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Letters
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, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, 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.
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Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl
The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVI, No 11 Circulation: 10,500 copies Circulation Independently verified by:
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The Editor and Mr. Werner:
While it is your right to vote for President Donald Trump, please don’t ask for understanding. Yes, he is the first non-politician president. However, his previous experience of running businesses into bankruptcy (six times), squandering a $400 million inheritance, filing thousands of lawsuits to avoid paying legitimate business expenses, cheating on his taxes (and his wives’ taxes) and lying about his “success” did not bode well for his presidency.
His primary concerns are Donald Trump, not the country. He is trying to destroy the U.S. Postal Service to cripple vote-by-mail and win an election. His postmaster general was a huge campaign contributor with no prior experience who owns millions of dollars of stock in competing businesses.
Trump’s incompetence has led to countless unnecessary deaths. Actions such as gutting the pandemic response team, saying the virus was a hoax, holding rallies and failure to lay out a national strategy have caused massive disruptions in our lives and economy.
Trump has managed not to drain the swamp but fill it with corrupt cronies. At Goldman Sachs, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin peddled dangerous mortgage-backed securities, like those that blew up the economy. He was responsible for foreclosing on thousands at OneWest Bank.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, without any educational experience, loves school vouchers, meaning we taxpayers would pay students’ tuition at private schools.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross failed to divest assets when he said he would, lying to ethics officials, leading to a rare rebuke from the executive branch’s watchdog who refused to certify Ross’ financial disclosure.
But I do agree that they are “well-founded in their respective disciplines” – those of abject loyalty to a thoroughly corrupt chief executive.
So rather than love, I would ask as one citizen to another that you research Trump’s background. Two journalists who have spent years investigating Trump, Wayne Barrett and Pulitzer Prize-winner David Cay Johnston, are great sources. The future of the country is at stake.
Carol Kemp
Birch Bay
The Editor:
In regard to an article in the July 7 issue about Mike Hill – I drive by the roundabouts near D Street and Peace Portal Drive in Blaine all the time, noticing how great that area looks but didn’t know Mike Hill was the one making it all happen with mowing machines.
On August 19 at 9:30 a.m., I saw Mike on a riding mower and a second mower working by remote near the roundabouts. I wanted to let him know all his hard work in downtown Blaine over the years has been greatly appreciated.
For the last five years, every month-anda-half or so, I sweep up the debris by the curb, also making sure the drain cover is not clogged in front of my residence.
The street cleaner can’t always get to some spots because of the parked cars. If all the abled residents in Blaine would chip in 20 minutes every couple months, if needed, the streets in Blaine would look even better, especially in the fall by keeping the leaves away from the curb. And most importantly, making sure the drains are not clogged and any snow over an inch or so in the winter is cleaned off the sidewalk or salted, if needed.
A little work goes a long way in Blaine. Thanks again Mr. Hill for the outstanding work.
Mark Knott
Blaine The Editor:
Most of us would agree that being a parent is the most important (and difficult and rewarding) job we ever take on. Regardless of our religion, politics, age, race, gender, and sexual orientation, most of us would also agree on many of the qualities that we want to instill in our kids: Honesty, loyalty, kindness, compassion, and courage. Can they think of others’ needs as well as their own? Do they show respect to others, even if they disagree with them? If they are faced with a challenge, do they give it their best? When they make a mistake, or learn that they have hurt others, do they take responsibility and try to make amends?
If you agree that these are values that we share as human beings, try to instill in our children and try to exemplify in our own lives, please ask yourself: Shouldn’t the leader of our nation be among the best of us? Throughout my life, I may not have agreed with a president’s policies or beliefs, but I have generally felt confident that they were acting in the best interests of our country and were people of integrity, worthy of respect.
Our country is suffering. We face an ongoing pandemic, the severity of which is far worse in the U.S. than in many countries throughout the world. We face economic challenges of catastrophic proportions. We are deeply divided. We need a president who is a calm and experienced leader; competent; able to build consensus and get things done. We need a president who can bring us together; one we can feel proud of; that we can hold up as an example of the best of us to our children, our grandchildren and the world. Please vote for Joe Biden. Please.
Erika Werdal
Blaine
The Editor:
I am offended by bumper stickers that call groups of people names or invoke hatred (“Liberals suck,” “I hate liberals” etc.). Last week I saw a car with the following bumper and window stickers:
“Trump/2020,” “I have no problem with the Russians,” and “Ashkenazi/swine.” The latter made the hair on my arms stand up with fear.
I went home to research the word Ashkenazi and it refers to Jewish people who originated in Eastern Europe. So, basically it brought to mind the Nazi mindset that led to the Holocaust. There is no place in America for that kind of thought. When our political leaders don’t unequivocally condemn protesters who march, as they did in Charlottesville, Virginia, yelling: “The Jews will not replace us,” it encourages these individuals to vocalize their hate and, heaven forbid, act on these thoughts.
I know that there has been a backlash in our society against politically-correct speech. But allowing any hate speech not only divides our communities, but reflects poorly on the U.S. This is the United States of America and if we want it to be great again, we must not allow any group – religious, racial or political – to live in fear from these people. And we must not endorse politicians who feel the need to “include” these crazies because they represent another vote. We, collectively, need to do better and not normalize all this hatred.
Susan O’Malley
Blaine
The Editor and dog owners:
Hello, all dog owners, a simple request: Leash your dogs. It is a law that must be abided to. No, a property that has no fence does not mean that the dog gets to run freely around it, it must be on a leash at all times if it’s out.
A great tragedy happened on Sunday night that won’t be forgotten all too soon. While out walking our dog in the early evening down the alley that backs Harrison and Blaine avenues, my wife was toppled to the ground by two unleashed dogs. The result was a shoulder break so severe it required surgery that involved a metal plate, screws and pins.
The people who are responsible for this will never know how kind we can be as neighbors is just as much of an understatement as, “Well, it’s my yard so we don’t leash them.”
The pain that this was causing while waiting for the surgeon is indescribable and I would wish that on no person. The idea that the alley will be a good place for a night walk is no longer to be. The fact that a person can be so irresponsible to not follow a simple guideline is beyond me.
A good dog can also be a bad one given the right set of circumstances reminds me, as a dog owner, to comply with the law. Please, please leash you dog, even when you think your dog is not going to cause a problem, you just never know. Thanks to this one disregarded law, the end of this summer will be a pretty lousy one for my wife.
Brian Major
Blaine
The Editor:
I recently saw a young boy, Brayden Harrington, give a speech to the nation during the Democratic National Convention. His courage in showing his disability, stuttering, to the nation was inspiring to the 3 million others who stutter, and he’s only 13. He was inspired by Joe Biden.
Like Brayden, I stutter. However, you learn to hide it. For example, while speaking, you think ahead at what words you know you’ll “block” on, and before getting to the word, you pause, cough or exhale to allow the word to come out. Perhaps you quickly think of another word to say that you won’t stutter on. Quite often, you end up breathless, or you joke about not getting the word out. Maybe you decide to just plow through and openly display how bad your stutter is without hiding it. When Brayden spoke, he did not try to hide it or compensate for it. That’s courage.
One of the many reasons I am voting for Joe Biden is not that he stutters, but his stuttering contributes to his empathy. His “gaffes” might result in using the wrong words to avoid stuttering, but his history in dealing with his stutter is part of the reason he shows so much empathy. He has a heart. He cares for people. I think our country needs that now. Again, this is only one of many reasons I’m voting for Joe Biden.
Bob Blankinship
Blaine
The Editor:
In response to Neal Engledow’s letter, I, too, rarely engage in political debate. The left is only too quick to label Republicans/conservatives as “racists” or “haters,” which intends to discourage effective debate. Liberals tend to be influenced by their emotions, their “inner child,” liberal media, celebrity endorsements, race, sexual orientation and gender, rather than independent thought and studying the facts. They’ve forgotten that Joe Biden fought school integration and busing, was surprised that Obama was a bright and clean African American, that Black felons are too sociopathic to rehabilitate, and was also friends with some white supremacists?
President Trump is not destroying institutions. He stands up for America and the Constitution. He speaks freely and honestly, though often roughly, through tweets as he has to defend against “fake news”. We Republicans like his candor, and his unrehearsed, humorous rallies. He’s also not
divisive, if defending our Constitution, protecting our nation, building our economy, raising the standard of living, and providing more job opportunities for all Americans is divisive. This is not the time for a “softie” to be president.
Trump’s not in it for himself. He chooses not to take a salary, but has benefited millions of middle-class Americans with tax reductions and better jobs. He’s a political outsider, who got where he is by being a tough negotiator, hiring and “firing” advisers, and eliminating wasteful management. He didn’t bring political baggage with him, nor apologize for America as did his predecessor.
Neal feels that if Trump loses the election, his supporters will vent their anger with assault weapons. On the contrary, our fear is that the criminal violence, looting, anarchy, murdering and torching of cities under Democratic leadership will spread. The Democratic National Convention and Joe Biden are either ignoring these problems or don’t have a plan. Our president is strong on law and order.
I encourage my fellow Republicans to stand up and be counted. Engage your liberal friends in a respectful and constructive dialogue and counter their feelings with facts. Don’t be afraid. Vote and God bless America.
Lary Breitbarth, D.D.S.
Blaine
The Editor:
My wife and I were having dinner recently on the patio of a local resort bar. It was a lovely evening, with groups of families around us, kids and adults all masked. The bubbles were keeping separate. Also on the patio was a group of about 20 people socializing. They were all twenty-and-thirty-somethings, attractive, happy – and not masked. There were hugs and smiles, drinks in hand and no separation other than a relaxed two to three feet. I noticed one fellow introduce another to a couple more. There were handshakes and smiles and no separation or masks.
This is going to be a long pandemic.
Graham Hunter
Blaine
The Editor:
After reading several anti-Trump letters, I feel it’s time for another perspective. Here are some accomplishments of President Trump that you might not be aware of. • 4 million new jobs have been created and unemployment claims hit a 50-year low. • Female unemployment dropped to 3.6 percent in May 2018, the lowest since 1953. • The 25 percent lowest-paid Americans enjoyed a 4.5 percent income boost in November 2019. • Trump signed the National Resources Management Act, which designated an additional 375,000 acres as protected land. • Trump signed the “Save our Seas Act,” which reauthorizes $10 million per year to clean tons of plastic and garbage from the ocean. • Trump signed a bill this year allowing some drug imports from Canada so that prescription prices would go down. • Trump has brought businesses back to the U.S. and lowered the number of unemployed.
Why has he been falsely accused of absurd accusations and called names? The reason: He wasn’t supposed to win. President Trump appealed to citi
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zens who took pride in the U.S. and those citizens were tired of eight years of Obama apologizing to the world about us. I am saddened at the inexcusable and total lack of respect shown to President Trump and the office of the president. I am proud to be an American and I’m proud to say the U.S. is great and I want to keep it that way. Why don’t you? Has anyone writing anti-Trump letters ever really listened to President Trump? Do all those negative traits of President Trump come from the media? Our election isn’t a personality contest. Our 2020 election is about keeping our president, who brought our economy back, created jobs, put money in your 401K and savings and kept us safe. Imagine you own a business (the U.S.). Do you want a lifelong politician running it or an experienced business executive?
Kindly tell me why you have a problem with our president? You don’t like his tweets, his brashness, his past? Let me know when you find that perfect person, I only know of one so far…Jesus.
Anne Freeman
Birch Bay
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CITY OF BLAINE
Due to COVID-19 and the Governor’s Proclamation, meetings are now only open to the public telephonically. Information on how to listen to the meeting live will be on the City Council agenda which is located on the City’s website homepage under Your Government, City Council, City Council Agenda. Please check the agenda prior to each meeting as the call in number or location may change.
Thursday, August 27 *CANCELED* 9:00am – Parks and Cemetery Board Meeting
Thursday, August 27 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, September 7 City Offices Closed – Labor Day
Tuesday, September 8 8:00am – Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee
Thursday, September 10 9:00am – Parks and Cemetery Board Meeting
All City offices are currently closed to the public. Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website.
Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website. www.cityofblaine.com
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B y O l i v e r L a z e n y CEO of a modular home development company with a pun name:
Blaine City Council decided Surelock Homes. not to pursue an unsolicited ofThe old city hall closed in 2012 fer to purchase the old city hall, after the city moved its offices at 344 H Street, at its August to the current location at 435 24 meeting. Martin Street. The Blaine Police
City manager Michael Jones Department is storing some evreceived a letter from Leonard idence and impounded items in Rivero, who expressed interest part of the building, but it is othin purchasing the property to erwise unused. develop multifamily housing. It’s City council pursued selling unclear what Rivero wanted to the building in 2019, but at a offer for the property, though he February 2020 study session, did mention several amounts in decided to retain the property the letter. for future use. Before then, the
“We are willing to refurbish city issued a request for proand redecorate the building for posals with an asking price of multi-family housing with the $400,000, but did not receive any highest quality at an estimate cost proposals. The city is currently of up to $350,000,” he wrote. The working toward demolishing the letter, typed in a bold and italic building and plans to keep some s The city of Blaine received an offer to purchase the old city hall property, at 344 H Street. Currently, the font, continued to say that Rivof the lot for expansion of the city is working toward demolishing the building and it plans to retain part of the property to allow the police ero would also consider tearing police station. station to expand into it. down the existing structure to reSince city council had prePhoto by Oliver Lazenby develop it. “If that be the case, the viously decided not to sell the da if it wished to revisit a sale. Councilmember Charlie Hawmake sense for me.” land value would be worth about property, Jones brought the offer “If you do want to put it on the kins remained vocal about keepJones concluded the discussion $200,000 after the existing buildto council for its attention only. market, I suggest we do exactly ing the property. by telling council that he would ing is removed and the property “Unless you’ve changed your that rather than just accept one “Once again, we don’t have tell the prospective buyer that the is leveled ready to build on.” minds, I will tell him we are unsolicited offer.” very much city land and the idea city isn’t interested in selling at
In closing the letter, Rivero not interested in selling at this Several councilmembers exwe’re going to give up an area this time. “And you all know the included a B.C. phone number. time,” Jones told city council. pressed renewed interest in putin downtown Blaine, next to the process for agendizing an item if Rivero’s LinkedIn profile deHe advised the council to put the ting the property on the market police department, just doesn’t you want to consider marketing scribes him as the president and item on a future meeting agenin the future, though not through make sense,” he said. “Losing the property for sale in the fua request for proposals, which land for future city development ture,” he said. ALLEY AUTO INC 365 D Street • 360-332-7018 MON-FRI 8AM TO 5:30PM places more parameters on a potential buyer. just to sell it for a couple hundred thousand dollars just doesn’t Two new programs for those struggling with housing due to Covid-19 mented by the Whatcom County until the end of the year or until B y K y r a P l a n e t z Health Department in cooperafunds are exhausted. Two new housing assistance tion with local partners. In addition to meeting income programs funded by the CARESThe health department exrequirements, applicants must
We Install Quality NAPA Parts. Act will help eligible households pects to spend over $3.3 million “have experienced income loss struggling with lost income due in federal CARES funds between due to Covid-19, lack resourcWe’re small, but we have it all! In stock, same day or next day service! Your one-stop shop for all your automotive needs! We won’t be undersold on all truck, car and motorhome tires! to Covid-19 make rent or mortgage payments. The programs, CARES Housing Assistance and CARES Eviction Rent Assistance the two programs. The CARES Housing Assistance program, which will provide supplemental housing payments to eligible es to pay their rent or mortgage, hold the lease or mortgage contract for their home, and not be receiving other funding intended Program (ERAP), is being implehouseholds, is expected to serve for the same purpose,” according approximately 200 households to the health department. earning between 50 and 80 perTo complete an application and cent of the area median income. verify eligibility, those seeking asThe health department also exsistance through either program pects “significantly more houseare encouraged to contact the holds will benefit” from ERAP, Opportunity Council at 360/734- which is similar but available 5121 ext. 316 to schedule an Member of the Month to households earning less than 50 percent of the area’s median household income, which is appointment. After receiving the necessary documents verifying eligibility, both programs Silver Reef Casino Resort $59,285, according to 2018 cen sus data. will issue checks to landlords or mortgage lenders on behalf of 4876 Haxton Way Both programs will be available the resident.
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On August 17, Birch Bay-Blaine Thrives hosted the first annual Chalk Up the Town with Hope event. The event aimed to share messages of hope and positivity through street art.
Participants drew with chalk on the walkway behind the high school gym. tion’s survey that was sent July
All photos by Geof Morgan
County Boys and Girls Clubs to offer childcare during school hours
B y G r a c e M c C a r t h y
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County will offer distance learning assistance and licensed daycare at several sites in the county, with possible expansion to Blaine.
Project Connect, the new K-6 program, will start by helping students access remote learning at the organization’s chapters in Bellingham and Ferndale. The Ferndale clubhouse is the only location open for enrollment, but the organization will open the Bellingham site when enrollment reaches 48 kids in Ferndale, said Heather Powell, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County. To date, 20 of the 60 spots in the Ferndale location have been filled since registration opened August 21.
Families in the Blaine and Lynden school districts, where Project Connect has not started, are encouraged to register their child in another clubhouse in the county, and if enough demand allows, the organization will try to open other locations.
“Our role is to be an advocate for the kids who need us the most in the community and right now we’re trying to solve an equity issue for the communities we serve,” Powell said.
A number of Blaine families s Students attended programs
at the Blaine chapter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County this summer. The organization will now offer a K-6 distance learning program for parents unable to supervise their children during school hours.
Photo courtesy of the Boys and Girls Club need, childcare in the organizasaid they would benefit from, or
31 from the Blaine school district to families. But of those survey participants, only a small percentage said they would be willing to pay up to $150 per week for all-day childcare, Powell said.
The cost of Project Connect varies every month between $350-550 per month for fulltime enrollment and $264-429 for enrollment three days per week, according to the organization’s website.
Based on the surveys, the demand for childcare in Blaine was greater than Ferndale, but less than Lynden or Bellingham. But the program will start in Ferndale because the Blaine location still needs to determine if it can use its pavilion, which is shared with three other organizations, Powell said. Once the organi(See Childcare, page 15
When you don’t know where to turn... because someone drinks too much... Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Learn more by attending a confidential meeting in your community. Whatcom County Al-Anon - Online Video Meetings Available (Zoom & GoToMeeting)
Information at http://whatcomafg.org
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