May 2017
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Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
County officials hear Point Roberts out...
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Circle of Care fundraiser a tasty success, page 10
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Parks district considering upping the levy By Meg Olson Point Roberts Parks and Recreation District commissioners are looking at asking the community for a significant boost in their levy this fall. At their April 12 meeting, commissioners discussed what number to put on the ballot when they go to the voters this November to renew their operational levy, which expires at the end of the year. “We are thinking about increasing it,” said commissioner Stephen Falk, and the increase they are considering is a significant one, up to a doubling of levy revenue. “We want to hire a part-time manager and our budget today is so small if we make a small increase it won’t generate what we need to accomplish what we need to accomplish.” Currently the parks district collects approximately $50,000 a year through its operational levy, costing taxpayers eight cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation each year. This levy is the only source of operating revenue for the district, paying for upkeep of the community center and Baker Field, as well as parks programs and a portion of the senior center programs. In addition, taxpayers are paying off a 10-year bond for improvements to the community center with an additional tax of six cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The owner of a $200,000 home paid (See Levy, page 8)
s Whatcom County assistant director of planning and development Mark Personius explaining a zoning issue during the Point Roberts Registered Voters Association annual general meeting and townhall held April 25. Listening are county executive Jack Louws and county councilmember Barbara Brenner.
Photo by Louise Mugar
Planning Commission recommends character plan changes By Meg Olson With some reluctance, the Whatcom County Planning Commission voted to recommend county council approve a proposal to take the meat of the character plan and move it to the zoning code. At their April 13 meeting in Bellingham, commissioners voted unanimously to accept a staff proposal to amend the Point Roberts Subarea Plan, part of the county’s comprehensive plan, removing the charac-
ter plan from that document. Simultaneously, the Point Roberts Special District, part of the county zoning code, would be amended to turn portions of the character plan into the Point Roberts Design Guidelines. “Essentially what we’re doing is taking the character plan out of the comprehensive plan,” said senior county planner Cliff Strong. “The reason is because if anyone wants to change the character plan as it is now it constitutes a comprehensive plan
Tempest in a teacup, Point Roberts-style By
P a t G r u bb
When asked why local controversies always seem so overheated, former owner of the International Marketplace Craig Cole replied, “Because the stakes are so low.” Not much has changed around here since he uttered those words in 1992. A seemingly mundane request by the Point Roberts Hospital District to the fire district to change the clinic’s signage has led to harsh words and accusations, bitter
relations, over-the-top public record requests, multiple apologies and, of course, no new signs. As an added bonus, the All Point Bulletin was taken to the woodshed for a very public spanking (see sidebar). Could anywhere other than Point Roberts make such a mountain out of a molehill? Last summer, fire district commissioner Shannon Tomsen suggested that each commissioner should act as a liaison with another local taxing district, with her taking the hospital district, Bill Meursing re-
sponsible for the parks, and Stan Riffle, the water district. Unlike the other two commissioners who have not attended any of their assigned district’s meetings, Tomsen took to her task with enthusiasm, showing up regularly at hospital district meetings. In turn, hospital commissioner Robin Nault began acting as her district’s liaison to the fire commission. The hospital district, which operates the (See Tempest, page 6)
amendment and can only be done once a year.” Zoning text amendments can be done at any time. Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) proposed the change in response to a request from the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC), formalized in a motion at its March 14 meeting, to “harmonize and (See Planners, page 2)
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Church ............................................. 17 Classifieds ......................................... 20 Coming Up ....................................... 16 Crossings .......................................... 18 Friends of Library ............................ 17 Opinion ............................................... 4 Seniors, Tides ................................... 18 Sheriffs, Library ............................... 19