All Point Bulletin - June 2024 edition

Patients express alarm over change

The prospect that there is a move afoot to switch providers at the Point Roberts health clinic from the current SuperTrack Urgent Care to another, seemingly less capable, operator has continued to spur concern amongst clinic patients since the district’s regular monthly meeting in May.

According to superintendent Barbara Wayland, the hospital district has received 22 letters regarding the clinic, 18 of which were in support of SuperTrack. Of the four letters against, two of them involved hearsay or third-party criticism.

Around three dozen people had showed up in person or by Zoom at the Point Roberts hospital district’s regular meeting at the community center on May 8, apparently fearful that two of the three commissioners wanted to replace SuperTrack Urgent Care, the current operators of the local health clinic on Benson Road. The concern was sparked by a posting on May 5 of an article on the Small Point Bulletin, an online blog owned by Vic and Shannon Riley. (The blog has no connection with the All Point Bulletin or the ePointBulletin.)

Following a presentation by Dr. John Anwar offering his services as a potential replacement for SuperTrack at the board’s April board meeting, Vic Riley made an extensive Open Public Records (OPR) request to the hospital district. In it, he asked for copies of communications between board chair Stephen Falk and district superintendent Barbara Wayland involving meeting agendas, Dr. Anwar, fellow commissioner Sara Oggel, Deb Shields and her family (Shields, a physician’s assistant, has previously sought to operate the clinic and is part of Anwar’s recent proposal), and Virginia Lester (a nurse practitioner who used to work at the clinic).

Riley made a similar request for all communications between those listed above and commissioner Sara Oggel as well as those with superintendent Barb Wayland. (Note: the All Point Bulletin subsequently made an OPR request for the materials supplied to the Rileys.)

The result of Riley’s OPR request was a startling revelation of undisclosed meet-

(See Hospital, page 6)

A night to remember ...

CDC implementing draconian rabies rules

To the alarm of local dog owners, the CDC will be implementing new rules about bringing dogs into the U.S. by land, sea or air from anywhere in the world. This will include U.S. residents returning from travel to Canada and Mexico with their pooch in their car, boat or RV. It will also apply to non-U.S. citizens traveling to the U.S. to visit their cabins or for tourism.

Beginning August 1, new import rules will require dogs to be over 6 months old, be micro-chipped and carry a valid certificate showing the dog has been vaccinated for rabies, and have a completed CDC Dog Import Form. No dogs under six months can enter the country.

Both Canada and Mexico are considered

rabies-free by the CDC and have been for years. Previously, dogs under the age of six months were exempt from the requirement that they be inoculated for rabies.

The CDC originally proposed keeping that exemption to reduce the burden on U.S. travelers who frequently travel across the U.S.’s borders with Canada and Mexico, but removed it in order “to create a uniform standard for all dogs,” among other reasons.

Amanda Wyma-Bradley of Senator Patti Murray’s office has been forwarding letters from concerned dog owners to the CDC, letting the agency know of the challenges the new rules impose on frequent border crossers.

In a response to a comment made during

(See Dog rules, page 12)

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

in utility rebates on qualifying equipment^^

Photo

All Point Bulletin

The All Point Bulletin is published each month by Point Roberts Press Inc. and is delivered to homes and businesses in Point Roberts and Tsawwassen. The opinion expressed by contributors is their own and is offered for the general interest of our readers.

Mail and classified ads should be addressed to:

All Point Bulletin

P.O. Box 1451 Point Roberts WA USA 98281

Publisher & Managing Editor

Patrick J. Grubb

Associate Publisher & Advertising Manager

Louise H. Mugar

Reporter Erin Kelly

Copy Editor Aly McGee

Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser

Advertising Sales Molly Ernst

Contributors In This Issue

Ceighlee Fennel Kris Lomedico

Administrative Services Jeanie Luna

Founding Editor Glennys Christie

Business & Editorial Office

Phone: 360/945-0413

Email: sales@allpointbulletin.com

Visit us online at: www.allpointbulletin.com

Printed in Canada • Vol. XL, No. 2

Letters Policy

The All Point Bulletin welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 450 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality and good taste.

A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis.

Thank you letters should be limited to ten names.

Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please email your letter to:

letters@allpointbulletin.com

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

opinion Letters to the editor

The Editor and hospital district commissioners:

I have been an RN for over 50 years. I was a Point Roberts hospital district commissioner and one of the commissioners who voted to appoint Stephen Falk to the hospital district in 2018. After reading Stephen’s emails and texts that he submitted as part of a records request by the Small Point Bulletin and All Point Bulletin, I regret my vote.

It is extremely disturbing to learn that two commissioners with whom the public entrusted to act in accordance to state laws and the hospital district policies have broken that trust. A commissioner’s duty is to make decisions for the good of the community, not for self-interests! Those two commissioners have also acted outside the normal contracting process to achieve their goal of replacing SuperTrack.

I’m surprised another physician would intercede upon another medical entity that has been welcomed and has been successfully practicing in this community for five years. Our clinic has three excellent physicians who have more than fulfilled the hospital district contract.

I find this whole situation unscrupulous, rude, and disrespectful to the whole community and SuperTrack, especially when this interceding physician and his subordinates cannot treat patients under 18 years of age! That is not in the best interest of this community.

Kandy Harper Point Roberts

The Editor:

We’ve been full time residents of Point Roberts for almost five years. We just want to say we’re very happy with the services provided by SuperTrack.

Dr. Evans is very attentive, and the staff are professional. We have our blood work done in the clinic which is very convenient for us. There’s no reason to replace them with Dr. Anwar and his team.

Theresa Nelson Point Roberts

The Editor:

One wonders why so few people in Point Roberts present themselves as candidates for public office. Consider the recent misguided, malicious, and inappropriate attack of Point Roberts hospital district elected commissioner Stephen Falk. The attack is inaccurate, inappropriate, and public bullying. Everyone in Point Roberts should be thankful that he ran and was elected to our hospital district board.

He is doing precisely what he was elected to do which includes being available to the public for discussion of the hospital district’s operations and future. Having received input or suggestions from members of the public, he takes these suggestions to his board members for consideration. The board members then decide on what action, if any, should be taken. All our elected representatives should operate in this fashion.

So if a member of the medical field or of the public approaches any commissioner and asks how to present themselves to the local board, that request is properly taken to the other directors for consideration. I can’t think of any reason why such a request would not be granted.

Further, if any contract for service is expiring in the future, the commissioners will decide what course of action to follow is in the best interests of the Point Roberts community. The previous time they issued a request for proposals (RFP) and received two submissions and decided to issue the contract to the current provider.

This is the most democratic and fair method to use and reduces the possibili-

ty of favoritism, cronyism, or bias. It also gives the best value to our community and follows a proven business methodology.

Commissioner Falk did everything correctly in discharging his duties and obligations as a commissioner of our hospital district. He is owed an apology and should be thanked for his service.

That’s how I see it.

Brian Calder Point Roberts

(Ed. Note: Brian Calder was one of six individuals who pledged $10,000 each or more in start-up funds for the Shields Company 2020 bid to operate the Point Roberts Health Clinic.)

The Editor:

I am the widow of former Point Roberts hospital district commissioner and chair, Dr. Dick Williams.

A crucial meeting for our town is happening on Wednesday, June 12. The Point Roberts hospital district commissioners will be deciding whether to extend the SuperTrack clinic’s contract for another year. The residents of Point Roberts finally have medical doctors at the clinic after decades of waiting. This creates a far superior situation for everyone, me included. We can drive to the clinic for appointments and avoid the two-hour round trip to Bellingham. We can also avoid the four border crossings that are a hardship for many people here.

Recently, I have received information about unethical meetings involving two of our commissioners. This alone is quite disturbing but to hear that these meetings may have involved a plan to replace the RN and three physicians at the clinic with a physician assistant and a doctor who lives and works in Arizona was mind-boggling. Why? What possible reason makes this plan logical in any universe?

If there is a reason for this idea, the people of this town need to hear it, otherwise please sideline this insanity before people lose local access to their doctors. And please consider that if the commissioners decide in favor of removing the medical doctors from the clinic, they may be looking at a substantial boycott, not to mention a lot of local anger.

If you’d like to keep the SuperTrack clinic here, please let your commissioners know. They cannot read your minds. You do not have to dislike your commissioners, but you do have to communicate with them, and please do it now.

Please write to: Barb Wayland (superintendent@prphd.org); Noel Newbolt (commissioner1@prphd.org); Stephen Falk (commissioner2@prphd.org); Sara Oggel (commissioner3@prphd.org)

Silence is not permission! Let’s keep the SuperTrack clinic!

Lucy Williams (20-year resident) Point Roberts

The Editor:

Thank you for the excellent article “CDC to put tight restrictions on dogs traveling across the border.” I beg you to keep following up on this crazy plan from the CDC.

I am a long-time veterinarian working in Bellingham. We frequently send cases to Canada to receive timely, lifesaving specialty veterinary care. Under these new rules, the dogs can go to Canada but not

return! It’s nuts!

I love how if I travel to Canada with my dog and then back to my home in Bellingham I am “importing” the dog to the U.S.A. Do I import my car each time I cross the border?

I have reached out to state veterinary leaders but have received no help predicting the specifics for returning to the U.S. from Canada. The CDC is creating a Dog Import Form. How? Why? Who signs off? When will we have access to this form? (Ed. Note: the CDC website says it will be available July 15, 2024.)

When you contact the CDC seeking information on how to prepare for travel to and from Canada for people who travel with pets, you receive an automatic reply that recommends using the DogBot on their website. When you use it, you will get all sorts of information about bringing in dogs from all over the world from all sorts of rabies-infested countries, but you won’t get information about bringing Bowser home from a weekend trip to Canada, a country considered rabies-free by the CDC.

Denise Petryk, DVM, MBA Birch Bay

The Editor:

I would like to share with the public my letter to our Point Roberts Public Hospital District (PRPHD), dated May 6, 2024. It was emailed to district superintendent Barbara Wayland with copies to commissioners Stephen Falk, Sara Oggel, and Noel Newbolt.

I urge Point Roberts Clinic clients to attend the upcoming PRPHD meeting on June 12, at 7 p.m., in the community center, to express your views, whatever they are, on the important issue of who should operate the clinic.

Here is what I wrote to the PRPHD on May 6:

Hello Barb et al., I am taking up your invitation to folks who could not speak at the last PRPHD meeting to email comments to you. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the April 10 meeting, but I was surprised and concerned by your plan to invite Dr. Anwar to present his expression of interest in taking over the Point Roberts Clinic. This seemed premature and highly questionable in the absence (to my knowledge) of any prior determination by the PRPHD that the contract should and would go out to competitive bid again.

I don’t see any justification for so soon going through that difficult, disruptive, and expensive process again unless the district determines that the contractor’s performance has been seriously deficient or out of compliance with the terms of their contract. I am unaware of any such shortcomings on SuperTrack’s part.

Personally, I have been completely satisfied with SuperTrack and more specifically with Sean Bozorgzad, MD, as my primary care provider; and I would be very unhappy to see that relationship curtailed at the Point Roberts clinic without sufficient cause.

As a matter of contract management, I believe it is your responsibility to ensure quality and continuity of care, stability, and fairness to all parties. The contract to operate our clinic and your oversight should promote these objectives. In my mind, that would mean giving the contractor a longer term (perhaps five years) with automatic renewal in the absence of a notification of deficient performance.

To reiterate, and obviously just speaking for myself: I have been completely satisfied with the care I have received from Dr. Sean and SuperTrack. Personally, I favor conti(Please see next page)

Hospital ...

ings, violations of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and communications involving commissioners Falk and latterly, Oggel, in ongoing attempts to help Shields

the contract to run the clinic be-

P

Margot Griffiths, M.Ed., C.L.C.

After 30 years experience at The University of British Columbia in the Office of Counseling Services, I am pleased to begin my Life Coaching practice in Point Roberts.

Confidential appointments arranged by email or text. margot@pointroberts.net 206-604-1713

self-awareness personal development relationships recovery wellness transitions retirement life planning

ginning in 2020 and remains ongoing. In doing so, Falk sought to keep the district superintendent unaware of his efforts.

On May 2, Wayland discussed what had been learned from the OPR request with Matthew Ellsworth, executive director of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts. In response, Ellsworth told Wayland that he was “very concerned about the practice of commissioners conducting district business outside of public meetings. If one commissioner wants to educate themselves on a matter one-onone with a party, that is allowed with the understanding the RCW is explicit that one commissioner has no authority to obligate, contract, or act on behalf of the district.

“My concern is that it appears that two commissioners are communicating with an outside party about doing business with the district. This is a clear violation of the OPMA. Even if the two commissioners’ discussions are not simultaneous/ same conversation.”

Wayland sent Ellsworth’s assessment to all three commissioners, adding that Ellsworth had offered to do a presentation on the OPMA. By law, commissioners are required to undergo training on the act when they assume office and every four years thereafter.

A common theme running through the letters recently received by the hospital district is a comparison between the services currently offered by SuperTrack versus what Dr. Anwar’s group would be able to provide. Currently, SuperTrack has three MDs each working one day a week as well as a registered nurse.

Dr. Anwar, a part-time resident of Point Roberts, is an internist meaning the clinic would not be able to provide medical services to patients under 18. Deb Shields is

a physician’s assistant as is another possible staff member. Both would be working under Anwar’s supervision and are unable to offer services beyond his sphere of expertise.

Lucy Williams, whose husband Dick was chair of the hospital district, questioned the reasoning behind replacing SuperTrack with the Anwar group and asked, “If there is a reason for this idea, the people of this town need to hear it, otherwise please sideline this insanity before people lose local access to their doctors.”

The All Point Bulletin reached out to all three commissioners to ask them that question. Only commissioners Falk and Newbolt replied; Oggel did not respond.

District chair Stephen Falk said, in part, “At this point, the hospital district has heard about what medical services Dr. Anwar is currently offering in Point Roberts. We have not really heard what services he would be proposing to offer if given the opportunity. In order to persuade the district board to make a change, he would have to show us what he would offer and how he would accomplish that, not just with respect to the main health care providers, but also with respect to “back office” issues relating to finances, insurance, support staff, etc.” He added, “Supertrack’s physicians come to Point Roberts one day a week. I am sure, as good physicians, they are dedicated to their particular patients. But I do not see a deeper commitment to the community as a whole. I have long felt that health care providers who live here may have or develop a greater commitment to the community.”

Asked what reasons the district had for opening up the contract to other providers, Newbolt answered, “There are no reasons at all. SuperTrack, in my opinion, has gone above and beyond their contract in

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

Private and confidential Call or e-mail for an appointment

Providing non-emergency home medical care, education and referral

For an appointment or more information, please contact Chief Christopher Carleton at 360-945-3473 or chief@wcfd5.com

MD

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Learn more at www.jrhealthcareconsultants.org

Call/text 305-877-5497

Email: john.anwar@jrhealthcareconsultants.org

bringing in three doctors and a registered nurse who can and does supply antibiotics and other meds, can and does take blood samples which eliminates some patient’s trips down to Bellingham and gives excellent treatment and care to the residents of Point Roberts.”

The district’s regular monthly meeting on June 12 is the last meeting before the June 30 deadline where either SuperTrack or the district would have to notify the other party if they did not want to renew the annual contract or solicit competing bids for service. Both Falk and Newbolt (and Oggel) were asked if or how they would vote if a motion to open up the contract was made at that meeting. Falk said, “I am not sure whether I would offer that motion, or whether I would vote in favor of such a motion. I am concerned about the issues I have described above, but I am also aware of the relationships that some members of our community have developed with their physician, particularly, it seems, the Thursday doctor. Ever since Dr. Anwar made himself known to the hospital district earlier this year, I have struggled with those competing issues – the desire to learn about other options and the concern about disrupting residents’ relationship with their current provider.”

Newbolt wrote, “If a motion is presented, I would definitely vote for the contract to roll over. No question! SuperTrack’s contract period is currently on a year-toyear basis. I would actually prefer a 5-year contract. The commissioner position is to serve the residents of Point Roberts with the best health care situation we can and to listen to the people of the community and pay attention to what they are asking for. I believe that has been accomplished with the SuperTrack contract and it would be a disservice to see them leave Point Roberts particularly for another entity that isn’t offering anywhere near the expertise and services that we now have. I believe the people of Point Roberts have spoken and

do not want to see SuperTrack leave.”

As noted previously, Oggel did not respond to the request for comment. A copy

of Falk’s and Newbolt’s complete responses to the All Point Bulletin’s questions may be found following this story on the APB

Basil • Cedar hedging

Wisteria

Azaleas

Rhododendrons

Roses

Tomatoes

l awn a nd G arden c are

Over 15 years of experience in organic horticultural design, build and maintenance. Specializing in small lawns and gardens. For inquiries text Andrew 360 220 3587 firshoregardensolutions@gmail.com

Rose and George are leaving

You may know Rose Momsen from her role as public services assistant at the library, or from leading children’s story time every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Perhaps you’ve seen her tending the community garden next to the library. Her husband of 42 years, George Wright, may be familiar from their weekend free yard sales, his handyman services, or his invaluable gardening tips.

This June, Rose and George are embarking on a new adventure, moving to Virginia and closing a 25-year Point Roberts chapter rich with gardening, community service and artistic endeavors. Their journey to the Point began in 1998, leaving behind their life in Maui where George worked as a carpenter and Rose taught art at a community college. While trying to figure out their new life on the west coast, a quick visit to Point Roberts led them to find a home and job in just one day.

“It was all about gardening,” Rose recalled. “We wanted to get our own place where we could garden.” They planted an apple orchard and a garden at their new home, but the growing trees soon shaded their garden, prompting them to seek sunnier spots.

Their search for a spot to garden extended into the community, establishing a

community garden on Island View Lane, which later moved to the community center. George also developed the community garden on Benson Road and managed the garden at the Seabright development until the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rose became involved in Vancouver’s quilting community, transforming it into a business for over a decade. She also opened a fine art gallery in a small building in front of their home, selling art, scarves, wood carvings, and Amish furniture. In 2010, Rose began working at the local library, smoothly transitioning from volunteer story time reader to public services assistant.

As they prepare for their move to Virginia, sharing the same gardening zone as Point Roberts, Rose and George look forward to being closer to family. Rose is eager to join the quilting community there and hopes to sell plants at local markets, continuing a tradition she cherished at the Friday market in Point Roberts.

Beyond their love for gardening, George and Rose enjoy walking on the beach at the end of Gulf Road or at Lighthouse Park, often watching sunsets over the ocean. “I have just really been trying to soak in the beauty,” Rose shared, “Point Roberts is such a magical place.”

The community garden they established at the community center remains “healthy and alive,” according to Rose. Matt Wang from the parks board will be the new garden manager. There is still an open garden bed for anyone interested, with a one-time fee of $50 and a yearly cost of $30. The garden bed will be yours to cultivate as you wish.

George and Rose’s departure marks the end of an era, but their contributions to the community will be remembered and cherished by all who knew them.

There will be a going away party for Rose at the library on Saturday, June 8 from noon to 5 p.m.

B y E rin K E lly

s George Wright and Rose Momsen. Photo by Erin Kelly

s Graphic showing extent of fiber optic installation includes new areas such as Elizabeth Drive that will now be serviced by the PUD program. Courtesy of PUD #1

Broadband programs face obstacles

“We’re pretty pleased about that,” Hilty said.

Archaelogical discoveries have continued to plague the installation of fiber optic on the Point. At the May 16 meeting of the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee, Donna Hilty, COO of Whidbey Telecom, addressed the stalled progress on the installation of underground fiber optic cable.

The project was halted late last year due to archaeological discoveries on Marine Drive. Initially, work was expected to resume by the end of the first quarter, but this timeline proved “overly optimistic,” according to Hilty.

“The site’s significance was greater than anticipated,” Hilty explained, noting that the state-approved archaeologist has been on-site since January. With no clear timeline for resuming work, Whidbey Telecom is exploring alternative technologies and plans to announce their new strategy within 90 days.

While two of their three Point Roberts-focused grants are on hold, the third, the Middle Mile project which would connect Point Roberts and other communities to major internet trunk lines via submarine cables, remains on track.

Andrew Entrekin, director of broadband and power supply at Whatcom County’s Public Utility District #1 (PUD), also provided updates on the PUD’s broadband initiative. The PUD is planning to cover 90 percent of its service area using overhead wires, but it may require some underground installations where utility poles are absent, which may pose similar challenges to Whidbey Telecom’s project. The project boundary has been updated to reflect new broadband availability data, including areas outside Whidbey Telecom’s grant coverage.

Currently, the PUD is in the design and permitting phase, having contracted CobbFendley and Associates to assess utility poles. Entrekin anticipates construction to start sometime after July of this year.

“There is a lot going on in the background,” Entrekin reassured attendees despite the lack of visible field activity. The PUD will build and maintain the infrastructure, with internet service providers delivering services to end users through an open access system.

For more broadband program details, visit PUDwhatcom.org.

B y E rin K E lly

sheriff’s report

May 1, 4:03 a.m.: Assist citizen on Boundary Bay Road.

May 1, 9:43 a.m.: Serve warrant on Tyee Drive.

May 1, 2:43 p.m.: Civil problem on APA Road.

May 1, 7:03 p.m.: Mental on Boundary Bay Road.

May 2, 11:41 a.m.: Civil problem cold call on Cedar Point Avenue.

May 2, 12:40 p.m.: Bicycle theft cold call on Moose Trail.

May 2, 2:23 p.m.: Vandalism cold call on S. Beach Road.

May 2, 3:52 p.m.: Assist citizen cold call on Boundary Bay Road.

May 3, 8:02 a.m.: Mental on Boundary Bay Road.

May 3, 11:36 a.m.: Follow up on Boundary Bay Road.

May 3, 12:33 p.m.: Theft cold call on S. Beach Road.

May 4, 2:05 a.m.: Assist citizen on Boundary Bay Road.

May 5, 4:50 p.m.: Assist citizen on Tyee Drive.

May 5, 10:36 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on APA Road.

June Tides

pm 14.7

Mo 10 4:05 am 11.2 6:57 am 11.6 2:44 pm 2.6 10:50 pm 14.4

Tu 11 5:15 am 10.6 7:47 am 10.9

3:24 pm 3.5 11:28 pm 14.2

We 12 6:21 am 9.8 8:49 am 10.0 4:06 pm 4.6

Th 13 12:02 am 13.9 7:13 am 8.8 10:17 am 9.3 4:46 pm 5.9

Fr 14 12:30 am 13.7 7:53 am 7.8 12:21 pm 9.0 5:28 pm 7.2

Sa 15 12:54 am 13.5 8:27 am 6.7 2:27 pm 9.5 6:16 pm 8.5

Su 16 1:16 am 13.3 8:57 am 5.7 3:57 pm 10.4 7:20 pm 9.8

Mo 17 1:36 am 13.2 9:27 am 4.7 5:01 pm 11.6 8:40 pm 10.8

Tu 18 1:58 am 13.1 9:57 am 3.7 5:53 pm 12.6 9:58 pm 11.6

We 19 2:24 am 13.0 10:29 am 2.9 6:37 pm 13.4 11:02 pm 12.0

Th 20 2:54 am 13.0 11:05 am 2.2 7:17 pm 14.0 11:56 pm 12.2

Fr 21 3:30 am 13.0 11:43 am 1.6 7:57 pm 14.4

Sa 22 12:42 am 12.2 4:14 am 13.1 12:23 pm 1.2 8:35 pm 14.5

Su 23 1:28 am 12.2 5:02 am 13.0 1:05 pm 1.0 9:13 pm 14.6 Mo 24 2:18 am 11.9 5:54 am 12.8 1:49 pm 1.1

May 7, 12:08 p.m.: Domestic order violation cold call on Cliff Road.

May 8, 9:48 p.m.: Shots cold call on Uscandia Lane.

May 9, 2:34 p.m.: Watch for on Bay View Drive and Alder Street.

May 12, 3:43 p.m.: Slim Jim on Alder Street.

May 13, 8:32 a.m.: Welfare check on Uscandia Lane.

May 14, 2:19 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on S. Beach Road.

May 18, 1:53 p.m.: Animal problem cold call on Benson Road.

May 19, 12:09 a.m.: Assist agency on Tyee Drive.

May 19, 12:18 p.m.: Follow up on S. Beach Road.

May 20, 11:03 p.m.: Mental on Boundary Bay Road.

May 21, 10:51 a.m.: Whatcomm record on Boundary Bay Road.

May 21, 10:52 a.m.: Mental on Boundary Bay Road.

May 22, 11:45 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Tyee Drive and Benson Road.

senior’s point

Wednesday, June 5: Vegetarian chicken and black bean burritos, salad and dessert

Friday, June 7: Tuna Melt, chips, coleslaw and apple pie

Wednesday, June 12: Ham with pineapple, sweet potatoes, spinach and dessert Friday, June 14: Chicken strips, mashed potatoes w/gravy, green beans and dessert

Wednesday, June 19: Fiesta taco salad with cheese, olives, tomatoes, salsa and tropical fruit salad

Friday, June 21: Cabbage rolls, roast potatoes, spinach salad and dessert

Wednesday, June 26: Chicken shepherd’s pie, salad and diced peaches Friday, June 28: Chili dogs with cheese and onions, French fries, coleslaw 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. Contact: prseniors@whidbey.com or call the community center at 360/9455424.

Library picks

K ri S l OMED i CO

Bestsellers: The Heist Clive Cussler

Funny Story Emily Henry Martyr Kaveh Akbar

The Hunter Tana French

Movies: Imaginary Dewanda Wise

Alice & Jack Andrea Risborough Ordinary Angels Hilary Swank

Lawmen David Oyelowo

Music: Radical Optimism Dua Lipa Hackney Diamonds Rolling Stones

The Layers Julian Lage Rockstar Dolly Parton

Teens: Powerless Lauren Roberts

Road Home Rex Ogle

The Brightwood Code Monica Hess Kids: The Night Compass

Amanda Foody

Maroo of the Winter Caves

The Most Serious Fart

Ann Turnbull

Mike Bender

Hours: Tuesdays 1–7 p.m.

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

Express Hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily wcls.org

Beekeepers make hive of their own

Honey bees are quite busy, and so are their beekeepers who help keep conditions just right for the hives to thrive. A group of residents has created a hive of their own called the Point Roberts Beekeeper Association (PRBKA).

The group has monthly meetings in the Point Roberts Community Center that can be very lively with show-and-tells, guest speakers and discussions about best bee practices.

Linda Marie Bruce is the woman who made it all happen 16 years ago in 2008 after she moved to the Point. As an avid bee lover and keeper herself, she was surprised there wasn’t a beekeeping association and issued an invitation to the community to start a group.

Bruce had fallen in love with bees at a young age and has had her own for roughly 22 years. Before coming to the Point, she was the president of an Orange County beekeeping association. “Bees are critical to mankind. There must be beekeepers, period,” Bruce said. “Even before you become a beekeeper; you realize how marvelous they are. But when you get your own, you will absolutely fall in love with your honeybees.”

Tim Trudel also became fascinated with beekeeping and attended meetings as he got started. He accidentally took up the hobby roughly nine years ago when some friends needed to relocate their bees to his property.

He got up to 15 hives one year, which required about 30 hours of work a week. That year he harvested 900 pounds of honey. He sells the honey under the Raven Tree Cottage label and gifts jars to others.

“Beekeepers like to talk about bees, so getting two or three in a room, they will talk about bees for hours,” Trudel said. “The club is a chance to meet other beekeepers and we are always trying to help each other out.”

“I didn’t really know what I was doing, but fortunately we have some amazing mentors here,” April Svejkovsky said. “I love the fact that everyone is there to offer advice and give support. I don’t think there’s any way I could’ve been a beekeeper without that support when I started.”

Svejkovsky attended every meeting when she started roughly nine years ago after receiving a gift jar of honey that inspired her to dive into the hobby. She now has four hives she manages with a friend, and she encourages beginners to research, read and follow mentors and their operations.

The beekeeper association is also an international club opportunity for Canadian and American members. For example, Janet Wilson is a master beekeeper who works with Trudel and attends the PRB-

KA meetings. She lives in Tsawwassen but crosses the border to share her expertise. Having the local group creates communication over the border because bees are illegal to transport across the line. Point residents must get bees through the mail if they don’t have local beekeeping friends. Wilson has been beekeeping for 17 years, beginning as a hobby that turned into a career – she now manages a community apiary in Vancouver. During her apiculture studies, a teacher sent her to help Trudel get through the new beekeeper struggles and she kept with the club to provide information to all the members.

“I really liked beekeeping and worked hard to learn and improve my skill set,” Wilson said. “I liked the collegiality [of the club], and the space to help new beekeepers learn good technique.”

Beekeepers often have different procedures when it comes to equipment, chemical usage, and techniques and the club offers members the ability to consider different approaches. David Weldon has been keeping bees on the Point for over 10 years, and says people should know that the PRBKA is a good social environment with friendly people.

“I would like to see more people experience [the club] because it’s nice to sit down with other beekeepers to talk and learn from each other,” Weldon said.

He loves experimenting with beekeeping techniques and equipment, and wishes people had a better understanding of bees as they are incredibly complex and not usually aggressive. Honeybees only sting to defend either their life or the colony because they die when they lose their stinger, whereas wasps sting repeatedly because it is a weapon they use to hunt for protein.

Not only do honeybees create honey and beeswax, they are prolific pollinators of fruit trees, gardens, blackberries and more. However, Point Roberts is a complicated place for bees. It does have a plentiful amount of untouched forest acreage with lots of wildflowers for them to thrive and pollinate, and they contract less diseases than commercial bee hives. But the flowering season here ends in July which is shorter than in the southern United States. This means the honeybees have less time to prepare food for cold winters.

“People don’t fully appreciate the bees and their importance to agriculture,” Stephen Falk, a former beekeeper and member of the PRBKA said. “Pollination is key to everything.”

Even before his beekeeping career, Falk understood their importance especially with having 70 apple trees of his own that benefit from their pollination.

For those interested in attending meetings or joining, reach out to Linda Marie Bruce via email at thelittlegoldenharp@ gmail.com.

B

s Getting close and personal with honeybees.

Photo by Ceighlee Fennel

the rule-making process that the owner of a dog is not “importing” a dog when they cross the border, the CDC said dogs are considered goods and thus are treated as imports like any other goods. In fact, most of the reasons for these new rules appear intended toward the commercial importation of dogs and not pet owners. There is no indication that the CDC considered the plight of border communities across the country nor special cases such as Point Roberts, the NW Angle or Hyder, Alaska, each of which require residents and visitors to travel through Canada to access the rest of the U.S. In 2022, 60 percent of Canadian households have one or more goods that either bark or meow. In all, Canadians have 7.9 million dogs and that number is growing.

How much of an actual problem is rabies? Well, if a human gets bitten by an

animal carrying the virus and doesn’t seek help before symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal.

How common is it for people in the U.S. to get rabies? Not common at all. According to the CDC, in the 58-year stretch from 1960 to 2018, there were just 127 cases for an average of 2.1 cases per year. One-quarter of those cases came from dog bites during international travel and about 70 percent were from a bat bite.

Caitlynn Paradis is a certified public accountant who lives in Chilliwack, B.C. and travels to the U.S. a minimum of three times per month for shopping, veterinary visits and to attend dog shows. She wrote to mayors of cities along the border including Blaine, Sumas, Lynden and Ferndale warning them of the upcoming rules.

“Is there anything that can be done?” she asked. “This is only going to harm the economy of those in border towns especially when most of them are still recovering from the border shutdowns during the pandemic.”

Classifieds

Coming up ...

Scheduled Meetings/Ongoing Events

Your Local Small Market: Saturdays, June 1, 15 and 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., community center. Shop locally!

The Commons: Saturday, June 1, from noon – 2:30 p.m., back room of the community center.

Second Annual Honda Element Convoy: Saturday, June 1, 2-3 p.m., starting at Lighthouse Marine Park. Contact melanieosmack@gmail.com for details.

PR Amateur Radio Club: Monday, June 3, 7 p.m., via Zoom.

PR Beekeepers Association: Monday, June 3, 7–8:30 p.m., community center. Info: thelittlegoldenharp@gmail.com.

Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities Grant Committee meeting: Monday, June 3, 7 p.m., community center.

PR Emergency Preparedness: Tuesday, June 4, 7 p.m., community center/Zoom. Info: prepgroup17@gmail.com.

PR Cast and Crew: Tuesday, June 4, 7–8:30 p.m., community center. Info: thelittlegoldenharp@ gmail.com.

Chair yoga for seniors: Wednesdays, June 5 and July 10, 6:30–7:30 p.m., fire hall. Info: islena@ gmail.com.

Rose Momsen goodbye party: Saturday, June 8, at the library. The Point Roberts Library team wishes her all the best! Rose, an exemplary assistant who is always reaching out to the community and its children in her library work, deserves a great thank you and a great send-off!

PR Park and Recreation: Monday, June 10, at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: prparkandrec.org.

PR Water District: Tuesday, June 11, 5 p.m., 2002 Benson Road. Info: pointrobertswater.com.

Fire District No. 5: Wednesday, June 12, 4 p.m., fire hall and via Zoom. Info: WCFD5.com.

PR Hospital District: Wednesday, June 12, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: pointrobertsclinic.com.

PR Taxpayers Association: Thursday, June 13, 7 p.m., Zoom. Info: PRTA@pointroberts.net. Link: bit.ly/3OBb1rn.

Free yoga and healthy movement classes: Wednesday, June 19, 7–8 p.m., fire hall. Info: islena@ gmail.com.

Historical Society: Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m., in the History Center.

PR Community Advisory Committee: Thursday, June 20, 7 p.m., community center and via Zoom. Info: PRCAC.comment@gmail.com. Link: bit.ly/3S8GCB3.

Nautical Sale: Saturdays, June 22, July 6, August 31, 1 to 4 p.m., West side of marina J dock in the field. All invited to sell. Free to vend. Info: jselvey18@gmail.com.

Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra: Saturday, June 22, 5–6:30 p.m. outside at Point Roberts Marina and Pier Restaurant. Top high-school level, 37-member, steel orchestra from Seattle. Repertoire includes many styles of music including Caribbean, classical, pop, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, television and move themes. The group fills the air and moves the earth underfoot with the rich, full sounds of the modern steel orchestra. Free event. For more info: pointrobertschamberofcommerce.com and steelmagicnorthwest.org.

Lily Point Invasive Ivy Removal: Saturday, June 22, time TBD, meet in parking area, co-sponsored by the PR Garden Club and Whatcom Million Trees Project. info@pointrobertsgardenclub.org.

PR Cemetery District: Monday, June 24, 5 p.m., community center.

PR Garden Club: Tuesday, June 24, 7 p.m., members garden visits. info@pointrobertsgardenclub. org

Independence Day: Thursday, July 4. Pancake breakfast at community center, parade at noon, afternoon festivities. Parade theme is “small town, big heart.” For parade information email: alli. calder17@gmail.com or queenofcleanpointroberts@gmail.com.

Strings & Things International Music Festival: Saturday, July 13, day and evening, Point Roberts Marina and Pier Restaurant. Four internationally acclaimed acts, from classical serenades to Celtic reels, jazz grooves to hip-hop beats. Tickets go on-sale June 1. For more info: stringsandthingsmusicfestival.com.

Point Roberts Taxpayers Association AGM: Thursday, July 18, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Kiniski’s Reef Tavern. Kora’s Carnival: Saturday, August 3, Kora’s Corner. Games, bounce house, circus acts and an innovation station. Volunteers needed to man stations, set up and clean up. Info and volunteer sign up: bit.ly/4bm8hGG.

Septic System Homeowners Training: Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m. to noon. Registration open now. Free class. Link: bit.ly/WCHDHomeownerTraining2023.

Annual Joke Telling Contest: Saturday, August 17, 7 p.m., Point Roberts Community Center on Gulf Road. Sponsored by PREP.

Second Annual Point Roberts Pickleball Tournament: Saturday, August 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Paul Bemister Community Park in Maple Beach. Contact melanieosmack@gmail.com to register.

Ongoing Events and Hours

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

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/board game to play.

Spring Series Sailboat Racing: Tuesdays, through June 25, 7 p.m. This is a great way to get out and use your boat, improve your skills and have fun. To sign up or for more information: fleetcaptain@ pointrobertsyachtclub.com.

Point Roberts Walkers: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 a.m., coffee to follow (Thursdays only) at the community center, Saturdays at Lily Point. Tuesdays location varies and can be found at bit.ly/3V5v44l.

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

Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays through July, 10:30–11 a.m., Point Roberts Library. Friday Market: Fridays, 4 to 7 p.m., West side of the Point Roberts Marina. Free to vend. Make it, bake it, grow it market. There will be starts so you can plan your own vegetable garden. Free table: participate by bringing items in good condition at the beginning of the Market and take back any items at the end of the night. If you plan to be a vendor or if you have any questions, please email latitude@whidbey.com.

History Center Summer Hours: Through June 29, Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. From July 6 through August 31, Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 3 p.m.

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

LocaL stats

Fire Incidents for April 2024

>>> labs 27 (4); PT/INR 4 (3); telemedicine visit 23 (15); Physical exams 1 (5); skin clinic 6 (6); B12 and flu shots 12 (10).

Total calls (31); EMS calls (10), resulting in the following transports: Saint Joseph Hospital (1), county medic (3); fire classification (7) resulting in outdoor burn – permit (2), smoke investigation (1), false alarm (3), animal rescue (1); public service (3); EMS CARES/MIHC (11).

Point Roberts health clinic numbers for April 2024 (2023 figures following)

Total 188 (138); office visit 115 (95);

Traffic into Point Roberts for March 2024, with figures for 2023 following: Personal vehicles 59,811 (52,100); commercial vehicles 509 (583); buses 30 (44); pedestrians 1,017 (641).

Roberts Self Storage

Including cars,

&

2-story 4-plex with 5,886 square feet, 2,880 s.f. built in-garage, 384 s.f. deck, built in 2022, .24 acres land.

1-story house with 1,561 square feet, 937 s.f. basement, 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 624 s.f. built-in garage, 690 s.f. balcony, 563 s.f. deck, built in 1991; marine and territorial views, .23 acres land.

1-story house with 3,383 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3-car attached garage, deck and patio, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .21 acres land.

1-story house with 1,856 square feet, 1,856 s.f. basement, 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 528 s.f. attached garage, 240 s.f. storage, built in 1999, .28 acres land.

2-story house with 3,071 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 657 s.f. built-in garage with balcony above, 631 s.f. deck, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .33 acres land.

2-story house with 3,898 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, built-in 3-car garage, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .32 acres land.

1-story house with 1,964 square feet, 1,858 s.f. basement, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 576 s.f. attached garage, 374 s.f. deck, built in 1998; marine and territorial view, 71 acres land.

2-story house with 4,168 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 1,508 s.f. deck, 928 s.f. built-in garage, 210 s.f. balcony, built in 2006, 1.00 acres land.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES:

2-story 2 office/2 apartment building with 3,000 square

multi-sport courts at Baker Field

Melanie Osmack, a part-time Point resident and pickleball enthusiast, turned to social media over a year ago to gather people for weekend games. Her efforts paid off, and now a dedicated group meets yearround on most weekends in the community center parking lot, despite the cracks and occasional parking interruptions. “Although it isn’t the safest option,” said Osmack, “I’m grateful that we have it.”

Take the history map tour of Point Roberts!

The community has benefited from this informal gathering, providing not only exercise but also social connections. Recognizing the need for a safer and more permanent space, Osmack attended a Point Roberts park district commissioner meeting in February to explore options for improving local sports facilities.

The parks board expressed interest in building a new court but required external funding. Osmack identified a grant from Washington State’s Community Outdoor Athletic Funding (COAF) and, with the help of parks commissioner Allison Calder, applied for $582,500. The grant application has made it into the second eligibility round and, if granted, would fund a multi-sport court next to the skate park by Baker Field.

The proposed court will accommodate various sports, including tennis, pickleball, basketball and hockey. Osmack has also collaborated with the skate park improvement group and part of the funding will go to enhancing the skate park.

Osmack hopes the new facility will attract more families to the area, saying, “I’m inspired by the desire to see more families live here and stay here.”

Osmack will have to wait until December to hear if the grant has been awarded. In the meantime, any one of any level who is interested in playing pickleball can join Osmack and her group most weekends at 10 a.m. in the community center parking lot, where equipment is available for use.

Local automotive services: all repairs, tire mounting/balancing, oil changes, vehicle inspections, transmissions and more. Call the shop: 360-945-2807 or email ericksonbrothersgarage@gmail.com 1423 Gulf Road • Point Roberts

Map design by TC McVey