All Point Bulletin – November 2022

Hospital board turns down extension request

A request by SuperTrack to extend the term of its contract with the Point Roberts hospital district was rejected by the board of commissioners at their regular meeting on October 12. SuperTrack is the medical services provider that operates the Point Roberts Clinic on Benson Road. Commis sioners Stephen Falk and Sara Oggel voted against the motion while Noel Newbold voted in favor.

At the August board meeting, Super Track co-owner Dr. Sean Bozorgzad had raised the issue of changing the one-year renewal period to two-years. The current contract went from 1/1/21 until 12/31/22 with an automatic one-year renewal if nei ther party gave notice of non-renewal six months before the end of the term; as no one gave notice, the contract was automat ically extended until 12/31/23. Bozorgzad told the board that all of their medical providers are on one-year contracts and it would expose their company to liability should SuperTrack lose the contract and had no work for the providers. Hospital district superintendent Barbara Wayland pointed out that recruiting is the biggest issue facing the healthcare industry and “if we can make it easier for our provider to recruit people, it’s a win-win situation.” Bozorgzad agreed with that assessment and added it would mean the two parties wouldn’t need to go through the same pro cess each year.

Falk’s response to the proposal was twopronged. First was technical – he did not see how changing the length of the renew al period would be a complete solution for SuperTrack. He restated this argument in an email dated October 26 to the All Point Bulletin where he wrote: “It seems to me that the proposed change to a 2-year re newal period would only provide minimal benefit regarding the hiring issue because, while the first part of the renewal term could completely encompass the employ ment contract period, the second em

Green waste tops list of community concerns

B y P at G ru BB

The second of two town halls orga nized by the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) to dis cuss the curbside trash pickup system attracted a larger crowd of around 25 people either in person or on Zoom then the first town hall that just 17 people attended, five of whom were PRCAC board members or media. The meetings were held at the Gulf Road community center on October 16 and October 22.

The point of the town halls was to dis cuss the current curbside trash program as the contract between Whatcom Coun ty and the provider, Cando Recycling

and Disposal, is coming up for renew al. The current term ends on December 31, 2022; the original contract has been extended four times since the original contract was signed in 2018. The town hall meetings were scheduled during PRCAC’s regular meeting in September.

During that meeting, PRCAC chair Alli Calder read an email from coun ty environmental specialist Jennifer Hayden who advised the committee that the health department would not be sending a representative to the meetings. Hayden wrote, “I shall not be available to attend a townhall meeting. The solid waste system that was implemented to

Photo by Louise

by Pat Grubb

Nunamaker resigns from school board

an undated letter to the Blaine school board, district 1 board member Todd Nun amaker announced his immediate resig nation from the board. Nunamaker cited “continued health challenges” as his rea son. The resignation was announced at the board’s regular October meeting held Oc tober 24 in Point Roberts.

District 1 consists of downtown Blaine as well as Point Roberts. The board has 90 days to select a replacement for his posi tion following interviews held in public session. His current term ends in Decem ber 2023 meaning the appointee would need to seek election in next year’s primary and general elections.

Nunamaker graduated from Blaine schools before attending Central Washing ton University to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broad Area Science with an ed ucation endorsement. Nunamaker’s father, Robert, was a teacher, coach and princi pal of Blaine elementary school for nearly

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30 years while his mother

followed with a 28-year tenure as school board

Thrive

s Todd Nunamaker.

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The

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All Point Bulletin

P.O. Box 1451

Point Roberts WA USA 98281

opinion

Letters to the editor

The Editor:

As a retired educator who worked in the Bellingham school district for most of my career, I have met many incredible stu dents and families.

One family stands out – a mother with four young children ages one to eight, who was fleeing domestic violence – living in their car on the north side of town.

Mom was working so hard to get back on her feet, but needed a little bit of help. Family liaison staff was able to secure housing, which allowed the older boys to enroll in school, and mom quickly found work. Soon, the younger boys enrolled in pre-K.

had a different path, but they were fortu nate enough to meet the right people who could help.

supporting their children’s emotional and intellectual development.

It is an investment in the community’s infrastructure that will provide money, in centives, and support for creating badly needed additional childcare slots for our pre-kindergarten children.

It is an investment in each child, who can compound a greater lifetime of achievement as they enter school ready to build on the educational milestones they have already achieved.

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Without that early intervention, those boys would have been far behind their peers and struggled through school just to catch-up. I’m glad to share that all four children are doing extremely well in school to this day (the oldest is now in high school).

Mom was able to save enough money to buy her own home and the boys are thriv ing thanks to her deep love and commit ment and the support of many from the community who have loved and cared for them.

These boys now have a very promising future ahead of them and will undoubted ly be huge contributors to our community. By many measures, this family could have

Many in our community have not been so fortunate and have tragically slipped through the cracks. Proposition 5 will put an end to this by making access to early childhood support intentional and avail able to all children in our community.

As a community, we can do better, and that’s why I am asking you to vote yes for Whatcom Kids, Prop 5.

Steve Clarke

Mount Vernon (Nearly 40-year resident of Bellingham)

The Editor:

I am writing in support of a yes vote for Proposition 5 “The Healthy Chil dren’s Fund” because I see it as a critical investment.

It is an investment in our current work ing families, who are having a difficult time balancing financial needs against

Whatcom County Council Roundup

B y I an H au P t

Alternative 911-response team

Council authorized by consent in a 6-1 vote, with councilmember Ben Elenbaas opposed, to enter into an over $2.2 million agreement with Washington State Health Care Authority to establish an alternative 911-response team pilot program.

The pilot program will assess whether sending behavioral health professionals rather than police officers to non-violent 911 calls benefits those involved.

The Health Care Authority’s division of behavioral health and recovery provided funding for the project.

Sheriff’s union collective bargaining agreement

Letters Policy

The All Point Bulletin welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the

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P.O. Box 1451, Point Roberts, WA 98281

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Whatcom County entered into a threeyear collective bargaining agreement with the Deputy Sheriff’s Guild from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025. Council authorized by consent with Elenbaas op posed.

According to the memorandum, the agreement has wages increasing by 6 per cent in 2023, 4 percent in 2024 and 3 per cent in 2025 along with a $2,000 retention bonus each year for a maximum of $6,000.

It also has 2 percent and 1 percent edu cation incentives for bachelor’s and associ ate’s degrees. Juneteenth was also added as a recognized holiday.

Birch Bay berm monitoring and plant maintenance Council authorized two contracts, one with Coastal Geological Services, Inc., for five years of coastal monitoring the berm project and its beach improvements for $284,800. The other contract was with Squalicum Mountain Ecological Resto ration Inc., for the yearlong maintenance costs of the berm’s plantings in the amount of $64,617. Council authorized the con tracts with Elenbaas opposed.

Communications services for the justice project Council authorized a nearly $150,000 contract with The Vida Agency for phase 2

of communication efforts provided for the county’s justice project. Council autho rized by consent with Elenbaas opposed.

The project, which was approved in Au gust 2019 and restarted September 2021, is an effort to improve a stressed crimi nal justice system from behavioral health services to potentially building a new jail. Through it, the county sets out to prior itize community-based preventative ser vices, maximize successful re-entry and minimize recidivism.

The Vida Agency is a woman and mi nority-owned, full-service multicultural communications company based in Ed monds, according to its website. The total amount paid for the services is $186,907.

Diversity, equity and inclusion to be addressed on EMS plan

Council unanimously adopted an ordi nance to amend county code to task two new members of the EMS oversight board and EMS technical advisory committee with addressing diversity, equity and in clusion in EMS operations and strategic planning.

The ordinance also says council “wishes to codify the process and elements of cre ating the 2023-2029 EMS levy service plan and include additional mechanisms to reg ularly track progress towards diversity, eq uity, and inclusion.”

Whatcom Racial Equity Commission

At its next regular meeting, Tuesday, October 11, council will hold a public hearing and vote on whether to establish a county racial equity commission.

The ordinance to establish the What com Racial Equity Commission in What com County Code was introduced in the September 27 regular meeting by 5-2 vote, with councilmembers Elenbaas and Tyler Byrd opposed. Whatcom County and the city of Bellingham contracted Chucka nut Health Foundation to conduct out reach and consult a group of community stakeholders to form the commission. The group will address the county’s racial equi ty commitments and priorities.

You do not have to look far in our com munity to find parents who cannot work the schedules they need because they can not find the childcare required, or employ ers that cannot hire the employees they need because those employees are parents juggling childcare.

You also don’t have to look far in our community to see people who have been left behind through inadequate education, difficult personal circumstances, and poor personal choices.

Education is the greatest single invest ment that moves people up the rungs of society’s social and economic ladder, and the sooner the compounding effect of an educational investment can begin the greater the long-term return for both our children and our community.

Bryant J. Engebretson Bellingham

The Whatcom County official local vot ers’ pamphlet lists procedures the What com County Auditor’s Office and Wash ington Office of the Secretary of State use before, during and after the election to se cure its results.

Before the election, a logic and accuracy test is completed. The test ensures that the counting system will correctly count votes cast for all candidates and measures. Bal lots from all precincts and every type are tested, while independent observers and the secretary’s office verify results.

During the election, ballot processing occurs in the election center, which is se cured with proximity locks and monitored with 24-hour video surveillance. Live web cams also allow the public to watch the processing work. All tabulation equipment is on a closed network, not connected to the internet. Ballots are also secured in tamper-evident bags.

After Election Day, a representative from each political party randomly se lects batches to be hand counted. This is a random batch audit, or hand count. The totals are compared with vote totals taken from the equipment. A risk limiting audit is also taken, where a random sample of voted ballots is examined in teams of two. A formula lays out the required number of ballots to be audited to reach statistical confidence in the results.

Whatcom County auditor Diana Brad rick said in a letter to voters that she has made an effort to improve voters’ view into

Election security (See Elections, page 5)

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Hospital ...

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ployment contract for the same physician would still exceed a guaranteed 2-year window.”

Falk’s second argument involved the lev el of performance, saying he preferred “the automatic 1-year renewals because it can have the effect of keeping Supertrack’s at tention on doing a good job for its patients in Point Roberts.” This argument harkens back to his vote against SuperTrack back in 2018 when it was competing against The Shield Company for the contract. At that time, he told fellow commissioners that he felt SuperTrack had shown a lack of commitment to the clinic for about a year before the pandemic struck. The commis sion went on to vote 2-1, Falk opposing, to offer the contract to SuperTrack.

Interestingly, the meeting began with a public comment period where local resi dent Victor Riley spoke up in support of the current clinic’s operation. Riley was a vocal critic of the previous medical pro vider, UnityCare NW, which had declined to renew its contract in 2018 and thus opened the door to SuperTrack.

Riley said, “For those who don’t know me, I was one of the founding commis sioners of the hospital district which is al most 20 years old now, and we’ve never had doctors staffing the clinic until Super Track just started doing that recently.”

He mentioned a survey that had been done by the previous supplier asking why people were or weren’t using the clinic and “one of the most common barriers we found was that people needed a primary care physician and the clinic wasn’t staffed by doctors. … So now we have Super Track, we have more access to more and better services, standard hours for urgent care, we have telemedicine and, in my opinion, we have three of the best doctors in the region, I’m very happy with Dr. Sean and the other doctors and I just wanted to say that given that we are getting a lot more services , we should be willing to pay for that,” adding that he also supported SuperTrack’s request to go to a two-year renewal period.

The August decision was tabled until the September meeting and once again to October due to the absence of a commis sioner after the superintendent suggested the decision should not be made with only two commissioners present.

Falk reintroduced the discussion and re iterated his belief that they should stick to the existing contract term. Newbold said her original opinion was, “if it isn’t broke, why fix it but I have had second thoughts” after listening to Dr. Sean talk about the difficulties of hiring people for short terms. She said she knew how tough it was to get staff and was shifting her opinion towards giving the provider longer terms. Fellow commissioner Oggel said she felt the board should leave the contract as it

was and look at it next year. Back in Au gust, Oggel had said she wanted to think about whereas Newbold was in favor of leaving the contract as is.

Responding, Bozorgzad told the board whatever the board decided he would re spect that but “wanted them to know this decision would have consequences. It sends a message to us first and foremost, how you view this as a partnership.”

He asked Falk what his objections were to extending the term who again restated his thinking that the extension didn’t pro vide the solution to the problem of staff ing.

“We feel like this is sending a message to us,” said Bozorgzad. “You are still sit ting on the fence with us, you don’t want to make a longer commitment and frankly, I understand, you guys have other options, but so do we. I can tell you that if you choose this path, all we take from that is, ok, this is a business relationship, it’s not a partnership or relationship. I feel the com mission could actually do better for the community. We have over-delivered based on the agreement that we have … but that means we’ll be exploring other opportuni ties closer to home.”

Falk responded by saying, “I’m not threatening SuperTrack in any way but I feel like we were just threatened quite di rectly.”

“It’s not a threat, Stephen, but if I tell you it would make our life easier to staff the clinic and you say, that really doesn’t matter, that just defines the relationship,” said Bozorgzad.

Following further discussion, Falk asked other commissioners if they had anything to add. Oggel expressed her willingness to wait until the contract neared the end of the term and would consider a longer term of two or three years at that time.

Newbold, on the other hand, said if the extension provided comfort to the clinic, she’d be willing to provide the extension. Asked when the contract was up, Falk said next June is when six month’s notice is re quired but the issue could be discussed at any time.

A motion to keep the contract as it was with the intention to consider revisions next year was passed 2-1 with Newbold voting against not making a change.

The district later received a letter from Riley which read, in part, “Stephen Falk maintained that this decision was intended to preserve “flexibility” for both sides, but the effect was to deny Supertrack the flex ibility they need in order to hire the best staff ... By restricting their ability to staff the clinic with the best available person nel, the district’s decision ultimately harms the interests of the community more than it harms SuperTrack.

“With no better options for a clinic op erator, and recognizing the superb job Su perTrack has done in the past few years, this decision is like turning down a gift horse in case someone might offer you a unicorn later.”

s The houses at the south end of Bayview Drive are almost lost from sight on October 19 due to smoke from wildfires in eastern Washington state.

Photo by Stephen Fowler

Point Roberts followed two years of public process including county coun cil’s decision. The county is committed to support the system which provides a high level of service to residents at a rel atively low cost.” Calder had expressed surprise, saying it was strange given that it was the county that suggested gather ing input.

Calder was asked at the beginning of the first town hall meeting who in the county had requested input from the community or the committee regarding the curbside program. She replied that it had been requested by county executive Satpal Sidhu who had forwarded a com plaint letter he had received from a local resident who had complained about the green waste program that was held in the summer. The complaint was lodged by Heidi Baxter, an outspoken opponent of the current system and called upon the county to cancel the contract with Cando, asserting that the company had failed to live up to the contract. Sidhu had forwarded Baxter’s complaint with a one-sentence email:

“Alison. Please share this PRCAC for discussion in your future meetings. Thanks.”

Calder said the committee had dis cussed the email “and decided that based on Satpal’s request to discuss it, the best way to discuss it was to actually do out reach to the community to find out what the community wants.” Other than the one complaint email, Calder said PR CAC had only received one other email regarding the curb side program which was generally in favor of the program but called for improvements to be made. Whatever input is generated by the town hall meetings, it’s not clear that ei ther the health department or the county executive is interested in reviewing the program. The executive’s spokesperson, Jed Holmes, was asked by the All Point Bulletin if the executive had request ed a community review of the curbside program. In a reply dated October 14, Holmes wrote:

“To respond to your question about whether the County requested special meetings about garbage collection, the answer is no, it did not. There is no plan to have any special, extraordinary review of the Cando contract.

“This spring the County Health De partment did team up with Cando Recy cling and Disposal to temporarily offer free green waste disposal for residents and property owners in the community due to the extraordinary circumstances of the situation as long-absent property owners returned to Point Roberts. That was a one-time arrangement, and some thing agreed upon by Cando and the County.

“Executive Sidhu sometimes makes reference to the lengthy discussions sur rounding the County’s approval of the Cando contract as an example of the challenges reaching consensus among Point Roberts residents. However, such references should not [be] misconstrued as an invitation to start an effort to en gage in a special review of the contract ahead of the ordinary schedule for con tract review and renewal.”

The First Town Hall Calder had mentioned at the start of the first meeting that people tended to fall into one of three camps; those in favor of the current system, those who wanted to see improvements to the sys tem and those who were fully opposed to it. That became crystal clear as attendees began to talk. First to speak was perma nent resident Dee Gough who said she fully supported Cando and felt no sym pathy with people who were upset with

the green waste program. “You shouldn’t have that much green waste if you had taken care of your property during the pandemic.” Pat Harper also expressed support for the current system. Brian Miller spoke against the program, saying he’s lived in Point Roberts for almost 30 years. Prior to the system being imple mented in 2018, he used to self-haul to the transfer station. “Since that system has been in place, I’ve dumped less than six cans of garbage so these cans are costing me about $100 a can.” He called for a referendum to ask people if they want the program and said everyone he’s spoken to is against the system.

Gough later addressed his comments objecting to people claiming to represent the community, asking if the communi ty is against the system, why aren’t they here?

Louise Cassidy said, “What I’m hear ing from people is they want a commu nity-based service,” adding composting would be welcome. Samantha Schole field admitted, “I’m probably known as one of the anti-garbage people” and called for lowering the service level from 26 cans to 12 cans annually. “If we set the minimum high, we are not incentiv izing the people to reduce their garbage. We have to do better.” Susie Black, at tending by Zoom, would like to have a portion of the 26 cans be able to take to the dump without charge.

The Second Town Hall

While many of the issues mentioned in the first meeting came up in the sec ond, such as cost, minimum service lev els, unfairness to part time residents, etc., the issue of green waste occupied much of the time in the second meeting. “What I am hearing from people is that a main concern is dealing with our green waste. If there is a way to work with the company to do something where out of your 26 cans you could make a choice to put out bags of green waste,” said PR CAC chair Allison Calder, adding this would be a great way for the communi ty to come together. “I think we’re find ing as a community that we’re coming together, we’re compromising, coming into the middle and finding solutions that work,” she said.

Barbara Armstrong discussed the gar den club’s work to develop a communi ty site for green waste, adding that they were in the process of seeking grants and had identified a local farmer willing to take green waste.

A number of people spoke about the green waste program that operated for six weeks during the summer, a collab oration between Cando and the county health department. “The green waste program was a debacle,” said Leigh Moorhouse. Problems included an ap parent lack of capacity and drop off times being cut without notice (see sidebar).

Annelle Norman read out the letter first mentioned in the first meeting that had been sent to PRCAC who had then forwarded it to Cando and the county.

Written by Point Roberts Taxpayer As sociation chair Mark Robbins, it read, in part, “Overall, I am satisfied with the ‘new’ system of universal mandato ry curbside trash and recycling collec tion in terms of both service and cost.

In my experience, Cando’s performance has been good, with one glaring and serious exception … I did not mind so much when Cando advised customers we would have to hold our recyclables for two weeks while they repaired their recycling truck – not ideal, but accept able. I highly object to their performance the next time their truck broke down and they took the decision to collect re cyclables and put them in the landfill. This should not have happened; WCHD (Whatcom County Health Depart

Don’t worry, be happy

Did your property assessment take a big jump for 2023? Are you worried that your property taxes will go up a similar amount? Don’t worry, be happy. Increases in property assessments and property taxes rarely go hand in hand together. How so?

rate of 0.8471219265. If that $100,000 house increased at the same rate as Point Roberts as a whole, the fire district taxes owed would have increased by just a bit over a dollar.

An individual’s property taxes are lim ited by the Washington state constitution to one percent of market value ($10 per $1,000). Voter approved special levies, such as special levies for schools or this year’s proposed EMT levy, are in addition to the constitutionally mandated amount.

Point Roberts

360-945-0420 maureen@pointrobertscounseling.com www.pointrobertscounseling.com

The various government agency taxes that make up your tax bill are typically budget based tax levies that are limited to a one percent increase annually. For instance, in 2021, the entire valuation of Point Rob erts was $710,830,694 and the Point Rob erts fire district tax levy was $627,063.70. The mill rate, or cost per $1,000 of as sessed value was 0.8821561946. A house worth $100,000 would have paid $88.21. In 2022, the entire assessed value of Point Roberts went up to $749,112,318, an in crease of 5.4 percent. Meanwhile, the fire district levy increased one percent to $634,589.47 resulting in a reduced mill

Town hall ...

From page 7

ment) should not have been (apparent ly) oblivious and unconcerned by this egregious behavior; and I request that PRCAC register its objections so that it never occurs again. I’m not sure who is more blameworthy: Cando or WCHD.” He also questioned why higher revenues hadn’t allowed Cando to build greater redundancy into its system.

Robbins also expressed dismay for the response his letter generated from Jennifer Hayden, the county environ mental health supervisor. “The overall impression is that the county’s response is just ‘no, we’re not open to improving the program.’ I’m just really discouraged by the Whatcom County health depart ment’s general attitude,” Robbins said, adding he thought that maybe the way forward is to work together with Cando.

PRCAC vice-chair Bill Zidel was as signed to be the liaison between the committee and Cando to work togeth er to see what improvements could be made to the service.

PRCAC intends to prepare recommen dations based on the emails and com ments made by attendees at the town hall meetings at its next regularly sched uled meeting on November 17.

In 2022, the levy rates calculated for individual taxing districts generally de creased as a result of higher assessed val ues. However, levy rates did increase for the voter-approved measures. The average levy rate for 2021 taxes was 10.01204 per thousand dollars of assessed value, while the average levy rate for 2022 taxes de creased to 9.15427.

The total taxable assessed value in Whatcom County increased from $38.33 billion for 2021 taxes, to $43.16 billion for 2022 taxes. Property taxes collected in 2022 by all taxing districts in Whatcom County increased overall 4.8 percent over 2021. Property taxes totaled $404,471,919 in 2022, up $18.4 million over 2020’s $386,098,169 that was levied for all taxing districts.

But, you say, my assessment for 2023 has really shot up. That still doesn’t mean that your taxes will go up by the same per centage. Each year, the county physically assesses a sixth of the properties in the county. In 2022, Point Roberts and the up per northwest part of the county was phys ically assessed. In 2023, Lynden and the surrounding area will see county assessor vehicles. Because the county cannot phys ically assess the entire county each year, it uses what is called a mass appraisal method that analyses properties grouped by similar market influences and characteristics. A three-bedroom home in good condition in Lynden would be appraised similarly to a similar home in a similar neighborhood in Blaine. Both homes would receive a similar adjustment in their assessments.

An annual mass appraisal revaluation generally results in greater uniformity and consistency in property tax assessments and a more equal distribution of property taxes within the taxing jurisdiction. This method has been in effect since January 1, 2014, and was the result of a law enact

2022 Whatcom County Green Waste Program

This summer’s Whatcom County green waste program in cooperation with Cando Recycling and Disposal ran every second Saturday over the course of three months for a total of six service days. It was scheduled on Cando staff’s days off to avoid conflict with regular trash collection service.

Although the solid waste site was open the full hours as advertised at the be ginning of the program, as the visitor count grew, along with the size of green waste loads, the facility was closed early on the days once capacity was reached.

The advertisements placed by Whatcom County did indicate the hours of ser vice would be dependent upon available capacity. While the program was limit ed to one green waste drop per property, people who owned several properties were able to visit as many times as they had a corresponding property.

A total of 87,170 pounds was received in 233 loads (an average of 374 pounds per load). During the same period (May, June and July) Cando collected 122,290 pounds of green waste on regular transfer station operation days (two days per week). The heaviest three loads from the county program days were 4,790, 2,810 and 1,500 pounds. The smallest three loads were 20, 10 and 10 pounds.

There were two 40-yard bins dedicated to the program itself. While there were often other empty bins available, they were reserved for regular Sunday trash deliveries or for recycling.

All green waste collected by Cando is hauled to Skagit Soils, Inc. (skagit soilsinc.com).

The program was designed and overseen by county health department envi ronmental supervisor Jennifer Hayden.

Taxes ...

From page 8

ed by the state legislature. An individual property valuation is typically determined by looking at recent sales of similar prop erties. Mass appraisals do the same thing, but look at groups of properties rather than individual properties.

In Point Roberts, there are only a few taxing districts specific to the Point: the fire, hospital, park and cemetery districts, for example. (The water district does not levy taxes; it is a fee-based utility.) If ev eryone’s property values in Point Roberts increase by roughly the same percentage, their taxes for our own districts will only go up by one percent. The vast majority of our taxes go to the state (29.99 percent), county (7.95 percent), school districts (32.4 percent), Port of Bellingham (1.93

percent) and EMS districts. Note: School district percentage is a combination of all county school districts and is not specific to the Blaine school district.

What could drive your taxes up? For one, the proposed county EMS levy would reauthorize a levy rate of $0.29 per $1,000 of assessed property. Voters authorized this levy rate in 2016 for six years; by last year, the levy rate had declined to $0.22 per $1,000. This is a county-wide levy and it is questionable how much it would benefit Point Roberts. Secondly, you may own the kind of property that saw an above-average rise in market value in the last year; if so, your assessed value will rise higher than average and your taxes will rise higher than average.

In any event, you won’t have to wait long to find out. Typically, property tax statements are mailed out during the third week of February.

Chamber proposes local works roster

B y P at G ru BB

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu met via Zoom with Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce president Brian Calder and vice president Louise Mugar the morning of October 26. The discussion focused on a proposal to create a small works roster for Point Roberts. Calder explained the rationale behind the idea, including how it could help speed up pro vision of services and reduce project costs.

The current process for participating in the bidding process for public works is overly burdensome for small contractors, Calder said, and this essentially eliminates small local businesses from getting these jobs.

The repair of the Maple Beach seawall was cited as an example of a project with excessive costs and extended timeline due to the county’s reliance on large contrac tors who have sufficient resources to navi gate bidding requirements. The chamber’s proposal suggests that the county could establish less burdensome bidding require ments for small projects in Point Roberts.

Sidhu expressed his support for the prin ciple behind the proposal while also cau tioning that the county’s bidding process and requirements have been created over the course of many years and are informed by numerous lawsuits and court rulings.

He invited the chamber to provide addi tional information and context to the pro posal so that it could be discussed in detail both within the Point Roberts community and with county council.

Calder later told the All Point Bulletin that the chamber would work with PR CAC and other local groups to flesh out the proposal for presentation to the execu tive and county council.

Photo by Pat Grubb

ChurCh news

B y G I na G audet

There are so many churches! The church/denomination of choice may be based on family history; it could be a connection to a congregation (you were in vited by a friend/colleague to a special event or gathering); or, having simply attended out of curiosi ty, you enjoyed your experience. Maybe you got a feeling of “being at home” at a church. Whatever drew you in, you found a resting place for your curious heart and soul.

The multiplicity of denominations comes out of the very history of the church. This history is full of inspiration, growth, disagreement, fissure and even re bellion. But for many, theology is a person al matter. A belief system will resonate or repel. This is not a judgment on churches or their doctrines, but is rather the result of the journey of the soul to find a place of belonging in an uncertain world.

One part of the Jesus story that defies be ing categorized or “owned” by any church is the story of healing. It is important to note that Jesus did not demand fealty when he healed. He didn’t care if a person was a believer or not. He saw people in pain and suffering, and he had compassion. He touched them. Sometimes there was a ritu al (Mark 8:22-25, John 9:1-11); sometimes just a touch. Sometimes he didn’t do any thing (Mark 5:24-34). As he would put it, “Your faith has made you well.”

He even healed remotely (Luke 7:1-10). And then do you know what he told his followers before his death? He said, “I tell you truly, one who believes in me will also do the works that I do, and even greater works than these will they do, because I go to the creator.” (John 14:12) When Jesus

leaves the time-space limitations of human life, his spiritual power is released as a gift to all who fol low him on the way. And who are we to name or determine how that power will be experienced? And by/through whom?

Healing is an important part of the min istry of the church. It is empowered by prayer as much as by any kind of train ing. It is empowered by compassion, and sometimes by sheer faith. That faith might be enacted in a church setting, but just as often in a home, an office, even on a street.

Healing is a ministry that we are em bracing and sharing at Trinity. We are pre paring a sacred space for healing in our building. We have people with training and people with gifts, and a community of great faith, powered by a great love. This is not a Lutheran ministry, but a ministry of the realm of Christ. This ministry ac knowledges that healing occurs on many levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. More than often, it is a combina tion of more than one. The ancient root of the words “heal” and “whole” is the same. Healing is a return to wholeness.

It is a sharing of energy, which can be experienced through touch, sound, light, color, prayer, forgiveness, food, love, hugs, beach walks, forest walks, meditation, singing together. Healing is an activity of the spirit, and this spirit seeks expression and embodiment in our lived experience, our relationships and community.

We will be sharing this journey on our website and our Facebook page (Just search Trinity Community Lutheran Church Point Roberts on Facebook or your search engine), so stay tuned and stay connected.

Former Blaine City Councilmember

Close call a reminder to check

B y P at G ru BB

With the heating season now upon us, it’s a good time to check the status of your carbon monoxide detectors or get some if you don’t have them already. Point Rob erts resident Dave Espley, had that point drummed into him just a week ago.

Recovering from recent knee replace ment surgery and spending much of his time in bed, he began hearing his CO mon itor alarm going off. He had purchased it

Caution!

As CO is colorless, odorless and tasteless, it is especially dangerous to individuals who are asleep.

The CDC offers the following safety tips regarding carbon monoxide: Do have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a quali fied tech nician every year.

Do install a battery-operated or bat tery back-up CO detector in your home. Check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. If the detector sounds leave your home immediately and call 911.

Do seek prompt medical help if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated.

Don’t use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or char coal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window.

Don’t run a car or truck inside a ga rage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open.

Don’t burn anything in a stove or fire place that isn’t vented.

last year the day after he heard the trag ic case of Point Roberts residents Murray Church and Gail Asmundsen who died from CO poisoning on November 25 last year. The couple had moved into their new house on Calder Drive and died apparently due to the faulty installation of a radiant heating system.

“When I heard what happened to them, the first thing I did was to check to see if there were CO detectors in the house. When I didn’t find any, I went to Nielson’s

Building Center and bought one. About five or six days ago, I woke up and heard the alarm going off. I went downstairs to the room that has the furnace and water heater where I had installed the detector. I figured it was probably the batteries that needed to be changed and brought it back upstairs to the kitchen and replaced them. Sure enough, it stopped beeping and didn’t start up when I put new batteries in it.” He left the detector on the kitchen island.

Four hours later, he returned home from Bellingham and when he opened the door, he heard the beeping again. “I know carbon monoxide is odorless, but I just had a bad feeling about things,” he said.

“I called [assistant fire chief] John Shields and he was here in under five minutes. As soon as he walked in, his CO monitor started going off. I told him I thought the source was downstairs in the furnace room and when we walked in, his detector went crazy.” The two turned off the furnace, opened doors and windows and aired out the house.

“Realistically, that device probably saved my life,” he said. Espley now has four de tectors placed around his house.

The Point Roberts fire department has free CO detectors available to homes that will be occupied this winter. Email chief@ wcfd5.com if you would like one.

HOP WiFi for the Holidays!

s A happy crowd enjoyed a Bingo at the Reef fundraiser for Circle of Care on October 9.

Photo by Annelle Norman

Borderite

October has been a month where we have been able to continue to welcome back traditions that were put on hold during the pandemic. On Friday, October 21st our school went into Delta, BC to visit Westham Island Herb Farm and the Reifel Bird Sanctuary. This special trip allowed our students to learn more about science that is found in the world around us. After the field trip, our students brought their pumpkins back to school and have been conducting Pumpkin Science experiments this week. Students also created beautiful leaf prints from leaves they collected during a nature walk for art.

On Monday, October 24th we hosted the monthly School Board meeting at Point Roberts Primary. We were thrilled with the opportunity to welcome our Board Members, district staff and the public into our building with the goal of sharing our school. During this meeting we highlighted the district level common commitments that we share with the rest of the schools in the Blaine School District. As a remote and necessary school we first and foremost embrace the shared common commitments of the Blaine School District while also recognizing the opportunity to celebrate our differences. Some of our shared common commitments are:

• Smart Start with our School Family Meeting

•

Math

• Fountas and Pinnell

•

•

•

Discipline

us to celebrate

It was also our pleasure to honor Rose Momsen and Chief Carleton along with Fire District Number 5 for their continual support of Point Roberts Primary and the local school children. During the height of the pandemic, when it was unsafe to have volunteers in our building, these volunteers found innovative ways to continue to support our community school. We are thankful for the collaborative relationship that we have with these dedicated community members and we look forward

Sincerely,

in the garden

Gardeners are intimate ly familiar with change. In particular, they share with many other enthusiasts a sensitivity to the rhythm of the year and the march of time and science.

In November our gardens are starting to fall into their annual slumber. Conifers have almost finished their flagging, shed ding excessive foliage. The same is true of deciduous trees and shrubs, with essen tially only the oaks retaining their expired leaves tenaciously. Annuals are winding down their lifespan, and many perennials have become dormant.

In contrast, some others like some hel lebores and cyclamen are actually sending up their flowering shoots to brighten the winter garden. In a few months, lengthen ing days and increasing warmth will awak en most plants and the natural rhythm of growth begins anew.

Of course, not every year is the same. I love when Facebook and OneDrive pop up on-this-day photographs of my gar den. Wow! Tulips really popped that year! What happened to them? Are they already done because of a mild winter and early spring, or delayed because of the inclem ent weather?

Sadly, they might have run out their nat ural lifespan. While old-fashioned tulips bloom year after year, modern varieties generally have shorter lifespans, leading many gardeners to treat them as annuals. Dedicated gardeners with space subvert this by lifting the bulbs each year and transporting them into a nursery to nur ture the bulblets for a future year’s display. Different perennials will have different natural life spans. To gardeners, perenni al does not mean forever. An ornamen tal tree might well outlive the youthful gardener who plants it, but other plants might live only for a handful of years even under ideal conditions. I personally love perennial blue flax, with its delicate flow ers and understated foliage. When first ordering some, I was struck by a review er who wrote, “It broke my heart.” Well, that’s what it does. It absolutely delights for about three years, and then it is done.

Of course, not all plants die by their own internal clock. Many suffer the abuse of pests, be they animal, bacterium, fun gus or virus. I’ve written about voles be fore. These native lemming-cousins have boom and bust cycles and can strip a gar den clean of their personal favorites in a boom year. Tulip bulbs are a favorite, as are the roots of sea thrift. And speaking of tulips, they are irresistible to deer and rab

bits, who can easily wipe out your entire flowerbed.

Moving on to six-legged beasts, bronze birch borers have killed many birches in the lower mainland. Both British Columbia and Wash ington State are now on high alert for invasive Japa nese beetles that can devas tate plants like roses.

Physical damage can take its toll also. I once lost a lovely bronze Harry Lauder’s walking stick corkscrew hazel to “south west injury.” The thin bark split from tem perature fluctuations one winter and the young tree never really recovered. Many of the ceanothus on Tyee Drive will be removed because they will never recover from last winter’s erratic hard freezes.

Of course, many changes are positive. Plants grow! They fill in spaces; they creep and flourish. A bare landscape can fill in nicely or even become overgrown. Few lush gardens began that way. They began with a few structural plants and fillers here and there. These plants grew. They were supplemented over the years by plants that later proved to be too enthusiastic.

Garden advice changes too, ever to wards to the most scientifically ground ed best practice, which of course changes with ongoing research. One example is tree and shrub pruning. As Chuck Nor wich of Western Arborist Services has re peatedly counselled Point Roberts Garden Club members, improper cuts can open a pruned limb to all sorts of damage and gardeners are now counselled to examine a limb carefully and then cut as close to a branch collar as possible — and of course to use sharpened clean blades.

Another change covered in a recent col umn is to not overdo autumn cleanup, and to leave garden debris where it lies rather than removing it. The exception, of course, is still to rake leaves off grass and not allow debris to accumulate close to a residence where it could pose a fire risk.

Finally, removing or moving a plant can cause dramatic changes to a garden as well. In our generally hospitable climate, many plants can outgrow their predictions and warrant removal. Or a plant that has disappointed might as well be relegated to the compost bin. Although it pains some gardeners to remove a plant, sometimes it is the only real viable action to maintain a vibrant garden. You don’t have to go full minimalist unless that’s your style. Think of Marie Kondo. Sometimes the change your garden needs is to be more tidy and balanced, with each plant playing its role in a pleasing scheme.

look forward to assisting you with your needs for Specialty Chocolates and Gifts during the coming Christmas Season!

Hours: 10 - 6 Monday - Friday, 10 - 5 Saturday, 12 - 5 Sunday 1263 56 Street, Delta BC (604 943 7535) www.thechocolatebearshoppe.com

Candidates ...

freely across an international border and for the last few years that has been denied. Moving forward, I will do better for that community.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Other than my service as a Marine, I have always been in the private sector. I owned a small business and understood what it’s like to sign the front and back of a paycheck. I also know that when ends don’t meet you tighten your belt, not raise taxes. I will take that approach in Olym pia.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

I have lived in Whatcom County since 1980 except for when I was serving as a U.S. Marine. I went to school here, I have owned small businesses here and I raised my family here. Whatcom County is where I want to stay. Whatcom County is worth fighting for. Thank you.

Joe Timmons

What are your top three priorities for Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts if elect ed? How will you work to ensure those pri orities are met?

Economic development. The pandem ic was hard on businesses in Whatcom County, especially in communities closest to the border. Through my job in the Gov ernor’s Office I helped provide funding for the grocery store in Point Roberts, make the case for reopening the border, and es tablish the state’s Border Business Relief Fund, a grant program that assisted more than 100 businesses and organizations in Whatcom County. Based on conversations I’ve had with residents, I’d also like to help increase access to broadband internet and housing. I have a track record of getting things done in Olympia and bringing re sources to Whatcom County, and I will continue that as your state representative.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

I have spent the past decade working at the local, state, and federal levels of gov ernment – including the past eight years working directly with leaders in Olympia. I am running for this position because I love Whatcom County and I am confident I have the experience to hit the ground running on behalf of our community. I am the only candidate that has dedicated their career to public service and I have a proven track record of working with both parties. Whatcom County deserves a rep resentative that is committed to listening to the needs of everyone in the county and working hard on their behalf. If elected I will do just that.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

I grew up in a working class household in Washington state. Before a career in public service I worked as a preschool teacher, at restaurants and in retail. My wife Heather grew up in Whatcom County, and we are proud to have set down roots here and to be raising a family here. I was thrilled to receive the most votes in the primary elec tion and our campaign is working hard ev ery day to win in November.

Candidate statements for other positions can be found online at allpointbulletin.com

November Tides

Tides at Tsawwassen DST Not For Navigation 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W

Date Time Height Time Height

Tu 1 5:10 am -0.6 1:26 pm 9.7

7:55 pm 6.5 10:25 pm 6.7

We 2 6:16 am 0.2 2:14 pm 9.7 8:51 pm 5.3

Th 3 12:33 am 6.2 7:24 am 1.0

2:54 pm 9.7 9:31 pm 4.0

Fr 4 2:25 am 6.4 8:30 am 1.9

3:26 pm 9.6 10:07 pm 2.6

Sa 5 3:51 am 7.0 9:28 am 2.9

3:56 pm 9.6 10:43 pm 1.4

Su 6 4:03 am 7.7 9:22 am 3.8

3:24 pm 9.5 10:17 pm 0.3

Mo 7 5:03 am 8.4 10:14 am 4.8

3:50 pm 9.3 10:51 pm -0.4

Tu 8 5:55 am 9.0 11:02 am 5.6

4:14 pm 9.1 11:25 pm -0.9

We 9 6:45 am 9.4 11:50 am 6.2

4:38 pm 8.8 11:59 pm -1.1

Th 10 7:33 am 9.6 12:38 pm 6.7

5:02 pm 8.5

Fr 11 12:31 am -1.1 8:19 am 9.7

1:26 pm 7.1 5:22 pm 8.2

Sa 12 1:07 am -0.8 9:09 am 9.6

2:24 pm 7.3 5:36 pm 7.8

Su 13 1:45 am -0.5 10:01 am 9.4

3:42 pm 7.4 5:36 pm 7.5

Mo 14 2:25 am 0.0 10:53 am 9.3

Tu 15 3:10 am 0.6 11:40 am 9.2

We 16 3:59 am 1.2 12:21 pm 9.1

Th 17 4:52 am 1.8 12:54 pm 9.1 8:15 pm 4.8 11:33 pm 5.3

Fr 18 5:50 am 2.5 1:22 pm 9.1 8:23 pm 3.8

Sa 19 1:23 am 5.7 6:50 am 3.3

1:46 pm 9.2 8:45 pm 2.7

Su 20 2:43 am 6.5 7:48 am 4.1

2:10 pm 9.3 9:11 pm 1.4

Mo 21 3:47 am 7.5 8:44 am 4.9

2:34 pm 9.3 9:43 pm 0.2

Tu 22 4:43 am 8.5 9:38 am 5.7

3:00 pm 9.4 10:17 pm -1.0

We 23 5:37 am 9.4 10:32 am 6.4

3:30 pm 9.5 10:55 pm -2.0

Th 24 6:27 am 10.1 11:26 am 7.0

4:00 pm 9.5 11:35 pm -2.6

Fr 25 7:19 am 10.5 12:20 pm 7.5 4:34 pm 9.4

Sa 26 12:19 am -2.9 8:13 am 10.7

1:18 pm 7.7 5:12 pm 9.1

Su 27 1:05 am -2.8 9:09 am 10.7

2:24 pm 7.7 5:54 pm 8.6

Mo 28 1:55 am -2.3 10:03 am 10.6 3:44 pm 7.3 6:46 pm 7.9

Tu 29 2:49 am -1.4 10:53 am 10.4 5:10 pm 6.5 8:06 pm 6.9

We 30 3:45 am -0.2 11:39 am 10.2 6:26 pm 5.3 9:58 pm 6.1

US Senator

Candidate Q & A

US Representative

The All Point Bulletin asked candidates running for U.S. Senate about legislation for bordertowns they will support, if elect ed, and what makes them fit to represent Washington state in Washington, D.C. Senators serve for six-year terms. The No vember 8 general election candidates pro vided written responses to the questions.

Patty Murray

Patty Murray (D) has served in the U.S. Senate since 1993. She graduated from Washington State University.

The bordertown communities experienced disproportionate economic impacts from the pandemic and continue to face headwinds in their recovery. What programs or plans would you support to help these communi ties?

I repeatedly pressed the administration to do more to help northern border com munities, especially after the Canadians reopened their land borders. Last year, I spoke on the Senate floor calling for the administration to reopen the border at Point Roberts and to recognize the harm that prolonged closure was causing in bor der communities across our state. Within two weeks, the border closure was finally ended.

I strongly believe the federal government must do more to help border communities recover. I helped to design a new initiative to provide grants to businesses in border communities. This program was included in the Small Business COVID Relief Act that was blocked by Republicans this sum mer. I’ll keep fighting for this program and others that support border communities.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

I passed legislation in the last year and a half that will lower the cost of prescription drugs, cap insulin prices for seniors at $35 a month and extend tax credits that made health care cheaper for millions. I’m ready to do a lot more to lower costs and make our economy work for everyone – not just billionaires and giant corporations.

I will always fight to make sure women can make their own health care decisions – on day one, I will work to pass my bill to codify Roe v. Wade into law. And I’m fighting to make sure our democracy stays a democracy and protect every American’s right to vote.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

I’ve passed a lot of legislation that doesn’t make the news, but will help people – like my legislation to ban surprise medical bills, or my legislation to make sure sexual

assault survivors get the care and examina tions they need from local hospitals. Both of those laws originated with Washington residents who called my office with a prob lem they were facing – and I worked with them to solve it.

Tiffany Smiley

Tiffany Smiley (R) has no prior elected experience but has worked as a veterans advocate. She earned her bachelor of sci ence in nursing from Whitworth College.

The bordertown communities experienced disproportionate economic impacts from the pandemic and continue to face headwinds in their recovery. What programs or plans would you support to help these communities?

The pandemic took a huge toll on our communities and small businesses, and the inflation we are currently experiencing as a result of the Biden/Murray economic poli cies is making recovery nearly impossible. In my agendas for economic and energy and environmental recovery and reform, I lay out my plan to lower inflation, low er taxes for the middle class, protect our small businesses from zealous IRS agents, and restore our energy independence to get immediate relief for Washington fami lies and help our businesses recover.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

I was 11 years old when senator Mur ray was first elected to the Senate. Thirty years later, we need to ask ourselves, “Are we any better off?” It is clear from my op ponent’s record that the constituent she serves is Washington, D.C., and in her lack of accomplishments to tout she has resort ed to scare tactics to win this election.

I have a record of taking on the federal government and winning and am running to serve the great people of Washington state. Additionally, I have signed a term limits pledge and intend to go to Washing ton, D.C., work hard to accomplish mean ingful reform and then return home.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

As a Washington farm girl, I learned ear ly the importance of working hard, doing your best and going the extra mile for your community and country. Our family has served and sacrificed for our nation, and it would be the highest honor to represent my fellow Washingtonians in the Senate. I would encourage everyone to go to my website, smileyforwashington.com, and read through my agenda for recovery and reform – my plan to bring recovery to our state. The choice this November is clear: A vote for hope or a vote for the status quo.

The All Point Bulletin asked candidates running for the U.S. Representative posi tion in Washington’s 2nd Congressional District about how they plan to provide aid to pandemic-impacted bordertowns and why they are the right candidate to rep resent northwest Washington in Washing ton, D.C. Representatives serve two-year terms. The November 8 general election candidates provided written responses to the questions.

Rick Larsen

Rick Larsen (D) has served in the U.S. House since 2001. He earned his bache lor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran Univer sity and master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Minnesota.

The bordertown communities experienced disproportionate economic impacts from the pandemic and continue to face headwinds in their recovery. What programs or plans would you support to help these communi ties?

The pandemic and the border closure severely impacted working families and small businesses in Whatcom County. In particular, Point Roberts residents were isolated from the U.S and were left without access to necessary resources. Throughout the pandemic and recovery, I have sup ported supplemental funding for border communities that were disproportionately harmed. I also stood with representative Suzan DelBene and the delegation to pres sure the U.S. and Canada to safely reopen the border, with a focus on helping resi dents of Point Roberts.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

I am proud to serve the people of north west Washington. Representing your voice in Congress is an honor. Our region is special, and so are our neighbors. Your strength and resilience are what motivate me to fight on your behalf every day in the other Washington. I was born and raised here, and my wife and I are the parents of two boys who represent the fifth genera tion of Larsens born in this district. I take the future of this community as personally as you do. I am committed to building an economy that creates more jobs and op portunities for all.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

My priorities are making healthcare more affordable, taking care of veterans, growing the economy and keeping our communities safe. I voted for the Inflation Reduction Act to lower the deficit and pre

scription drug prices, and to cap premi ums and out-of-pocket costs. I voted for the PACT Act, the largest bill to address our service members’ exposure to toxins in history. I voted to invest in construc tion jobs to repair our infrastructure and clean energy jobs to transition to a green economy. And I voted for the first federal gun safety bill to pass in 30 years. Because this important work is far from done, I am requesting your vote to build upon our progress next term.

Dan Matthews

Dan Matthews (R) is a contract pilot in structor and served in the U.S. Air Force. He has a bachelor’s degree in political sci ence from the University of Puget Sound and a master’s degree in public adminis tration.

Matthews did not respond to the All Point Bulletin’s request.

Wa State Senator

The All Point Bulletin asked the candi dates running for the 42nd Legislative District Senate seat about their top prior ities, if elected, and why they believe they are the best candidate for north Whatcom

Rick Larsen

Dan Matthew

Patty Murray

Tiffany Smiley

Sharon Shewmake

Simon Sefzik

County residents. The candidates provid ed written responses to the questions.

Simon Sefzik

What are your top three priorities for Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts if elect ed? How will you work to ensure those pri orities are met?

Nearly every day, I hear from What com County residents struggling to get by. Whether it’s the high cost of housing, childcare, gas or groceries – taxes and costs seem to continue to rise, imposing a particular burden on working families and senior citizens on fixed incomes. As your state senator, I’ve been focused on returning affordability, restoring public safety, and bringing your tax dollars back to Whatcom County to improve our infra structure. I will continue to advocate for decreased taxes and common-sense regu lations, especially for our small businesses, who have been particularly impacted from the pandemic and border closures.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

I’m the best person to represent What com County in the state senate because I’m trusted by the people that you trust. As the only candidate endorsed by sheriff Bill Elfo and law enforcement organizations, I’ll continue to advocate for public safety. I’ve been endorsed by trusted affordable housing groups and business organiza tions. I’m the most experienced candidate to represent you in the Senate because I’ve already done it. Check my record and you’ll see: I’ve been advocating for you.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

I see Whatcom County not as a con glomeration of red and blue precincts, but as one community. We are neighbors first. I sincerely believe that all of us have more in common than what divides us. I want to continue to serve you in the state Sen ate because I dream of raising a family in a state where I can afford to buy a home, where my children get a world-class edu cation, and where we recreate with peace of mind.

After speaking with thousands of my constituents, I know that many of you dream of the same. I’m running because I feel like I have no other choice – our chal lenges are monumental and we need to send an advocate to Olympia.

Sharon Shewmake

What are your top three priorities for Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts if elect ed? How will you work to ensure those pri orities are met?

I enjoy spending time in northwest Whatcom County, making sure you are heard and have what you need from Olym pia. Regional priorities are housing afford ability, lowering taxes on working people, jobs, lowering the price of healthcare, safe neighborhoods, keeping schools and childcare open, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and better policy to help reduce the risk of flooding and improve recovery.

We have more work to do on the inter section at Bell Road and you need fewer potholes on Bruce Road in Custer. I want to make sure we build the Birch Bay li brary. Blaine and Point Roberts have been devastated by border closures. Many of the issues were federal or Canadian policies, but I’m committed to keep working with border communities to build a more resil ient economy and support small business recovery.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Candidate Q & A

I’m the only economist in the legisla ture, and I deliver for Whatcom County with help for local jobs and with funding for schools, mental health and homeless facilities, roads, trails and bridges.

I pass bills and secure funding for local projects because I’m honest and I work well with others. The Salish Current fact checked a debate with my opponent and found only one of his answers to be “true.” Every single answer I said was true. That’s why I’m endorsed by nurses, teachers, fire fighters, prosecutor Eric Richey, teamsters, social workers, environmental groups, Tribes, affordable housing advocates, chil dren’s groups, machinists, electricians, ironworkers, grocery workers, democracy watchdogs, Pro-choice Washington and so many more.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

It’s been an honor to serve you and I’m proud to run a grassroots, people-powered campaign. For more information please email me sharon@sharon4whatcom.com or go to www.sharon4whatcom.com. De mocracy works when your leaders hear from you, and I want you to be part of the conversation.

Wa State Representative

1

Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts if elect ed? How will you work to ensure those pri orities are met?

1: Fight for economic opportunity for everyone and support working families by increasing the number of family wage jobs, ensuring strong wages and protecting jobs at our local refineries. I will work to reopen Intalco and support our local busi nesses. Everyone deserves a shot at a good paying job, whether you go to college or not.

2: Support law enforcement and im prove public safety while building a robust mental health and addiction recovery sys tem that saves lives and keeps people off the streets. Continue to improve the child welfare system and keep children and fam ilies safe.

3: Continue to bring our tax dollars home and put them to work in our com munities, supporting infrastructure proj ects like making train crossings work bet ter, fixing roads and bridges, and working with our military department to create a statewide disaster program so our state can respond with relief that is fast and effective for our local communities, including the unique needs of Point Roberts.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

I am the current state representative for our district. I have previously served on the Blaine City Council and as the pres ident of the Blaine Downtown Alliance. I live in Blaine as your neighbor. I own a mental health practice and have worked as a social worker as my career. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and my masters in social work from San Diego State University. I have earned the endorsement of organized labor, business, law enforcement, teachers and nurses, including the sole endorse ment of the Washington Fraternal Order of Police, Washington State Labor Coun cil, Association of Washington Business, and Planned Parenthood.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

I genuinely and passionately care about the community that has been home to my family for five generations and I am invest ed in ensuring this can continue to be a home for our children and grandchildren.

TawshaThompson(Dykstra)

What are your top three priorities for Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts if elect ed? How will you work to ensure those pri orities are met?

1: Public safety: Blaine, as a munici pality, has its own police department but Custer, Birch Bay, and Point Roberts all receive public safety services through the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. Staff ing shortages impact those hard to reach areas, such as Point Roberts. We need to ensure that laws negatively impacting law enforcement are repealed and legislature empowering our officers is enacted to as sist with recruiting good people to become law enforcement officers in Washington.

As a 25-year veteran of law enforcement I have the training, skills and expertise to tackle the public safety legislation that needs to be repealed and amended to bring the skyrocketing crime problem back down to earth. I am endorsed by sheriff Bill Elfo, Whatcom County prosecutor Dave McEachran (retired) and many more.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

My entire professional career has been as a public servant and professional prob lem solver. I commit to working collabo ratively with everyone from both sides of the aisle to complete our common goals. As your state representative I will continue to serve all the people of the 42nd district to the best of my ability.

The All Point Bulletin asked candidates running for 42nd Legislative District po sition 1 and 2 seats about their top pri orities, if elected to the state House of Representatives, and what makes them fit to represent north Whatcom County resi dents in the state Legislature. The Novem ber 8 general election candidates provided written responses to the questions.

Alicia Rule

What are your top three priorities for Blaine,

2: Internet and broadband services: There has been progress made in these areas but we need to continue working toward good internet and broadband ser vice to unincorporated areas of Whatcom County.

3: Infrastructure: Both Birch Bay and Point Roberts have experienced flooding issues. Better planning and development is needed to protect those communities.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Dan Johnson

What are your top three priorities for Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts if elect ed? How will you work to ensure those pri orities are met?

1: Public safety: As a starting point, I think that Birch Bay has grown to the point where a local police department is war ranted. This added degree of law enforce ment along with better state laws on crime would be a huge win for that community.

2: Public services & infrastructure: As people move into the area it has been hard for these smaller communities to keep up with basic services like water, sewer, pow er, internet, etc. I would fight for funding from the state level to build the necessary services to keep up with the housing and business demands.

3: Isolation: From 2020 until just a few weeks ago, Point Roberts has been isolat ed. This unique community spent over two years unable to connect to the rest of the country. Along with the abovemen tioned issues, the residents of Point Rob erts are dependent on being able to travel

Alicia Rule

Tawsha Thompson

Dan Johnson

Joe Timmons

Classifieds

HIGHER END HOUSES: $800,000 & ABOVE: Condo with 2,552 SF, 3 BD, 2 BA, attached garage, built in 1989.

2-story house with 1,658 SF, 3 BD, 2 BA, 594 SF detached garage, 192 SF detached garage, 312 SF patio, 705 SF deck, built in 1910, 5.10 acres wooded land.

1-and a half story house with 1,144 SF, 2 BD, 2 BA, 120 SF storage, 216 SF deck, built in 1973, 70 feet waterfront; marine and territorial views, 2.41 acres land.

2-story house with 2,987 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 473 SF builtin garage, 377 SF patio, built in 2016, waterfront; marine and territorial views,

2-story house with 3,160 SF, 3 BD, 4 BA, 500 SF attached garage, 481 SF patio, 1,331 SF balcony, built in 1979, waterfront; marine and territorial views, .28 acres land.

1-story house with 2,148 SF, 4 BD, 2 BA, 588 SF attached garage, 208 SF patio, built in 2017, .25 acres land.

2-story house with 3,613 SF, 4 BD, 4 BA, 792 SF attached garage, 664 SF deck, built in 2004, waterfront; marine and territorial views, .63 acres land.

1-story house with 632 SF, 2 BD, 1 BA, 388 SF patio, built in 1942, 44 feet waterfront; marine views, 07 acres land.

1-story house with 2,224 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 714 SF attached garage, 275 SF patio, 2,016 SF shop, built 2009, 5.00 acres land.

1-story house with 2,627 SF, 2 BD, 3 BA, den, 816 SF attached garage, 270 SF patio, built in 2019, .45 acres land.

2-story house with 3,188 SF, 5 BD, 3 BA, 720 SF attached garage, 244 SF porch, built in 2017, .20 acres land.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES:

Warehouse/office with 60,075 SF, 3,005 SF storage mezzanine, built in 2007, 4.50 acres land.

Store with 2,000 SF, 2,000 SF basement, built in 1910, .09 acres land.

2-story duplex with 2,844 SF, 840 SF attached garage, 216 SF patio, built in 2019, .17 acres land.

Unit # 14M, St. Andrews Cottages Condominium, 5660 Sanderling Way, Blaine

101 Goodman Road, Point Roberts

8703 Oertel Drive, Blaine

$839,650

$925,000

Unit #38, Semiahmoo Shore Condominium, 9454 Turnstone Lane, Blaine 5367 Nootka Loop, Blaine

$1,442,000

8149 Quinault Road, Blaine

8463 Pointe Road North, Blaine

7551 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine

1982 Camber Lane, Blaine

Wood Duck Loop, Blaine

Mist Drive, Blaine

$829,000

$1,100,000 $820,000

Road, Blaine

$7,300,000 $350,000 $750,00

sheriff’s report

October 1, 5:44 p.m.: Suspi cious circumstances cold call on Benson Road.

October 2, 8:09 a.m.: Watch for on Roosevelt Way and Derby Avenue.

October 2, 9:27 a.m.: Alarm audible on Simundson Drive.

October 5, 6:23 p.m.: Watch for on Gulf Road and Tyee Drive.

October 5, 6:53 p.m.: Welfare check on Si mundson Drive.

October 5, 8:46 p.m.: Whatcomm record on Simundson Drive.

October 6, 9:13 a.m.: Welfare check on Boundary Bay and Williams roads.

October 8, 2:48 p.m.: Assist citizen on Simund son Drive.

October 9, 1:13 p.m.: Welfare check on Gulf Road and Teller Drive.

October 9, 1:15 p.m.: Lewd conduct on Gulf Road and Tyee Drive.

October 10, 1:44 p.m.: Watch for on Tyee Drive.

October 10, 2:22 p.m.: Assist citizen on Si mundson Drive.

October 10, 7:21 p.m.: Watch for on Tyee

Drive.

October 11, 4:18 p.m.: A mental health issue cold call on Gulf Road.

October 11, 5:46 p.m.:

Neighborhood cold call on Fox Hole Road.

October 12, 9:41 a.m.: Assist citizen on Simundson Drive.

October 12, 2:59 p.m.: Assist agency on Gulf Road.

October 16, 3:37 p.m.: Watch for on Limerick Avenue and Roosevelt Way.

October 17, 11:30 a.m.: Serve papers on Ben son Road.

October 17, 11:40 a.m.: Serve papers on Rex Street.

October 17, 11:58 a.m.: Serve papers on Bells Grove.

October 17, 12:06 p.m.: Serve papers on Calder Drive.

October 17, 12:33 p.m.: Serve papers on Ed wards Drive.

October 17, 3:25 p.m.: Property found on APA Road.

October 18, 12:13 p.m.: Domestic verbal on Panorama Drive.

October 19, 10:10 a.m.: Welfare check on Tyee Drive.

October 20, 10:12 a.m.: Civil problem on Pan orama Drive.

October 23, 6:03 p.m.: Assist citizen cold call on Benson Road.

October 23, 10:30 p.m.: Domestic verbal cold call on McLaren Road.

K r IS lo M ed IC o

Bestsellers: Old Babes in the Wood Margaret Atwood

The Last Chairlift John Irving A World of Curiosities Louise Penny

The Last Kingdom Steve Berry Movies: The Power of the Dog Benedict Cumberbatch

Top Gun: Maverick Tom Cruise Emily the Criminal Aubrey Plaza Pearl Mia Goth Music: Only the Strong Survive Bruce Springsteen

The Car Arctic Monkeys Crybaby Tegan & Sara Midnights Taylor Swift Teens: Cursed Marissa Meyer Seasparrow Kristin Cashore

The Stern Chase John Flanagan Kids: Diper Overlode Jeff Kinney Stellarlune Shannon Messenger Pig the Rebel Aaron Blabey Hours: Tuesdays 1–7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Express Library: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily wcls.org

Courtesy photo

a young adult she moved to Garberville where she met Robert Yeats, they were soon married and tragically Bob died of cancer at the young age of 41. Margi then met and married Clark Fleming and lived a very happy and full life until Clark’s death. They were married for 33 years.

Margi was a school secretary at Trinity Valley and Hoopa High until her retire ment. Margi was always active in fund raisers and volunteered at many different organizations in Willow Creek. She was an active part of the community she loved.

April 16, 1943 – September 27, 2022

It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Margi on September 27, 2022 in Bellingham, Wash ington.

Margi is predeceased by her parents and husband Clark Fleming. She is survived by her son Brad Lawson (Vickie), step children, Chris Fleming (Mindy), Carol Benson (Bob), and Cathy Hignite, her sis ter Irene Mason and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a great many friends.

Margi had a special friendship with Judy Gower and Sharon Racy for over 50 years. They will miss her great smile and friendship. She also had a special place in her heart for Tammy and Mark Huff, with whom she and Clark spent most holidays alongside the grandchildren.

Margi grew up in Harris, California. As

Margi moved to Point Roberts in 2016 to be closer to her son. Again, she took up the mantle and volunteered at the Point Roberts Senior Center for two days a week. She helped prepare and serve and clean up for the Senior meals. She met so many peo ple there and developed some great friend ships.

Margi was a grandmother to many whether related or not. Her never ending love and support will be deeply missed by Rebecca Barber, Christina Russel, Mark and Sarah Huff, Melissa Robertson, Caro lyn PaIotas, Michelle Lujan and Ina Cara re. They were lucky to call her grandma.

Margi’s legacy was her kindness and welcoming nature to all she met. She truly believed in the good in people. Her pres ence will be missed by so many. Margi was a woman of faith, and we have no doubt she is heaven with the angels.

A celebration of life will be held at the Point Roberts Community Center on Sun day, November 13 at 1:30 p.m. All are wel come.

Margorie Jeanette Fleming

s Marjorie Jeanette Fleming.

s

was a fine day for the Harvest Show N Shine car show at The Reef.

Coming up ...

Scheduled Meetings/Ongoing Events

Thanksgiving Baskets Registration: Through Friday, November 11. Free, ready-to-cook Thanksgiving

those with limited financial resources living in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer, and Point Roberts. Res ervations required at blainecap.org or call 360/383-8027. Baskets will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, November 22, noon – 2:30 p.m., in Blaine.

Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars Fundraiser Campaign: Starting Tuesday, November 1. Local Dollars for Scholars board members are actively raising funds to again award scholarships to high school seniors and our continuing education students. Donations can be made through Umpqua bank for Dollars for Scholars, by mail to Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 1354, Point Roberts, WA 98281, or you can donate while you shop through AmazonSmile at smile.amazon.com (The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate .5 percent of the price of eligible purchases listed under Scholarship America, Point Roberts, WA).

Point Roberts Clinic Hours: Primary Care: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., appointment need ed. Urgent Care can be accessed through telemedicine or at the clinic Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Always call for an appointment before coming in, even for urgent care services. Hours subject to change. Flu shots available. Info: 360/945-2580.

PR Library Hours: Tuesdays 1-7 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Library express hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily.

Point Roberts Walkers: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 a.m., coffee to follow at 9 a.m., Thursdays at the community center, Saturdays at Lily Point. Tuesdays location varies and can be found at prwalkers. wordpress.com.

PR Food Bank: Every Wednesday 8:30 –10 a.m. at the Gulf Road Community Center.

Seniors and More Lunches: Wednesdays and Fridays drive through and pick up available from 11:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., PR community center. Weekly menus published on PAWS and Point Interface. All ages welcome. More info: prseniors@whidbey.com or 360/945-5424.

Covid-19 PCR testing: Sundays,10–11 a.m., Point Roberts Fire Hall, 2030 Benson Road. Bring ID and insur ance information.

Halloween Spooktacular: Saturday, October 29, PR community center. Sponsored by the Point Roberts Park and Recreation District and Kora’s Corner. Witch crafts and games, Trunk or Treat at 5 p.m. in the Kora’s Corner parking lot, and a showing of Disney’s Hocus Pocus at 7 p.m. at the community center. If you are interested in being one of the decorated cars handing out candy please register in person at Kora’s Corner or at: koras-corner.com/trunk-or-treat. Info: prparkdistrict@gmail.com.

Nourish Your Body: Pilates/yoga/breathing: Sunday, October 30, 9:30 a.m., Marina Club Room at the Point Roberts Marina. Space is limited. RSVP to marcia@canvaspilates.com.

Jazz Vespers: Sunday, October 30, 4 p.m., Trinity Church, 1880 APA Road. Featuring Shaune Ann Fuez and Paul Lucas.

Halloween Trunk-or-Treat: Monday, October 31, 4:30–8 p.m., welcome booth and parking on Mill and Austin roads. Coloring contest for ages 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Prize for best costume. Info: dreameventsbysd@ hotmail.com. Pick up a map of the route along with a coloring contest page at the International Marketplace. Sponsored by Whidbey Telecom.

Meet and Greet: Bennett Knox: Wednesday, November 2, 4 p.m., Point Roberts Community Center. Meet the new director of Whatcom County Parks and Recreation, Bennett Knox.

Covid Bivalent Vaccination Event: Sunday, November 13, firehall, 2030 Benson Road. Pfizer and Moderna (12 years or older for Pfizer and 18 years or older for Moderna). This event is only for bivalent booster doses. If you have received the primary series of Pfizer, Moderna or JJ and your last dose was at least two months prior to event date, you are eligibler. Please send an email to chief@wcfd5.com with the vaccine you are requesting and number of participants to register. We offer vaccination to anyone within our community.

PR Emergency Preparedness: Tuesday, November 1, 7 p.m., community center/Zoom. Info: prepgroup17@ gmail.com.

Circle of Care volunteer gathering: Friday, November 4, 5 – 7 p.m. The Circle of Care board of directors invites all volunteers and contributors for drinks and appetizers. If you have ever assisted or volunteered for Circle of Care you are cordially invited to this thank you gathering. Please RSVP by email on prcircleofcare@ gmail.com or leave a message at 360/945-5222.

Point Roberts Historical Society holiday gift: Saturday, November 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., History Center. Get five percent off everything in the gift shop. This discount can be applied in addition to the Historical Society member discount of 10 percent. Join PRHS today to access the additional 10 percent off.

Your Local Small Market: Saturdays, November 5 and 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., community center. Local vendors include Ollie Otter Bakery and The Garden Stand/Slow Botanicals. Come out and shop for local and handmade. Info: slowbotanicals@gmail.com.

PR Amateur Radio Club: Monday, November 7, 7 p.m., via Zoom.

Water District: Tuesday, November 8, 5 p.m., via Zoom.

Fire District 5: Wednesday, November 9, at 4 p.m., via Zoom. Info: WCFD5.com.

PR Hospital District: Wednesday, November 9, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: pointrobertsclinic.com.

PR Taxpayers Association: Thursday, November 10, 7 p.m., via Zoom.

PR Park and Recreation: Monday, November 14, at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: prparkandrec.org.

Justice Project Town Hall: Tuesday, November 15, 6 p.m., via Zoom or in person at the Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. Info: whatcomcounty.us/justice.

PR Historical Society: Wednesday, November 16, 7 p.m., in the History Center.

PR Community Advisory Committee: Thursday, November 17, 6 p.m., via Zoom.

PC Care Clinic: Sunday, November 27, noon – 4 p.m., community center. Free computer care clinic commu nity event where you can bring in your PC/laptop and we will provide a free checkup, cleaning and repair if we can. If your PC/laptop has a problem that we can fix on-site, the fix will be free. Please book a time slot by contacting Randy Smith at all4sail@yahoo.com or calling 360/945-0283.

Let’s Make Presents: Tuesday, November 29, 3–4 p.m., PR library. We’ll have all the supplies and ideas you’ll need to craft beautiful, meaningful gifts. This event is for kids.

Friday Market: Fridays, 4–6 p.m., Marina West lawn. Make it, bake it or grow it vendors contact latitude@ whidbey.com to participate. Harvest vegetables and more. Bring your own table, chair and umbrella, space is free. Kids welcome to host their own art table with parent/guardian supervision. Hosted by Salish Sea Co-op.

History Center: Saturdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Same great displays and store! Stop by to check out displays and the Pacific Northwest gift shop. Holiday Hours: Saturday, November 26 through December 17, hours will be expanded to Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and Sundays December 11 and 18 from noon – 3 p.m. The history center will be closed December 24 and 31. Normal hours will resume on Saturday, January 7.

Storytime: Wednesdays, 10:30–11 a.m., PR library. For ages 2-6. An open program that includes stories, rhymes and songs with opportunities for movement and interactive participation.

Craft and Game Night: Tuesdays from 5–7 p.m., Point Roberts Library. Bring a craft to work on or a board game to play.