Letters to The Editor: February 3-9, 2022

Posted

The Editor:

I just returned from a Saturday shopping trip to downtown Blaine. In a parking lot and on the Peace Portal Way were trucks with all sorts of flags and “Stop the Mandate” signs.

That is fine, opinions are good, but what is not good is the three American flags I found dragging on the ground and the five flags I found torn and frayed from flapping in the wind. 

I was raised to honor our flag and love it. It is a proud symbol, not an advertising tool. Your treatment of our national emblem is not patriotism, it is sacrilege when treated as I saw. A few “patriots” with degradation of our flag and hoped for domination rather than civil discourse is not only a crass demonstration, but renders our community subject of possible ridicule, not the pride and allegiance you hope for.

Some citizens are sick of this, and sad and concerned for this community and country.

Donna Starr

Blaine

The Editor:

Once again, there’s a huge weather disruption – this time on the east coast. At the time of this writing, over 100,000 customers with no power. A few weeks back there was a huge windstorm event across the entire central part of our country, leaving over 500,000 with no power. During our flood event here in November, power was out, albeit for a short time. 

To my mind, this is unacceptable any longer. It’s time for the power company to bury all new and refurbished power lines. 

Oh, I know it’ll cost them up front. You think repeated service in storms and paying lineman to repair these downed lines doesn’t cost them, too? Over and over? 

The only thing that doesn’t cost them is the rebates they give us for times when we are without their service. What’s that? You don’t get any break on your bill for having no service? Hmm. 

And immediate cost is about the only thing they are concerned with because of the need to pay their investors.

Here’s the deal: We regulate that business. The purpose of regulating businesses is so that they don’t cut corners on service or quality while pocketing all the profit they can get away with. Meat packers, food growers and packers, tire manufacturers, etc. They’re all regulated to ensure you get a safe product, time after time. And aren’t you glad of that? 

It’s time for the Public Utility District to approach the idea of regulating power lines to be underground for the safety and consistency of power we all pay for to be delivered. Shareholders can wait for their dividends for a while, don’t you think it’s time?

Gary Meader

Everson

The Editor:

I voted “no” on the Birch Bay Library. I am now obligated to vote again (at great taxpayer expense) because one side didn’t like the results.

There is a library seven miles from Birch Bay.

With every important book ever written available from my home computer, there is very little need to go to the library for information.

Down the street sits a vacant lot that represents a Birch Bay county park. $5 million would go a long way in providing a public bathroom and other park amenities; a place for kids to play across from the beach. The beach is a place to enjoy and appreciate nature, not go inside and put your nose in a book.

To the average beachgoer the library will be a convenient public restroom.

The library is a romantic idea, nothing more.

I will vote “no” again February 8.

Isabell Altpeter

Birch Bay

Comments

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  • cmarie20

    Agree with Isabell Altpeter. There are much better ways to use that piece of property in Birch Bay. Something that serves the public in general. Craft fairs, farmers market, community garage sale, car show, and, yes, public rest rooms. Playground like the one in Blaine by the pier. There is a library in Blaine and one in Ferndale that serve Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer nicely.

    Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Report this


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