Birch Bay library on November ballot

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The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVII, No 10 Circulation: 10,500 copies Circulation Independently verified by:

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The Editor:

The Friends of Birch Bay Library and the Whatcom County Library System are dedicated to bringing a library to Birch Bay.

A 2016 service area analysis and a 2017 online survey confirmed the need for a library. It would serve the 8,000-plus-andgrowing population, including more than 1,800 children. The proposed library will be named the Birch Bay Vogt Community Library to honor the Vogt family who lived on the future library site since 1871.

A library offers much more than just books – although they are an important part of any library. It also offers access to computers and the internet; provides public meeting spaces; gives storytimes and job training programs; is a warm and cozy place to browse audiobooks, movies, and music, and do homework.

The estimated total cost of this full-service library is $6.5 million. Supporters have secured donations and a $2 million state appropriation to reduce the total amount still needed.

A Library Capital Facilities Area (LCFA) ballot measure will seek that funding in the November 2, 2021 election. If approved, the $.11 per 1,000 assessed value would cost the owner of a median-priced home in the LCFA approximately $3.20 a month.

More information is available at friendsofbirchbaylibrary.org and WCLS.org/ birch-bay.

Ruth Higgins

Blaine

The Editor:

Two years ago, when I bought my house in Birch Bay Village, our agent casually mentioned a plan to build a library. I was pretty excited since I have loved libraries ever since I was a kid, hanging out with my friends after school, taking home armloads of books to read. In fact, my first job that my parents didn’t get me, about a thousand years ago, was at the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.

Imagine my delight to find out that a library is planned for Birch Bay in the most beautiful spot I’ve ever seen for a library. I can hardly wait. Libraries bring so much to communities – books that practically cry out to be read; and, also, homework help, skills training, meeting places for businesses, cultural and entertainment activities for all ages. This library even has plans for teen librarians to be mentors. Everything about it sounds great.

I know there’s a vote coming up on November 2 on a measure that will allow this library to be built. I plan to vote “yes” and encourage all of my neighbors to do the same.

Holly Witte

Birch Bay

The Editor:

I read this morning that masks are not required in indoor spaces at the recently opened Northwest Washington Fair, let alone outdoor spaces. How can this be? Today I also read that the current infection rate in Whatcom County qualifies as “high,” namely 168 infections per 100,000 people. Fair attendance typically exceeds 100,000. Thus we can expect 168 new infections from the fair alone, unless more stringent mitigations are put in place.

Requiring masks is a simple and effective means to protect fairgoers and everyone they come in contact with subsequently. Schools are opening in a couple of weeks. Let’s not start the school year with an influx of new infections that could have been reduced substantially by this one simple change. The health of our children and our community is at stake, including, in some cases, their very lives.

My fair committee decided about two weeks ago that we didn’t want to expose our volunteers to the Delta variant, despite the Covid precautions we planned for. Therefore, we did not purchase a booth as we have in years past. By not fully protecting the volunteers and workers, I believe the fair and the county are opening themselves up to liability lawsuits from anyone who gets infected over these next 10 days or so.

Time is of the essence. If you agree, I encourage readers to make your opinion known to Whatcom County Council, your state representatives, state senator and fair administration. At the very least, please wear a mask yourself if you visit the fair.

Nancy K. Sheng

Bellingham

The Editor:

I am dismayed by reports that many of our public health officials as well as frontline healthcare workers are being disrespected instead of appreciated. They are trying to protect us, our children and our grandchildren from this predatory virus – at considerable risk to themselves. They deserve our deepest thanks.

Here’s a shout out to our overworked, dedicated healthcare heroes. We owe you, big time.

Myra Ramos

Lummi Island

The Editor:

Primary care providers (PCP), listen up. This is something you must hear.

Results from a large retrospective analysis found that over 80 percent of patients, nationwide, had not had undergone kidney function tests in the primary care setting.

That is a shocking number, but somewhat defensible given that early kidney disease has few outward symptoms. Many of these patients were not diagnosed until their disease was advanced, requiring transplantation or dialysis.

Because of the “silent epidemic” that is chronic kidney disease (CKD), here in Whatcom County, the general public is beginning to see efforts to increase awareness about the incurable condition. Primary care providers must be more proactive in testing for CKD in at-risk populations. CKD can sometimes be prevented, and if caught early, its progression can be slowed or stopped altogether.

The kidneys are overlooked organs. Most of us seldom, if ever, give them a thought. But, kidneys start working in a 12-14 week old fetus. The kidneys are remarkable, quietly engaged doing their duty, day and night. Most of us don’t know they are involved in every breath we take. Our kidneys are responsible for completing miraculous tasks. The kidneys are just as important to life as hearts and lungs.

So, let’s give kidneys the respect they deserve. Not all kidney diseases can be avoided, but because diabetes and high blood pressure are the top causes, primary care professionals at PeaceHealth, Family Care Network, SeaMar and other clinics must seize opportunities to improve kidney diagnosis, which will increase awareness, patient engagement and better outcomes.

PCP should mention the miracle of kidneys to their pediatric patients, too. Early discussions lead to improved quality of life. But, patients must do their part – ask your PCP for kidney function tests.

Delores Davies

Ferndale

Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Birch Bay library will be on November ballot

B y e MI ly F eek

A question of establishing a Birch Bay Library Capital Facility Area (LCFA) will be on the November ballot. If the ballot measure passes, Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) says the library construction could begin in 2022 and the new library could open in 2023.

The LCFA ballot measure would increase Birch Bay property taxes to fund the library building if passed. Taxes would increase by about 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, slightly lower than a previously estimated 13 cents per $1,000. This means the owner of a $350,000 Birch Bay property would pay $3.20 per month, or $38 annually, according to the WCLS.

The ordinance was introduced at the July 13 Whatcom County Council meeting and passed on July 27 with no discussion.

Birch Bay’s population is expected to increase by 50 percent in the next two decades.

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.