August 2018
IN THIS
ISSUE
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PRCAC decides on gas tax spending, page 8
It’s almost time to go crabbing, page 9
ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14
FREE
The dock stops rocking for the summer, page 14
Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
District board The new library opens for readers! moving ahead after Unity Care pulls out B y P a t G r u bb
(See Hospital, page 6)
s Rose Momsen, l., and Liz Otwell are happy to be in their new digs on Gulf Road. Check out librarian Kris Lomedico’s reading, music and video picks on page 19. Don’t miss the grand opening and ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 11. Photo by Louise Mugar
Arts and music festival expands its schedule By Meg Olson The Point Roberts Arts and Music Festival will feature music, dance and fun throughout the whole month of August. Relocating to the end of Gulf Road and partnering with Kiniski’s Reef this year, the festival will take off as usual on the first weekend in August with a mix of music,
dance, art and a variety of wares for sale. The event begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 4 with the always popular middle eastern Rahma Dancers. The afternoon and evening will offer an eclectic mix from local and visiting musicians including the Point Roberts Winds ensemble, local favorites Craig Jack and the Jackalopes, and Canadian singer-songwriter Delaney Rose.
“... doing business with Pablo Escobar.” B y P a t G r u bb The impending nation-wide legalization of marijuana in Canada and the subsequent response of U.S. border agencies is driving a lot of media attention towards Blaine immigration attorney Len Saun-
TRINITY CHAMBER
SAT. JULY 28 • 7pm Joe Robinson An Oboist’s Incredible Journey to the NY Philharmonic Meet the author, Hear the Music
ders. Recently, a number of Canadian business people have received lifetime bans from the U.S. after border guards learned of their involvement in the highly nascent cannabis industry. According to Saunders, businesses don’t (See Pot, page 6)
CONCERT SERIES
The day will wrap up at 7 p.m. with a performance by the Tex Varner Band. The stage will be on the lawn at the Reef (See Arts, page 6)
INSIDE
The first hospital district meeting since Unity Care NW’s announcement that it will not be renewing its service contact with the district lured more than its regular contingent of residents, many of whom expressed concern with the future of the Point Roberts clinic. The meeting was held July 12, a week later than its regular schedule due to the Fourth of July holiday. After board chair Dick Williams opened the floor for public comments, former district commissioner Robin Nault said she wanted to reiterate comments made in a statement by district superintendent Barbara Wayland regarding the Unity Care NW decision in which she had said that the district had considered the loss of the service provider. “I just wanted to reassure the public that we did consider being separate from Unity Care,” Nault said, going on to laud nurse practitioner Natalié Davidson for having “done some wonderful things and had been appreciated by many members of the public.” Former nurse practitioner and fire commissioner Virginia Lester also asked to address the board. “I want to go back 16 years, I was recruited to open up a clinic here … I spent 10 years building and working at that clinic. I had a phone call today that really upset me which is really why I’m here. [The person] said that there were people in the community who were saying that I wanted the clinic to close. Let me tell you – that is the last thing I want and if that kind of information is being spread about, it’s the commissioners’ responsibility and fiduciary duty to be sure that the right message gets out to the public … We talked about running the clinic by ourselves two years before I retired and it’s a big, big job and responsibility to take on. But I think that’s possible. … I want everyone to realize that I have not badmouthed this clinic and I have not badmouthed Natalié and I will not. I want this clinic to be successful and if you can’t figure out a way to keep it open that would be a real sad thing.” Lester concluded by stating that she had no desire at her age to be involved in running the clinic. Former superintendent Elaine Komusi
Coming Up . . . . . . . 16 Classifieds . . . . . . . 20 Garden . . . . . . . . . . 17 Library, Seniors . . 19 Sheriffs . . . . . . . . . 18 Tides . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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PRESENTS
SUN. JULY 29 • 6pm The Sounds of Chile
SUN. AUG. 19 3pm
Renowned Chilean musical artists perform traditional indigenous music of the Andes.
An afternoon of laughter, levity, and song.
Admission by donation. Receptions to follow. Events benefit Trinity Summer Musical Camp.
Gospel Boys