The Editor:
Should the voters in each of the wards in Blaine be able to elect their representatives to the city council independently of the other voters in the city?
Since 1994, Washington state law has mandated that Blaine hold ward-only voting in the primary election, but city-wide voting in the general election. This year, with the passage of the Voter Rights Act, Blaine can voluntarily put in place ward-only voting in the general election.
Why should Blaine change to ward-only voting?
Blaine has wards, which are the voting districts with boundaries established and updated based on population. Each area of the city should be fairly represented on the city council. Since each ward determines who their candidates will be it would be reasonable to think that the candidate favored by the ward should be elected to represent the ward on the city council.
Because the general election is city-wide voting all voters have the potential to vote for candidates not only in their own ward but in the other two wards as well. The result is that the votes in a particular ward are “diluted” by the votes in the other wards.
Blaine City Council, at its May 21 meeting, voted 6-0 to not consider, at this time, a change to the present voting system. If the council had decided to voluntarily change the present city wide-voting to ward-only voting in the general election, they would have been required to hold a public hearing.
I believe Blaine City Council should represent the voters of each ward by assuring that the voters in each ward can elect the individual they deem best to represent their ward. A concern that there may be a difference of opinions on the council is probably a healthy thing.
The next election of council members is in 2019. The council should, prior to this election, hold a public hearing to allow the general public to express their wishes and concerns regarding the present election system.
Dennis Olason
Blaine
The Editor:
Dear city of Blaine, thank you so much for allowing me to participate in the recent chief of police candidate search and for providing me with such a wonderful opportunity. Taking the time out of everyone’s lives and schedules to accommodate such an undertaking did not go unnoticed by me and for that I wish to give a heartfelt thank you.
The city of Blaine employees, officers of the police department and its community members displayed their desire and enthusiasm throughout the process and are striving to make Blaine the best it can be... an honorable endeavor that reflects well upon each and every one of you!
While of course I was disappointed that things could not work out for me personally during this process, I appreciated the opportunity to speak with you all, learn more about what possibilities the city and its police department have and, as a community member myself, I will be watching with a sense of
excitement!
I truly appreciate everyone’s kind words, actions and thoughtfulness towards making this community’s police department the best that it can be and thank you all for allowing me to participate. The experience is one that I will always remember and grow from.
Don Almer
Blaine
The Editor:
I have been preserving pictures of old Blaine to my computer for some time now for the pleasure and research for this generation and future generations.
I would like to copy any old pictures of the Blaine area you have. I have a camera that can take archival quality pictures. I can do it in your home or if it is okay with you take the pictures to my house for a couple days before returning them.
Also if you have stories of days gone by of Blaine, I would enjoy copies of them.
Contact me by calling 360/739-1028. I am at the Blaine Visitor Center each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Teen Center next door each Saturday from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Jim Zell
Blaine
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