December 2 - 8 , 2021 • thenorthernlight.com
May to run for state representative By Grace McCarthy Blaine councilmember Richard May has announced he is running as a Democrat for the state’s 42nd Legislative District Position 2 seat. May is vying for the seat currently held by representative Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), who announced last week she will be running for state Senate. May has served on Blaine City Council since 2020 after serving on the city’s planning commission for 10 years where he worked on rezoning to increase economic development in downtown Blaine. He was also the former president of the Everson Nooksack Chamber of Commerce and owned two restaurants in Whatcom
County. Through working with the city, May said he’s overlapped state work for things like advocating in Olympia for state funds for the Bell Road and Peace Portal Drive intersection. May said he’s running because he would like to create policy for roads and education, a smart route for job recovery, and basic respect for people and the environment without barriers to reasonable work conditions, housing, health and childcare. He would also like to address the state’s business and occupation tax, which he says is unfair to small businesses. May said he is fully committed to serving city council as he runs for the state position in 2022. May’s term on city council ends in 2023. s Richard May.
ANNUAL LISTING OF VACANCIES AND ANTICIPATED VACANCIES THE CITY OF BLAINE IS CURRENTLY SEEKING MEMBERS FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMISSION, BOARD, AND COMMITTEE:
BLAINE TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULARLY MEETS ONE TUESDAY MORNING PER MONTH FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS ONE POSITION TO FILL A PARTIAL TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023 ONE POSITION TO FILL A TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025
PARK AND CEMETERY BOARD
REGULARLY MEETS AT 9:00 AM ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF ONE POSITION TO FILL A PARTIAL TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022 TWO POSITIONS TO FILL A FULL TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025
PUBLIC WORKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULARLY MEETS AT 2:00 PM ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF TWO POSITIONS TO FILL A FULL TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025 File photo
City council gives the city manager a raise Blaine City Council unanimously voted to give city manager Michael Jones a 5 percent increase to his salary, which is currently under the state’s salary average for city managers. Jones will now make $143,280 per year. City council reviewed Jones’ performance in November and determined the city manager was performing well enough to re-
ceive a raise. After looking over the salaries of city managers who ran cities of similar size and tax base, council found Jones’ salary was 6 to 9 percent below the state average. City budget constraints from Covid-19 and the U.S./Canada border closure limited Jones’ increase, keeping him under state average minimum by 1 percent.
IPAA fundraising for Peace Arch holiday lights By Grace McCarthy The International Peace Arch Association (IPAA) is fundraising for holiday lights to decorate the U.S. and Canada sides of Peace Arch Park. The nonprofit hopes the winter lights will become a new annual tradition in celebration of easing cross-border travel restrictions between Canada and the U.S., IPAA founder Christina Alexander said. The Blaine-based nonprofit has received $1,260 of its $4,500 goal for LED lights for the six hedges around the base of the Peace Arch, Alexander said. The lights will hang December through January. “Americans and Canadians have endured the pandemic together and found great solace in their peace park. So let’s come together to celebrate the re-opening of our borders,” Alexander wrote
in a statement. If the park receives more donations, it will expand past its first goal for lights. IPAA hopes to eventually reach a second phase for an additional $7,000 that would add two U.S. and Canadian 8-by-6-foot commercial LED flags. A third phase for an additional $8,000 would add lights to wrap two giant trees in U.S. side of Peace Arch State Park. Total funding for the three phases would be $19,500. The Gill family, owners of Blaine Mart and the D Street Shell gas station, donated $700 to the winter lights, Alexander said. People who would like to donate may do so by donating online at bit.ly/3G1mjO3 or by writing a check to IPAA. Those who would like to write a check should contact Alexander at 360/3327165.
Smoking server forces BPD evacuation, no injuries By Ian Haupt The Blaine police department (BPD) was evacuated just after noon November 29 due to smoke billowing out from the department’s server room, according to a BPD Facebook post. BPD records supervisor Amy Ebenal said an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) failed and
began to smoke, which set off the department’s alarm system. North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) crews arrived on scene but did not locate a fire. “But boy was there a lot of smoke,” she said. IT personnel repaired the UPS, and NWFR crews ventilated the building, which Ebenal said took about 20 minutes.
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Jones’ salary will increase in December and be included in the city’s 2022 budget.
Members of boards, committees and commissions receive no financial compensation, but the payoff is great. Members meet other residents with similar interests, they learn about the City, and they help shape the future of Blaine! Being on a board, committee or commission does require a significant personal commitment, so applicants should consider their ability to commit their time and personal energy before applying. If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, applications and descriptions of duties are available in City Clerk’s Office at Blaine City Hall, 435 Martin St., Suite 3000, or online at www. cityofblaine.com. Please submit your application by 4:30 PM on Friday, December 3, 2021. The City will continue to accept applications until vacancies are filled. Per Blaine Municipal Code (BMC) 2.08.028, concurrent service on more than one board or commission is precluded.
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CITY OF BLAINE Due to Governor Inslee’s proclamation in response to COVID-19, this City Council meeting will be conducted remotely. Information on how to watch 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 location may change.
360-332-7100 360-332-7100
www.blaineimmigration.com• •435 435Martin MartinSt., St., Suite Suite2010 1010 ••Blaine, www.blaineimmigration.com Blaine,WA WA
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Thursday, December 9 9:00am – Park and Cemetery Board Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, December 13 6:00pm – City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 14 8:00am – Blaine Tourism
ALLEY AUTO INC 365 D Street • 360-332-7018
Advisory Committee Meeting
MON-FRI 8AM TO 5PM
Thursday, December 23 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Friday, December 24 City Offices Closed – Christmas Day Observed
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