April 12 - 18, 2018
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
Community Assistance Program releases annual report, page 3
IN THIS
ISSUE
Active Seniors special section, pages 8 and 9
Soccer loses at Lynden, page 6
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
City council Bench dedicated as part of “No Bully Zone” program appoints interim city manager Position set to last six months, potential to become permanent B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
(See Interim, page 3)
s The city of Blaine, the Healthy Youth Coalition and the Pizza Factory held a ribbon cutting at the Blaine Skate Park on April 10 to dedicate a new anti-bullying bench. The bench is part of Pizza Factory’s corporate-wide “No Bully Zone” program. “The goal is that when someone feels left out, they can sit on the bench. We’re educating kids that when they see someone sitting there, they include them, they come up to them and say, ‘Hi, would you like to come play with us?’” said Pizza Factory CEO Mary Jane Riva, who traveled from California to attend the ribbon cutting. Photo by Oliver Lazenby
Missing man found deceased in vehicle off H Street Road B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Robert Cross, a 64-year-old resident of Lynden who was reported missing last month, was found dead in his vehicle on April 7 at the 2800 block of H Street Road in Blaine, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WSCO) reported. Cross was reported missing on March 6 by a family member who last saw him at Froberg Road and H Street Road in Lynden. Days later, WCSO notified the public of his disappearance. Along with friends and family, deputies checked areas Cross was likely to frequent, but found nothing.
Updates about the search were regularly posted to ‘Missing: Robert Cross,’ a Facebook page. The page noted that Cross had a heart condition. On April 7, passersby discovered Cross’ body inside his 2003 GMC Yukon SUV in a field behind a residence, said WSCO undersheriff Jeff Parks. He said U.S. Customs and Border Protection searched the area during the initial stages of the investigation by helicopter and on the ground, but found no sign of Cross or his vehicle. “Mr. Cross was turned over to the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office and further investigation into the matter
Blaine musician pens memoir about career By Jack Kintner Oboist Joe Robinson, a key figure in the Whatcom County music scene and part-time resident of Blaine, wrote “Long Winded, An Oboist’s Incredible Journey to the New York Philharmonic,” a wonderfully entertaining and informative memoir. It’s a fascinating, and often quite funny look at how this small town North Carolina native went from playing in his high school band to the top of the music world – nearly three decades as principal oboist
with one of the best and most renowned orchestras in the world. Asked what brought him to Whatcom County, he said it was to visit his long-time friend Michael Palmer, artistic director of the Bellingham Festival of Music. The two began their careers together with the Atlanta Symphony 52 years ago. Palmer had been pestering Robinson to visit for some time, “And I finally did in 1989,” Robinson said. “It was love at first sight, it’s like a little Shangri-La, a wonderfully scenic place and great golf, too.”
Not long afterward, he and his wife Mary Kay bought a house here and began a nearly two-decade residence shared between Blaine and Robinson’s native North Carolina. Robinson’s book spends almost no time at all detailing his time playing with what he calls the country’s oldest and most prestigious orchestra. He devotes the book’s last few pages to his “second chance” audition with conductor Zubin Mehta, (See Memoir, page 15)
continues,” Parks said. “It does not appear that any foul play was involved and he may have passed away due to natural causes.” On behalf of the family, the following was posted to the ‘Missing: Robert Cross’ Facebook page: “We are deeply saddened to inform you that Robert’s body and vehicle have been found off the road in Blaine hidden in a field with tall brush. Thank you all for your prayers and your support. … If you’d like to help out, we could use your help taking down flyers. If you put any out, or see any around town, it would be greatly appreciated if you could take them down and dispose of them.”
INSIDE
Blaine community development director Michael Jones will take the helm as interim city manager in June. Jones will replace city manager Dave Wilbrecht who is retiring on June 15. Wilbrecht has held the position for approximately five years. At a special meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 16, Blaine City Council is slated to formally approve Jones’ appointment. The news first broke at the tail end of a regular city council meeting on April 9 by mayor Bonnie Onyon. In a press release issued the next day, she said: “We are glad there is someone inhouse who is qualified for the position. In addition to Michael’s experience and academic qualifications, he provides history and continuity with the city. The city council is confident that Michael is up to the task and looking forward to working closely with him as we chart the city’s course in the years ahead.” Jones began working for the city in 2007 and is the director of community development. In addition to his experience working for the city, he also has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of s Michael Jones. Washington. The city decided to forgo the typical process of hiring a recruiting firm to perform a candidates search and instead decided to promote Jones to interim manager for six months with an option to make it permanent after that period. “Having a longtime employee in the
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