The Editor:
Recent reporting in The Northern Light said “...de-annex a chunk of east Blaine, which would likely lead to high-density housing near Semiahmoo...” This is not quite what is happening.
West of Semiahmoo will likely be developed more densely no matter what. Not because of whether or not we de-annex east Blaine. That will not cause or prevent density in the west. The west area will develop! The only factor to be determined is who develops it, and under what city limits. If Blaine does not annex it, it will likely be developed either under the rules of the new city of Birch Bay, or Whatcom County, but Semiahmoo’s Blaine residents will have no say in the matter, because it will not be Blaine council handling it.
If west of Semiahmoo becomes a part of Blaine, then we can protect the wooded character of current Semiahmoo by ensuring wildlife corridors and ample landscape buffers between our current homes and the new development down the hill.
The overlap of this issue is because right now, the county tells us we cannot add new land, because we have not yet developed the land we already have in city limits. The east Blaine area has a big pond area with owners who do not wish to ever build there. If the voters agree to de-annex the proposed part of east Blaine, then the county would more likely let us add some other areas.
So the de-annexation of east Blaine does not cause or “lead to” density west of Semiahmoo. All it does is give us a chance for the city of Blaine to be in the driver’s seat about what the upcoming development in the west area will look like.
Furthermore, the city of Blaine will lose a lot of money and waste resources if we are forced to follow guidelines and upgrade our sewer capacity as if east Blaine will develop, when the owners of that land say they shall not. The rest of Blaine shouldn’t have to pay for that.
Richard May, Blaine City Councilor
Blaine
The Editor:
I want to compliment The Northern Light for responsible reporting. I have never seen The Northern Light sensationalize any story at the expense of the readers.
Many of my friends were harmed by the irresponsible sensationalism about a possible disaster from a tsunami hitting our area. All of the official agencies clearly spelled out the times that the waves would hit and what size they would be.
Many of the major news outlets tripled or quadrupled these numbers in order to make news instead of report news. As a result, many people scrambled to leave their homes, causing hardship such as leaving without their medications or their CPAP machines and suffering medical conditions as a result. Who knows how many car accidents were created by this irresponsible reporting.
I would encourage our local citizens to contact the media outlets responsible and express their displeasure with the sensationalism. We have to work together to support an environment of responsible reporting so people can be safe and not placed in harm’s way because of the reporting.
We cannot trust any of the major news outlet who warned that large tsunami waves were going to hit us. The tsunami created waves no larger than one foot in most of western Washington. However, panic ensued as a result of irresponsible reporting. Let us try to ensure that this does not happen again.
Rob Shiras
Blaine
The Editor:
We are Birch Bay; the Birch Bay Incorporation Association (BBIA) announces its August general meeting and invites the public to attend a community barbecue at Birch Bay State Park.
The barbecue will be located at the bp Heron Center in Birch Bay State Park. Reminder that Discover Passes are required for parking, so consider walking, biking or golf-carting to the event. Food will be available 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 21 and includes hot dogs, hamburgers, beverages and sides. Steering committee members will be on site to answer questions and invite community participation.
Of special interest, representatives from Community Attributes Inc. (CAI), the consultant selected by Whatcom County to update the Birch Bay incorporation feasibility study will also be on site and will be announcing their community survey for the study. A webpage for the study has been established at whatcomcounty.us/4615/birch-bay-incorporation-study.
The BBIA has been meeting since June 2023, exploring the potential of the Birch Bay urban growth area (UGA) becoming a city. The steering committee and subcommittees meet monthly, and quarterly community meetings are held in February, May, August and November, when the annual meeting will be held. All meetings are open to the public and have a Zoom option. Recordings of the meetings are available on wearebirchbay.com, along with hundreds of historical documents, meeting minutes and more.
Lisa Guthrie
Blaine
The Editor:
I’m still trying to understand how The Northern Light can go after the Port of Bellingham and U.S. Customs and Border Protection with multiple-page articles, yet when it comes to the city, you seem to ignore things that should be questioned. Instead, I often see the paper making excuses for the city. Is there a bias?
I felt the editor’s note with the July 31 letter submitted by Jay Taber disrespectful and a deflection away from the true reason for his submission. His concerns were about there being four qualified people to help write the rebuttal of the “UGA swap” ballot measure who were ignored by council. If an editor’s note was even needed, it might have been related to that.
Then too, why in the July 24 issue was it necessary to explain the comments by councilman Eric Davidson about Mike Hill? What he said was straightforward. Why instead didn’t you press him about why he voted for Ms. Bains when before the vote he’d voiced that he was against her being appointed because of her connection with Hill?
Then too, you should have questioned how and why after she answered, “I don’t know” to all questions about city issues, she’d be elected to fill the council vacancy by a 5-1 margin over two people who had voiced awareness of city issues. (By the way, thank you Deborah Alexander for your kind words and probing letter along those some lines.)
Did councilors feel Ms. Bains is a “blank page” who could be manipulated, or was it more likely a preordained vote orchestrated by Blaine’s own “Boss Tweed”? A man who, while using our community like a game of Monopoly, may also from behind the scenes be influencing our city management and council (and council candidates).
It’s about time that The Northern “Light” begins to equally shed light on city issues in the same manner it has with the port and CBP. How about starting by writing for us an unbiased and honestly informative article about “Boss Tweed?”
Ray Leone
Blaine
The Editor:
I am writing in response to Deborah Alexander’s letter published July 23 in The Northern Light regarding the Blaine City Council appointment process and my candidacy. It’s a shame she wrote the letter to the editor without reaching out to meet me or understand my background, experience or why I am running for council.
As a minority woman, a small-business owner and a mother of two children attending school in Blaine, I bring a deeply personal and grounded perspective to the challenges many families face in our community. I understand the daily struggle of working parents, the rising cost of living and the growing barriers to affordable housing.
Ms. Alexander’s letter fails to acknowledge the broader context in which public service operates today. Civic leadership is not solely about memorizing prepared answers. It’s about representation, empathy, integrity, and a willingness to listen and grow. I have never claimed to know everything, but I am committed to learning and making thoughtful, inclusive decisions that serve all of Blaine – not just the comfortable few.
The school district enrollment is down by 20 percent over the past five years as young families struggle to find jobs and housing in Blaine. We need leaders who not only speak eloquently but who also understand the real barriers faced by residents trying to build a life here.
Blaine deserves leadership that reflects its future – not just its past.
Sarbie Bains
Blaine
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