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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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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
Editor Grace McCarthy grace@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
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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 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 Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/2CiMKnk. 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 Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330. 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.
B y D ou G D a H l
Question: What are the rules regarding pedestrians walking on the roadway when there is an obstruction-free sidewalk available? Runners and joggers tend to prefer using the asphalt over the concrete sidewalks available on just about every street in my neighborhood. I have heard that some runners claim asphalt is more forgiving on their joints but I believe that is unsupported by any data that I could find.
Answer: I’m no running expert, so I took a look at a few studies to see if there was any validity to the claim that running on asphalt is better for your joints than running on concrete. The studies were inconclusive so I sought out the input of experienced runners. Advice ranged from “Concrete should be avoided like the plague,” to “The thickness of your socks has a greater cushioning effect than the difference in hardness between concrete and asphalt.” Again inconclusive.
But from the perspective of traffic safety, here’s my take: Any perceived benefit from running on a slightly more forgiving surface is offset if multi-ton vehicles you can’t outrun share the surface.
Yes, athletes have reason to be concerned about training injuries, but your most likely injury while running in the road is probably getting hit by a car.
If you’re a runner, you might be saying, “Yeah, but have you seen the sidewalks in my neighborhood?” I probably haven’t been to your neighborhood, but I’ve seen it in mine.
Next to my house, there’s a sidewalk lifted several inches by tree roots, causing a tripping hazard, right next to a smooth asphalt roadway. Sometimes we’re making a choice between two less-than-ideal options.
But the original question is about rules, and of the two choices I just mentioned, only one of them is legal. The Revised Code of Washington states that, “Where sidewalks are provided and are accessible, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk or otherwise move along and upon an adjacent roadway.”
Predictability reduces risk. Our traffic laws create (when we adhere to them) predictability on the road. Even seemingly minor laws, like the requirement to use a turn signal (yes, that’s a reminder to use your turn signal), all contribute to predictability and safety. As a pedestrian, you want to be visible to drivers, and part of that is being predictable.
We generally think about visibility in terms of wearing bright clothing, and that’s true. But there’s more to visibility than, “Can the driver see you?” There’s also the question of, “Does the driver expect to see you?” The world presents more visual data than we can take in.
If you’ve ever noticed something new on your commute, like maybe a prominent building got fresh paint, and when you mention it to a friend they say it happened two months ago, you know what I’m talking about.
Our brains have to be selective about the data they process, and that applies to our driving. You didn’t notice the painted building because you weren’t expecting it and your brain filtered it to focus on more important things.
Similarly, a driver is less likely to notice a pedestrian in a location where they don’t expect someone to be walking or running. We look for what we expect to see.
That’s not an excuse for drivers to ignore pedestrians; when you’re the biggest thing on the road, you have a responsibility to be, well, the most responsible. It’s more of a recognition that all of us, whether we’re drivers, walkers, runners or riders all contribute to traffic safety in our communities.
Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.
B y G race M c c art H y
The public hearing for the H Street annexation has been pushed to the May 10 Blaine City Council meeting after residents contacted the city concerned about little public notice. The hearing was previously scheduled for the April 26 council meeting.
If approved by council, the proposed annexation could add two east Blaine properties totaling 4.8 acres to city limits. This could be the first annexation since 1996, according to city documents.
Council first discussed the annexation during a January 25 work-study session and then approved two resolutions at its February 22 meeting authorizing the city to hold a public hearing, mandatory in the annexation process.
Landowner Patrick Rooney, who owns a 3.2-acre property at 4455 H Street Road, submitted his annexation application last November. Councilmembers can also vote to annex an adjacent 1.6-acre property at 2221 Cedarwood Lane because of an agreement the property owner made with the city in 2002.
Residents were concerned that the city of Blaine did not publish a notice in The Northern Light and that residents did not have enough time to add comments before the hearing, according to an email community development director Stacie Pratschner sent to councilmembers on April 23. Pratschner said in the email that delaying the hearing will give residents more time to review the proposal.
The city of Blaine had scheduled notices in The Bellingham Herald and had three signs advertising the hearing in the proposed H Street annexation area.
City clerk Sam Crawford said during the council meeting that the city had received over a handful of written comments for the public hearing.
Written comments are due by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 10. For more information on submitting a written comment, visit bit.ly/3gLfyH5.
Caleb and Cayla Bullard made Eastern Washington University’s (EWU) dean’s list for winter quarter. EWU undergraduates who earn a 3.5 GPA or higher and take at least 12 credit hours of classes are placed on the dean’s list.
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.
Monday, May 10 6:00pm – City Council Meeting Public Hearing: Proposed Annexation of 4455 H Street, Blaine, WA 98230 (Rooney Annexation) Tuesday, May 11 8:00am – Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting Thursday, May 13 9:00am – Parks and Cemetery Board Meeting 2:00pm – Public Works Advisory Committee Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting Monday, May 24 6:00pm – City Council 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
PROJECT - H Street Road Annexation / File Number 2020078 PUBLIC HEARING - Monday, May 10, 2021 at 6 PM
Please Note: City Council meetings are currently being conducted entirely through teleconference. Instructions on how to listen live and join the meeting online will be provided approximately 72 hours prior to the public hearing on the City’s website: www.cityofblaine.com. DESCRIPTION - Pursuant to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 35A.14.120, a request for annexation of approximately 3.26 acres in the City of
Blaine Urban Growth Area (UGA). Pursuant to an Outside Utility Agreement recorded under Auditor’s File Number (AFN) 2020603045, the City of Blaine with limited and nonrevocable power of attorney will annex an additional approximate 1.63 acres into the City limits.
PROPONENTS
Irma P. Rooney Living Trust, c/o: Patrick Rooney, PO Box 851, Blaine, WA 98231 LOCATION - Assessor Parcel Numbers (APNs) 400105058534: 4455 H Street
Road; and, 400105043532: 2221 Cedarwood Lane PUBLIC COMMENT AND TESTIMONY - Interested persons are invited to provide written comment and log in to the hearing to voice approval or disapproval of the annexation. Email comments must be sent to spratschner@cityofblaine.com with the proposed project name (H Street Road
Annexation) in the subject line. Include your comments in the body of the message, rather than as attachments. Comments must be received by 4:30 PM
Monday, Monday, May 10, 2021. You may also comment at the public hearing.
Testimony is limited to five minutes. Instructions on how to listen live and join the meeting online will be provided approximately 72 hours prior to the public hearing on the City’s website: www.cityofblaine.com.
FILE INFORMATION AND NEXT STEPS
STAFF CONTACT - Stacie Pratschner, AICP, RPA: Community Development
Director: spratschner@cityofblaine.com and (360) 332-8311 FILE MATERIALS - The submitted application documents and supporting materials are on file for public review at the following website: https://www. ci.blaine.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/16925/Study-Session---Rooneyannexation-staff-report. A public hearing staff report and Request for Council
Action will be available at the following City website approximately 72 hours prior to the scheduled public hearing on Monday, May 10, 2021: https://www. ci.blaine.wa.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=2406. NEXT STEPS AND APPEALS - Subsequent to the Public Hearing, the request may be forwarded to the Whatcom County Boundary Review Board for final approval. The BRB is the appeal body for annexation decisions.
CITY OF BLAINE Continued Electrical Work
Crews will continue improvements on the electrical system in central Blaine through June 30. Public Works will notify affected residents three days prior to an outage with door hangers providing information on when the outage will occur and the duration of the outage.
For more information, please call 360.332.8820 or visit our website at www.cityofblaine.com.
The Immigration Law Firm
• U.S. green cards / naturalization • U.S. green cards / naturalization • Work / investor visas • Inadmissibility waivers • Denied entry waivers • TN (NAFTA) work permits • Removal hearings • NEXUS appeals • U.S. Citizenship claims 360-332-7100 360-332-7100
www.blaineimmigration.com • 435 Martin St., Suite 2010 • Blaine, WA www.blaineimmigration.com • 435 Martin St., Suite 1010 • Blaine, WA Leonard D.M. Saunders, Attorney at Law Leonard D.M. Saunders, Attorney at Law
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