Letters to the Editor, April 29-May 5, 2021

Posted

The Editor:

The Blaine High School Hall of Fame was formed four years ago under the auspices of the Blaine Booster Club, a 50.1 C3 support group of BHS athletics. Its purpose is to honor former BHS athletes, coaches and community members who have exemplified excellence and sacrifice in support of all areas of athletics.

In 2019, our first class of inductees was honored and introduced to our community at a home football game and the next day at a ceremony in the PAC. They consisted of: 

• Football State Champions, 1978;

• Bob Robertson, Contributor,1947;

• Coaches Craig Foster and Rob Ridnour;

• Tim Evans, 1974;

• Richard “Handshake” Hanson, 1964;

• Chris Jorgensen, 1989;

• Ken “Bud” Markusen, 1962;

• Cherish Morrison, 2012;

• Luke Ridnour, 2000;

• Leslie Seelye, 1997;

• Jessica Summers, 2004;

• David Wiens, 1973.

Our new class of inductees were chosen but because of Covid-19, we were unable to have our ceremony last year and postponed it until 2021. Here are the names of the new inductees:

• 1990 State Champion Wrestling Team

• 1990 Baseball State Champions

• Contributor Dale Flint

• Distinguished Honorees: Ernie Jacobs, Bob Robbins

• Athletes Joe Pacioreki, baseball; Dwayne Magnusson, wrestling; Teresa Holleman Goninan, track; Becky Riddle, track and field; Joan Swanson, volleyball, basketball, softball and track; and Rodney Dohner, football, wrestling and baseball.

Our community was challenged in many ways this past year, including the yearlong border closing. Because of this, we were hesitant to ask businesses to help us pay the expenses for such a ceremony. 

Thus, the reason for this letter: We are seeking financial assistance from the “community at large.” Whatever you may want or be able to donate for this tax-deductible cause will help defray the expenses involved in an awards ceremony such as this. Donations may be sent to: Blaine Booster Club, P.O. Box 152, Blaine, WA 98231.

The date for this year’s ceremony is scheduled for October 8-9. Mark your calendars now.

Gary Clausen

BHS Hall of Fame Committee chairman

Blaine

 

The Editor:

On December 22, 2020, a BNSF train derailed and caught fire here in Whatcom County.

Oil, 30,000 gallons of Bakken Crude Oil, spilled. Between 5,000 and 8,000 gallons of that crude oil either burned or escaped into the ground.

Terrible. Yet, a lucky outcome considering much worse could have occurred. It is certainly interesting that we still don’t know why the train derailed. We don’t know why, at low speed, the railcars ruptured, leaked and burned.

Rumors it was eco-terrorism were quick, and a convenient deflection. Locals, however, observed possibly defective tracks at a nearby crossing.

In four months, we’ve heard nothing. Not from BNSF, not from local government, not from local law enforcement and not from state or federal regulators.

You’d think this would be a front-and-center concern. After all, similar derailments have resulted in deaths, much larger damage …

We deserve answers:

Was the Bakken oil properly contained in department of transportation appropriate rail cars? Were they properly insured?

Was the accident human error, poor track maintenance, or both?

Is the delay communicating the investigation result intentional, in the hope things would blow over?

Who did the investigation: National Transportation Safety Board, Washington State Department of Transportation, or did BNSF just investigate itself?

Do we really want oil and coal passing right through our city centers and across our farms, especially when BNSF’s track (pun intended) record is so poor?

BNSF sure has done a lot of recent maintenance along the tracks and at crossings in north county. Is that just coincidence?

When will we know what happened?

Han Nachtrieb

Birch Bay

 

The Editor:

Are you looking for a new pet to share your home? Would you rather not walk your pet several times daily (although walks are certainly good things)? Would you rather your new pet not lie on your book, or computer keyboard, or knock all the breakable items off your table (although that is sometimes charming)? Would you like a pet that greets you extremely enthusiastically whenever you enter the room or open the refrigerator door? A pet that can eat some of the same foods (spring salad mix, anyone?) that you do? A pet that comes with a built-in friend?

May I suggest that you consider Guinea pigs? They are very interactive with their people, their waste is not very onerous to clean up, they usually need to live with at least one other Guinea pig to be happy (there’s the built-in friend) and they are seriously adorable little beings.

I have adopted three from Whatcom Humane Society and they make me laugh every day. There are currently many sweet, cute, needy Guinea pigs at Whatcom Humane Society that would love to live in your home and make you laugh too. The adoption coordinator will help you to find the perfect pig(s) for your home, and make sure that you know how to care for them. Won’t you stop in and check them out?

Jennifer Plombon

Blaine

 

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