The Editor:
I have to congratulate you on assuming the reins at The Northern Light. It truly is a smart and dedicated source of dialogue and informed outlook for our small part of the world and you have such an informed and intelligent readership.
Blaine is truly unique in its political footprint in having such a cross border populace. Opinions from both sides of the aisle are truly how this thing called democracy is supposed to work. I, for one, enjoy the letters and the discussion of all topics that have to do with our little corner of the state.
I would hope that you might reconsider your commencement of limiting the Letters to the Editor section to 150 words. Sometimes it takes more, to get a message across, pro or con. We are a diversified community that celebrates a wide scope of views and beliefs. Limiting letters to such a small word count I believe would inhibit such valuable attitudes and ideas that might be voiced to educate and inform your readers. Thank you.
Current word count at 200. Sometimes it takes a little bit more to get a message or sentiment across.
Tom Cresswell
Blaine
The Editor:
This is in response to "Blaine school district creates citizen advisory committee to consider bond" published Feb. 12, 2026, in The Northern Light, regarding the bond supermajority changes:
The current legislative push in Olympia to lower the voter approval threshold for school bonds from 60% down to 55% — represented by Senate Bill 5186 and Senate Joint Resolution 8200 — threatens a critical protection for Washington taxpayers. While proponents argue that this change “modernizes” the standard, it actually undermines the necessary community consensus required for long-term, multi-decade debt.
Maintaining the 60% supermajority is essential for several reasons:
Ensuring broad consensus: School bonds are not short-term levies; they often carry 20- to 30-year commitments. Such long-term debt obligations warrant a higher standard of approval to ensure they reflect a true community-wide agreement rather than a narrow, potentially temporary majority.
Taxpayer protection: The 60% threshold acts as a vital safeguard against excessive property tax increases. It compels school districts to develop fiscally responsible plans and communicate their necessity effectively to the entire community, rather than just a simple majority.
Encouraging better planning: As some opponents of the bill have noted, the answer to failed bond measures is not to change the rules, but to build a better case for voters. A high threshold ensures that only the most well-vetted and necessary projects move forward.
Constitutional integrity: This requirement has been part of our state's foundation for nearly 75 years. Altering it requires a constitutional amendment, a process that should not be taken lightly just because some districts find the current standard "unachievable."
Lowering the bar to 55% would allow a minority of projects to impose long-term financial burdens on the rest of the community without the broad support that such significant investments demand. We should insist that our school districts meet the high standard of excellence and transparency that a 60% vote requires.
Paul Engelund
Custer
The Editor:
After decades of “controlled damage” to my fingernails with manicures at salons that are mostly about getting customers in and out quickly, my naked fingernails are literally paper-thin, easily folding backward, tearing, splitting, ripping.
When I heard about Gina Freeman’s new Moonberri Spa (wait ‘til you hear the story about the name), I was excited that at last my fingernails can be healthy again! Gina heard my story, examined my nails and laid out an action plan. It will take many weeks to repair the damage, but I am certain the whole procedure will be worthwhile.
I am excited about this wonderful new shop in downtown Blaine; I expect this will be a house of healing for our city. Check it out at 380 H St. and moonberrispa@gmail.com.
Jeanne Halsey
Birch Bay
