March for Our Lives” on March 24 in Blaine. We ended up at the Peace Arch where various people spoke, including students. Those kids were frightened. They do not feel safe going to school and this should not be happening in America.
It seems to me that the simplest, most obvious action to prevent such horrendous events in the future would be to ban assault weapons.
I know very little about guns, but as I understand it, their sole purpose is to kill many people very rapidly. Why should anyone, other than the military, have one?
I have heard some say that guns don’t kill people, people do. Granted, a person is necessary, but it is the gun that kills.
Patricia Vavrick
Blaine
The Editor:
Aloha from Maui, Hawaii. I was a resident for several years in the Birch Bay community. My wife and I loved it there.
My son and his family own a house there as well and for many years the whole extended family would get together for crabbing season.
My daughter-in-law still sends me care packages which always includes the back copies of The Northern Light. I was so disappointed to read that the interim police chief has decided to substantially change the format of the police reports from the old narrative format to a sterile type of police short hand – boring!
Not only was the old report enjoyable to read, but it also put a “human face” on police work in our community! It was great public relations and really helped me see the variety of tasks our officers did on a routine basis. In my opinion this change was a big mistake.
Don’t forget that an important part of “police work” is the support of the public. A point the chief may have forgotten!
David Hobus
Kahului, HI
The Editor:
I am deeply concerned by the recent marches against gun violence. Adults against gun violence is one thing, but involving children is another.
Young children (elementary school age) are not cognitively capable of understanding both sides of the issue and this develops fear. They hear a misguided statement that teachers will have guns. I question whether that enhances the student’s opportunity for learning? Teenage children are emotionally charged. They follow the masses to fit in; those that did not were bullied.
Students were encouraged by the media to show their anger, resentment and threats of voting rights – an example of political correctness.
Just because one person feels guns should be eliminated, doesn’t mean everyone feels that way. However, students around the county were told to march to a cause they didn’t fully understand. Teaching our youth to think for themselves with the help from parents, counselors, or clergy is a way of building self-esteem and confidence.
We need more opportunities for our young people to express what they believe in, according to their development and stop allowing the academic community to tell them what to think and feel. Are the marches actually productive? I think not.
Are the results helping students cope with the loss of a friend or sibling? I think not. Our society has become one of reaction without careful thought, promoted by the media.
Let’s make an attempt to allow children to think, learn, and form opinions and beliefs when they are ready. And, if their opinion is different from ours, give them the opportunity to express themselves without judgment.
Susan Werner
Blaine
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