The Editor:
The nonprofit Blaine Senior Center (BSC) has an election coming up on December 15. I would like to encourage everyone who was a member of the BSC as of June 30, 2025 to vote. Ballots will be taken December 10-12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, December 15 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the BSC. Only in-person voting is permitted by our by-laws.
This election is important. It will bring a full complement of board members (as per the by-laws, we need nine) into the room to work on the future vision of the Blaine Senior Center non-profit.
The last few years have been challenging for our board(s) and our membership. I believe we have turned the corner and now have the opportunity to redirect the nonprofit with new energy and enthusiasm, partnering with Blaine Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 who take care of the day-to-day operations, the board can focus on expanding and improving activities, fundraisers and events.
Nominees running for the incoming board are excited to hear from our membership about what they would like to have the board look at for possibilities.
I would ask you also to consider carefully the ballot measure that has also been put on the ballot for the board election. In my opinion, the incoming board deserves the option to review and carefully consider whether donating 80 percent of our assets is the best decision moving forward.
If you believe the Blaine Senior Center non-profit still has a job to do in our senior community, support it by voting “No” on the WCF ballot measure.
Kelle Rankin-Sunter
Blaine
The Editor:
Our Blaine Senior Center nonprofit is in peril. Blaine Senior Center members, please vote “No” on “Donating” $300,000 to the Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF). Here are some reasons why I believe a “No” vote is necessary.
We lose complete control of 80 percent of our finances.
We still have to maintain our nonprofit status with highly diminished funds.
The Blaine Senior Center funds and Whatcom Community Foundation funds are similarly invested in the stock market. No income difference.
The Whatcom Community Foundation management fees appear higher than our current brokerage fees. We lose money with WCF!
Depending on the donation, half of the “donated” funds may be inaccessible for years.
For the other half of the “donated” funds, we would have to beg to get any of our money back and the Whatcom Community Foundation has the right of refusal.
We have to continue maintaining our nonprofit status if we want to get any of our money back at all from the Whatcom Community Foundation.
To “donate” $300,000 of the Blaine Senior Center nonprofit money, our money, to WCF, would limit future Blaine Senior Center board decisions.
This is not intended to be a judgment on the quality, integrity or value of WCF. It’s a perfectly fine organization. WCF is just not right for us at this time. Vote “No” to “donating” $300,000.
Heino Sunter
Blaine
The Editor:
Great investigative effort on the Port of Bellingham operations. Well documented, analyzed and presented. This is the kind of work that I expect out of a local newspaper.
Personally, I find the operation, attitude, practices and personnel policies well beyond the scope of a publicly funded organization. Perhaps had the Port of Bellingham replied to your questions my feelings of potential incompetence, collusion, and criminal behavior would be somewhat less … but they didn’t.
Keep up the good work and I will be supporting your endeavors.
Gary Wilde
Birch Bay Village
