All Point Bulletin - April 2024 issue

Going door-todoor for solar power

Local resident Shauna Sylvester and parks district chair Stephen Falk spent the month of March giving presentations to local groups and taxing districts asking for them to support a solar grant application for a program being offered by the Washington state Department of Commerce. The grant program was announced in late February with an application deadline of April 5. The community decarbonization program targets vulnerable and at-risk communities. Sylvester is the organizer of Resilient Point Roberts: Going Solar and has teamed up with the parks district to pursue the grant opportunity to fund a feasibility study for solar backup power for the Gulf Road community center, the adjacent Point Roberts Library, the firehall, water district offices and health clinic on Benson Road. Trinity Church which is used as a shelter during emergencies would also be included in the feasibility study.

Although the program does not require matching financial contributions, community investment is considered advantageous. The parks board has committed $5,000 while the fire district has provided a $10,000 contribution. Speaking at the water district’s monthly commissioner meeting on March 12, Sylvester projected the cost of the study would be between $100,000 to $150,000.

“Our ask is three-fold,” Sylvester said. “Do you want the feasibility study done on the [water district] building and the reservoir, because that’s a potential setting for, according to [consultants] Cascadia Renewables, probably the best setting of all in Point Roberts.” The other two requests included a letter of support and possible funding.

Water district chair Scott Hackleman expressed reservations on the practicality of using solar backup power for the district. “I mean, to put a solar array on the building just so we can keep the lights on, it would seem a little overkill. The only really vital thing is to provide water. We’re not responsible for keeping the office open if there’s a power outage but we are re-

(See Solar, page 2)

Spring has sprung!

The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) and Point Roberts non-profit Circle of Care have teamed up to provide two round trips to Bellingham and two to Blaine per week on a one-year trial basis. The agreement would be in lieu of regular WTA service and would be reviewed at the end of six and twelve months.

The service is scheduled to start in April.

Under the agreement, WTA has ‘surplused’ a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan, a seven-passenger van currently in the WTA fleet and transferred the title to Circle of Care. In addition, WTA has agreed to pay

Receive up to $1,700 in rebates when you purchase the Ultimate Comfort System™*

up

Circle of Care a total of $45,000, paid in advance quarterly installments. The funds would be used for operation and maintenance support of the van, including “to pay for such items as fuel, maintenance, insurance, registration, advertising, wages to drivers, and any other such operating costs,” according to the draft agreement drawn up for the WTA board of commissioners.

In turn, Circle of Care will be responsible for hiring and training drivers at a wage rate it deems “fair and reasonable.” The agreement also allows the group to pay for a scheduler to manage trips. WTA

(See Circle, page 3)

OR Qualified buyers make no payments, incur no interest for 12 months when financing a new Lennox® system**

s Gardeners – here’s your chance to get some fresh starts for your flower and vegetable gardens. Darlene Gibbs of Ladybug Nursery has been putting in the hours so you don’t have to!

Photo by Louise Mugar

B y P at G ru BB

The perfect pair for your air.

tjohnson;Seattle;Clean Air Comfort Systems;C33432;10x2-4c (24No)

Solar ...

From page 1 program.

valves, and equipment which I doubt seriously that solar would be able to provide. … So, I’m not convinced that just because it’s feasible means it’s necessary,” he said.

Sylvester’s suggestion that the reservoir property be used for a solar panel array raised questions as to allowable uses on that site. Regardless, the board authorized submitting a letter of support for the grant

Other organizations who have submitted letters of support include PRCAC, Circle of Care, the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association, the fire district, library and Trinity Church. Other groups such as PAWS, and PREP have indicated they intend on submitting letters.

Grant recipients are expected to receive word by the end of May. Should Point Roberts prove successful, an initial community consultation will be held in July with the study and workshops taking place in September.

s Making the case: clockwise from bottom l.; Rhiannon Allen, Shauna Sylvester, water district manager Wes Hubbard, commissioners Madeleine Anderson, Scott Hackelman and Arthur Reber. Not shown, Stephen Falk. Photo by Pat Grubb

Circle ...

From page 1

will be hosting a voicemail service on a dedicated Circle of Carephone line. According to the staff report prepared for WTA commissioners, the $45,000 operating subsidy was based on the planning assumption that Circle of Care will be providing two Bellingham and two Blaine roundtrips from Point Roberts each week. The agreement calls upon Circle of Care to

provide an accounting of all costs and expenses on a quarterly basis as well as keep a log of all rides, pickup and destination points, ride miles for each passenger and vehicle miles traveled.

The six-month check will be during October 2024. Discussion on whether to continue the pilot project beyond the initial 12 months will begin in February 2025.

Circle of Care president Galen Wood said it is important for the community to understand that it is a community agreement with WTA and that Circle of Care is just the administrator for the first year.

Board votes 2-1 to hear proposal

A request from Dr. John Anwar, a relative newcomer to Point Roberts, to make a proposal to be the Point Roberts Clinic’s medical provider has some community members concerned that it is a backdoor attempt to replace the current providers, SuperTrack Urgent Care.

Anwar spoke at the hospital district’s monthly meeting in February and told commissioners he would like to submit a proposal to operate the clinic after the contract with the current provider expires and is up for renewal.

District chair Stephen Falk responded by saying that the current contract simply rolls over unless one of the parties indicates they do not want to renew it. He added that if Anwar wanted to submit a proposal at either the March, April or May commissioner meeting, he was free to do so.

SuperTrack Urgent Care principal Dr. Sean Bozorgzadeh raised objections to the process of hearing new proposals, first asking Falk if the board needed to be dissatisfied with the services of the current provider before opening it up for competing bids. Falk replied, “No, not necessarily, we could find it interesting or not interesting and we could mull it over.”

Bozorgzadeh pointed out that the contract has an assigned process by which either SuperTrack or the commission has to state by June 30 that they want to cancel the contract. “Vendors shouldn’t be presenting proposals before that’s been done,” he said.

In fact, Washington state law sets out the manner by which hospital districts are required to receive bids for goods or services over $75,000. RCW 70.44.140 states

that such services must be by contract and shall be solicited by publishing a notice and any such bid should be accompanied by a security “in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check, postal money order, or surety bond made payable to the order of the commission, for a sum not less than five percent of the amount of the bid, and no bid shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid proposal security.”

Falk argued that Anwar was a member of the public and that anyone had the right to come before the commission to speak.

“If the commissioners decide there is something really appealing then they would presumably give notice at some time before the end of June about not renewing the contract and to put out the RFP to solicit vendors and to let the community know,” Falk said.

As it turned out, Anwar did not ask to be put on the March agenda even though he had told the commissioners the proposal was ready and it could be presented in March.

The issue came up at the end of the commissioners’ next meeting on March 13. Falk said he wanted to have a discussion “to see if the commission as a group wanted to hear from Dr. Anwar and if it should be placed on the agenda for April’s meeting.” He did not explain if or how he knew that Anwar was prepared to make such a presentation at that time.

Commissioner Noel Newbolt stated that “the proposal came out of left field, the commission didn’t ask for a proposal and I am not in favor of hearing the proposal in April, May or June.” Fellow commissioner Sara Oggel thanked Falk for bringing the matter up and would be in favor of hearing what services Anwar has to offer at either the April or May meeting.

The

opinion

Letters to the editor

The Editor:

Is there a possibility for a sewer system in Point Roberts?

In 1997, Sumas, Washington entered a contract with Abbotsford, B.C. and the Fraser Valley Regional District to have their sewage waste processed at their JAMES wastewater treatment plant.

This agreement has endured for 27 years. Whatcom County and Washington state should pursue the negotiation of such an arrangement for Point Roberts.

Such an arrangement would require a contract with Delta and the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District. It makes sense environmentally as well as being much more cost effective than attempting to build such a facility in Point Roberts. Further, it would bring Point Roberts in compliance with our own urban density buildout.

The state requires that urban areas have a sewer system.

Currently, our local septic pumping and disposal operator has a contract with the Greater Vancouver Regional District and transports our septic waste by tanker truck to the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and

Drainage District Annacis Island treatment plant for processing. So, our waste already goes to B.C. for processing.

We could phase in our connections over time with our densest residential areas connecting first.

Point Roberts will be required by the federal government and/or the Washington state government in the not-too-distant future to have a sewer system. We have an opportunity now to anticipate and manage that process.

Brian Calder Point Roberts

The Editor:

Thank you. Saffron and I would like to thank everyone, our families, friends and the community

from the bottom of our hearts for their kind words, love and compassion during this very, very difficult time.

This has been such a shock for all of us who knew Barry. Saffron and I were so fortunate to have Barry in our lives and I’m so grateful that the community of Point Roberts was able to know him and experience his kind, genuine and giving nature.

The amount of support that everyone has shown has truly exceeded anything I’ve seen and is a testament to how much everyone loved Barry; what an amazing community we have. I will do my best to thank every one of you as I see you in the days to come.

Barry was such a wonderful partner and amazing stepfather to Saffron and he loved both of us unconditionally.

Thank you to everyone for making Bare’s Celebration of Life such a memorable occasion. Bare will truly be missed forever.

Love,

Dina and Saffy Point Roberts

Have a fire plan ready before you need it

Your ability to get out of your home during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and proactive planning. Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one to two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds.

According to a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) survey, only one of every three households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan with only 8 percent saying their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out. The survey also discovered that while 71 percent of American households have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 47 percent of those have practiced it.

In 2022, 7 percent of the fire fatalities in Washington state were in areas where smoke alarms or detectors were found to be present and operational. In those fatalities, human factors, such as the individual being asleep, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or having a physical or mental impairment, may have contributed to the individual not escaping the fire. Creating and practicing an escape plan could have resulted in different outcomes.

The state fire marshal’s office asks that you plan ahead with these safety tips:

• Make a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows and discuss the plan with everyone in your home.

• Know at least two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading to the outside open easily.

• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.

• Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year, and practice using two different ways out.

• Teach children how to escape on their own in case no one can help them.

• Close the doors behind you as you leave. A closed door may slow the spread

for smoke, heat and fire.

• If there are family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the fire drill and assign a backup person in case that person is not home or unavailable.

For more information, contact the Washington state fire marshal’s office at 360/596-3929.

(Courtesy of the Washington state fire marshal’s office)

s A photo of Carl Julius’ shed next to Lighthouse Marine Park was incorrectly described as a barn in last month’s All Point Bulletin. It was built by Julius in 1947 after he purchased the 300-foot shoreline property the prior year. It collapsed after the galvanized nails used in its construction deteriorated. It was used for many years storing gillnets, crab traps and general fishing gear. Hank’s Backhoe Services completed its final demolition. Photos by Pat Grubb

Around the point

Tai Chi sessions are now being held two days a week on Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. at the community center. The one-hour classes are led by Shirley Cannon. Stretch and strengthen all your joints, calm your mind, and have peace in your heart.

❦

Promotions at the water district have created an opening for a full-time field operator. For more information, go to bit. ly/3TyDTBE

❦

Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network needs volunteers in Point Roberts. There is only one person currently trained who lives on the Point and they are hoping for more.

The network has scheduled a volunteer training to teach volunteers how to respond to local marine mammals in need. The workshop will be held April 27 in Ferndale. For more information or to signup, email Victoria at vsouze56@gmail. com.

❦

Water district consultants have submitted the final draft comprehensive plan, according to manager Wes Hubbard who told commissioners he expects it to go through the approval process and be finished by the end of November. Following the plan’s approval, the district would initiate a rate and general facilities charge (GFC) review. GFCs are what it costs a new water user

to hook up to the system while rates refer to typical monthly charges.

❦

Desire Fish Co. will be selling Coho, King and Sockeye salmon off their boat on Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Guaranteed to be as good as salmon can be,” they say. The boat will be tied up at the guest dock at the Point Roberts Marina. Follow the signs.

Possible gas tax uses for Point Roberts to expand?

A bill that would expand the possible uses of the local 1¢/gallon gas tax is sitting on Governor Jay Inslee’s desk awaiting his signature as of March 27. The Senate bill was sponsored (in part) by District 42 Senator Sharon Shewmake and was written in such a way that it only applies to Point Roberts.

The amendment states “a border area jurisdiction not directly connected to the continental United States may use the proceeds … for transportation improvements as defined in RCW 36.73.015.” Blaine and Sumas, for example, jurisdictions which also have a border gas tax would not be able to take advantage of the expanded uses made possible by the amended RCW.

The gas tax was originally approved back in 1992 by voters living close to the Canadian border and was intended to address the impact of high-volume border crossing

traffic. The funds raised were limited to street maintenance and construction. The amended law is designed to include transportation improvements more broadly.

From the beginning, residents have been stymied by the limitations imposed upon gas tax expenditures. Whatcom County Council is the governing authority in approving expenditures and historically has been loath to step beyond the lines imposed by the law Authorizing the planting of roadside flower beds on Tyee Drive has so far been the most adventurous approval council has taken.

Last year, the Point Roberts Citizen Advisory Committee proposed that the county use some of the approximately $1,000,000 sitting unused on a Point-wide drainage study. That suggestion was nixed by the county prosecutor’s office who determined that would be an improper use.

Transportation improvements as defined in RCW 36.73.015 will now govern use of the money.

However, it’s not exactly clear how Point Roberts will benefit from the change. Under the definition contained in RCW 36.73.015, transportation improvements refers only to projects of state or regional importance; it’s hard to see how a drainage study of Point Roberts, for example, is of regional or state significance.

Speaking at the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association’s monthly meeting on March 14, association president Mark Robbins said, “The big question is, can we actually go beyond street maintenance and construction and whether we would have to get approval from voters beyond what they approved back in 1991.” According to Robbins, the county has not yet weighed in on the matter.

School board swears in new members as budget cuts loom on the horizon

The Blaine school board swore in new members Ryan Swinburnson and Steve Galbraith to begin its March 25 meeting, in front of a packed crowd in the district boardroom.

The two new members, who replaced District 4 representative Ryan Ford and District 5 member Don Leu after abrupt resignations last month, were immediately charged with the task of approving a resolution to direct superintendent Christopher Granger to prepare a reduced education plan for the 2024-25 school year in anticipation of a $2.5 million budget deficit.

Granger told the board that letters to staff members will be sent March 28, warning of the possibility that their positions will be terminated in an effort for the district to remain solvent.

State funding models reward higher enrollment with more funding, and Blaine school district has seen a persistent drop in enrollment since the 2019-20 school year. Between state funding and an operating levy authorized by voters in the February special election, the district still faces a $2.5 million deficit. State law requires school districts to balance its budget every year.

The state legislative session provided some nominal funding relief for special education, material costs and some classified staffing, but according to a March 25 district business office report, won’t make a big enough difference by next month’s board meeting.

“While these revenue adds are welcome and helpful,” the report read. “They do not address the extent of the district’s funding shortfall.”

District 2 board member Ben Lazarus, in an attempt to find “creative solutions” to the impending budget cuts, sought a vote to authorize the superintendent to renegotiate contracts with the teacher’s union and the classified staff union (Service Employees International Union) to voluntarily pause scheduled raises.

Lazarus cited $1.6 million in scheduled raises for teachers, classified staff (custodial, maintenance, paraeducators, cafeteria and transportation) and administrators. Of that amount, $1.1 million would go to teachers, $300,000 to classified staff, and $200,000 for administrators.

Shane Levetsovitis, a school bus driver and president of Blaine’s local SEIU chapter, spoke publicly at the Monday meeting, saying any attempt to delay pay raises would be rejected by the classified staff union.

“We’re not even going to entertain the idea of pay freezes, that’s just not going to happen,” Levetsovitis said. “But I’m also asking that the board does not approve any budget reduction plan that impacts classified staff at all. We bled hard last year, so we’re about done with that.”

During last year’s budget cuts, roughly 50 staff positions were impacted due to budget restraints, many of which were classified staff.

The union leader asked the board to consider cuts to administrators and district positions, instead of SEIU positions.

“A pay freeze for an administrator may mean a conversation in their household in a difference in vacation,” Levetsovitis said. “A pay freeze for classified staff is, in some cases, ‘Does the power stay on?’”

During the meeting, Granger said the district is nearing the final phase of its budget cut planning, and will have a finalized 2024-25 budget for the board to approve at next month’s meeting on Monday, April 22 at the district boardroom at 770 Mitchell Avenue.

Welcome Home!

Circle of Care is on the move!

Please plan to attend the Circle of Care annual general meeting on April 28 at 2 p.m. at the fire hall. Come and hear exciting announcements about developments in our collaboration with local, county, and state agencies to serve our community better. Our agenda for the meeting will look something like this:

1. Financial report (all our financials are posted on our website at prcircleofcare. com/projects/financial-reports)

2. Executive director report

3. Outgoing president report by Galen Wood

4. Incoming president report by Chris Cameron

5. Status report from adult family home steering committee

6. Keynote speaker (TBA: watch for APB announcements)

You may want to know, what does Circle of Care (CofC) do?

We connect residents with agencies, resources, and individuals (both volunteer and professional) that can assist them in staying, safely, in their homes and community.

We collaborate with service agencies, family members, professionals, and volunteers to provide residents with the support and assistance they need to live and thrive in Point Roberts.

We are catalysts of the energy, ideas, and positive intentions present in our community to ensure that Point Roberts is a safe and supportive place for residents to age in place and to raise their families.

Come join us! Currently we are seeking members and volunteers to serve in these roles: Neighborly assistance with errands and chores (collecting prescriptions, shopping and delivering groceries and other essentials, meal prep or delivery, sorting and taking out the trash/recycling, pet care, minor home maintenance/repair, lending a sympathetic shoulder, visiting and keeping someone company, providing an hour or two for respite care); social media/website maintenance/support; grant writing/fundraising bereavement committee members (more information about this to come).

Circle of Care and Point Roberts – we’re on the move! Circle of Care and Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) have recently signed an agreement to provide twice-weekly van service to and from Bellingham and Blaine. WTA will donate a van to the Circle of Care 501c3 and funds to

Margot

M.Ed., C.L.C.

operate the service. C of C will hire drivers and a dispatcher with the intention of connecting our residents more efficiently and consistently with services and products in mainland Whatcom County. This is a oneyear pilot program which will be continued indefinitely provided that the community embraces it, utilizes the service, and steps up with workers and volunteers to ensure its success. For more information, please attend the AGM on April 28 and watch for more information in the APB and local news groups.

Circle of Care will host another Advance Care Directive Workshop in May (date and time TBD but likely to be an evening time). These workshops have been well-attended and the feedback we receive has been excellent.

Do you know the difference between a health care agent (a trusted friend or family member, of your choosing, who will provide guidance and input on medical decisions should you become incapacitated) and a power of attorney (a trusted agent you appoint to make financial and/or medical decisions for you)?

At these workshops, you will decide who you will ask to be your health care agent and prepare an Advance Care Directive document to provide that person with information about your wishes. If you need someone to make financial decisions for you, you should seek guidance from your attorney or accountant.

As always, C of C wants to remind you of our durable medical equipment loaner program – whatever you might need to assist your medical needs/illness and surgical recovery. From walkers and canes to knee scooters and crutches, from commodes to toilet lifts, from shower and bath chairs to transfer poles, if you need it, we likely have it. Please check with us by calling 360/945-5222 before you purchase or lease any equipment. We also have various and sundry incontinence products, blood pressure machines, medical bandages and miscellaneous supplies. Again, please check with us before you buy or rent!

s A brand-spanking new AWD hybrid Toyota Sienna has been purchased by the fire district for its new Welcome Home program. The van will be used to drive residents to and from mainland Whatcom County for trips for medical purposes. The fire district is looking for drivers who will receive training and pay for services. If interested, email chief@ wcfd5.com.

Courtesy photo

B y a NN elle N orma N

S Sean Heppner was named “NAIA Pitcher of the Week” for the entire U.S. On Friday, March 8, he broke both a University of British Columbia (UBC) and a Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) record for most strikeouts in a single game with 16 strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched in the UBC home opener, winning the game 11–5 against the College of Idaho. This record was previously held by both Jeff Francis (played for the Toronto Blue Jays) and Niall Windeler (drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2019) while playing for UBC. Ironically, Jeff Francis held the record back in 2002, the year Sean was born – see video at bit. ly/4auF3os.

s On March 27, former parks board chair Bennett Blaustein described to a full house how the community and senior center came into existence 50 years ago

Photo by Ramona Ramstead

s Local residents Mia and Emme McSkimmings gave a presentation at the Point Roberts Primary school on March 18th for World Down Syndrome Day. Primary students “Rocked their Socks” on March 21 to help raise awareness. Photo by Jessie Hettinga

s The Point Roberts Beekeepers Association celebrated the group’s 16th anniversary on March 4. They invite you to join them in this delightfully delicious pastime. From l., Randall (PJ) Minter, Paul van Westerdorp, Linda Bruce, David Waldon, Barrett Sleeman and Paul Smedley. Meetings are on the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the community center. Photo by Louise Mugar

NAIA courtesy photo

ChurCh news

B y B ev m ar

At Trinity Church on March 10 we honored International Women’s Day. This year’s theme of Inspire Inclusion could mean a variety of things, including building a greater tolerance for differences and giving equity – by giving opportunity to those left out of power structures and work/jobs because of old patterns and traditions. AmandaLyn Wayland wrote, read and inspired us to be inclusive – for those who missed her talks on March 10 and at Jazz Vespers on March 17, her text is included in this article.

like wearing dresses over jeans and sturdy boots so you can get into trouble while still making a fashion statement? Mama calls you pretty and Papa calls you tough, and you like making your Barbies drive Tonka trucks? But above all else … you’re just you.

when the bell rings for recess. Girls ask which one of the boys you have a crush on when you want to join them for handball, and boys ask if you’re “one of them” now that you sometimes square off against the girls for tetherball.

Sometimes, you want to run before you hit the ball, sometimes you want to jump. It’s really that simple.

Middle school is better and worse. Everyone’s asking you if so-and-so likes them, and you basically feel like a carrier pigeon, having to pass on hypothetical love notes, because everyone’s too terrified to talk to each other. You feel bilingual, but everyone acts like the other gender’s a different species, rather than a slightly different culture.

And then one of your friends says something one day, a word. An odd word. You go home, and you look it up. And it’s so silly, defined by its lack of belonging.

Do you feel like you don’t belong? Do you … want to belong?

The balance isn’t as obvious now. When you were little, your Papa and your uncle raised you to be the man of the house and taught you life lessons through the metaphor of sports. It balanced out the heapings of Pepto Bismol pink your mama had your room covered with, the explosion of frill and sparkles and baby dolls you liked playing auntie to.

your travel documents away from you. You pivot, rebellion taking the form of every button-down and high-collar you can find. You don’t belong. You don’t want to belong. You want to scream it from the rooftops, hug every person who pauses when you travel with a big coat and calls you sir, just to be safe. And then you want to scream all over again. Because, you know, as hard as it is for you, how hard it is in an entirely different way for your friends whose souls are aligned with womanhood. Sir is safe because masculinity isn’t something to be embarrassed of. Girls can wear pants and be tomboys, and it isn’t ideal for them to resemble their brothers, but … at least it’s a conversation. But a boy wearing a skirt? For someone to degrade themselves in the name of femininity? That’s the real shame.

And what about emotions? Girls have to carry them and balance them and navigate them, for everyone. Assigned the title of manager and caregiver because that’s their domain.

Except for anger. Anger is reserved just for men, twisted and relabeled under Intense Logical Processing. Sadness and confusion and hurt, they’re all redirected through that acceptable pathway. Crying is for the weak; crying is for the women; aren’t they the same thing?

As April welcomes us into Spring and mother nature’s glory, let’s continue being inspired, hoping that along the way we will want to build a longer table to include more. Let us continue to share our gifts, receive wisdom and gifts from others and welcome in the strangers, the outcasts, the outliers in our midst, respectfully and with care. Let us put to rest the old divisions and find new friends at this table. Remember Monday, April 22 is International Earth Day; love mom Earth and treat her well (better).

“Prefer the Water”

By AmandaLyn Wayland

“In-between. Not quite. Almost. Just a little more. Perhaps a fraction to the side?

Sometimes this, sometimes that; sometimes a little bit of both. Sometimes none of the above.

What happens when there are firm lines drawn in the sand, but you prefer the water? When the teacher asks for those with pigtails to line up one side and those with bowlcuts to line up on the other, but you

Boys are fun until they push too hard and girls are nice except when you’re pretty sure they’re hiding knives between compliments, and everyone has all these ideas about what they’re supposed to say and do and be depending on whether they stand or sit when they pee, and it’s all just too much. But then you meet a boy who likes pink as much as he likes Batman. And you pause.

Because you didn’t know that you could be different and unashamed. You didn’t know that you don’t have to tuck away one part before you bring out another.

You go to his house and play tea party with feather boas, and then you sit and watch the caped crusader and pretend to perch on top of couch cushions and watch over the city and talk as deep down in your chest as your voice can reach. And it’s all you.

A few years later, you change schools, and girlhood and boyhood have expanded. Your friend Claire likes long hair and khaki shorts, your friend Theo collects action figures and cries at Cirque de Solei and you angle yourself in front of him and glare down anyone who dares to look his way. Everyone stops their ridiculous insistence that the other groups have cooties, but they still divide neatly down the line

But now that you’re older, people rush in and remind you you’re holding a t-shirt from the wrong department in your hand. They assure you that you won’t want to tag along with your friends to do something so immature and boyish. Girls are women now; boys are the only ones who get to be stuck in childhood.

You aren’t allowed to cross that bridge as effortlessly, anymore. Your passport’s been declined.

It was fine when you were just a visitor in each land. But now, everyone’s decided where you live. Permanently.

You start to resent your body for ripping

There’s a point when you’re sitting in a city that moves a million miles an hour, staring down a blazer and a dress, and you’re thinking, ‘When did it come down to this?’ When did we start letting these stereotypes, the cut of cloth, the vibrancy of color, the bartering of feeling, speak for us so absolutely?

And you let go. You put the blazer over the dress, straight broad shoulders that hold you up and long flowing material that brushes your ankles when you twirl. Strong and fluid, bold and soft. It doesn’t matter what they see. It matters how you feel.

Your heart soars.”

s Open to one and all.

Photo by Louise Mugar

Multiple bills head to governor’s desk

B y N ola N B aker

A number of bills from 42nd Legislative District state representatives Joe Timmons and senator Sharon Shewmake passed both chambers of the state legislature, and now have either been signed by Governor Jay Inslee or are heading to the governor’s desk.

Shewmake bill to assist county with incoming water rights adjudication

Senate Bill 5828 passed unanimously through the House and Senate, and was delivered to the governor on March 8 to be signed into law.

The bill would add a section to the current water rights portion of state law to allow local counties to appoint attorneys to act as water commissioners as superior courts works through caseloads.

The adjudication of the Nooksack River, the legal process of the state recording and doling out water usage claims to parties along Whatcom County’s 75-mile drinking water and irrigation source, will officially begin this spring. The process will take years and will result in thousands of claims to investigate and determine water rights by the state Department of Ecology and Whatcom County Superior Court.

Timmons bill to add judge to Whatcom County Superior Court

With a backlog of cases and a fast-approaching water rights adjudication of the Nooksack River, Timmons sponsored House Bill 1992, which would increase the number of judges on the Whatcom County Superior Court from four to five.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously on February 29, and will hopefully allow the county more capacity to get through massive caseloads and thousands of water claims in the coming months and years.

“The pandemic exacerbated the backlog of civil and criminal cases that the What-

com County Superior Court handles and it was evident that we need another judge on this court to work through cases more efficiently and to process the Department of Ecology’s impending water rights adjudication,” Timmons wrote in a statement. Inslee, after signing the bill, would appoint the additional judge.

Timmons bill would create state public infrastructure assistance program House Bill 2020, co-sponsored by Timmons and state representative Peter Abbarno (R-Centralia) would create a public infrastructure assistance program within the state’s emergency management division.

The bill would help the state respond to natural disasters, like the Nooksack River floods in 2021 that devastated multiple low-lying communities that may not fully qualify for federal assistance.

CERT training set

potential-

be Wednesday, April 24 from 6–9 p.m., Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. – afternoon, Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m. – afternoon, Sunday, May 5 from 8 a.m. – afternoon and the final exercise on Saturday, May 11 with time TBD (most likely morning).

This course will provide participants with the education and credentials to support emergency operations during community needs and disasters. Learn how to prepare yourself and be part of a community team of neighbors helping neighbors. All members of our community and neighbors to the north are welcome to participate.

If interested, please contact fire chief Christopher Carleton at chief@wcfd5.com

Scheduled Meetings/Ongoing Events

Women in Art Gallery Viewing: Friday, March 29 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturday, March 30 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., community center.

Wild Alaskan Salmon: Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Point Roberts Marina guest dock.

Your Local Small Market: Saturdays, March 30 and April 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., community center. Come out and shop locally!

PREP Chili Cook-off: Saturday, March 30, noon to 2 p.m., Kiniski’s Reef, 1334 Gulf Road. Event tickets: $10. This fundraiser benefits Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness (PREP), a registered charity dedicated to informing and educating the Point Roberts community to be ready for emergencies and disasters.

The Commons: Saturday, March 30, from noon to 2:30 p.m., in the back room of the community center. Come by for our free used books, conversation and the special poem of the week. We look forward to seeing you. The History Center is also open.

Easter Egg Hunt: Sunday, March 31, 1 p.m., Baker Field. Hop on over to join the third annual Easter Egg Hunt. Please arrive five minutes early to ensure you are lined up for the hunt.

PR Amateur Radio Club: Monday, April 1, 7 p.m., via Zoom.

PR Beekeepers Association: Monday, April 1, 7–8:30 p.m., community center. Info: thelittlegoldenharp@gmail.com.

PR Emergency Preparedness: Tuesday, April 2, 7 p.m., community center/Zoom. Info: prepgroup17@gmail.com.

Library Giving Day: Wednesday, April 3, Point Roberts Library. It’s a time to financially contribute in a more formal manner to the Whatcom County Library Foundation, which funds and promotes all the library branches in our system (WCLS). There will be refreshments! Everyone is welcome whether donating or not!

PR Park and Recreation: Monday, April 8, at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: prparkandrec.org.

Friends of the Point Roberts Library meeting: Tuesday, April 9, 3 p.m., library meeting room. Info: foprl1@gmail.com.

PR Water District: Tuesday, April 9, 5 p.m., 2002 Benson Road. Info: pointrobertswater.com.

Fire District No. 5: Wednesday, April 10, 4 p.m., fire hall and via Zoom. Info: WCFD5.com.

PR Hospital District: Wednesday, April 10, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: pointrobertsclinic.com.

Pizza, Primaries and Politics: Thursday, April 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Whatcom Community College’s Sure Student Center, 237 West Kellogg Road, Bellingham. Learn more about how and why primary elections work the way they do, including their history, how they can be improved and how we can improve representation. Free. Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County. Info: lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org/primaries.

PR Taxpayers Association: Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m., Zoom. Info: PRTA@pointroberts.net. Link: bit.ly/3OBb1rn.

Point Roberts Seed Share: Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m. –1 p.m., community center. Point Roberts seed share welcomes you to bring pre-packaged, labeled seeds/starts to swap, give or acquire from others. If you have pre-packaged seeds (dated) for donation, please feel free to leave them at the entry table. Everyone welcome.

Point Roberts Cemetery clean up: Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m., Volunteers needed! The cemetery district is holding a clean-up day, weather permitting. Please bring gloves and a rake. There will be yard waste bags and bottled water provided.

Historical Society: Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m., in the History Center.

PR Community Advisory Committee: Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m., community center and via Zoom. Info: PRCAC.comment@gmail.com. Link: bit.ly/3S8GCB3.

Federal Emergency Management Agency CERT training: Wednesday, April 24, 6 to 9 p.m., Saturdays, April 27 and May 4, 8 a.m. to afternoon, Sunday, May 5, 8 a.m. to afternoon, and Saturday May 11, time TBD. Learn how to prepare yourself and be part of a community team of neighbors helping neighbors. If interested, contact fire chief Christopher Carleton at chief@wcfd5.com.

Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network Volunteer Training: Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.–noon, WECU meeting room in Ferndale. Cost: $20 for all needed supplies and materials. WMMSN needs volunteers in Point Roberts. There is only one person currently trained that lives on the Point and they are hoping for more. The network has scheduled a volunteer training to teach volunteers how to respond to local marine mammals in need. To sign up or for more info contact Victoria at vsouze56@gmail.com.

Circle of Care AGM: Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m. at the fire hall.

PR Cemetery District: Monday, April 29, 5 p.m., community center.

PR Garden Club: Tuesday, April 30, 7 p.m., community center. Mark Turner on Weeds of the Pacific Northwest. Septic System Homeowners Training: Saturday, May 11 and August 17, 10 a.m. to noon. Registration open now. Free class. Link: bit.ly/WCHDHomeownerTraining2023.

Ongoing Events and Hours

Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars Open Enrollment: Through Wednesday, May 15. Acknowledgement deadline is Sunday, June 30. Students must complete an online profile at pointroberts.dollarsforscholars.org.

Sound off: Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m., community center. Sound off on any issue that bothers you to whoever has assembled in the pool room. Your time is limited to 10 minutes, following which the audience will respond. More than one person may sound off, depending on the length of the feedback.

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.

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

PR Food Bank: Every Wednesday 8:30–10:30 a.m. at the community center. Info: prfoodbank.org.

Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays through May 15, 10:30–11 a.m., Point Roberts Library.

Seniors and More Lunches: Wednesdays and Fridays, dine-in or park and come inside the community center to pick up your lunches available from 11:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., community center. All ages welcome. More info: prseniors@ whidbey.com or 360/945-5424.

Basic Tai Chi for seniors: Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m., community center. With Shirley Cannon. No registration required. Wear comfortable clothing.

History Center: Saturdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., community center.

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 Clinic Hours: Primary Care: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., appointment needed. 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. Info: 360/945-2580.

Barry Lynka

1964–2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Barry Lynka. He is survived by his wife Dina (née Boykiw), daughter Saffron, father Jake, mother Shelia, stepmother Lois, brothers Bob (Carlene) and Jeff (Rita), sister Carol (Derek), and many nieces and nephews. Barry will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Born in Edmonton, Barry grew up in

Tsawwassen, B.C. He loved sports, music, literature and films. Barry spent many years working in the restaurant industry, eventually leading him to live on Vancouver Island, where he crafted his trade in horticulture and started his own landscaping business.

It was fate that guided Barry to reconnect with his childhood sweetheart, Dina. They married on February 16, 2013, building their life together in Point Roberts, Washington. Operating his business in the area, Barry became an integral part of the community, forging strong bonds with his clients and neighbors. His dedication to his family and work, and love for Point Roberts shone through in everything he did. Barry had a special way of making you feel loved and appreciated. His spirit, characterized by generosity, warmth, sense of humor, and a genuine love for life, will continue to live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all the lives he touched.

A celebration of Barry’s life was held in Point Roberts on March 16.

We miss you Bare, “May the good Lord Shine a Light on you!”

Next Issue: May 2024

Ads Due: April 19

Home-grown

s One way to enjoy warmer weather is dining al fresco as seen here at Saltwater Cafe. Other options include The Reef Tavern and Restaurant and the soon to reopen restaurant at the marina.

Photo by Louise Mugar

A quick $50?

WWU’s Border Policy Research Institute, in conjunction with Simon Fraser University, is conducting a research project to capture the impacts of border restrictions during the pandemic. Researchers are interested in finding individuals interested in participating in focus groups who are willing to share their experiences and perceptions of travel measures during that time.

Eligible focus group participants will be contacted by a team member to schedule participation. All participants in focus groups will receive a $50 Cdn gift card.

Researcher Andréanne Bissonnette, Ph.D will be conducting the focus groups in late April or early May. Those wishing to participate should go to bit.ly/4asEOu0.

Crossings

Traffic into Point Roberts for January and February 2024, with figures for 2023 following:

January: Personal vehicles 45,963 (47,068); commercial vehicles 404 (375); buses 40 (32); pedestrians 687 (481)

February: Personal vehicles 48,955 (43,779); commercial vehicles 500 (409); buses 38 (40); pedestrians 771 (431)

LoCAL stAts

Fire Incidents for February 2024

Total calls (47); EMS calls (9), resulting in the following transports: Saint Josephs Hospital (3), Airlift Northwest (2); Fire classification (21) resulting in Outdoor burns – permit (4), false alarm (14), power lines down (1), animal rescue (1), oil spill (1); EMS CARES/MIHC (10); public service (7).

Point Roberts health clinic numbers for February 2024

(2023 figures following)

Total 161 (125); office visit 96 (75); labs 24 (9); PT/INR 2 (3); telemedicine visit 27 (21); Physical exams 2 (2); skin clinic 3 (6); B12 and flu shots 7 (9).

senior’s point

m e N us for a P ril

Wednesday, April 3: Pastitsio, garden salad and dessert.

Friday, April 5: Chicken breast, wild rice, broccoli and dessert.

Wednesday, April 10: Chicken and vegetable casserole, cole slaw and dessert.

Friday, April 12: Brunch for lunch with eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, croissants and fruit cups.

Wednesday, April 17: Mediterranean quesadilla, Greek rice, Greek salad and dessert.

Friday, April 19: Bangers and mash with onion gravy, peas, salad and pudding.

Wednesday, April 24: Chef’s choice and dessert.

Friday, April 26: Chicken tortilla soup, whole grain roll, garden salad and dessert.

Lunches are served from the dining room at the community center 11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or until food runs out.

Dining in creates a warm atmosphere where everyone can visit with friends and neighbors. We have plates, bowls & saucers in addition to coffee, tea, cutlery & napkins ready for you. If you can’t or are too busy to eat in, we encourage you to bring a clean container for your food to go. If not, we will be happy to sell you one for $1. For people under 60 who are fully employed, the new lunch rate is $10.

The pool, snooker and table tennis tables are waiting as are cards, shuffleboard, chess, bridge, games, puzzles, and a piano for your pleasure.

If you have any questions about Seniors and More lunches, wish to request a vegetarian meal or have a dietary concern, please let us know in advance and we will try to accommodate. Contact: prseniors@whidbey.com or call the community center at 360/945-5424.

house with 2,252 SF, 3 BD, 2 BA, 1,116 SF attached garage, 142 SF deck, built in 1993; territorial view, .37 acres land.

2-story house with 3,898 SF, 4 BD, 4 BA, 3-car builtin garage, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .32acres land.

2-story house with 2,101 SF, 4 BD, 3 BA, 400 SF attached garage, 841 SF deck, built in 2005, .60 acres land.

1-story house with 2,812 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, built in 1990, 336 SF carport, 784 SF detached garage (living area above), 864 SF shop (built 1999), 1,152 SF shop (built 2004), 778 SF deck, 301 SF patio, 4.86 acres land.

2-story house with 1,874 SF, 5 BD, 2 BA, 140 SF storage, built in 1942, 40 feet waterfront; marine and territorial view, .07 acres land.

2-story house with 2,678 SF, 5 BD, 3 baths, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .32 acres land.

on Simundson Drive.

March 16, 12:48 p.m.: Subject stop on Gulf Road.

March 18, 2:44 p.m.: Assist agency on Simundson Drive.

March 19, 3:45 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Claire Lane.

March 19, 5:16 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Wicklow Place.

March 19, 5:52 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Benson Road.

March 20, 9:27 p.m.: Custodial interference cold call on Gulf View Crest.

March 20, 10:04 p.m.: Custodial interference cold call on Gulf View Crest.

March 20, 11:05 p.m.: Theft cold call on Simundson Drive.

March 24, 10:52 a.m.: Theft cold call on Simundson Drive.

LibrAry piCks

kris lome D i C o

Bestsellers:

Expiration Dates Rebecca Serle

Iwo, 26 Charlie P. T. Deutermann

The Frozen River Ariel Lawhon

The Book of Fire Christy Lefteri

Movies:

To Catch a Killer Shailene Woodley

The Color Purple Danielle Brooks

Anyone But You Sydney Sweeney

Wonka Timothee Chalamet

Music:

Little Rope Sleater-Kinney

Deeper Well Kacey Musgraves

Swing Fever Rod Stewart

XX Il Divo

Teens:

Powerless Lauren Roberts

Heartless Hunter Kristen Ciccarelli

Nightbane Alex Aster

Kids: The Scarlett Shredder Dav Pilkey

Alebrijes Donna Barba Higuera

Oliver Josh Crute

Hours:

Tuesdays 1–7 p.m.,

Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

79

Point Roberts, WA 98281

E/Mail: prr@pointroberts.com

Phone: 360/945-1115

Fax: 945-0804

“NOBODY KNOWS POINT ROBERTS LIKE POINT ROBERTS REALTY”

If you

As a third generation Realtor in Points Roberts, I have an

Please give me a call with any questions or needs that you have regarding Point Roberts Real Estate. lwhite@pointroberts.com

Cell: 360 778-9757

Office 360 945-1115

serious about purchasing at the “Point” do yourself a favor and visit our office for a complete list of everything for sale in the area.

TO THE POINT!