The Editor:
On July 14, Blaine City Council was in session with one of the agenda items being the appointment of a vacant city council position. Three candidates were allowed 15 minutes to address a series of questions from council. Each candidate had received the questions in advance of July 14 so they could adequately prepare.
Ray Leone was the second candidate to speak. The mayor read each question aloud and Mr. Leone responded with well thought-out, detailed, reasonable answers that specifically addressed each question.
Sarbie Bains was the third candidate to respond. Ms. Bains responses were brief with no detail. Ms. Bains stated that she was unable to answer most of the questions because she was unfamiliar with the subject matter and would have to defer to the city council’s current members for guidance. Mr. Leone was asked several follow-up questions by a councilmember. Ms. Bains was not asked any follow-up questions. Ms. Bains was told by a councilmember that saying she did not know anything about the subject matter contained in the formal questions was an acceptable response. Her lack of responsiveness was forgiven despite the fact she had time to prepare and acquaint herself with the subject matter contained in the questions.
Mr. Leone and Ms. Bains were nominated to fill the vacant council seat. Ms. Bains received all the councilmember’s votes save one, which was in favor of Mr. Leone.
If the city council members were to evaluate the candidates on their merit and responses to the questions prepared by city council, then Mr. Leone should have easily won the day. Which he did not.
In November, the candidates listed on the ballot will be Ms. Bains and Mr. Hill. Mr. Hill has withdrawn from the race. City council has refused to allow additional candidates to apply to appear on the ballot.
There is nothing about her temporary position appointment or the election in November that will equate to a fair and impartial election.
Deborah Alexander
Blaine
(Editor’s note: The deadline for candidates to apply for any countywide position in the August primary was May 9. Bains and Hill were the only two candidates to file for the at-large Blaine City Council position, meaning they will only appear in the November general election. The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office is in charge of elections, not Blaine City Council. Leone is on the ballot for a separate council position in the August primary.)
The Editor:
The “against” statement the levy starts by referring to Genesis (Gen. 1:27 and Gen 2:24) and states our library actively opposes the idea that God made us male and female and sex is intended for marriage.
There are reasons one might oppose the levy, one of which is the cost increase per home property tax. But to state that God makes us only male or female is incorrect. While rare, I have known two families whose newborns were born with parts from each sex. Those parents and children had no say in that and deserve kindness as they navigate the issues that are raised in rearing their beloved children. And sex being intended only in marriage? So … how many politicians have you voted for who have never had sex before marriage or during marriage without doing “it” without the sole purpose of creating a baby? And how many marriages is a person allowed?
As a parent, no one at the library will prevent you from screening books before your child reads them. It is your job to supervise your child, not the library’s. Just like it is your job to be sure the child does not have unsupervised access to guns, drugs, porn, etc.
I raised my daughter in the Catholic church and she went to Catholic and Lutheran schools through graduate school. I am proud that she treats all people respectfully and embraces them with love. I don’t think we need to make up a conspiracy that the libraries are out to “brainwash” anyone.
Susan O’Malley
Blaine
The Editor:
Our libraries are one of the last truly public spaces where everyone is welcome – regardless of age, background or beliefs. The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) hasn’t asked for a levy adjustment since 2009, but in that time, our community’s use of the library has skyrocketed. Library cardholders are up 56 percent, and demand for programs, technology and materials is at an all-time high.
Voting “yes” on the levy means maintaining the services we rely on – story times for toddlers, internet access for jobseekers, books and resources for students, programs for seniors, and gathering places for all of us. It means keeping the doors open and shelves stocked at 11 library branches and a bookmobile that reaches even our most rural neighbors.
Some opponents want to turn this vote into a culture war. But this levy isn’t about politics – it’s about practical support for an institution that enriches our lives and helps people make informed decisions. Parents can and do guide what their children read. The library supports that, offering tools to help families navigate materials in a way that reflects their values.
This is a modest investment – about $8 more a month for the average household – to preserve a resource that belongs to all of us.
Let’s stand up for education, community and access.
Vote “yes” to support our
libraries.
Melissa Bomben
Blaine
The Editor:
Every week, I take my children to the library. Sometimes we go to the Lynden library and enjoy story time with Hana with my youngest, and sometimes we go to the Ferndale branch and my son checks out every single Garfield collection they have. While there, I am able to print off coloring sheets for the kids or paperwork that I need for my life. I’m able to check out board games and puzzles to keep the rainy-day blues at bay, and make a mermaid out of a paper bag with their arts and crafts during the summer.
Libraries are an essential part of my life and are used by my friends and neighbors every day. And unlike my favorite coffee stand, they cannot just raise prices to meet the rising costs of operations. They need our help.
For less than $8 a month, we can keep the lights on and the doors open. This would mean the world to my family and hopefully yours. Please join me in voting yes for our libraries this August.
Bryna Sweeney
Lynden
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