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The Northern Light • April 29 - May 5, 2021
Opinion
The Northern L ght 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. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com. Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com
Working Waterfront Coalition annual fundraiser a hit
s The Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County held two seatings for its annual fundraiser, Tide to Table, on April 20 at Drayton Harbor Oyster Company (DHOC), raising money for scholarships in the marine trades. Over 6,000 jobs in Whatcom County are created or supported by the maritime sector, representing 7 percent of the total workforce. Clockwise from top left: Pete and Debbie Granger, board members of the Working Waterfront Coalition; the seafood for the Celebration of the Salish Sea dinner was sourced and prepared by DHOC and Kaisacole Seafoods. The seafood tower was a hit; Louise Mugar, co-publisher of The Northern Light, won the Chuck the Shuks competition at the first seating, as did Ellen Clothier in the second competition; the Criswells and Jenkins enjoyed the food and festivities. Courtesy photos
Letters
Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Ian Haupt ian@pointrobertspress.com Reporting Interns Nolan Baker, Sienna Boucher prpintern@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl, Gary Dunster, Andy Peterson The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVI, No 45 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Next issue: May 6 Ads due: April 30
The Editor: The Blaine High School Hall of Fame was formed four years ago under the auspices of the Blaine Booster Club, a 50.1 C3 support group of BHS athletics. Its purpose is to honor former BHS athletes, coaches and community members who have exemplified excellence and sacrifice in support of all areas of athletics. In 2019, our first class of inductees was honored and introduced to our community at a home football game and the next day at a ceremony in the PAC. They consisted of: • Football State Champions, 1978; • Bob Robertson, Contributor,1947; • Coaches Craig Foster and Rob Ridnour; • Tim Evans, 1974; • Richard “Handshake” Hanson, 1964; • Chris Jorgensen, 1989; • Ken “Bud” Markusen, 1962; • Cherish Morrison, 2012; • Luke Ridnour, 2000; • Leslie Seelye, 1997; • Jessica Summers, 2004; • David Wiens, 1973. Our new class of inductees were chosen
but because of Covid-19, we were unable to have our ceremony last year and postponed it until 2021. Here are the names of the new inductees: • 1990 State Champion Wrestling Team • 1990 Baseball State Champions • Contributor Dale Flint • Distinguished Honorees: Ernie Jacobs, Bob Robbins • Athletes Joe Pacioreki, baseball; Dwayne Magnusson, wrestling; Teresa Holleman Goninan, track; Becky Riddle, track and field; Joan Swanson, volleyball, basketball, softball and track; and Rodney Dohner, football, wrestling and baseball. Our community was challenged in many ways this past year, including the yearlong border closing. Because of this, we were hesitant to ask businesses to help us pay the expenses for such a ceremony. Thus, the reason for this letter: We are seeking financial assistance from the “community at large.” Whatever you may want or be able to donate for this tax-deductible cause will help defray the expenses involved in an awards ceremony such as this. Donations may be sent to: Blaine
Booster Club, P.O. Box 152, Blaine, WA 98231. The date for this year’s ceremony is scheduled for October 8-9. Mark your calendars now. Gary Clausen BHS Hall of Fame Committee chairman Blaine (See Letters, page 15) Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Correction In an article titled “Onyon won’t seek re-election as mayor,” in the April 22 issue of The Northern Light, the title incorrectly made it seem the city of Blaine’s mayor is an elected position. Mayor Bonnie Onyon’s Ward 1 Position 2 seat on council is up for re-election as a councilmember. Blaine City Council will then appoint one councilmember as mayor. We regret the error.
Civic Meetings Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district offices, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Virtual meeting info: bbbparkandrec.org/board-meetings/
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info and virtual meeting login: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/2CiMKnk.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info and virtual meeting link: blainesd.org. North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 1 p.m. Info: nwfrs.net.
