July 12 - 18, 2018
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Photos: Demolition starts at Blaine High School, page 4
Active Seniors section, page 8
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Photos: Blaine’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration, page 7
Buyers vie for Musicians set to perform at the G Street Plaza through Saturday remainder of the Gateway Parcel Blaine City Council aims for a hotel at the north end of the site B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
(See Gateway, page 2)
s Drayton Harbor Music Festival faculty Clipper Anderson, l., and Lou Abbott perform at a free concert at noon on July 9 at the G Street Plaza in Blaine. To learn more about the festival, which runs through Saturday, July 14, visit draytonharbormusic.org. Photo by Oliver Lazenby
Deputies allegedly assaulted on Fourth of July in Birch Bay By Oliver Lazenby A 27-year-old Birch Bay man was booked into Whatcom County Jail for allegedly stealing a bicycle and assaulting three Whatcom County sheriff’s deputies who attempted to arrest him after a July 4 celebration. Nicolas Ray Allen allegedly stole a girl’s purple bicycle from a yard in the 7700 block of Birch Bay Drive. Several witnesses reported seeing the theft and described the suspect to the victim. The victim confront-
ed Allen, who allegedly admitted taking the bicycle and explained where he left it. After recovering the bicycle, the victim and several witnesses reported the suspect to Whatcom County sheriff’s deputies at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 5. Several officers were in the area for a special July 4 detail and deputy Scott Mellema confronted Allen at about 12:40 a.m. at the 7600 block of Birch Bay Drive. Officer Mellema reported immediately smelling alcohol on the suspect.
Park ranger Ted Morris retires after a 43-year career By Oliver Lazenby While looking around Birch Bay State Park’s BP Heron Center during a meeting last month, Ted Morris felt a sense of pride as more than 60 people discussed plans for the future Birch Bay library. On that Monday, the center filled a role Morris hoped it could when the idea was conceived in 2002. “It was just a cool feeling to see all those people funneling in and to think we wouldn’t have a place to do this if it wasn’t for us,” Morris said.
Morris retired late last month after 20 years as head ranger at Birch Bay and Peace Arch state parks and 43 years with Washington State Parks. The BP Heron Center, a log building that hosts interpretive and educational programs and community meetings, may be his most visible legacy. But it’s just one of countless projects he took on that went beyond his job description as head ranger. Morris’ accomplishments include helping to form the Friends of Birch Bay State Park group, getting the boat launch and
playground built at Birch Bay State Park, restarting the dormant Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation 2 (BBPRD2) and forging relationships with businesses, nonprofits and government groups. “Ted left an impression on the community and the direction of the park,” said Jason Snow, who worked with Morris for the past 20 years and will take over as park operations manager. “He elevated it.” At 61, Morris feels he has more to offer (See Morris, page 10)
Mellema told Allen he was a possible suspect in a bicycle theft and Allen began swinging his hands and arms and yelling, according to Mellema’s detailed report on the incident. Mellema called for a second deputy and at least three other officers responded. Allen then allegedly tried to grab at Mellema’s flashlight and appeared “highly agitated,” and ignored commands to keep his (See Deputies, page 6)
INSIDE
Now more than ever, real estate investors want a piece of Blaine’s Gateway Parcel. “We have been pretty busy with the Gateway property, especially as of late, due to a number of factors,” Mike Kent told Blaine City Council. “The most important of which is probably just the general optimism in the business community both in Whatcom County, Washington state and the nation right now.” Kent and Jeff Johnson, both local Windermere real estate agents, were hired by the city of Blaine in February to list the unsold portions of the approximately 40-acre property. The pair gave the update to city council during its regular meeting on July 9. “What we’ve been seeing in the last 24 months is a huge transition from the Puget Sound and Seattle area. A lot of pressure is coming north up the I-5 corridor on land in Whatcom County because land is a lot cheaper in Whatcom County than it is in Snohomish County and, of course, King County,” Johnson said. Since listing the property, the pair has received about 150 hits on the commercial broker website they use, Johnson said. “I am optimistic that we can position the [remaining] 6.5 acres quite well,” he said. “I’m pretty bullish that we’re going to get the right kind of user and get the property sold.” Following the presentation, Blaine City Council took action on several items that pertain to the Gateway Parcel. Here’s a look: “Vision a Reality” Local investors and builders Manmohan Singh and Shamsher Singh Randhawa presented a letter of intent to the city council to purchase 2 acres on the north end of the parcel. The letter, written on behalf of the investors, stated the pair wanted to help the city make its “vision a reality.” The proposal included a 60-unit hotel, a 2,000-square-foot restaurant and a 20-unit, multi-family residential development.
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14
Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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