November 9 - 15, 2017
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IN THIS
ISSUE
A Tribute to our Veterans, pages 9-12
Residents can apply for key positions serving the city
Early general election results are in, page 13
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
‘Active Seniors’ section, page 18-19
Peace Arch City Cafe opens doors at new location
B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
s Peace Arch City Cafe opened in the former Pastime Bar and Eatery on Peace Portal Drive on November 3. Owners John Quimod and Kylie Bestul previewed their dinner menu on November 7. From l., long-time Pastime owner Mary Lee Hill, Jacquie Friend, Mike and Skye Hill.
Photo by Louise Mugar
Election results usher in new faces B y P at G r u bb It appears that the traditional New Year’s refrain, “Out with the Old, in with the New,” was sung a little early in 2017, at least for Blaine City Council. Two out of three incumbents, mayor Harry Robinson and Paul Greenough, lost their seats in Tuesday’s election to respective newcomers Alicia Rule and Eric Davidson. Charlie Hawkins was the sole incumbent to retain his seat against challenger Justin Ledesma and write-in candidate Rachel Hrutfiord.
Another incumbent, Bonnie Onyon, ran unopposed and will return to a council filled with new faces. Rule and Davidson will join fellow newcomer Meg Olson who was appointed to council in September to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Dennis Olason. All will join Steve Lawrenson and Mary Lou Steward whose terms run until 2019. The winds of change also breezed over the Blaine school district as long-time board member Mike Dodd was unseated by challenger Laura McKinney. Joan Lotze ran unopposed and will remain as
County still a ways from finalizing permit issues By Oliver Lazenby Whatcom County Public Works staff have asked the county council to approve the final chunk of money needed to complete the roughly $11.45 million Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project (usually called the Birch Bay berm). Staff requested $7.85 million for the design and construction phase of the project at the council’s November 8
meeting. However, construction likely won’t start until September 2018 and is still contingent on right-of-way negotiations and permits. “The logic is to accomplish this now, so that when permitting and right of way are complete, we don’t have another procedural hurdle to jump before we go to construction,” said county engineering manager Jim Karcher. County council will hold a public hearing on the request at a future meet-
ing. The request doesn’t add to the total cost of the project; the council has been approving funds for the project incrementally. The county has acquired 95 percent of the temporary and permanent easements it needs for construction, and permits are “submitted but working through regulatory channels,” according to meeting documents. Public works staff (See Berm, page 2)
school board director, District 3. The folks at the Blaine/Birch Bay Park and Recreation District must have butterflies in their tummies as the fate of their 6-year levy remains uncertain due to voter turnout. Although the Yes votes are running at 70 percent, well above the 60-percent super-majority required, the turnout at 3,244 is below the required threshold of 40 percent of the last election. The measure needs another 197 voters to pass – and they could likely turn up – as (See Election, page 3)
INSIDE
Are you interested in making a difference? Six positions serving the city are open for application. There are multiple positions on the Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee (BTAC), Blaine Park and Cemetery Board and Blaine Planning Commission open this year. Applicants must reside in city limits and submit their applications by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13. BTAC is a nine-member committee of which two positions are non-voting members. Its current members are Annette Bagley, Christopher Hutsen, Bob Boule, Debby Farmer, Louise Mugar, Dannita Schacht, Steve Lawrenson, Debbie Harger and A.R. Selu Loubert. Loubert’s term expires December 31. BTAC meets the second Tuesday of each month and reviews and recommends funding requests for hotel and motel tax revenue. The vacant position is an at-large seat; its term runs until December 31, 2021. The seven-seat Blaine Park and Cemetery Board’s current members are Sandie Miller, Joan Clark, Sandra Schable, Janet Pickard, Garth Baldwin and Sean Ventura. The board meets at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month and is responsible for issuing recommendations on city parks and cemetery matters. A seat held by Ayn Balback was left vacant following her resignation earlier this year. As well, the terms of Schable, Ventura and Miller are also expiring. There are three positions with four-year terms ending December 31, 2021 and one position with a term ending on December 31, 2019 needing to be filled. The Blaine Planning Commission is a seven-person board; current members are Calvin Armerding, Susan Sturgill, John LeBrun, Kevin Owens, Richard May, Larry Wonnacott and Steve Hrutfiord. The commission meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. May’s position expires in December so the city is looking to fill a full term ending on December 31, 2021. Per Blaine Municipal Code, concurrent service on more than one board, commission or committee is prohibited. To obtain an application, visit bit.ly/2haDi7q.
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