August 2015
IN THIS
ISSUE
www.AllPointBulletin.com
Officials discuss code enforcement, page 6
Dock failure leads to closure
Open house to feature emergency crews, page 7
ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14
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Is there a lighthouse in our future? See page 11
Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
Can’t swim but sure can fish...
By Meg Olson One month after the long-awaited dock went in at Lighthouse Marine Park, it has been closed due to structural damage and there is no timeline to reopen it. Rod Lamb, design and development supervisor for Whatcom County Parks and Recreation said while there were moderate winds and a wind wave on July 15 and 16, it should not have been enough to damage the floating dock. “I think it was a design problem,” Lamb said. “Yes, wind waves caused the damage but I believe it would still have happened with a smaller wave.” The damage, discovered July 16, occurred to the last float section before the final wide pair. Two of the four wave attenuation chambers, large aluminum compartments that contact the ground as the tide drops, were found broken off. “It was a material failure,” Lamb said. “The aluminum simply broke off. We don’t know why.” Lamb said the county had asked the engineering firm on the project, KPFF Consulting Engineers, to prepare a report on the failure. “They will probably find solutions,” he said. “There will be some conversations between the contractor, the dock manufacturer and our consulting engineers.” A preliminary report from contractor HB Hansen stated the design specifications were to withstand a 1-meter wave at an interval of five seconds – a significantly higher sea than what damaged the dock. “We don’t think it was the wind wave that caused this. There are a bunch of parameters but it was designed to withstand more,” Lamb said. There is no timeline to get the dock repaired and open again, Lamb said, but the parks department is determined to fast track a fix after the many delays getting the dock in. “In a word, unfortunate,” he said. “We’ll work really hard to get it repaired and back in service.” (See Dock, page 3)
s This great blue heron appears to stand watch as a lifeguard at Freeman Beach.
Get set for a rousing Arts and Music festival By Meg Olson The Point Roberts Arts and Music Festival is ready to celebrate 20 years with a packed lineup of performers and a boardwalk busy with vendors. “This year we are doing breakfast and performances starting right at 10 a.m., so get there early,” said organizer Steve O’Neill. “We’re excited to have many new performers and vendors this year.” The lineup features a mix of local talent and visiting musicians. On tour from Virginia, indie/folk singer songwriter Luke Mitchem will be playing
the event. Acclaimed Nashville songwriter Delaney Rose will be back this year as will local favorite Bocephus King. Returning favorites also include Eire Born Irish step dancers, Grammy Award winner Ray Kirkham from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, flamenco dancers Los Gitanos and the Rahma Middle Eastern dance troupe. Not to be missed is the performance of the David and Goliath story by the Trinity Church Summer Music Camp at 11 a.m. on Sunday. More than two dozen artisans and organizations will pepper the boardwalk,
Congresswoman DelBene to commend lifesavers By Meg Olson An upcoming visit to Point Roberts by congresswoman Suzan DelBene will include a commendation ceremony at the Benson Road fire station honoring the individuals and agencies that worked together to save a man’s life after he had a heart attack at the port of entry. On the morning of June 7, Jim Graham and his friend Andy MacLean came to the Point for a bike ride and Graham collapsed
Photo by Cath Sparling
at the port, suffering from cardiac arrest immediately after the two had cleared inspection. MacLean said Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer Detliff Goellner was out of the building in “moments,” and began performing CPR, bringing Graham “back from the brink of death twice.” Point Roberts Fire Department personnel was on the scene within five minutes, led by paramedic Ben Boyko. “Resuscitation efforts including defibrillation and medications continued for approximately
an hour until the patient was stable,” said fire chief Christopher Carleton. The Airlift Northwest helicopter was dispatched and landed adjacent to the port of entry, and the border was closed for approximately half an hour while responders further stabilized Graham and prepared him for transport to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. MacLean said from the time his friend (See Lifesavers, page 6)
offering everything from magnetic therapy to garden art or an opportunity to support a new library for the Point. Festival attendees will find plenty of food, including shaved ice, burgers, barbecue and kettle corn. The festival runs August 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lighthouse Marine Park. For the full schedule of performances visit the festival Facebook page, facebook. com/PointRobertsArtsandMusicFestival.
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Inside
Church ............................................. 17 Classifieds ......................................... 21 Coming Up ....................................... 16 Crossings ............................................ 3 Opinion ............................................... 4 Seniors, library ................................ 20 Tides ................................................. 22