December 8 - 14, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com
5
Whatcom County Council meeting roundup ... By Ian Haupt The latest news from November and December Whatcom County Council meetings Whatcom County final 2023-24 budget Whatcom County Council adopted, in a 5-2 vote, with councilmembers Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed, the county’s final budget for 2023-24 in its November 22 regular meeting. The county will spend over $117.2 million in 2023 and $121.1 million in 2024 out of the general fund, according to the ordinance. Elenbaas said he was torn because he only had one vote, and while he supports many budget
items, like 10 new deputies to join Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, he listed other issues he believes need to be addressed. His concerns included homelessness, flooding issues, a new jail facility and mental health. “So I’m torn. Torn on whether I’m voting ‘yes’ or voting ‘no,’” he said. “Probably leaning more towards a no, because I really want to support the whole package, and I don’t know if I’m there yet.” Blaine Urban Growth Area Council unanimously adopted a new urban growth area for the city of Blaine as the previous interlocal agreement, passed in 2012, was set to expire. Changes from the last agree-
ment include being subject to the review and evaluation program in the 2022 buildable lands report, city to reimburse county for depreciated value of capital road and stormwater construction projects completed during the 15-year period prior to annexation – previously 10-year, responsibilities for sales tax revenue sharing, and modifications to resource lands and rural areas provisions. Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer area traffic, signage Council voted on numerous traffic detours and signage changes in Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer. Council held a public hearing to establish a one-way traffic pattern on Drayton Harbor Road for
eastbound travelers and a signed detour for westbound travelers that will begin around Friday, January 13, 2023, while public works repairs the westbound lane of Drayton Harbor Road, west of Shintaffer Road. The safety detour is five miles, connecting Harborview Road, Lincoln Road, Semiahmoo Parkway and Drayton Harbor Road, according to the detour map. The repairs will not be completed until summer 2024, according to a November 29 press release. An ordinance to remove a temporary stop sign on Drayton Harbor Road was also held in (See County, page 16)
CITY OF BLAINE 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.
Thursday, December 8 9:00am – Park and Cemetery Board Meeting *CANCELLED* 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, December 12 4:30pm – Study Session: Planning Commission Candidate Interviews 6:00pm – City Council Meeting
Thursday, December 15 2:00pm – Hearing Examiner: Public Hearing for a Conditional Use Permit for Peace Portal Condominiums
WCLS online database offers community resources Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is offering community resources on its website for everything from food to financial assistance. The WCLS website categorizes the resources by education, emergency and disaster, employment, financial and tax,
food, health and Covid-19, housing, legal and weather. WCLS trustee Lori Jump pitched the page, updated regularly, after the November 2021 floods. The 117 resources on the website are dated when they were last modified. Informa-
tion includes flooding resources, wildfire smoke monitoring, legal resources and a link to get free Naloxone, a drug to help opioid overdoses. “Neighbors count on the library system to be a trusted reference source,” WCLS deputy director Michael Cox said in a
statement. “The Community Resources page is an example of that work in action. This online database can serve as a critical resource for community members during times when quick answers are needed the most.” Visit wcls.org/community-resources for the resources.
Monday, December 26 City Offices Closed – Christmas Day Observed 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
TNL accepting holiday decoration photos Zion Lutheran Church Do you have holiday decorations you’re especially proud of this year? If so, The Northern Light will be publishing photos of holiday lights and
decorations around homes and businesses. Whether it’s a flashy light display or a life-size Grinch decoration, we want to showcase
“Carols by Candlelight”
your creativity to the community. Please email your photos or address to editor@pointrobertspress.com by Friday, December 16 for a chance to be published.
Wednesday, Dec. 14th at 6:30 PM
Christmas Eve Worship
Saturday, Dec. 24th at 5:00 PM
7215 Valley View Rd. • 360-366-5567 www.zionlutheranwhatcom.org
Arts council to host children’s author Blaine Arts Council (BAC) will host a local author at its 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 8 meeting at Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Barb Davis-Pyles will discuss her journey from psychologist
to author and provide recommendations for others seeking to pen their first book. She’ll also discuss her process creating children’s picture books such as “Grizzly Boy,” “Stubby the Fearless Squid” and “Cliff the Failed
Troll.” Her fourth book, “Nobody Likes Frogs,” is set to be published next spring. BAC meets the second Thursday of each month at the library. For more information, visit blaineartscouncil.org.
ALLEY AUTO INC 365 D Street • 360-332-7018
MON-FRI 8AM TO 5PM
The Immigration Law Firm •• U.S. U.S. green greencards cards/ /naturalization naturalization •• Work / investor visas Inadmissibility waivers TN (NAFTA) work permits •• Denied entry waivers U.S. Citizenship •• Removal hearingsclaims • NEXUS appeals
We Install Quality NAPA Parts.
360-332-7100 360-332-7100
We’re small, but we have it all! In stock, same day or next day service! Your one-stop shop for all your automotive needs!
www.blaineimmigration.com• •435 435Martin MartinSt., St., Suite Suite2010 1010 ••Blaine, www.blaineimmigration.com Blaine,WA WA
Leonard atLaw Law LeonardD.M. D.M.Saunders, Saunders, Attorney Attorney at
We won’t be undersold on all truck, car and motorhome tires!
s Barbara Davis-Pyles. Courtesy photo
In Stock
Now!
ALE S T O L E C AS While Supplies Last!
Chevron Delo 15W 40 $26.69 per gallon ONLY at
Blaine NAPA!
Or $23.69 per gallon,
when you buy a case of 3
360-332-7018 • 365 D Street, Blaine Mon-Fri 8 am - 5 pm
Thank you for supporting local journalism. This week’s supporters: Philip Frank • Lise M. Tranberg • Linda and Don Clark • Judy and Terry Sullivan
You can also contribute online at thenorthernlight.com
Please Support This Newspaper
$24
(or whatever you can)
Name: Email: Address: City: State: Zip:
Community Newspaper for Blaine & Birch Bay
MAIL TO: The Northern Light, 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230
l
360/332-1777
