Letters to the Editor: May 3-9

The Editor:

The Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum at Semiahmoo Park belongs to the Whatcom communities of Blaine, Custer, Birch Bay and Point Roberts.

It isn’t very big as museums go but packs a lot of history and adventure from our local waters to Alaska. Commemorating salmon cannery workers and fishermen, it is the only museum of its kind in the state.

Each summer season we get 1,200-1,400 visitors from around the world. For many, it is their first experience with tides, salmon and coastal living. Others are intrigued with the model fish trap or question how the 28-foot Bristol Bay sailboat got into the building.

Due to retirement and the demands of other activities we are in need of some new people to greet and educate visitors about our area. Volunteers welcome the guests, keep the place tidy and most of all, keep the doors open. Basic training is provided. It is a fun learning experience for visitors and volunteers.

The museum is open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 25 through September 30, from 1 to 5 p.m.

If you have two or more days a month to help out, please call Sunny Brown at 360/371-3558.

Sunny Brown

Blaine

The Editor:

Last week we became aware of the proposal to establish without public input a “Golf Cart Zone” in Birch Bay by Whatcom County Public Works and Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce president Billy Brown.

Myself and my significant other walk our dog daily on Birch Bay Drive. We are threatened by 35-40 mph speeds in a 25-mph zone. We have had to jump off the road twice to avoid being hit. We were nearly hit leaving our condo’s driveway by a pickup truck passing two cars in a no passing zone.

The chamber are not the residents of Birch Bay. Many are realtors using the chamber for financial gain. How public works can bow to the wishes of the chamber without a public hearing is unbelievable. This is in stark contrast to the excellent outreach and community education demonstrated by public works for the berm.

The sheriff’s department cannot enforce speed limits. The people who have golf carts at Leisure Park regularly drive on our private beach, around the rocks put in to keep them out, and have damaged our private beach signs. The bicycle lanes are used by golf carts and peddle bikes from a local rental shop.

This is being rammed through by the chamber in total disregard of the safety of the residents. There needs to be three public hearings in Birch Bay at different times so those of us who work can attend. Notices of these public hearings must be mailed to every home in the proposed area and posted in all the businesses.

There are many questions that are unanswered. What safeguards are in place to keep the golf carts off the side of the road and off the new berm? Will the police be able to enforce the law? Why was there no notice of this? Why is the county not pushing for an environmentally and family friendly environment in Birch Bay?

Alexander West & Tamara Wilson

Birch Bay

(Ed. note: Just two of chambers’ nine directors, Billy Brown and Mike Kent, are realtors.)

The Editor:

The annual Letter Carrier Food Drive will take place on Saturday, May 12. Letter carriers across Whatcom County and the nation will participate in the largest one-day food drive of the year. Letter carriers hope to collect at least 6,000 pounds from Blaine, Custer and Birch Bay area residents during the ‘Stamp Out Hunger Drive.’

“This food drive is critical to our food bank and the families we serve,” said Jerry Bladies, Blaine Food Bank executive director. Bladies said that 1 in 6 Blaine households visit the food bank regularly, and that visits have gone up by almost 30 percent since 2016.

It’s an easy food drive for anyone to join. Letter carriers will pick up donations as they deliver the mail on Saturday, May 12. They will be joined by many volunteers to help carry all of the donations back to the food bank.

We thank everyone for their continued support in this very worthy cause.

Joan Smith, vice president

Blaine 

The Editor:

Years ago I picked up a copy of your paper at Hagen’s of Blaine on one of my weekly trips to pick up mail. Since then my wife and I have enjoyed learning about, and keeping up with your community news and events. Of course, we also became hooked on the police reports each week. We’ve recently become terribly unhappy with the new reporter doing these reports. I’m sorry, but “Civil problem on East Street” doesn’t make you sit up and take notice.

Would you really want to tell others about the “Traffic stop on Cottonwood Court” or the “Hang up on Birch Bay Drive”? To say nothing about all the cold calls mentioned. There’s nothing like a good cold call. “Officer dispatched, nothing found, officer returned.”

Come on, editor! Surely you can find someone with a sense of humor and some wit to write these reports. Recently someone offered to do it for free; I’ll bet she’d do an outstanding job for you. It’s an enjoyable job to write these reports and an enjoyable read if done right.

Whoever’s doing the job now is obviously being punished for some misdemeanor and the lack of enthusiasm shows.

Bob Patrick

Surrey, B.C.

(Ed. note: You are not alone in missing the old style of police reports. The reports are provided by the Blaine Police Department. The change in content and format was addressed by Blaine interim chief Michael Knapp in an article in the March 29 edition, in which he cited time restraints and efficiency as his reasons for making the changes.) 

The Editor:

The 30th year of the Whatcom County Youth Fair (WCYF), was remarkable. Over 600 kids from 13 counties in two states participated. This two-day, hands-on learning fair is run smoothly by many local volunteers during spring break.

Teen superintendents enjoyed the opportunity to teach, while encouraging kids to participate in the county fairs. Participants choose from one of 25 divisions – costing each child no more than $10. Families go for $30.

Generous contributions by numerous local businesses and sponsors is appreciated. Van Wingerden Greenhouses in Blaine donated hanging baskets for sale. Monies from the Project Animal Consignment auction, and the Silent Auction are in support of this prosperous non-profit. The WCYF also provides scholarships and grants.

Closing ceremonies this year were especially touching. Hundreds gathered to acknowledge, with heartfelt thanks, the contribution created and continued for 30 years by Chris Paul.

“It has been a passion of mine and a goal to have a youth fair run by youth! But it hasn’t been me alone.” Paul said. “It has been a team that has made youth fair possible!”

The WCYF has now grown into an amazing community event under her guidance. A stampede of stick horses surrounded her as she received thanks, some goodies and many hearty hugs.

We owe you thanks, Chris Paul!

The WCYF is refreshingly full of good news that is created and abundantly shared to prosper and direct the youth within our community.

How unfortunate the collective of local newspapers and publications missed out on the opportunity to report on this encouraging educational event. Except for the Grow Northwest publication, the Whatcom County publications were all but remiss in coverage of the WCYF.

It would be grand to see the WCYF given as much press as other less delightful news so ceaselessly in our papers.

Cynthia Poppe

Ferndale

(Ed. note: The Northern Light did not receive notice of this event.)