The Editor:
I appreciate Lee Bravener’s sympathetic understanding of my letter on police reform. In the midst of a worldwide protest on police violence, we once again watch another cop pull a gun and shoot a man down who is running away. Apparently, you do not have to be guilty of a thing to end up dead. We must talk, try to understand and change such violent behavior. “Why not start in Blaine?” I was asked. My first thought was because Blaine does not have this problem.
However, I now agree that Blaine should lead the way. We sit at the border of two nations who have managed peace for more than a century. We are not so afraid of differences that we must kill to control. Our eloquent chief knows both sides of the question as our country unravels because people no longer know who to trust. Change is needed top to bottom and expectations made explicit on all sides. Why do we have so many confrontations requiring police interventions?
Even peaceful communities like ours need to sit together to establish ground rules for acceptable use of police force. They alone are authorized to be violent because it is so difficult to catch and convict law breakers that permit our democracy to work.
These are big issues and national institutions need public guidance as well. If secrecy is important to success, then scrutiny becomes essential. Otherwise, mistakes are undetected, correction unlikely and corruption nearly probable. We should not get our information from defectors and leaks. To know methods upfront avoids misuse of violence. Moral issues and American values demand a place in the public sector. If we need to be educated, hiding facts is not the way. Honest dialogue leads to relationships of trust. Maybe here in Blaine we will take the time to listen and give the world something worth listening to. It might be better than fireworks to celebrate American freedom.
Sharon L. Robinson
Blaine
The Editor:
I want to expand on Samantha Syrnich’s letter regarding the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. I have observed the level of service dropping to an extremely low level both on a general and personal level.
I have lived in Birch Bay since 2004 and got to know Bill Elfo since then. But for about the past year, I do not recall seeing a patrol car drive through Baycrest development nor patrolling the dangerous speed areas along Jackson Road and Bay Road in an effort to reduce the speeding of 45 mph or higher in those locations.
Personally, the level of service has disappointed me for over a year by the refusal of the sheriff’s office to protect my property and stop my neighbor’s harassment despite being provided physical evidence and videos to support my complaints.
In September 2018, I discovered that my neighbor had trespassed my property while I was out of the country. A deputy came to my house and he said he would issue them a warning. In 2019 the trespassing continued mostly when I was out of the country so in September 2019, I hand delivered an envelope addressed to Bill Elfo with a cover letter and evidence and gave it to the woman at the window [of the sheriff’s office] and asked her to personally deliver it to Bill Elfo. I got no response and repeated this again in December 2019 after a lieutenant came to my house for an interview in November, which was a disappointment in the way he conducted the interview.
In December, the lieutenant sent me an email stating that my envelope was received by him even though I addressed it to Bill Elfo. He twisted and distorted my comments including making false statements and refused to reply when I asked him if he intercepted my September envelope addressed to Elfo.
In 2020 the trespassing continued, and after I installed security cameras, the neighbors were caught on camera giving the middle finger. I sent copies of these videos to the sheriff and no action was
taken.
What a sad state of affairs.
Mickey Masdeo
Birch Bay
The Editor:
I find three compelling reasons to vote for James Erb in his race for Whatcom County Superior Court Judge: His breadth of experience; his widespread community support and his commitment to criminal justice reform.
James has a wide range of legal experience in criminal, family and civil law. He has worked as a prosecutor for both state and tribal governments. Most recently, he practiced civil law as an assistant city attorney for Bellingham. With this background he will be able to adjudicate all the kinds of cases that come before our superior court from day one on the bench.
James’ endorsements include Washington Supreme Court and appellate judges, state legislators, tribal nation leaders, numerous local Whatcom County, Bellingham, Blaine and Ferndale elected officials, and a host of community members who know and support James. James has clearly developed such broad approval by demonstrating his love of the law and his desire to serve our community.
Finally, and most important, James believes strongly in the need for reform of our criminal justice structure, of which the judicial system is a critical part. Providing fair and impartial justice to all segments of society will require vision and commitment from our elected leaders, including our judges. We can count on James Erb for that vision and I ask you to join me in supporting his campaign.
Elizabeth Kilanowski
Lummi Island
The Editor:
The governor’s recent Covid-19 mask mandate has been questioned by some, including several Washington sheriffs, one even calling our governor an “idiot” for mandating masks when in public. Another encouraged disregarding the mandate, saying, “don’t be sheep.”
Sheep? Is the simple, sensible act of wearing a mask sheepish? What about the flocks who mindlessly trust anything their national shepherd-in-chief says and follow largely in lockstep practically anything their “no-wimpy-mask-for-him” shepherd does? Does mandating masks to minimize Covid-19 infections restrict personal freedoms or raise constitutional issues? What about mandating speed limits to minimize highway accidents? Are these mandates slippery slopes of government overreach?
The real sheep in this story are those resisting masks. And our governor certainly isn’t an “idiot” for requiring them. Don’t be a sheep; wear a mask in public.
John Whitmer
Bellingham
The Editor:
The primary matters. Don’t wait till the general election in November. Your vote in the upcoming primary is crucial. Why? We have a top-two primary system in which the two candidates who get the most votes – regardless of party – move to the general ballot. So the primary outcome will determine your choices in November. Also, doing well in the primary means your candidates will be able to attract funding support for the general campaign, which can be critical to their success. Remember that your vote is especially powerful in local races. Please vote your entire ballot. Make sure you will be ready for the August 4 primary. Register now at myvote.wa.gov.
Ben Rogers
Lummi Island
The Editor:
Sharon Shewmake, our 42nd legislative district representative, supports local jobs. After Intalco announced the closure of its Ferndale operation, Sharon met virtually with Intalco workers, labor representatives, Alcoa Corporation representatives, local leaders, congressional leaders and economists to figure out what can be done. This group has met twice with plans to continue the outreach.
As our current 42nd legislative district elected representative, Sharon is in a unique position to coordinate action. She is a professor of economics, urban economics and energy policy at Western Washington University.
We are fortunate to have Sharon working for us in Olympia. Her knowledge and experience with economics and science gives her a powerful platform and voice. She has sponsored bills supporting a critical Covid-19 response – supporting Whatcom families with childcare, home heating, affordable house and health care, among others.
You can read about her bills, focus points and background at housedemocrats.wa.gov/shewmake and Sharon4Whatcom.com.
Your vote makes a difference, especially in our local elections which effect you, your family and your community – so please vote.
Naomi Murphy
Ferndale
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