The Northern Light - May 17, 2018

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May 17 - 23, 2018

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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer

IN THIS

ISSUE

Parks and recreation summer guide, page 9

Birch Bay golf cart hearing set, page 2

City to replace five cop cars, page 8

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

Report casts critical eyes on police department By Stefanie Donahue

(See Report, page 3)

s The Sea Skills Boating Festival, held May 12 at Blaine Harbor, offered participants numerous opportunities to learn or upgrade their boating skills in areas such as the proper use of marine distress flares as seen above. More photos on page 19. Photo

by Wayne Broadhead

City council considers ward-only voting move By Oliver Lazenby The manner in which Blaine city councilmembers are elected could change. Council at its May 14 meeting directed staff to prepare an ordinance for ward-only elections. In ward-only elections, councilmembers are elected exclusively by voters in their wards. Currently, if three or more candidates run in a particular ward, there’s a preliminary, ward-only election to select two can-

didates. The city at large votes on the top two candidates in the general election. “That’s a little unusual,” said city manager Dave Wilbrecht at the meeting. “Most every place I’ve worked candidates are voted on by constituents within their bounds.” Former city councilmember Dennis Olason, a longtime advocate of ward-only voting, brought the issue up to the council in a letter. The city will bring a proposal for ward-only voting to the council at

Two-times lucky with the Lady By Kara Spencer Local residents will have two chances to see the Lady Washington this year. The official tall ship of Washington, joined by companion vessel Hawaii Chieftain will be parked at the Blaine Harbor Marina on June 1-5 and again August 4-6. The Lady Washington’s first visit will be part of Ride to the Border day festivities, taking place Saturday, June 2. The replica of a Revolutionary War pri-

vateer will offer vessel tours at various times during its visit, along with Battle Sail or Evening Sail opportunities, which offer demonstrations of tall ship handling, sea shanty singing and maritime amusements. Vessel tours have a suggested $5 donation; sailing event tickets cost $42 for children 12 and under and $79 for adults. In 1788, the original Lady Washington, named in honor of Martha Washington, became the first American vessel to make (See Lady, page 2)

one of the next two meetings, Wilbrecht said. State law requires public notice and a public hearing before council adopts new voting rules. Ward-only voting could potentially limit incentive for councilmembers to think about the city as a whole. “Right now, I feel like I represent every one in the city, and I like that,” said councilmember Eric Davidson. “If I’m only (See Ward-only, page 3)

INSIDE

Not all of the Blaine Police Department’s policies and practices are up to snuff with industry standards, according to a recent report. Produced through the Loaned Executive Management Assistance Program (LEMAP), the report is boiled down into 18 chapters and features more than 100 administrative and operational recommendations for the Blaine Police Department to consider. It was released on March 28 by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), which provides management consulting and other technical assistance to law enforcement agencies in Washington. “The goal of this LEMAP review is to provide the Blaine Police Department and city officials with a critical look at the organization through the eyes of peer professionals,” reads the report. “The resulting report should serve as a guide to identify areas in need of strengthening and highlight positive and innovative programs and practices.” The LEMAP report was conducted by chief David Doll, lieutenant Don Almer and sergeant Jay Hart of the Bellingham Police Department; chief John Dyer, and administrative manager Julie Ubert of the Lake Stevens Police Department; Kelly Donnelly, a police records specialist; and Michael Painter, WASPC director of professional services and LEMAP lead. On February 20 and 21, the LEMAP team visited the police department to interview staff and gather information. In preparation, they reviewed documentation given them by interim police chief Michael Knapp. A former chief of police in Medina and Ferndale, and a member of WASPC, Knapp has had prior experience with LEMAP. “It provides the guide post for change,” Knapp said of the report. “It gives you some direction to prioritize your efforts and I’ve done this in every department I’ve been in.” Knapp was hired to serve as interim police chief last November, a day after longtime chief of police Mike Haslip retired. City manager Dave Wilbrecht asked Knapp to review the policies and practices of the

Coming Up . . . . . 18 Classifieds . . . . . 15 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 18

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