Letters to the editor, December 31- January 6

The Editor:

During this season of miracles and magic, I hate to dispel the rumor that the “Poop Fairy” really exists.

To those in Blaine who believe a Poop Fairy magically picks up their dog’s poop, I must bring them back to reality.

As I walk my dog around H Street, G Street, the Blaine schools, Boys & Girls Club, Blaine Senior Center and the 7th Street garden path, there is enough dog poop all over that one would think it was evident that the Poop Fairy does not exist.

I have witnessed at least five residents of the Bayview Plaza apartments who not only don’t pick up their dogs’ poop, they also let them run around without being leashed. I also know the management of those apartments are aware of these residents, yet have done nothing about it.

But they are not the only culprits. There is so much dog waste around Blaine, I must circumvent the piles to pick up my own dog’s poop.

Those who are irresponsible dog owners must think their dog’s poop doesn’t stink on the bottom of a shoe (especially on a child’s shoe as they use the 7th Street garden path to go to and from school). It’s bad enough for an adult like me to step in a pile of poop (big or small) but I feel so sorry for the child that arrives at school with dog waste on their shoes.

If people are not responsible dog owners/caretakers we might as well rename Blaine “Schitzville,” “Dogpile” or “Pooptown.”

So yes, Virginia (and Blaine) there is no Poop Fairy, so pick up the poop!

Brenda Hansen

Blaine

The Editor:

In November I submitted a letter regarding the Blaine school district board of directors citing the urgent need for them to buy land in Birch Bay for future school construction. I did not see any response from this board or anyone else, including parents of Birch Bay school children. Being now 80 years old with no children I still have a deep interest in having Birch Bay children have schools in our community and avoid the daily commutes to Blaine to attend school.

Before the November election I sent emails to Joan Lotze and her opponent, who both replied that they supported a plan to buy land in Birch Bay for school construction. After this election I sent a congratulatory email to Joan Lotze and emails to all Blaine school district directors on this topic. I asked all of them what was the current plan for buying land in Birch Bay at this time and not one of them responded, including Joan Lotze. So she was making an election promise it seems with no intent to carry it out.

Maybe all of them ignored me since I had no school children. It appears that the parents of Birch Bay school children have no desire to make an effort to have land purchased so children in Birch Bay do not have to spend time riding buses rather than studying, doing homework or enjoying time with their family.

It is a real shame and sad commentary on the apparent and intended neglect by the Blaine school district directors to refuse to address this topic and want Birch Bay residents to pay for improvements to Blaine schools only and seemingly conning them into approving the bond issue earlier this year.

Congrats to Doralee Booth and others for fighting for a disapproval of this bond issue knowing the attitude continually demonstrated by the school district board.

I will now leave this topic up to the Birch Bay parents to take action and get land purchased for your children or their children in the future.

Mickey Masdeo

Birch Bay

The Editor:

In order to provide a special reason to be thankful on what otherwise might have been a bleak holiday, the Community Assistance Program (CAP) Thanksgiving Basket Program should make Blaine very, very proud.

This year the scores of volunteers, including our firefighters, prepared and distributed baskets to 324 families amounting to 1,967 people. Think of it: 324 families, 1,967 people. From soup to nuts to pies (baked by our churches and Girl Scouts).

And yet, not one member of the city council or the mayor could find five minutes to stop by and thank these dedicated and committed members of the Blaine community. No one can remember a time when they ever did in all the years this program has existed.

Nor did anyone notice any coverage in this newspaper. Perhaps it’s not considered newsworthy.

We should take notice and be grateful for the joy brought to so many by these hardworking and caring people.

Marilyn Mulhern

Blaine

The Editor:

Bottled my Twin Brook:

On some far away beach I fluttered

“You said you should have?”

“I said I am going to”

Hung my hoodie to dry

Nathan Keifer

Birch Bay

The Editor:

Thank you for printing the picture and story about the nativity scene on the corner of C and 6th street. We are new residents to Blaine and we are encouraged by the freedom to express our religious beliefs openly in nativity scenes and wishes for a Merry Christmas by some of the advertisers. I have no problem with those of other faiths expressing their forms of faith publicly, but I do take offense at the current trend of restrictions against Christian expressions. Again, thank you.

Sandy Anderberg

Blaine

The Editor:

The story recently written describing the power point presentation given by the WWU economist students regarding the viability of a Blaine Amtrak stop left out major positive facts.

I was talking with one customer and she said that a neighbor that wasn’t in attendance, but who read the article, was left with the impression that the Blaine Amtrak stop wasn’t going to happen.

The writer left out a critical piece of information, that if included, would have pretty much sealed the deal and informed the readers that the likelihood of a restored historic depot and Amtrak stop is extremely likely!

Also, when the stop is announced I understand Amtrak will add a third noonday train.

There was good attendance by the public, and many excellent comments. Here was my favorite:

My question to you folks is this, would you agree, once this historic station is restored and Amtrak passenger service is operating, that with just a little bit of advertising north of the border and word of mouth advertising to follow, that the Blaine Amtrak stop could and likely would be the busiest Amtrak station, ridership-wise, in the entire state of Washington?

Their answer: “If not the busiest, it would compete with the busiest in the state.”

Well, to me, that is one powerful statement and we all should take note. How could the local paper leave this major fact out of their story?

I think to leave folks with joy and hope over negative feelings of despair and hopelessness is a much better approach and serves a community better, a town that deserves success and positive family-friendly downtown projects.

Oh, by the way, ridership of the busiest station in the state is in Vancouver, Washington at 300,000 folks per year.

As the students showed, a population of 1.1 million south of the Fraser would use the Blaine depot. Likely around 250,000 within bike riding and walking distance to the depot, and only a three-minute walk once you clear customs.

Let’s all be positive and proactive. Build it and they will come.

Bill Becht

Blaine