The Editor:
I agree with Paul Engelund’s arguments against reducing the voter approval threshold for school bonds from 60% to 55%.
In 2024, we twice voted down $70 million capital levies proposed by our Blaine School District. Both times, the district made scant effort to provide credible cost projections, budget information or financial analysis in their materials. A $14 million (20%) “buffer” claim was included to pay for their inefficiencies and absence of leadership.
The 60% test, long established in the state constitution, not only mandates better planning from our district, but it also protects homeowners against unsubstantiated increases in already excessive property taxes.
State legislators are busy finding new ways to tax us – sadly, most of those fights are decided in King County. At least we can demand more from our school district – please demonstrate the prudence and legitimacy of your capital projects before putting them on the ballot.
Jack Grant
Blaine
The Editor:
In last week’s article in The Northern Light about the historic Plover, City Manager Mike Harmon said this year could be the Plover’s swan song. He cited increased maintenance, staffing costs, insurance difficulties, dwindling tourism funds, and a dispute with the former caretakers.
It’s incumbent to mention that during the 26 years Drayton Harbor Maritime operated the Plover, Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee funded approximately 80% of the actual costs to operate and maintain, including insurance for the dock at Semiahmoo; the rest came through volunteer help. DHM’s largest grant request to operate the Plover from BTAC was $35,000, including the cost to insure the Plover dock.
Now, the city will have $40,000 to run the Plover, not including paying the dock insurance to Semiahmoo Resort. This is an expenditure it paid using BTAC funds since 1996, when the historic Plover went back in service after a 21-year hiatus.
Brad Bytnar
Ferndale
