Letters to The Editor: September 30-October 6, 2021

The Editor:

I just knew when I saw the photo of Kari Connors who just won an international cat-grooming award, that the representative cat posing with her is Eightball, one of my cats. 

There must be a lot of black cats with tuxedo fronts, but I could just tell from that intelligent face who it was. Kari did comment when I picked up Eightball on Tuesday that he is very talkative. He is.

At the risk of putting words in his mouth, I’m pretty sure he supports having a library in Birch Bay, too.

Holly Witte

Birch Bay

The Editor:

What’s wrong with this picture?

The government acknowledges, my body my choice for the following: Have an abortion, abuse alcohol, drugs and food. However, they won’t allow you to control your body and refuse a no-liability experimental drug being injected into your body. The government can also use your freedom to choose, as leverage to keep your job and insurance. I’ve heard the saying “No jab, no job,” which sounds like a threat to me.

Now comes the hypocrisy of our government. Biden has allowed Congress and his staff, among others not to be forced to get the vaccine. Are they special?

Another special group is the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who have come into America, without a vaccine or proof of a negative Covid-19 test. Wonder if they got tested, before they boarded all those buses and planes to live amongst us?

You may have heard the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Pelosi held an expensive outdoor fundraiser and none of the guests wore masks. However, she kept her rich guests safe by requiring her entire serving staff to wear masks.

I watched the news about the recent Met Gala and saw U.S. representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a designer gown that said to “tax the rich.”

Funny thing is none of the “elite celebrities” wore masks. The folks taking the pictures and fluffing the gowns had to wear masks.

The Covid-19 virus came from China, and we are more aware now of Fauci’s National Institute of Health involvement.

The vaccine works and it doesn’t work. I’ve heard sad stories of new medical conditions after the vaccine and even deaths in all age groups. However, the government won’t share that information. Why you might ask? Fear allows power and power controls.

Anne Freeman

Birch Bay

The Editor:

I have never known anyone who didn’t like libraries or thought they were a waste of space. So, I believe the only reason one might vote against a new library in Birch Bay this November is money.

I don’t think anything will change the mind of those who apply “no new taxes no matter what” to their vote, but I hope those who think it’s too costly will do the math.

For homeowners, it’ll cost 11 cents per $1,000 assessed value on your property. But how does that translate to a total cost to a homeowner? I figured it out for myself and hope everyone else will, too.

First, I went to Zillow and found that I could sell my house for $430,000. Nice to know, but not what the 11 cents per $1,000 is based on. It’s based on the amount on my property tax bill. I filed mine away and didn’t want to dig it out.

So, I went to the Whatcom County Assessor website and did a “Real Property Search” at property.whatcomcounty.us. After inputting my address up popped my assessed value – $262,255.

So, what is the new library going to cost me? I divided my assessed value of 262,255 by 1,000 (that’s the “per” part), which equals 262.255. Then, I multiplied that by .11 (that’s the cents part) and found that the cost to my family would be $28.85 a year or $2.40 a month.

That’s less than the cost of any streaming service I have. It’s cheaper than what I’d pay to buy a magazine, book, DVD or CD; all of which I can get for free at the library. I can even download and own songs for free off the library’s Fregal app. Not to mention the tons of other services, programs and things offered for free at the library not only for homeowners, but for all in our community.

Before you vote no because it’ll add to your taxes, please do the math for yourself. It’s not as expensive as you think. Vote “yes” on Prop 14.

Brittney L. Marrs-Smith

Blaine

The Editor:

We, in Birch Bay, get to choose on November 2: A library at that site or condominiums (Do we really want to copy White Rock, B.C., Canada?).

Please choose wisely. Vote “yes” on Proposition 14 for a library.

Harieklia Bryant

Birch Bay