The Northern Light: October 26-November 1, 2023 by Point Roberts Press

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October 26 - November 1, 2023 Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer

Candidate Q&As, pages 6, 10 and 13

IN THIS

ISSUE

Blaine Community Theater brings “Misery” to life

Blaine sports, page 7

Halloween events, page 14

PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230

Parks and recreation holds fall festival

By Madisun Tobisch

(See Theater, page 5)

s Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 held its first fall festival at the Birch Bay Activity Center on October 21. The festival, which served as a community appreciation event, had a vendors market, carnival, pickleball, live music and other entertainment. Photo courtesy Celine Mauger/Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2

Council approves text amendment allowing large manufactured home parks in east Blaine By Grace McCarthy Blaine City Council voted 4-0 during its October 23 meeting to approve a text amendment to the city’s planned unit development (PUD) code that will allow large manufactured home parks in east Blaine. The vote comes after over a year of debate in planning commission and council meetings. The dispute surrounding manufactured home parks began after east Blaine developers Skip and Katie Jansen submitted the PUD text amendment request to the city. The Jansens submitted the request in fall 2021 after realizing that, while the city’s zoning code allowed manufactured home parks, the PUD code, which is needed for manufactured home park developments that are five acres or larger, did not. The Jansens have previously said that it would not be fea-

sible to develop a park under five acres. In August 2022, east Blaine residents began voicing their opposition to the text amendment during planning commission meetings, citing various concerns including housing affordability, environmental impacts and traffic problems. After a lengthy and confusing process in planning commission and city council, the planning commission recommended during its September meeting that council approve the text amendment only if the parks were constricted to a smaller area. During its October 9 meeting, city council voted 4-1-2 to hold an October 23 public hearing and consider approving planning commission’s recommendation. However, council changed its tune during its October 23 meeting and voted in support of the city’s recommendation, which was to approve the text amendment without a geographic limitation. Council voted after the public hearing that

Rally planned for proposed B.C. biofuel project B y P a t G r u bb Opponents of a proposed biofuel project that would be built on Semiahmoo First Nation (SFN) land almost within sight of the international Peace Arch will gather at the border crossing on Sunday, October 29 at 1 p.m. The protest is being organized by the Clean Air Alliance – Residents Opposing Biofuel in South Surrey (bit.ly/3S8WLIp). The project first caught the public’s eye following a June 27, announcement of $14.4 million in federal support of a facili-

ty that would convert food scraps from the Lower Mainland into biofuel. According to the SFN, the facility would divert 70,000 tons of food waste from landfills annually. If approved, the facility would be built immediately west of Highway 99 across from the Peace Portal golf club, south of 8 Avenue, and less than 1 kilometer north of the Peace Arch border crossing. The project would be jointly owned by the SFN and Andion Global Inc., a Vancouver-based company that has built over 50 biofuel facilities worldwide. The project

would employ 14 people, preference being given to SFN members. An average of 20 trucks a day would enter and exit the site, according to the proponents. Andion and SFN has entered into an agreement with Fortis BC that would extend a gas pipeline onto the reserve for the first time. Opponents to the project center their objections to four main areas of concern. One, they feel it is located too close to the “unique and fragile ecosystem of the Lit(See Biofuel, page 15)

drew a large group of residents and discussion among members. The majority of the whole council needs to give approval to pass an ordinance, and because councilmembers Garth Baldwin, Eric Davidson and Kerena Higgins were absent, the councilmembers at the meeting needed a unanimous vote. Councilmember Richard May made a motion to not allow manufactured home parks but it failed without support from other councilmembers. May then proposed council allow manufactured home parks in east Blaine and direct staff to later develop stricter geographic limitations, but the motion again failed without any backing. “The project can get going and there would be a geographic limitation drafted by planning commission and staff. Once everyone sees what this first project looks like then various areas could be added back in,” May (See City council, page 3)

INSIDE

Blaine Community Theater’s (BCT) small but dedicated cast and crew take over Blaine High School’s Black Box Theater on Friday, October, 27 for the opening night of “Misery.” Showings will continue for two consecutive weekends, October 27 through Sunday, October 29 and again from Friday, November 3 to Sunday, November 5. Standard tickets are $17.70, with discounts available for students, veterans and seniors. The Friday and Saturday shows start at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. More information about times and pricing is available on BCT’s website at bit.ly/3rL0XDv. While the group prides itself on catering to a family-friendly audience, actress Megan Claire Bradshaw admits things get gory in the latest production. The show is not recommended for audiences under the age of 14. Director Nick McDonald refers to BCT as nomadic because the group’s practice space often rotates. It takes a special kind of actor to be as adaptable as his cast, he said. “We are a rogue theater. We do not have a home, so everybody is kind of … scrappy,” Bradshaw said. “If you’re going to be involved in this sort of thing, you’ve got to be scrappy and have a real passion for it.” The show, which playwright William Goldman adapted for the stage from Stephen King’s 1997 novel, centers around famed author Paul Sheldon, played by BCT newcomer Brennan Krieger. After surviving a car crash, Sheldon finds himself in a remote home, under the care and increasing instability of his biggest fan, Annie Wilkes, played by Bradshaw and her understudy Lori Auriemma. After being involved with theater for most of her life, Bradshaw found BCT in time for last year’s Halloween production of “Wyrd Sisters” and enjoyed her time on stage as well as painting sets and prepping costumes. Krieger is also no stranger to the community theater scene, having performed in his home state of Mississippi and lat-

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The Northern Light • October 26 - November 1, 2023

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October 26 - November 1, 2023 • thenorthernlight.com

City council ... From page 1

said. “It would have been almost the exact same thing as [the city’s recommendation], but it would have shown some respect for all of the public comment and concerns.” Councilmember Mike Hill said the inconsistency between the zoning and PUD codes was the city’s mistake and the developers purchased the property with the understanding that they could build a manufactured home park. “You can’t have a town that doesn’t have any revenue coming in or isn’t bringing people in and keep spending money,” Hill said. Lopez said city council would closely review the Jansens’ proposal once they submitted an application. Mayor Mary Lou Steward said council needed to make a decision and could later create a geographic limitation. “We’re not doing the business of the city that needs to be done because we’re wasting a lot of time on something that nobody knows what’s going on,” she said. “We need to correct this now. There will be plenty of time in the future to nitpick the proposal.” East Blaine resident Jackie Braverman, who has advocated against the text amendment, said it was hard for her to respect council’s decision because she didn’t believe they listened to the research of east Blaine residents. She added she was disappointed that council voted with only four members present. “I don’t want to sound like sour grapes. I did not expect that we would win. We fought our hardest because we understand the situation …” Braverman said. “I think in doing this, the city council has engendered some significant ill will.” Braverman said she was against manufactured home parks because she sees them as an exploitative business model for people living in the communities and was concerned about environmental impacts. Braverman is among dozens of east Blaine residents who have spoken at public comment and hearings, including the hearing at the October 23 meeting. “This has been a fiasco of having meetings canceled and postponements,” she said. “It’s been absolutely bizarre and the people who have seen this have been really unimpressed.” Skip Jansen said he doesn’t have a rough timeline on when he plans to submit an application to the city. He said he anticipates the park will have about 160-180 units and cater largely to seniors who want to downsize, though he hasn’t decided if the park will have an age restriction. It’s planned to have a clubhouse, open space and recreational areas, he added. Once the application is submitted, the Jansens will hold an open house on the preliminary park plan. Jansen asks for people to keep an open mind until they see what is being presented. “Until we’re able to make an application, we haven’t had a project to present,” he said. “Now we can really put pencil to paper and show what we really have in mind.”

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The Northern Light • October 26 - November 1, 2023

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. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. 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

Birch Bay chamber recognizes Sheriff Bill Elfo

s Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce county liaison Doralee Booth, r., presented Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo with a letter thanking him for his support of the organization during the chamber luncheon at North Bay Christ the King Church on October 19. Photo by Molly Ernst

Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Nolan Baker nolan@pointrobertspress.com Editorial Intern Madisun Tobisch prpintern@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Doug De Visser, Ruth Lauman production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Gary Lee sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com

The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVIII, No 20 Circulation: 10,500 copies

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Letters Editor’s note: The Northern Light does not publish political support letters the week before an election. No political letters will be accepted for the November 2 issue.

courage you to vote for her in the November election. Liz Parker Blaine

The Editor: I want to thank Blaine City Council candidate Sonia Hurt for creating the disaster preparation presentation that she gave at the Blaine Senior Center. She included the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, allowing us to provide valuable disaster preparation information and materials to over 50 people. In addition, we had 12 people sign up to become CERT certified. CERT volunteers can play a role in supporting overwhelmed first responders by checking on neighbors, providing basic medical care, assisting with rescues and staffing emergency centers. Sonia Hurt’s initiative in creating this opportunity to educate our residents shows her commitment to Blaine. I en-

The Editor: On that fateful day in February 2022, the day every law enforcement spouse prays will never happen, violence found us. Within a few hours I received a short text from Ben letting me know he was there for our family, whatever we needed. Whether it is a short text in our time of need or voting in support of good public safety policy in Whatcom County, Ben Elenbaas has always been there for law enforcement. His vision for a safer Whatcom County begins with creating and maintaining strong relationships with the law enforcement community. He will continue to fight for safer communities, from Bellingham to Blaine and Ferndale to Maple Falls. But Ben and I go back before I even donned the uniform. We both grew up kicking dirt in our barn boots south of Lynden. I

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

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.

Next issue: Nov. 2 Ads due: Oct. 27

grew up on a dairy farm just down the road from Ben’s family. Ben’s broad knowledge as graduate of the Huxley College of the Environment, paired with this many years of lived experience as a farmer in Whatcom County, is an invaluable resource. There is no other current council member, or candidate, who can represent our large farming community the way Ben can. To further add to his resume, Ben’s work at the refinery brings an even more diverse perspective unmatched by anyone else on the council. His dedication to promote living-wage jobs is essential in this very expensive housing market. Ben is the blue-collar worker who backs the blue! A man who loves the land and learned how to care for it at Western Washington University. Vote Ben Elenbaas. Tawsha Dykstra Thompson Lynden

Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@ cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/3EwWiZi. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Meetings are second Tues-

day, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., council chambers and virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330. Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info: blainesd.org. North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 11 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.

October 26 - November 1, 2023 • thenorthernlight.com

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For more info call 332-6589 www.blainegracelutheran.com s Blaine Community Theater actors Brennan Krieger, l., and Megan Claire Bradshaw hone into their characters, Annie and Paul, during a rehearsal of “Misery,” adapted from the Stephen King novel. Opening night will be held on Friday, October 27, with performances during the next two weekends at Blaine High School’s Black Box Theater. Photo by Madisun Tobisch

Theater ... From page 1

er Wisconsin before moving to Blaine during the pandemic. “I’m really excited to be a part of something new for me and help continue to grow the BCT community,” he said. Opening night will offer 10 percent off tickets and a gala event

with snacks and raffle prizes. BCT’s next production, a 16song musical titled “The Man Who Saved Christmas” will open curtains on December 8. Those interested in finding ways to get involved, including as stagehands for “Misery” can reach out via email at blainecommunitytheater@gmail.com. “Every show that I’ve done with BCT is always a new experi-

Marine Park playground and restroom closure Between October 30 & December 31, Marine Park’s playground structure and restrooms will be closed to the public for shoreline restoration.

ATHLETES

ence, “ said Jacob Hall, who plays a law enforcement officer named Buster. “Even when you’re working with the same people you’ve worked with previously, to watch them become a new character … it’s an amazing experience.”

of the

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Teya Zaddack Senior • Volleyball Teya is in the top 5 in kills per set in Whatcom County and was named the Week 7 Offensive Player of the Week by Whatcom Preps.

Sam Stiles Senior • Cross Country CITY OF BLAINE

Sam has shown significant improvement in practice and on the course. He always aims to do his best by asking questions on how to improve.

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.

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Thursday, November 9 9:00am – Parks and Cemetery Board Meeting

6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting

Friday, November 10 City Offices Closed – Observance of Veterans Day

Monday, November 13 6:00pm –

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City Council Meeting: Public Hearing on the 2024 Budget.

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Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website. Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website.

BLAINE UTILITY CUSTOMERS: You should have received a backflow survey and letter in your last billing statement. If you have returned the survey we greatly appreciate it. We will accept them anytime at your convenience if you have not. If you have not received a survey we are happy to accommodate you however possible. Surveys can be picked up at the cashier’s desk at City Hall, Public Works, or we can email you one. To return the forms, you can drop them off at City Hall in the drop box located to the right of the front door entrance, when paying your bill, or Public Works. Feel free to mail us your survey at 1200 Yew avenue, Blaine, WA 98230. Our reasoning for sending this survey is quite simply a Department of Health requirement to enforce a backflow, and cross connection control program. It is our continued mission to keep our city’s award winning drinking water safe for everyone. With the helping hands of our neighbors, and friends, we can continue to enjoy earth’s most precious resource. Feel free to contact Adam, our Water Quality Coordinator at 360-812-0127 (cell) or 360-332-8820 ext. 3421. Email: alackey@cityofblaine.com with questions and any concerns. We thank you to everyone for the cooperation, it helps tremendously.

www.cityofblaine.com

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The Northern Light • October 26 - November 1, 2023

Blaine School Board District 3 candidate Q&A: Freeman, Carrington

s Cliff Freeman.

s Jeff Carrington.

The Northern Light asked Blaine School Board District 3 candidates why they are running for the seat in the November 7 general election. The District 3 position is a two-year unexpired term that represents north Birch Bay and Birch Point. The candidates provided written responses to the questions. Cliff Freeman Cliff Freeman is a retired civil engineer at Anvil Corporation and a Blaine High School class of ’71 graduate. He has volunteered at Blaine Athletic Booster Club, Blaine Food Bank, St. Anne Catholic Church’s Parish Council and other local organizations. Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first

year and how will you work to accomplish those? Establish a working relationship with the superintendent and board of directors. One of the primary responsibilities of a director is to supervise and evaluate the superintendent. This is accomplished through close communication (on a daily/weekly basis as necessary) to understand how the superintendent operates and how effective he is in conducting the district’s business. And, it’s important for the board to operate as a unit. Enrollment is down so state funding is down, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. I will work with the superintendent and staff to understand all

the working pieces and support a plan to operate within a balanced budget. No new taxes. Stop the woke agenda that is poisoning the minds of our kids. Be it diversity training, CRT, social and emotional learning, inappropriate sex education, reducing parent’s rights, this transgender contagion, the list goes on. I will take a hard look at the curriculum. I need to understand the state requirements that promote this craziness as well as any district policies, if any, that contribute to it. And make adjustments if needed. The curriculum needs to reflect the values of the community. Q: Blaine school district’s 2022-23 budget forecast a $14 million deficit by 2026 if expenditures continued to outpace revenues. How would you like to see the district balance the budget? We’ll need to revisit priorities. Reading/writing/arithmetic, career training, arts and sports are all essential to basic education. As well as good facilities and competent staff (teachers, administrators, etc.). I don’t have an answer until I understand where all the [dollars] are spent. However, I don’t want a tax increase to solve the problem. Q: What do you believe are the top issues facing the school district, and how will you work

as a school board member to address those? School funding and the evils of woke, as previously noted. Jeff Carrington Jeff Carrington is a realtor broker and a commissioner at BlaineBirch Bay Park and Recreation District 2. His family has lived in the area for four generations and he is a former Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce president. Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you work to accomplish those? I will be familiarizing myself with the policies, procedures and personnel surrounding the operational end of the school district. I will also focus on reviewing the current curriculum, while reaching out to better understand the concerns of the educators, parents and students that the system is designed to support. Q: Blaine school district’s 2022-23 budget forecast a $14 million deficit by 2026 if expenditures continued to outpace revenues. How would you like to see the district balance the budget? Two ways in any business to balance a budget: Increase revenue and cut costs. I would like to start by helping to design a stronger outreach program to current and new residents of our

Blaine School Board District 4 candidate Q&A: Derrick Bovenkamp, Ryan Ford

s Derrick Bovenkamp.

s Ryan Ford.

The Northern Light asked Blaine School Board District 4 candidates why they are running for the seat in the November 7 general election. The District 4 position is a four-year term that represents a large section of Birch Bay and Point Whitehorn. The candidates provided written responses to the questions. Derrick Bovenkamp Derrick Bovenkamp works in healthcare information technology and has served as an adjunct professor at Bellingham Technical College. Bovenkamp is the parent of a Blaine student and has volunteered with Boy Scouts of America. Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you work to accomplish those? Declining state test scores – According to the Washington state numbers, our district looks to be at least 10 percent lower today than pre-Covid levels which already weren't great. We need to work with the administration, teachers,

and parents to define clear and measurable standards and ideas for improving performance of our students then hold administration to improving those standards. Forecasted budget deficit – See budget question. Making sure the school board is accountable to the community – communication is key. We need to make sure it’s easy for parents to know what decisions are being made and when. Q: Blaine school district’s 2022-23 budget forecast a $14 million deficit by 2026 if expenditures continued to outpace revenues. How would you like to see the district balance the budget? We can't do things the way we've always done them any longer. With only 36 more students, the budget is up 83 percent over 10 years compared to a 30 percent increase on the consumer price index. This isn't a sustainable level of growth. We need to review the current budget and look for ways to become more

efficient with the money we have. Every purchase or line item needs to stand on its own, don’t purchase things just because it was budgeted for unless it’s still the right thing to do. We need to change the culture on the budget. Q: What do you believe are the top issues facing the school district, and how will you work as a school board member to address those? Like I already said in the first question, declining state test scores and the forecasted budget deficit and the top two issues I’m looking to work on. The first steps are acknowledging the issues we have and working with the superintendent and other board members to devise possible solutions and define what measurable success looks like. We then need to seek input from teachers and parents, evaluate pros and cons and make the best decision with the students’ best interest in mind and provide leadership in that direction. Then we need to hold the administration accountable to that measurable success. Ryan Ford Ryan Ford attended Blaine schools and now manages a sales team in his family’s third-generation trucking and crane business. He has taught Blaine youth groups and has five children in Blaine. Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you work to accomplish those? 1. Budget deficit - I want to get reporting to see where our last

year's spending was. Why did we get into such a big hole and are there things that we could do as a district to cut costs and be able to find other financial resources that we may not be currently utilizing (i.e. grants from both government and the private sector)? 2. Teacher/administration relationship – From what I am understanding, there is a lot of repair needed there and I want to see what can be done through open communication with teachers. 3. Student support – What programs were dropped that students desperately need and are there ways to get them the help they need? Q: Blaine school district’s 2022-23 budget forecast a $14 million deficit by 2026 if expenditures continued to outpace revenues. How would you like to see the district balance the budget? As mentioned above, finding out how did we get into the situation we are in and how can we be able to find other financial resources that we may not be currently utilizing, i.e. grants from both government and the private sector. Q: What do you believe are the top issues facing the school district, and how will you work as a school board member to address those? I already mentioned the budget but a close second I feel is district to student and community communication. I think if we all came together and had more community participation we would be much better off.

school district boundaries. Blaine schools have seen a decrease in enrollment over the last few years due to a lot of issues. Our state funding for education is based on enrollment. Let's isolate those issues, work to improve them, highlight the attractive aspects of the public school system and design new ways of reaching current residents and families that are moving into the community. It is also my understanding that strong lobbying efforts to the state of Washington for increased funding is an avenue that needs to be addressed. That being said, the current budget and available funds need a constant review to assess if they are best practices with respect to operations. Q: What do you believe are the top issues facing the school district, and how will you work as a school board member to address those? I will need time within the system to isolate the top issues of the district. I believe this to be part of the process of an initial review and introduction to the role of serving on the board. Currently the issues that have been relayed to me are the challenges surrounding staffing, the mental health and daily wellbeing of the students and the current financial position of the district.

What to know The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office is asking voters who haven’t received their ballots for the November 7 general election to contact the office’s election division as ballots were mailed October 18. The deadline for online voting registration or address changes is through Monday, October 30, according to the auditor’s office. Whatcom County residents may register to vote or update their address after October 30, but will need to do it at the auditor’s office, suite 103 in the Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. People with a Washington ID can register to vote and update registration at votewa.gov. Those without a Washington ID need to go to the Washington State Secretary of State’s Office website at bit.ly/3MevbWk and print a registration form to mail in, according to the auditor’s office. Ballots can be turned into a ballot drop box until 8 p.m. November 7. The nearest drop boxes are Blaine Public Library, the North Whatcom Fire and Rescue station in Birch Bay and Custer Elementary School. Mailed ballots need to be postmarked by November 7 and voters need to check the mail box’s last collection time. To contact the auditor’s office, call 360/788-5102 or email elections@co.whatcom. wa.us. More information is available on the auditor’s website at bit.ly/3nMdCjN.

October 26 - November 1, 2023 • thenorthernlight.com

Sports Sports roundup: Girls soccer finishes regular season with pair of shutouts wins By Nolan Baker Girls Soccer Blaine girls soccer closed the regular season with a pair of wins, and now looks to keep that momentum as district playoffs begin. Blaine traveled to Nooksack Valley and defeated the Pioneers 2-0 on October 21, another shutout win for a burgeoning defense backed by veteran goalkeeper Larissa Pluschakov, who earned her sixth clean sheet of the season. The Borderites finished the season third in 1A Northwest Conference (NWC) standings, and are set to face two-seed Lynden Christian in the first round of district playoffs on Monday, October 30 at 5 p.m. at Borderite Stadium. Football Blaine football (2-6, 1-2) traveled east to face Lynden Christian (6-2, 3-0) on October 20, and was sent home with a tough 48-14 loss. The Borderites got on the board with scores in each of the final two quarters, both orchestrated by junior quarterback Colin Davis, but it wasn’t enough to stop the top-ranked 1A NWC team. Blaine, staying put at fourth place in the NWC standings, allowed senior quarterback Jeremiah Wright to amass 111 rushing yards on just three attempts, all of which went for

Lynden Christian touchdowns. It was a game the Borderites will likely want to put in the rearview as they host high-scoring Nooksack Valley (5-2, 2-1) at home for senior night on Thursday, October 26 at 7 p.m. Volleyball Blaine volleyball (4-10) seems to be righting the ship after a rocky 0-6 start to the season. Volleyball

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is 4-4 in the last eight matchups, and has already met its win total of four from the previous season. After defeating Mt. Baker in straight sets at home October 18 and losing in straight sets on the road against Burlington-Edison October 23, the Borderites are currently 12th place in NWC standings. The Borderites were scheduled to end their final game of the regular season during a senior night

game at home against Mount Vernon on October 25 at 7 p.m. Cross-Country Blaine cross-country competed in the NWC 5,000-meter race on October 19 at Civic Field in Bellingham. In the varsity race, seven Blaine runners competed in a field of 138 from 16 different teams across Northwestern Washington. Junior Tucker Greene placed 100th with a time of 19:09.9, the

fastest time posted by a Borderite at the championships. Senior Sam Stiles (19:44.3), junior Ian Tuski (20:00) and freshman Steven Phelps-McDonald (20:18.4) finished behind Greene, followed by a few other Borderites. Cross-country’s final meet will be at the 1A District Championships at the Deming Logging Show grounds on Saturday, October 28.

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The Northern Light • October 26 - November 1, 2023

Garden

A monthly special section in The Northern Light

Tips to avoid the buildup of clutter

File photo

Clutter has a way of taking over a home. As time goes by, items that are not stored or discarded when they’ve lost their utility can gradually take over a space, creating a claustrophobic, cluttered feeling that can affect how people feel in their homes. Clutter is not something to be taken lightly. A 2010 study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women who characterized their living spaces as cluttered or marked by unfinished projects were more likely

to experience fatigue and depression than women who described their homes as restful and restorative. Though clutter is often discussed in terms of removing it, there’s also many ways to prevent it in the first place. • Schedule weekly cleaning sessions. Cleaning is a chore few look forward to, and that reluctance may be a byproduct of infrequent cleanings. The less a home is cleaned, the longer cleaning sessions take when individuals get around to it. Weekly cleaning sessions

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Clear, stackable plastic bins and drawers make it easier to find what you’re looking for, reducing the likelihood that items will end up on the floor or strewn about. If you don’t want to replace existing storage bins, label them if they’re not clear to make it easier to identify what’s inside. • Donate clothing. Much like kids’ toys and adults’ devices should be discarded when they’re no longer used, old clothes can be donated to create more storage space and prevent the buildup of clutter. Clutter is often described as something visible to the naked eye, but clutter can also build up in dresser drawers and behind closet doors. Periodically go through closets and dressers and remove items you no longer wear, donating them if they’re still in good shape and discarding them if they’re not. Clutter can quickly take over a home. A proactive approach that emphasizes clutter prevention can make for a more relaxing and restful home.

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October 26 - November 1, 2023 • thenorthernlight.com

&Garden

Improving storage in common areas

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Increasing storage capabilities at home is a popular goal among many homeowners and renters. Despite how much space a person may have at home, there’s often a desire to have more or maximize the areas that are there. According to the Self-Storage Almanac, there are an estimated 51,206 storage facilities operating in the United States today, and MJ Partners Self-Storage Update says 11.1 percent of households currently rent at self-storage facilities. IBISWorld indicates the Canadian self-storage industry has grown at an average annual rate of 3.1 percent over the last five years. People often turn to external storage facilities to house their belongings when space is at a premium at home. Others may focus their organization energy on closets, garages and basements to free up room. But common areas around the home also can provide additional sources of storage. Common areas are locations where people come together for activities. Living room/family room Living rooms and family rooms are areas of the home where people spend many hours.

These tend to be multifunctional spaces where people entertain, lounge and even enjoy movies or gaming. Possibilities in these living spaces that can create extra storage include furniture that serves double-duty. For example, a storage ottoman adds decorative appeal but also can be filled with board games or books. Cabinet-style TV stands may not be as streamlined as mounted versions, but they’re ideal places to stash games, remote controls and other accessories. Entryway An entryway or mudroom can quickly succumb to clutter. When organizing such a space, think about the needs of the household. A storage bench will be a place where everyone can sit to put on shoes, and then stow footwear underneath when not in use. A wall-mounted rack can hold the current season’s jackets or sweaters, as well as purses or backpacks for easy access. A shelf with some hooks can store keys or hold a basket to store the daily mail. Hallway and closet Closet organization systems can be the unsung heroes in closets utilized by multiple members

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Dealer Logo of the family. These customizable components can be sized accordOur Most Innovative Shades—Now with Special Rebates ingly for the space, and then conDealer Name figured as needed with a balance Lorraine’s Window Coverings Address City State Zip of shelves and hanging racks. De eaalelreLroN goam410 Rd. Ste 101 D e DeaW ler PBakerview hone An out-of-the way nook or long Dealer Website WA, Bellingham, Address Contractor’s License # 12345678 hallway can be enhanced with a City State Zip(360) 738-8175 D e a l e r L o g o bookshelf to hold photo albums Dealer PhoneLorrainesWindowCoverings.com Dealer Name Dealer Website or that library that only continAddress *Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made October 1- December 5, 2023 from participating Co nbe traissued ctoinr’the s form Licofena Virtual se #Reward 123Card 456and78 ues to grow as new reading matedealers in the U.S. only. Rebate will emailed withinC 6 iweeks of rebate ty S tate Zip claim approval. Subject to applicable law, a $3.00 monthlye fee will be assessed against card balance 12 months after card rial is acquired. *Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made October 1- December 5, 2023 from participating dealers iD n the U.Sa . onlle y. Rr ebatL e wo ill bg e isso ued in the form of a Virtual Reward Card and emailed issuance and each month thereafter. See complete terms distributed with Virtual Reward Card. Additional limitations may D e a l e r within 6 weeks of rebate claim approval. Subject to applicable law, a $3.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 12 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. See complete termsP dish tribuo tedne Homeowners with Virtual Rcan eward Cardmake . Additional limcomitations may apply. Ask papply. articipaAsk ting dparticipating ealer for detailsdealer and rebfor ate details form. ©2and 023 Hrebate unter Doform. uglas.©2023 All rightsHunter reservedDouglas. . All trademAll arksrights used hreserved. erein are theAll protrademarks perty of Hunter Douglas D e a l e r W e bsite r their respective owners. used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners. mon areas omore functional with Contractor’s Licen the addition of storage.

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The Northern Light • October 26 - November 1, 2023

Whatcom County Executive candidate Q&A: Satpal Sidhu, Dan Purdy

s Satpal Sidhu.

s Dan Purdy.

The Northern Light asked Whatcom County Executive candidates why they are running for the four-year position in the November 7 general election. The candidates provided written responses to the questions. Satpal Sidhu Satpal Sidhu is finishing his first term as Whatcom County Executive and served as a county councilmember from 2015 to 2020. Sidhu has spent his career working in manufacturing, solar and technical education for four decades. He is the former dean of engineering at Bellingham Technical College. Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those? 1. Public safety: I would like to prioritize construction of a new

building for the current jail. Also funding the LEAD, GRACE and Alternate Response Team programs to offer treatment services rather than incarceration. 2. Mental/behavioral health treatment facilities: Starting immediate construction of the 23hour sobering facility next to the Anne Deacon Center of Hope. Completion of Way Station in mid-2024 and build a new re-entry building for people released from jail. 3. Affordable housing: Update the land use zoning codes to allow more density, smaller lots and smaller homes with lower prices. Use EDI funds for affordable housing. Q: What do you believe are the biggest concerns facing Birch Bay and Custer residents, and how will you work

to address those needs? Both these communities are unincorporated areas and need infrastructure like Everson or Sumas. This will require assistance from state and federal grants. I know Birch Bay residents have started a petition to become a city. So, we must wait for the decision by residents. The other issues are transportation and storm water infrastructure. I will do my best to leverage county funds with grants from the state and federal government to implement these projects. Q: Birch Bay residents have voiced that they feel unheard by Whatcom County over the past year. How do you plan to improve communication and prioritize the needs of Birch Bay residents? I recently visited and listened to the proponents of Birch Bay as a city and shared our thoughts on how the process will work. I don’t think the county should have any objection to Birch Bay becoming a city. However, this needs a lot of study for the cost of self-governance and city operations. I offered all our help to citizens to go through this process. I plan to increase the interaction of county admin with the citizens on various infrastructure projects in the future. Dan Purdy Dan Purdy is an entrepreneur and businessman who has worked at businesses ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies and has owned four small businesses since 2005. He

is director of partnerships at Cultivate Advisors and management consultant and executive coach at Daring Business Strategies, according to his LinkedIn. Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those? I’m focused on setting the P.A.C.E. for Whatcom County: Increasing public safety; promoting accountability and fiscal responsibility; reducing the cost of living; and advancing environmental stewardship. After much listening, I’ve created a plan for my first 100 days. “Dan’s Plan” includes 1) create an actionable plan to tackle homelessness in Whatcom County and 2) implement targeted crime prevention strategies. This plan prioritizes solutions that provide shelter, mental health/addiction services and pathways to rehabilitation for our homeless neighbors. To reduce homelessness, local organizations and stakeholders need collaboration and leveraging of proven strategies. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home in Whatcom. Q: What do you believe are the biggest concerns facing Birch Bay and Custer residents, and how will you work to address those needs? After engaging with many residents and small business owners, I’ve identified many key concerns facing Birch Bay and Custer: Flood

management, access to emergency funding and the need for supportive density regulations for future growth. We’ll prioritize flood infrastructure enhancements, creating an emergency response fund, and collaborating with local agencies to boost disaster preparedness. Additionally, I want to engage with the community further to establish balanced regulation that both supports growth and preserves our agricultural land. Together, we can promote a safer and more prosperous future for our neighbors in Birch Bay and Custer. Q: Birch Bay residents have voiced that they feel unheard by Whatcom County over the past year. How do you plan to improve communication and prioritize the needs of Birch Bay residents? Justly, residents in our northwestern communities feel largely unheard by Whatcom County. Should Birch Bay’s voters choose to incorporate, I’ll actively support their inclusion, ensuring their unique geographic needs are considered. Additionally, we need to bridge the gap by hosting regular meetings and soliciting feedback, improving direct lines of communication. I’ll create an emergency response fund to prepare for our next inevitable natural disaster, giving the folks of Custer, Blaine and Birch Bay the support they deserve. I will prioritize strengthening the bond between each small city, bolstering a more responsive and cohesive community.

Whatcom County Council District 5 candidate Q&A: Elenbaas, Dexter

s Ben Elenbaas.

s Jackie Dexter.

The Northern Light asked Whatcom County Council District 5 candidates why they are running for the seat in the November 7 general election. The District 5 position is a four-year term that represents north Whatcom County, including Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer. The candidates provided written responses to the questions. Ben Elenbaas Ben Elenbaas is finishing his first term on Whatcom County Council. Elenbaas is a farmer and works as operations foreman at BP Cherry Point. He earned his bachelor’s degree in natural sciences from Western Washington University. Q: If re-elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those? Public safety, the drug/fentanyl epidemic and affordability are

the primary issues facing Whatcom County and such are my top priorities. Everyone should feel safe. I believe this is a minimum expectation. As a council we secured 10 new sheriff deputies while other municipalities made cuts. I helped craft our jail ordinance. When approved, I look forward to implementing, not only a safe jail plan, but expanded mental health and treatment options over the next four years. Q: Birch Bay residents have voiced that they feel unheard by Whatcom County. How do you plan to improve communication and prioritize the needs of Birch Bay? I have been viewed as the lone representative in local government for the area. I often hear this is a major concern for people who reside in what would be the fourth largest city in the county if

incorporated. Birch Bay faces the issues of a city without the structure and services a municipality can provide. Incorporation has pros and cons, however, I do believe it’s a conversation that must be had. Ultimately, if it’s what the voters want and they are willing to burden the cost, we should honor that choice. Q: Whatcom County is set to update its comprehensive plan by June 2025. What changes would you like to see in the 2025 comprehensive plan update to plan for future growth? I favor policies that acknowledge realities on the ground. For example, we plan for growth from projections from past trends. Unfortunately, a lot of stagnation has been created by our zero-growth approach to land use policy. If we don’t offer zoning to meet the needs of the community, we’ve created stagnation that then perpetuates itself, justified by the previously planned zero growth. We should consider the needs of a community and work forward instead of planning looking back. In the case of Birch Bay, we have planned for massive amounts of housing and haven’t done a good job with servicing said housing with infrastructure and services. We need to look at the reality of what we’ve created and take responsibility to look forward and providing what’s needed.

Jackie Dexter Jackie Dexter is an aquaculturist at Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and member of Whatcom County Marine Resource Committee and the Puget Sound Shellfish Growers Association. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Western Washington University. Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those? My top three priorities are 1) to promote economic growth, especially in sustainable industries; 2) support working families with affordable housing, pre-K and affordable childcare programs, and expanding internet accessibility; 3) and supporting the Indigenous tribes of Whatcom County. Updating the 2025 Comprehensive Plan will be instrumental in addressing many key issues. Collaborating with all the various agencies, committees and stakeholders will be the key to success. I look forward to learning and collaborating with the Lummi Nation as we build bridges and develop relationships. Q: Birch Bay residents have voiced that they feel unheard by Whatcom County. How do you plan to improve communication and prioritize the needs of Birch Bay residents? I am eager to better represent the unincorporated communities of District 5 that may feel forgotten. Birch Bay deserves a

voice that will support its current needs and prepare for its future growth. Birch Bay has had many accomplishments in the last few years and I am excited about the future projects, like the pathway to connect the communities of Birch Bay and Blaine. I am working on bringing a newer, sustainable industry to Birch Bay, my own seaweed/shellfish farm, and I consider myself an invested stakeholder in the future of this community. I truly look forward to representing my friends and neighbors in Birch Bay. Q: Whatcom County is set to update its comprehensive plan by June 2025. What changes would you like to see in the 2025 comprehensive plan update to plan for future growth? Updating the 2025 Comprehensive Plan will be an opportunity to take a closer look at how we can best balance urban growth, reduce sprawl and preserve our natural surroundings. I plan on digging in on housing, updating climate resiliency and preparedness planning, and balancing growth with protection of our vital resources. I hope that Whatcom County can increase density in urban growth areas, allow for more multi-family zones, offer more incentives to projects that support workforce housing, and address the storm water run-off impacting our fresh and saltwater resources from the developments.

October 26 - November 1, 2023 • thenorthernlight.com

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Legal Superior Court of the State of Washington For King County Estate of Thomas Patrick Murdock, Deceased. No. 234-06639-9 SEA. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. RCW 11.40.020, .030 Leslie Audrey Neuberg Murdock has been appointed as personal representative (“personal representative”) of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the attorney of the personal representative at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) 30 days after the attorney served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: Oct. 19, 2023 Personal Representative: Leslie Audrey Neuberg Murdock Attorneys for Personal Representative: Amy E. Tucker, WSBA #29276 Perkins Coie LLP 1201 Third Avenue, Suite 4900 Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 359-8000

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Philip Shi-Sun Wu, Deceased. NO. 23-4-00907-37. NON PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. RCW 11.42.030. JUDGE: Lee Grochmal. The notice agent named below has elected to give notice to creditors of the abovenamed decedent. As of the date of the filing of a copy of this notice with the court, the notice agent has no knowledge of any other person acting as notice agent or of the appointment of a personal representative of the decedent’s estate in the state of Washington. According to the records of the court as are available on the date of the filing of this notice with the court, a cause number regarding the decedent has not been issued to any other notice agent, and a personal representative of the decedent’s estate has not been appointed. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.42.070 by serving on or mailing to the notice agent or the notice agent’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the notice agent’s declaration and oath were filed. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the notice agent served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.42.020(2)(c); or (2) Four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.42.050 and 11.42.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. The notice agent declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington on October 11, 2023, at Bellingham, Washington, that the foregoing is true and correct. Date of First Publication: October 26, 2023 Notice Agent: George Wu aka Geo Wu 5398 Goldfinch Way Blaine, WA 98230 Attorney for notice agent: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Court of notice agent’s Declaration and Oath: Superior Court of Whatcom County Cause Number: 23-4-00907-37

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR KITSAP COUNTY STATE OF WASHINGTON In re the Matter and Estate of: Gene Alan Eaton, Deceased No. 23-4-01066-18. NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030 The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time when the claim would be barred by any applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to personal representative at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented by the later of: (1) Thirty (30) days after the personal representative served or mailed this notice as provided in RCW 11.40.020(1)(c), or (2) Four (4) months after the date of first publication of this notice. If the claim is not presented within this time period, the claim will be forever barred except as provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective for claims against both the Decedent’s probate and non-probate assets. Notice of First Publication: October 12, 2023 Personal Representative: D. Willow Eaton Address for mailing or service: D. Willow Eaton 1580 SW Hollyhock Ln. Port Orchard, WA 98367

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: RICHARD EDWARD COOLBAUGH II, Deceased. No. 23-4-00982-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge David E. Freeman. The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 AND 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: October 16, 2023 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: October 26, 2023 Name of Administrator: PATRICIA MEYERS Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550 Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com DATED: October 16, 2023 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Administrator PATRICIA MEYERS www.averyelderlaw.com

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: IRIS MAE COOKE, Deceased. No. 234-01010-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge David E. Freeman The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 AND 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: October 20, 2023 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: October 26, 2023 Name of Administrator: ALAN WAYNE COOKE Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550 Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com DATED: October 20, 2023 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Administrator ALAN WAYNE COOKE www.averyelderlaw.com

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JEANETTE STEVENSON, Deceased. No. 23-4-00961-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge David E. Freeman. The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 AND 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: October 9, 2023 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: October 12, 2023 Name of Administrator: MARCIA STEVENSON Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550 Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com DATED: October 9, 2023 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Administrator MARCIA STEVENSON

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October 26 - November 1, 2023 • thenorthernlight.com

Whatcom County Council At-Large Position B candidate Q&A: Scanlon, Ordos

OBITUARIES Robert “Bob” Drake 1938 – 2023

s Jon Scanlon. The Northern Light asked Whatcom County Council AtLarge Position B candidates why they are running for the seat in the November 7 general election. The at-large position is a four-year term that represents all of Whatcom County. The candidates provided written responses to the questions. Jon Scanlon Jon Scanlon works as a consultant for conservation nonprofits and Indigenous communities on climate and human rights, and has two decades of experience in public policy and diplomacy. He earned his master’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those? The top issue for my campaign is affordability and access to housing, childcare and healthcare. Whatcom County needs more affordable housing. I will advocate for a comprehensive approach that includes density in cities, permitting reform, tiny home villages, repurposing existing county funds for affordable housing, and advocating for state and federal funds. The healthcare marketplace is failing our county. Small cities have lost their local access to care, many people travel long distances for specialty care, and our only hospital is cutting services. I would like to survey Whatcom County healthcare needs, identify gaps in services and work with the community to design a plan to fill the gaps. Voters approved a new affordable childcare initiative in 2022. I’ll advocate for taxpayer dollars to go to their intended purposes. Q: Where would you like to see funding prioritized in the Whatcom County budget? In addition to my priorities regarding childcare, healthcare and affordable housing, I would like to ensure that Whatcom County pays county employees a living wage that allows employees to live in Whatcom County. Paying a living wage

s Hannah Ordos. is the right thing to do, and can help with the county’s climate goals by helping county employees live closer to work with shorter commute times and potential to increase use of public transit, carpooling and other incentives that can reduce the county government’s carbon footprint. Q: Whatcom County is set to update its comprehensive plan by June 2025. What changes would you like to see in the 2025 comprehensive plan update to plan for future growth? Whatcom County should plan ahead for population growth. We live in a beautiful place between two large metro areas and we will continue to attract new residents. We must make the policy changes needed to make housing more affordable for current and future residents. The county should partner with the cities to plan for dense, walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods so that we can protect land across the county for drinking water, conservation, wildlife, parks, recreation, agriculture and bringing the jobs of the clean energy transition to our county. Hannah Ordos Hannah Ordos is a customer support manager at Vitamin Portfolio LLC. She is a fourth-generation Whatcom County resident who graduated from Nooksack Valley High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Western Washington University. Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those? Public Safety is my priority. It’s a complex issue that impacts all of Whatcom County. Three key areas are our fentanyl crisis, the need for an appropriate jail facility and increased demand for behavioral and substance abuse services. Progress can be made through accountability, transparency and collaboration. Accountability with programs we are funding regarding outcomes. Transparency in how tax dollars and our local, state and federal resourc-

es are utilized in these areas. Collaboration with community members, public and private partners and among the council. This will keep the county council engaged, community informed and everyone actively focused on creating real solutions. Q: Where would you like to see funding prioritized in the Whatcom County budget? The current budget runs through 2024. The jail levy (if passed), as well as local, state and federal funds will already be allocated towards my priorities around the fentanyl crisis, a facility and needed services. My priority would be to ensure that we as a council are being held accountable for what we have promised the public in terms of how money is being spent and expected outcomes. If the jail levy does not pass, options to address a facility and needed services would be a priority discussion around funding and possible budget amendments. Q: Whatcom County is set to update its comprehensive plan by June 2025. What changes would you like to see in the 2025 comprehensive plan update to plan for future growth? In the at-large race, I am one part of the team. I plan to engage with staff, and fellow council members who represent their districts, to better understand what their constituents have shared and their goals for the comprehensive plan update. It is important that we plan for growth that is aligned with the Growth Management requirements and where it makes the most sense while preserving what we love about Whatcom County. This needs to be a collaborative effort to have the best possible outcome for those that live here and those joining us in the future.

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Robert “Bob” Drake. It is with profound gratitude that we are able to share about a life well-lived. Bob was born in Portland, ME in 1938. Upon completing high school he proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. Bob was stationed at the Blaine Air Force station. Bob was a self-made man, a businessman, a builder, logger, fisherman and a father. Mostly he would like to be remembered as a great friend and neighbor. He is survived by his sister, Cindy (Paul); daughters, Becky (Tom) and Jeannie (Pete). See you on the other side Pops. A memorial service was held, Saturday, October 21, 2023, 2:30 p.m., Blaine Middle School Cafeteria, 975 H Street. His final resting place, private graveside service at the Haynie Cemetery, Blaine. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to; Skookum Kids, 316 McLeod Road Suite 108, Bellingham, WA, 98226 or Blaine Food Bank, 500 C Street, Blaine, WA, 98230. Please share your thoughts and memories online at, www.sigsfuneralservices.com.

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