The Northern Light_December 7 by Point Roberts Press

FREE

Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay

December 8 - 14, 2016

HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer

IN THIS

ISSUE

WCLS library survey nears an end, page 3

Harvest restrictions lifted on 810 acres of Drayton Harbor

Birch Bay Chamber receives $86,500, page 5

PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230

Blaine wrestlers welcome new coach, page 7

Holiday events celebrate the season to be jolly

B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e

(See Harbor, page 8)

s Cold winds and heavy rain didn’t stop Blaine from celebrating the holidays. The annual Christmas tree lighting and annual Blaine Harbor Lights Festival took place on December 3. For more photos of the weekend festivities, see page 15. Photo by Ruth Lauman

Property taxes will be slightly lower due to BP back tax windfall By Oliver Lazenby Blaine taxpayers will pay a little less in property taxes next year thanks to BP paying a lump sum of about $4.8 million in back taxes this October. Savings for property owners won’t be huge, but a homeowner with a property worth $250,000 will likely pay at least $50 less in 2017 than they did this year. BP owed the money after settling with Whatcom County on a multi-year dispute

over the value of BP’s Cherry Point property. The county valued the property at a taxable rate of $1.08 billion. BP argued to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals that its property was worth $476 million (though the company spent more than $750 million to improve its refinery in the past 10 years, according to its website). After appealing, BP began paying taxes at a lower rate, as required by a statute designed to prevent taxing districts from having to give back money already spent.

Public weighs in on proposed update to waterfront development rules B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e A Blaine Planning Commission public hearing held December 1 to consider an amendment to the wharf district zoning rules was held over until Thursday, December 8 in response to questions raised by the proponent, commissioners and members of the public. While the hearing has been closed to oral comments, the commission will accept written comments from the public until the next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Although its original recommendation to approve the amendment remains in force, planning staff have also prepared a supplementary report offering alternatives to the original proposal. The Port of Bellingham, which owns most of the property south of Marine Drive, requested the amendment in June. The commission will recommend either approval, approval with conditions or rejection of the proposed change, which would then be forwarded to city council for a final decision.

The amendment would change allowed uses and increase allowable heights in the area of the wharf district called Mariner Village, which is located between the harbor office to the west and the boundary of the property occupied by Sundance Yachts (formerly Blaine Marine Services) to the east. In the 2007 Wharf District Master Plan (WDMP), this area was zoned for a variety of uses such as commercial, retail and service space on ground floors (See Wharf, page 10)

BP and the county settled in August on a value of $840 million for the property, which will require BP to pay about $8.7 million annually in property taxes. That’s more than the company paid the last three years, so it had to make up the difference in a lump sum this fall. Taxing districts had already levied their full amounts for the year. Most will put that money toward their 2017 levies. That (See Taxes, page 2)

INSIDE

Two decades of commitment to improve water quality in Drayton Harbor has finally paid off – last week, recreational and commercial shellfish harvest restrictions were lifted on 810 acres of the harbor. The Washington State Department of Health made the announcement last week after tests revealed improvements to water quality. For more than 20 years, state and county agencies, nonprofit organizations and volunteers have worked to reduce high levels of fecal coliform in the water that have restricted harvesting as far back as 1995. To celebrate the occasion, the public is invited to gather at Drayton Harbor Oyster Company at 4 p.m. on Friday, December 16 to enjoy fresh oysters. The restaurant is located at 677 Peace Portal Drive in downtown Blaine. “I have been farming oysters in Drayton Harbor since the mid-1980s and have fallen in love with the place,” said owner of Drayton Harbor Oyster Company Steve Seymour in a statement on December 1. The family-owned eatery farms oysters in the harbor to source their product. “Today’s news is about a community which shares this appreciation and has been a willing partner in preserving this magic place for the next generation,” he said. Drayton Harbor saw its first commercial oyster farm crop up more than 100 years ago. Before pollution slogged its way into the waters, the Lummi Nation harvested as many as 30,000 clams per year in the early 1990s. Long-time player in the effort to improve water quality in the area, Geoff Menzies, described the work to revitalize the harbor as laborious, but not futile. Menzies and Seymour partnered to cultivate oysters in the harbor in the years leading up to its closure. It started in 1995, when Drayton Harbor was partially closed to shellfish harvesting due to high levels of pollution,

Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 12 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14

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The Northern Light • December 8 - 14, 2016

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Taxes ... From page 1

won’t change levy amounts, but it will lower rates for taxpayers, since voters pass a total levy amount rather than a rate. For taxpayers, the discount will make up for the last three years of paying more than they should have to make up for BP’s lower rate, county assessor Keith Willnauer said. Willnauer’s office doesn’t have an estimate for how much a taxpayer in northwest Whatcom County will save next year. The Blaine school district is one of the biggest recipients of that tax money. Other taxing districts that received money include Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2, cemetery district 7, fire district 7, rural library district, Washington state, Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham.

The school district collected more than $1.2 million of the back taxes for its bond and its management and operations levy. On the management and operations levy alone, the money from BP makes up more than 10 percent of the funds the district will levy next year. Property owners would have paid about $1.98 for $1,000 of assessed value, but will instead pay closer to $1.75 per $1,000, a $50 annual savings on a $250,000 home. Willnauer said this mechanism, called “abeyance” in tax administration lingo, is an example of the “protective integrity” of property taxes. “In this case here, the districts were protected because they didn’t lose money while we were fumbling around with the appeal,” Willnauer said. “Now that it’s settled the taxpayers get paid back. It’s as simple as that.”

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Thank you! Come celebrate this historic occasion with oysters and good company.

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December 8 - 14, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

WCLS library survey closes this Sunday

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s Gary and Cindy Lou offered the home pictured above, located at 7968 Birch Bay Drive, for consideration as a local library branch by Lou Vogt for $750,000 in September. The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is studying the property to determine its feasibility.

Photo by Oliver Lazenby

Have an opinion about library services in Birch Bay? The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) wants to hear from Birch Bay residents and Sunday, December 11, is the last day to fill out an online survey on library use and interest in a library in Birch Bay. Paper copies of the survey are available at the Blaine Public Library. WCLS wants to hear from people living in Birch Bay, whether

DOL system update spurs temporary closure B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e

City Market every Wednesday for a total of five hours per week. If WCLS added service to Birch Bay, it would not reduce library services in Blaine, according to the press release. The library board of trustees will discuss survey results at its December 20 meeting. Take the survey online at wcls.org.

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Plan ahead this weekend – the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) will temporarily halt vehicle, boat title and registration transactions to replace a 30-year-old text-based system used to register and license vehicles and vessels. Washington state vehicle licensing offices will close a bit early on Friday, December 9 and will remain closed on Saturday. Online tab renewals will be out of service from December 6 until the new system is installed on December 12. Other services, including online filing, change of address and other types of transactions will be offline beginning in the evening of December 9 until December 12. Members of the public are encouraged to avoid delays by taking care of tab renewals at a licensing office prior to December 9. “You may experience longer wait times than usual as our staff gets used to the new system and we’ll appreciate your patience,” said Whatcom County Auditor Debbie Adelstein. “The improvements being made to the system will be worth it.” The DOL plans to roll out another series of updates in June 2018, primarily focused on improving driver licensing systems.

they use the library or not, according to a press release from WCLS. The survey is part of an assessment that WCLS is conducting to determine whether to add library services in Birch Bay due to growth in the community. Currently, the WCLS bookmobile visits Birch Bay Square and the Bay

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The Northern Light • December 8 - 14, 2016

Opinion

The Northern L ght The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc. Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com. Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@thenorthernlight.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@thenorthernlight.com Editor Stefanie Donahue stefanie@pointrobertspress.com Copy Editor Kara Furr kara@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@thenorthernlight.com Office Manager Amy Weaver info@thenorthernlight.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Janet McCall Catherine Darkenwald sales@thenorthernlight.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@thenorthernlight.com The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200 Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXII, No 26 Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

Next issue: Dec. 15 Ads due: Dec. 9

Blaine High School band to host a fundraiser

s Leading up to their departure to the Funabashi Music Festival in Japan in February, members of Blaine High School’s wind ensemble are hosting a raffle. Already, they’ve received tickets to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, a certificate for an overnight stay at Whistler Peak Lodge and soon a custom made guitar from Bellingham Wood Works, valued at $1,000. The Bellingham-based shop has been repairing instruments for the school for 16 years, said co-manager of the store Dave Payne. He’s helped work on the project and donated the neck of the guitar. His friends and the majority of the Bellingham Wood Works team joined in on the project, he said. The raffle takes place during Blaine Middle School’s holiday concert on Tuesday, December 13. Checks should be made payable to “BFAA-BTJ” and sent to the Blaine Fine Arts Association at P.O. Box 1545 Blaine, WA 98231. Photos by Dave Payne

Letter

A view from Drayton Harbor Road

The Editor: I was appalled to read that state Senator Doug Erickson is planning to introduce a bill in the Legislature that would classify protests as “domestic terrorism,” and allow them to be prosecuted as a felony. Protests have been a part of our country’s history, beginning with the Boston Tea Party and including the sit-ins in the South and the Martin Luther King March in Washington D.C. They may cause some inconvenience, but they usually bring about positive change. Hindering our right to assemble and protest is the first step in impinging on our freedoms and taking away our rights as Americans. Don’t let this happen! Patricia Vavrick Blaine Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

s Snow-capped mountains formed on Blaine’s horizon after light snowfall last week.

Photo by Ruth Lauman

Civic Meetings Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4:30 p.m., district offices, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info: bbwsd.com.

Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District: Third Wednesday, 6 p.m., location varies. Info: bbwarm.whatcom county.org.

Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.

Blaine Parks Board: Third Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 7 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: blainepc@ cityofblaine.com.

Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info: blaine.wednet.edu.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Birch Bay Chamber Office, 7900 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay. Info: blainebirchbayparkandrec.org.

North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 7 p.m. Blaine Fire Station. Info: nwfrs.net.

December 8 - 14, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

Birch Bay Chamber gets $86,500 from county lodging tax fund Whatcom County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. The committee makes recommendations for how to spend money raised by the county’s 2 percent lodging tax, which visitors pay at hotels, motels and other overnight accommodations. The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce is the only organization in Blaine or Birch Bay to receive county lodging tax money for 2017. In total, the lodging

By Oliver Lazenby Whatcom County Council awarded $86,500 to the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce for 2017. The money comes from Whatcom County’s lodging tax fund and must be used for operating the visitor center and marketing annual multi-day events that promote tourism. Council approved the grant on recommendation from the

tax advisory committee recommended $659,400 in grants to various events and tourism organizations throughout the county. The chamber received the

same amount of money last year. That money makes up the majority of the Birch Bay chamber’s annual budget, said Dannita Schacht, chamber executive

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seeks public comment on cleanup documents for Blaine Marina Inc. Cleanup Site

Unless noted, all meetings are held at City Hall, 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000 and are open to the public.

• A Draft Cleanup Action Plan; • A State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Non-Significance; • An amendment to the existing agreed order between Ecology and Port of Bellingham.

Ecology is making the documents available for public comment and will be accepting comments from December 12, 2016 to January 25, 2017. The documents are available at: • Ecology’s website: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites (search site name Blaine Marina) • Ecology’s Bellingham office, 1440 10th St., Suite 102, Bellingham • Ecology’s Bellevue office, 3190 160th Ave. SE, Bellevue WA. • Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street, Blaine WA. Submit comments to: Cris Matthews- Site Manager Department of Ecology 1440 10th Street, Suite 102, Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360-715-5232 Email: cris.matthews@ecy.wa.gov

360-366-5181

CITY OF BLAINE

The Department of Ecology is announcing a public comment period on several draft documents about the cleanup at the Blaine Marina Inc Cleanup Site. They include:

In 2012 Ecology and the Port entered into a legal agreement called an agreed order. It required that the Port repair a failing section of bulkhead, conduct an environmental investigation of the site, and prepare a draft cleanup plan based on its findings. The Port completed these tasks over the last several years. Ecology is now requiring the Port to take some additional actions to complete the design of the cleanup plan for the site. These are described in the amendment to the agreed order.

director. “It’s really significant – it’s all of our operations expenses, basically,” she said. “It’s how we can stay open.”

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Monday, December 12, 5 pm – Study Session – 2017 Budget, Vacation Process and 2017 Legislative Agenda 6 pm – City Council meeting Tuesday, December 13, 8 am Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee meeting

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Thursday, December 22, 7 pm Planning Commission meeting - Canceled Monday, December 26, city offices will be closed in observance of Christmas

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The Northern Light • December 8 - 14, 2016

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By Oliver Lazenby Blaine boys and girls varsity basketball teams both lost games at Nooksack Valley on Friday, December 2. The girls are off to a 1–2 start and the boys have a 1–1 record. The boys play their first home game of the season at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13 against Mount Baker. They play two away games at Port Townsend and Port Angeles this weekend. The next home girls game is against Nooksack Valley at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, December 16.

Blaine point guard Brynn Hallberg drives to the hoop against Nooksack Valley.

Photos by Janell Kortlever

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Blaine High School varsity sports recap November 30 – December 6, 2016 Boys basketball (1–1) December 2: Blaine lost 51–37 at Nooksack Valley Girls basketball (1–2)

December 2: Blaine lost 53–22 at Nooksack Valley December 6: Blaine lost 55–26 at home against Lord Tweedsmuir.

Wrestling: December 3: Blaine finished second out of 13 schools at the Mariner Holiday Tournament in Everett.

December 8 - 14, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

New wrestling coach hopes to continue Borderites’ winning legacy

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Colt Warren, 2004 state wrestling champion in the 2A division, took over for Craig Foster as Blaine wrestling head coach. Photo by Oliver Lazenby

new coach. “It is difficult because they’re used to Craig Foster and I’m different. But once competition starts it’s amazing how things coalesce and come together, just because we all have the same goals.” Caleb Frey, 2016 graduate and state finalist, is volunteering as assistant coach with the team, giving the wrestlers a link to the coaching staff, Warren said. Blaine school district athletic director Wayne Vezzetti said he doesn’t expect Warren to have trouble leading the team. “You can tell he’s going to form a great connection with the kids,” Vezzetti said. “I was very impressed in the interview. He’s very knowledgeable and Foster gave him a thumbs up.”

Strong returning wrestlers Warren hopes to continue the Borderites wrestling legacy. Blaine wrestlers have placed near the top at 2A state championship the last two years, and Blaine won the 1A state championship in 2014. The team will miss Caleb and Anthony Frey, state finalists who graduated last year. But current

captains Colton Economy, Riley Fritsch, Saul Magallon and Derreck Camba all went to state last year. “Leadership is a huge part of wrestling and I have great leaders on this squad,” Warren said. “It’s really great to see how much they’ve progressed and how much they’re helping their teammates progress.” The team has a couple of other 2016 state participants or alternates and several athletes who were on the cusp of going to state last year and will break through this year, Warren said. “We’re more than capable of being top three,” he said.

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Borderites wrestling placed second at the Mariner Holiday Tournament in Everett on December 3, despite only filling 10 of 14 weight classes. That’s a strong start considering an all-new coaching staff headed by Colt Warren is guiding the team. Warren, 30, graduated from Mount Baker High School, and is familiar with the wrestling legacy of Craig Foster, who he replaces as head coach. Foster coached in Blaine for 23 years and led the team to three top five finishes in the state. Though Foster is still helping with the program, Warren said it’s not easy to fill his role. Foster received Coach of the Year honors in 2014 and was inducted to the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014. “It’s hard considering that I’m stepping in for the legend that is Craig Foster,” Warren said. “But the team is starting to come together. We’re starting to find our identity, both as a team and a coaching staff.” A team identity and “brotherhood” (though there are five girls on the 35-member wrestling squad) is important to cultivate, Warren said. It’s the extra factor, beyond skill and strength, which helps individuals succeed on the mat. Warren knows because he’s lived it. He won a state championship his senior year at Mount Baker, and has seen a sense of camaraderie tip the scales for successful wrestling squads. “You know your team mates are relying on you. You’re doing it for more than yourself,” Warren said. “With wrestling, it’s really 80 percent mental toughness and your teammates really help with that. With a close team and that brotherhood, it’s amazing how far you can go.” After graduating from Mount Baker, Warren volunteered for a year as assistant coach at the school, and then went on to wrestle in college at Southwest Oregon Community College. He moved back to Bellingham when he was 22 and worked in a cubicle for three years as an insurance claims analyst for a dental office until he realized he could no longer stand being in a cubicle. Warren went back to school and graduated from Western Washington University with a master’s degree in teaching last June. He’ll start teaching social studies at Blaine High School later this year. For now, he’s substitute teaching in the district.

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The Northern Light • December 8 - 14, 2016

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From page 1

making consumption of shellfish unsafe. In 1999, the harbor was closed entirely. Closures have continued sporadically through the years. In 2004, the harbor reopened under specific approval conditions and required a five-day closure if 0.5

inches of rain fell within 24 hours, said Whatcom County senior water quality planner Erika Douglas. Closures were reduced in 2006, when .75 inches of rainfall in 24 hours became the new benchmark. Seasonal restrictions followed in 2010, imposing harvest closures from November through February. Starting in 2013 and until last week, the closure spanned November through January, she said.

Early harvest restrictions in the mid ’90s spurred the establishment of the still-active Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District advisory committee. For more than 10 years, Menzies chaired the volunteer committee which worked to improve water quality and restore shellfish harvesting. A number of hands came (Continued on next page)

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Public comments to open on Blaine Marina cleanup plan By Oliver Lazenby S Last week, the Washington State Department of Health lifted harvesting restrictions on 810 acres of Drayton Harbor. Station 4, pictured left, was re-opened for commercial harvest and the shoreline that runs along station 11 to 315 was opened to recreational harvest. Photo courtesy of Whatcom County Public Works

(Continued from previous page) together to support the initiative, including the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, which is credited with spurring volunteer restoration efforts in the harbor. The organization is responsible for launching the Drayton Harbor Community Oyster Farm, which was managed by Menzies and maintained by other volunteers and community partners. In

2004, it cultivated the first commercial harvest since the partial closure in 1995 and was later transformed into a commercial operation by Seymour. Outreach efforts led to the monitoring of 3,000 on-site septic systems located within the watershed, Menzies said. Small hobby farmers within the watershed were also approached about containing livestock waste, he said. Boat owners were also cau-

tioned from directly discharging waste into the harbor. Looking ahead, he admits the work must continue. “I think we’re at a critical point now,” he said. “We need to continue to be vigilant and make sure that we don’t lose it again.” Shellfish harvesters are encouraged to “check before you dig.” To get the latest on harvest restrictions, visit doh.wa.gov/ shellfishsafety.

Happenings

The state Department of Ecology (DOE) is holding a public comment period on several draft documents about cleanup at the Blaine Marina Inc. site. The site is at the industrial area at the end of Marine Drive. The draft documents include a cleanup action plan, a DOE determination that the work isn’t likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts, and an amendment to the legal agreement between DOE and the Port of Bellingham. The port leased that property to Blaine Marine, Inc. starting in the 1950s, according to a May 2015 DOE fact sheet about the site and cleanup. Blaine Marina, Inc., closed in May 2015. In 1955, the company installed three storage tanks to store gasoline and diesel fuel for dispensing at the fueling dock, and also for filling tanker trucks for delivery of home heating oil. Soil and groundwater samples in the area have found petroleum,

metals, volatile organic compounds and naphthalene. Most contamination at the site appears to be the result of an accidental fuel release in May 1990, according to the DOE fact sheet. The documents were not yet available at press time, but will be online at ecy.wa.gov/programs/ tcp/sites (search the site name bar for “Blaine Marina”). The documents can also be viewed at the Blaine Public Library and the Department of Ecology’s Bellingham and Bellevue offices. DOE is accepting comments from December 12, 2016 to January 25, 2017.

To comment, call site manager Cris Matthews at 460/715-5232, email cris. matthews@ecy.wa.gov, or send comments to Matthews with the Department of Ecology at 1440 10th Street, Suite 102, Bellingham, WA 98225.

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Wharf ... From page 1

with offices and residential units above. Building heights were limited to between 25 and 55 feet. It was hoped that a boutique hotel would become the anchor of the maritime-themed village. The amendment would allow water-related uses such as boat dry-stack facilities, and increase allowable building heights in various sub-areas. Behind the Port of Bellingham’s proposal is Portland-based com-

pany Sundance Yachts, which has expressed interest in building a 60,000-square-foot, $9 million boat storage building. Up to 350 boats, ranging in length from 15 to 30 feet long would be stored in an enclosed, 55-foothigh building. “It’s such a quaint town,” said company owner Rick Buck to commissioners. “I think it would really add to Blaine and would be a good business for Blaine to support.” Sundance Yachts grosses approximately $30 million in annual sales from its Portland and Se-

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attle facilities, according to Buck. The company offers retail boat sales, marine services and storage facilities, among other services. In February, the company suffered the total loss of its 90,000-square-foot boat storage facility in Portland after a fire consumed approximately 350 boats in a blaze that took nearly 12 hours to put out. In his presentation to commissioners, city planner Alex Wenger described the amendment and recommended approval. Opening up the types of use in Mariner Village would align with the Wharf District Master Plan’s central mission: to provide a mix of water-oriented, commercial, industrial and recreational activity in the area, he said. However, a few of Blaine’s planning commissioners appeared skeptical. “They’re great for the people that own the buildings and I guess it would be advantageous for the port because it’s their property, and at least they get something out of the property, but I don’t see where economically it’s real advantageous for Blaine,” said commissioner Susan Sturgill. “It’s not like we get a whole bunch of money from sales tax.” Fellow commissioner Ken Ely questioned the economic viability of the project, given its size and scope. Three members of the public expressed opposition to the proposal, while no one spoke in support of it other than the Port and Sundance Yachts, an absence that commission chair Van Tabb noted with “disappointment.” Blaine resident Shael Wilder questioned how the amendment would propel the original vision of the Wharf District Master Plan and remarked on market interest. “It’s not incomprehensible that there wasn’t a lot of development activity down on the Blaine waterfront in the last 10 years when there really wasn’t much development activity going on anywhere in this country,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the amendment,

s Blaine’s Mariner Village from the 2007 Wharf District Master Plan.

Port planning and development director Sylvia Goodwin had partially justified it based on the failure of the Marina Village vision to bear fruit. Following Wilder, Pat Grubb, publisher and owner of The Northern Light at 225 Marine Drive, shared similar sentiments. He said it was ironic that the proponent is also the agency that he said has failed to fulfill most of its obligations called for by the Wharf District Master Plan. Obligations that were considered vital in creating the conditions under which the plan’s vision would be realized, he said. Grubb described the port’s rationalization as the “governmental equivalent of the son who murdered his parents and asks the judge for mercy because he’s an orphan.” He also maintained that the conditions to approve a comprehensive plan amendment – one of which requires a demonstrated need based on changed conditions or new information – have yet to be met. “Staff states that this is satisfied because of market conditions that have changed since 2007. I beg to differ – the market has not changed one iota,” he said. “Our building was ready for occupancy in June 2007 and we have yet to

fully rent it out. The market was stagnant then and it is stagnant now.” Resident Naomi Knowlton followed with, “I find this amendment to be short-sighted. I think citizens want our greatest attributes preserved.” Commissioners questioned city staff and the proponent on why the storage facility couldn’t be placed either on the property next door where two web lockers are located or farther down the street where the commercial activities are permitted. Goodwin, both in person at the meeting and later in a written statement, said there was insufficient space in the commercial area for an expanded web locker, which would rule out the demolition of the other two lockers. However, the Port had agreed to the demolition as part of their responsibilities under the WDMP, an agreement that was signed by the port commission in 2007. “Blaine has been talking about economic development for a number of years,” said commission chair Van Tabb. “People have said one of the best things to do to make Blaine a more economically attractive area is to promote (Continued on next page)

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MountBakerExperience.com s One of two web lockers located next to Sundance Yachts that were slated for demolition under the 2007 Wharf District Master Plan.

Photo by Pat Grubb

December 8 - 14, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com (Continued from previous page) what we have, which is the water for one thing. In the same instance, a lot of people have said, ‘Well, why hasn’t the city done something,’ or ‘why hasn’t the port done something?’” The planning commission meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 8. In-person public comment

is no longer being accepted, but written comments can be sent via email to planningcommission@ cityofblaine.com or dropped off in person at city offices on 425 Martin Street until 4:30 p.m. on December 8 or at the planning commission meeting. Note from the editor: Pat Grubb, publisher of The Northern Light, contributed to this story.

s Sundance Yachts is proposing the construction of a boat showroom and 60,000-square-foot dry stack warehouse on the site of the former Blaine Marine Services leasehold. Staff with the company have recently updated the facility with eucalyptus siding.

Photo by Pat Grubb

A snapshot of the Wharf District Master Plan B y P at G r u bb Following a protracted planning and public consultation process, the Wharf District Master Plan (WDMP) was adopted by the city of Blaine and the Port of Bellingham in 2007. The overriding goal of the plan was to guide the creation and development of the wharf district as a destination and gateway to the city. As such, it incorporates a variety of “integrated recreational, commercial, marine, industrial, and residential activities.” These activities would take place throughout the district with specific areas delineated for particular focus. Planning Area 3 incorporates the south side of Marine Drive extending from the eastern boundary of the Sundance Yachts property (formerly Blaine Marine Services) to the western boundary of The Northern Light building’s leasehold, just short of the Blaine Harbor office. The northeasternmost boundary of Planning Area 3 abuts Planning Area 2, which is the easternmost Wharf District area running along the BNSF railroad right-of-way and includes the

boat launch, boat launch parking and a 100-foot-wide corridor alongside the railroad tracks (see map). The plan envisions the creation of Plover Park, which would include enhanced wetlands and pedestrian trails linking up the Wharf District 2-mile-long trail system. It also be linked with an over-the-tracks walkway to downtown Blaine at the H Street Plaza. The port’s proposed amendment would allow the construction of an enclosed boat storage facility directly adjacent to the planned park. The WDMP contains a long list of tasks detailing which agency (city or port) has project management responsibility and the anticipated timeline. Project management does not infer financial responsibility; rather, it denotes which agency must identify partners, develop a work program, determine potential funding sources and oversee implementation. Early action items were expected to be initiated in the 18 months in 2008 and 2009, midterm tasks in 2010-2015 and

long-term sometime after 2015. The port was assigned three tasks in Planning Area 3, all of which were listed as midterm objectives. These included upgrading Milhollin Avenue, completing the east harbor promenade and demolishing the two web lockers (2 and 3) sited between Milhollin Avenue and Gate 1. At the time the plan was adopted, the port had determined that just 60 percent of the web lockers were being used; not all of which were commercial fishing related. In fact, some of the lockers were being used for household storage. A major goal of the WDMP is the preservation of views from downtown and the wharf district. Specific view corridors through Planning Areas 2 and 3 were included in the plan. While the area would allow buildings as high as 55 feet, the plan presumed a mixed development of apartments, retail space and condominiums, not a storage facility. A mixed-use approach would further the goal of retaining the views shed both from downtown Blaine and from the district itself.

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December 8 - 14, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

Young at Heart: December 2016

O B I T U A RY

By Lorrie Conyac Thank you to all the vendors, staff, donors and customers that made the 10th Annual Christmas Bazaar a huge success at the Blaine Senior Center this month. We expanded into the pavilion this year and in spite of a few wrinkles had a very successful event. Dig out that old Christmas sweater, brush it off and wear it to the senior center on Friday, December 16 at 11:30 a.m. You’ll have the opportunity to show that your sweater is the worst ever and maybe you’ll win in the ugly, uglier or ugliest category. Good luck to you all! Don’t forget to take advantage of the community meal every Wednesday at the senior center from 5 to 6:30 p.m. We are fortunate in Blaine to have organizations willing to donate their time, skills and dollars to make sure that those who may need a warm meal, or an opportunity to meet and spend time with others, have a safe place to meet. This meal program is a part of the Blaine Community Assistance Program (CAP) and is sponsored by local churches, individuals and organizations. There is no charge for this meal, but donations are accepted. Are you wondering what your blood pressure is? Stop by the senior center between 11 a.m. and noon on December 22 and find out. The fire department will have someone available to check your blood pressure and talk to you about the results. This service is available every month, so you can keep track and work to

Charles “Jeff” Cushman

January 9, 1945 - November 29, 2016 Charles “Jeff” Cushman, age 71, passed away November 29 at Good Samaritan Society-Stafholt. He was born in Durham, North Carolina and grew up in Florida where he loved to fish in the surf. Jeff served in the Air Force in Vietnam. He later received a B.A. in accounting from the University of Florida and moved to New Orleans where he met his wife Sue and daughter Laura was born. Jeff’s work as a CPA brought him, Sue and Laura to Blaine in 1984 where son Chris was born. Jeff is survived by his wife Sue and three children: Kim Cushman (Johnny), Laura (Dave) Brudvik and Chris Cushman (Chantelle). He was in love with his one year old twin grandsons Aidan and Noah. Jeff was an avid Seahawks and Mariners fan and will be missed. A memorial service was held on December 4 at the Blaine Boating Center. Memorials can be made to Good Samaritan Society-Stafholt.

get your blood pressure under control if necessary. These firemen volunteer their time for this community service, so let’s take advantage of their good intentions and keep them busy during their time at the senior center. Are you starting to see your weight go up with all the good food and desserts we have available at this time of year? Well, I have the answer. Go ahead and enjoy yourself this month, and then enroll in our next strength training class that starts the week of January 23. All you have to do is come fill out the paperwork and you will be ready to burn off that extra weight next month with the help of our excellent instructor, Phil Aguire. We have a new volunteer of the

month, Theresa Pomeroy. She is a retired accountant and has served on the Blaine Planning Commission and on the Blaine City Council. She enjoys working at the front desk and she says, “Everyone is friendly and happy. It’s always a good day when I go to the senior center!” Well, Theresa, we think it’s a good day when you come to the center also. December is a time to look around and experience the joy of this holiday season. The board of directors of the Blaine Senior Center wish everyone a wonderful December and ask that you all remember us in the coming New Year. Blaine Senior Center is located at 763 G Street.

Whatcom County sheriff reports: November 29-December 1

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WHATCOM COUNTY

November 28, 1:26 a.m.: Assist citi-

hazard cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

November 30, 3:15 p.m.: Shots cold

zen on Harborview Road.

November 29, 12:34 p.m.: Civil

call on White Road.

November 28, 4:18 a.m.: Suspicious

problem cold call on Hoier Road.

November 30, 4:40 p.m.: Traffic haz-

vehicle on Deer Trail and Birch Bay

November 29, 1:02 p.m.: Vehicle

ard on Harvey Road.

Drive.

abandoned on Bay Road.

November 30, 5:42 p.m.: Senile sub-

November 28, 2:57 p.m.: Traffic haz-

November 29, 1:43 p.m.: Landlord

ject on Harborview Road.

ard on Grandview Road.

tenant dispute cold call on Birch

November 30, 7:30 p.m.: Domestic

November 28, 327 p.m.: Prescription

Bay-Lynden Road.

verbal on Petticote Drive.

fraud cold call on Moonglow Court.

November 29, 8:30 p.m.: Suspicious

November 30, 7:40 p.m.: Welfare

November 28, 4:13 p.m.: Assist citi-

vehicle on Kickerville Road.

check on H Street Road.

zen on Kickerville Road.

November 30, 1:41 a.m.: Suicidal

December 1, 7:25 a.m.: Suspicious

November 28, 9:53 p.m.: Serve war-

subject on Henley Street.

person on Loomis Trail Road.

rant on Pacific Highway.

November 30, 11 a.m.: Theft cold

December 1, 12:03 p.m.: Aggravat-

November 29, 8:51 a.m.: Shots on

call on Haynie Road.

ed assault on Harvey Road. Blaine

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Drayton Harbor Road.

November 30, 11:55 a.m.: Theft

man, 33, arrested for altering the ID

November 29, 9:43 a.m.: Alarm au-

13 week commitment. Call 332-1777 to reserve.

cold call on Morrison Avenue.

mark on a firearm.

dible on East Street.

November 30, 12:37 p.m.: Vehicle

December 1, 7:28 p.m.: Civil prob-

November 29, 9:47 a.m.: Hit and run

prowl cold call on Kickerville Road.

lem cold call on Kitimat Way.

cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

November 30, 12:38 p.m.: Serve

December 1, 10:27 p.m.: Suicidal

November 29, 10 a.m.: Traffic haz-

warrant on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

subject on Birch Bay Drive.

ard cold call on Alderson Road.

November 30, 3:09 p.m.: Extra pa-

December 1, 11:05 p.m.: Senile sub-

November 29, 10:01 a.m.: Traffic

trol on Anderson Road.

ject on Harborview Road.

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The Northern Light • December 8 - 14, 2016

Coming up

Police Reports December 1, 7:15 p.m.: Blaine Police responded with North Whatcom Fire and Rescue units to a business on H Street where a couple of employees had become ill and were reporting a possible gas leak. Officers assisted the fire crew with evacuating the most affected business and one adjacent to it. The fire department stood by until a gas company technician could respond to isolate and repair the problem. December 2, 11:40 a.m.: Several people called to report a vehicle occupied by four young adults in a business parking lot. All of the individuals appeared to be passed out as they were slumped over, heads hanging forward. Officers arrived and were able to rouse the occupants with some effort. When asked about any drugs in the vehicle, they admitted to having already consumed their heroin. A search of the vehicle was authorized by the driver, and officers located the paraphernalia the occupants said would be there. Two of the occupants stated they were sick and asked for help with their addiction. They are being connected with the appropriate community services. December 4, 2:56 p.m.: The Washington State Patrol requested assistance with an assault that had taken place on I-5. One of the participants was reported to be walking southbound on I-5.

An officer arrived and contacted the pair. Ultimately WSP arrested one of the scrapping sisters. December 6, 2:40 a.m.: Blaine Police assisted North Whatcom Fire & Rescue for a report of a medical emergency. The patient had a history of being physically aggressive, so an officer stood by while the patient was assessed and loaded into the ambulance. December 6, 6:10 a.m.: A person who wanted to remain anonymous called to report seeing a child crying in the middle of the street. An officer arrived and found a woman sitting in the street. She was crying because she and her boyfriend had a verbal disagreement. The officer spoke to the pair and learned they had been arguing about being homeless and having nowhere to go. The woman got out of the street and said they were going to try to find a hotel room for the night. December 6, 7:45 a.m.: Dispatch reported a boyfriend and girlfriend were arguing at a residence. An officer arrived and contacted the pair, who were arguing about a side relationship one of them was having. Both parties confirmed they had been arguing this morning but no one had been assaulted and no property had been damaged. An officer gave the man a ride to the library so the pair could have some time to cool off.

Crossword

ACROSS 1. Panhandles 5. Acquiesce 10. Stone 14. A dissolute man 15. Discover 16. City on the Yamuna River 17. Paying in fixed amounts at specified intervals (2 wds) 20. “C’___ la vie!” 21. Speech problem 22. Familiarize 23. Conk out 24. Lying, maybe 25. Sprawled out 30. ___ de deux 33. Parenting challenges 34. ___-bodied 35. “Buona ___” (Italian greeting) 36. “-zoic” things 37. Longing looks 38. Acclaim

39. Anger, with “up” 40. “Guilty,” e.g. 41. Egg: Prefix 42. “A Nightmare on ___ Street” 43. A large species of mammal (2 wds.) 45. Coin opening 46. Afflict 47. Fur pieces 50. Chooses, with “for” 52. Affirmative vote 55. Buckle 58. Song and dance, e.g. 59. Coach 60. Buddies 61. Shrub 62. Black 63. Sort

DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4.

Cheese on crackers A long, long time Burst of wind Undertake, with “out”

5. Joined by treaty 6. Hair goops 7. Alternative to steps 8. “ ... ___ he drove out of sight” 9. Confers titles of nobility 10. Fleet 11. Eye 12. ____-grape juice 13. German philosopher 18. Assumed name 19. Certain surgeon’s “patient” 23. Crowded 24. Radiant 25. About 1.3 cubic yards 26. Danger 27. Camelot, to Arthur 28. Young raptor 29. Less inept 30. Necklace item 31. Come to mind 32. Corporate department 35. Bar 37. Completely different 41. Trick-taking game 43. Knocked off, in a way 44. Wet 45. Splash around 47. Attempt 48. By way of, briefly 49. Crumbs 50. “Beetle Bailey” dog 51. Relating to sound 52. “Shoo!” 53. Canine cry 54. “... or ___!” 56. Center 57. Decide to leave, with “out”

FIND CROSSWORD ANSWERS AT THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

Blaine Police Incidents Summary Report November 2016 Animal Complaint

Assist Citizen/Civil Matters

Assist NWFRS

Assist Other Law Enforcement 6 Building Alarm

Burglary

Collision/Hit and Run

Driving W/ License Suspended 24 Drug Violations

DV Assault/Verbal/Order Viol

Juvenile Problem/Truancy

Lewd Act

Lost/Found Property

Maliscious Mischief

Minor In Possession

Missing Person/Runaway

Public Record Request

Robbery

Security Check

Suspicious Circumstances

Theft of Motor Vehicle

Theft/Shoplifting

This report is provided by the Blaine police department. A full listing of the week’s police report can be found at thenorthern light.com.

Tides December 9–December 15 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W

DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT Fr 9 12:52 am 6.1 5:55 am 3.9

12:37 pm 9.8 7:50 pm 1.4

Sa 10 2:22 am 7.0 7:09 am 4.8 1:17 pm 9.9 8:34 pm 0.1 Su 11 3:32 am 8.1 8:19 am 5.5

1:59 pm 10.0 9:20 pm -1.1

Mo 12 4:34 am 9.1 9:25 am 6.0

2:43 pm 10.0 10:04 pm -2.0

Christmas Open House: Through Saturday, December 10, VW’s Home and Garden, 8210 Portal Way. Goody bags, kids fun and sales. Info: 3663906. Holiday Festival of the Arts: Through December 24, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., 4145 Meridian Street, Bellingham. Shop for gifts from local artists. Saturday–Sunday, live music, free kids activities and more. Info: alliedarts.org. Pacific Arts Market: Friday–Sunday, December 9–11 and 16–18, Sunset Square, 1125 E. Sunset Drive, Bellingham. Shop for gifts locally crafted by local artisans. Info: pacificartsmarket.com. Live Music with Lord Knapp: Friday, December 9, 8 p.m., Paso del Norte, 758 Peace Portal Drive. Join the fun at this Christmas party. Info: 332-4045. Sleighbells Ring 2016: Saturday–Sunday, December 10–11 and 17–18, BelleWood Acres, 6140 Guide Meridian. Info: bellewoodfarms.com. American Legion Ladies Auxiliary 86’s Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, December 10, 9 a.m.–noon, American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. Breakfast $7, ages 10 and under free. Christmas Thrift and Boutique Sale: Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., The Bridge at Birch Bay, 4550 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Birch Bay. Coast Salish Winter Festival: Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Lummi Te’Ti’Sen Center, 4920 Rural Avenue, Ferndale. Authentic tribal art and small business fair. Info: 360/306-8554. Pet Pictures with Santa: Saturday, December 10, noon–4 p.m., People’s Place building, Lynden Fairgrounds. Picture sales benefit Kulshan Veterinary Hospital’s “Angel Fund,” helping stray animals and pets in need. Info: kulshanvet.com. Cub Scout Tree Sale: Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11, 1–5 p.m., Birch Bay Visitor Information Center, 7900 Birch Bay Drive. Enjoy hot cocoa and bake sale while selecting your tree. Proceeds benefit Cub Scouts Pack #4025. Info: 371-5004. Customer Appreciation Night: Saturday, December 10, 7 p.m., Pastime Bar & Eatery, 658 Peace Portal Drive. Food and drink specials, Las Vegas trip giveaway, Silver City Band perform at 8 p.m. Info: 306-3194. Christmas Carol Sing-Along: Saturday, December 10, 7–9 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett Street. Join us singing traditional Christmas Carols from Silent Night to Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer! Lots of fun with homemade goodies and raffles. $7 donation at the door. Custer Carol Sing-Along: Tuesday, December 13, 7 p.m., Custer United Methodist Church, 2996 Main Street, Custer. Join the Pilipino Chorus from First United Methodist Church in Burnaby, B.C. for a mixture of traditional, contemporary and a traditional Pilipino carol. Freewill offering for children’s missions. Dessert following. Info: 366-3379. Carols by Candlelight: Wednesday, December 14, 7 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 7215 Valley View Road. Refreshments to follow. Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Meeting: Thursday, December 15, noon, The Beach 7876 Birch Bay Drive. Lunch $15. Ugly sweater contest, Toys for Tots fundraiser and fun. Info: birchbaychamber.com. Shell-ebration: Friday, December 16, 4 p.m., Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, 677 Peace Portal Drive. Celebrate the improvement of water quality and the removal of harvest restrictions of Drayton Harbor shellfish. Info: 778-6302. Living Nativity: Friday, December 16, 6–8 p.m., Northwood Alliance Church, 580 C Street. Free family event featuring horse-drawn hay rides, manger with live animals, hot cider, goodies, live music and hear the true story of Christmas. Info: 332-8610. The Enchanted Toy Shop Dance Performance: Saturday, December 17, 7 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. Students from Day-To-Day Dance perform a holiday dance. Adults $10, kids ages 5-12 $5, under 4 free. Old Fashioned Caroling: Sunday, December 18, 5 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine. Sing-along caroling featuring Dana Cohenour on piano and John Sturdivant on guitar. Children’s program 5 p.m., main program 5:30 p.m.

Tu 13 5:28 am 10.0 10:27 am 6.4

Ongoing

Birch Bay Activity Center Events: 7511 Gemini Street, Birch Bay. Pound Fit, pickleball, yoga and more. Visit website for days and times. Info: bbbparkandrec.com or 656-6416.

3:27 pm 9.9 10:50 pm -2.6

We 14 6:18 am 10.5 11:27 am 6.5

4:15 pm 9.7 11:36 pm -2.7

Th 15 7:06 am 10.8 12:25 pm 6.5

5:03 pm 9.3

Weather Precipitation: During the period of November 29 to December 5, 1.35 inches of precipitation were recorded. The 2016 year-to-date precipitation is 34.53 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 49.8°F on December 3 with a low of 32.7°F on December 5. Average high was 47.6 and average low was 39.3. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

AA Meetings: Monday and Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, noon; Wednesday, 7 p.m. (women only); Saturday, 11 a.m., United Church of Christ, 885 4th Street, Blaine. Al-Anon Meetings: Tuesday, 1–2 p.m., Good Samaritan Society-Stafholt, 456 C Street, Blaine. Open to all. Info: 332-8248. Meditation Gathering: Tuesday 5:30–6:15 p.m., Blaine Chiropractic Center, 245 H Street. $5 drop-in fee. Info: Maureen, 920-1125. Birch Bay Toastmasters: Tuesday 6:30–7:45 p.m., Windermere building, second floor, Birch Bay Square, 8105 Birch Bay Square Street. Learn leadership and communication skills. Info: toastmasters.org or Paul, 303-4444. Semiahmoo Men’s Breakfast: First and third Thursdays, 8 a.m., Palmer Room, Semiahmoo Golf Course clubhouse. Breakfast ($15) and a speaker. Toddler Time: Thursdays, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Bring a lunch or snack. Free. Blaine Weight Watchers: Thursdays, 5–6 p.m., 580 C Street, Blaine. Karaoke with DJ Rudy: Friday and Saturday nights, 8 p.m.–midnight, Paso del Norte, 758 Peace Portal Drive. Info: 332-4045. Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

December 8 - 14, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

Blaine’s Holiday Harbor Lights festival

s Runners prepare to race during the annual Holiday Harbor Lights Dash on December 3. Photo courtesy of Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2

s Jude O’Shields confers with Mr. and Mrs. Claus during the Blaine Holiday Harbor Lights Festival. Photo by Louise Mugar

s Participants in the Holiday Harbor Lights Dash bundled up for the event.

Photo courtesy of Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2

s Blaine’s holiday tree stands tall in downtown. Photo courtesy of Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2

s Volunteers offered tasty treats during the Blaine Holiday Harbor Lights festival on December 3. Photo by Louise Mugar

The Northern Light • December 8 - 14, 2016

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