Letters to the Editor: June 13-19, 2019

The Editor:

The evidence is obvious. Year after year, one terrible fire season is followed by another terrible fire season. In the last 50 years, there have been no significant improvements in how the Forest Service fights forest fires. Maintaining the status quo means that there is no hope now or in the future for any improvements.

Isn’t it time to think outside the box? Recognize that the Forest Service is not the only government agency capable of fighting forest fires. Isn’t it time to consider using our military instead of the Forest Service to fight forest fires?

With the military, they have it all: the men, the pilots, the right size aircraft and, critically important, in sufficient numbers to extinguish all forest fires very rapidly. The only added item is a budget to pay for this extra responsibility and other associated costs. This is a major change and must be approved by Congress and the President, but with its obvious advantages, their approval should be automatic.

It is reported that the Italians use their military to fight forest fires, so this concept will not be unique to the U.S. In conclusion, if the public wants to get serious about extinguishing forest fires quickly, there is but one option: the military.

Joseph Coomer

Oak Harbor

The Editor:

I grew up in Vancouver, and as a teen in the ’90s, we used to come down to Blaine just to buy candy bars.

Just over 10 years ago, I bought a place in Birch Bay, and now I come down almost every weekend.

I’ve seen some positive changes in Blaine recently, and I hope they keep coming.

Blaine is unique in that most small towns have issues getting people to visit. With all the mailbox places, visits are not the issue, but rather getting those visits to last longer than just getting a package and heading home.

One issue I see is two of the best draws to Blaine are closed on Sunday. The dairy store and the taco truck.

Hopefully the taco place will be open more once they move into the building. They make tacos as good or better than any place in Vancouver, and they do it at a far lower cost.

Blaine gets two days a week to really pull people from Vancouver (and Seattle). Having those two places closed really hurts the town.

If you doubt Sunday openings make a difference, look at 5d Packages. When they opened they were the first to really offer extended hours that cater to people who work in the city. They almost instantly expanded to two locations and are busy.

If Blaine/Birch Bay wants to increase the length and value of visits, you need more places that are not good for a small town, but good for the city. The food does not need to be fancy, but does need to be well made and a good value. The price should be below what comparable would be in Seattle or Vancouver (like the taco truck or Paso Del Norte now).

I’m excited to try the new oyster location. That location offers something unique for any place in Blaine and the cities – the view. There should be more patios/restaurants that take advantage of that spectacular view.

Erik Whiteway

Vancouver, B.C.