Rodger Funk is nearing three months as chief of police in Blaine since starting the position April 15. As he settles into the job, Funk sat down with The Northern Light to share what he’s learned during his career in law enforcement, his approach to policing and his love for trail running.
Funk grew up primarily in Bellingham and graduated from Sehome High School alongside his now wife. He went on to graduate from Central Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in law and justice and later obtained a master’s degree in management from American Military University, a private online university system.
Funk has 28 years of law enforcement experience at the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), where his first years were spent as a patrol officer and resident deputy at Baker Lake. He held several high-ranking positions at WCSO, including as chief for investigations and support services, where he oversaw the major crimes and the drug and gang task force bureaus, the records division, evidence unit and civil unit. He most recently served as chief inspector at the professional standards office.
This interview was edited for clarity and brevity.
What initially interested you in a career in law enforcement?
When I was a teenager, I worked at Target. Target had security officers who worked undercover and one of those officers, Doug Burks, was a reserve police officer from Bellingham. He was always talking about his experiences and that just really sparked my interest.
He eventually got hired by the sheriff’s office, and I got to spend my career at the sheriff’s office working with him. We were both deputies and sergeants, and went up the ranks together. It was a blast to get to work with him all those years.
Was there something especially that interested you that he had talked about?
That every day was different. They weren’t mundane tasks. We’re always evolving, always growing, there’s lots to learn.
I liked the idea that I wouldn’t grow stagnant, that it was a job that would always
Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July
Initiative to repeal Healthy Children’s Fund to face legal challenge
Weeks after a Lynden-based political action committee, Washingtonians for a Sound Economy, collected enough signatures to introduce an initiative repealing Prop. 5, passed in 2022 as the “Healthy Children’s Fund” (HCF) tax, onto November ballots, Whatcom County Council voted 4-2 to bring the measure to a judge to determine its legality.
Councilmembers Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler voted against, and councilmember Tyler Byrd abstained.
During the July 9 county council meeting, some councilmembers argued that since the initiative is aimed at repealing a voter-approved tax, it should instead be classified as a referendum, which would require a much higher signature count to make it onto ballots.
State courts have long determined that a citizen initiative can create a new law or work to better enact existing laws, but a referendum is needed to repeal existing laws, like the HCF. The $0.19 per $1,000 of assessed property value tax passed in 2022 by just 20 votes, and is expected to raise $100 million by 2032.
Councilmember Todd Donovan, who originally questioned the legality of the repeal initiative in a previous council meeting, said voter trust is at stake with the initiative in question.
“If it goes on the ballot and we vote on it and a court says later, after the fact, that this shouldn’t have happened, that’s a risk in terms of devaluing the meaning of a vote,” Donovan said. “There’s clarity we get from that in asking a judge, ‘Can we go
Photo
for 7 months
Earn 4.77% APY* on a 7-month certificate of deposit (CD). Minimum $5,000 to open.
Interest Rates Effective: 07/01/2024
* APY is Annual Percentage Yield. Penalties may be imposed on early withdrawal. Visit ourfirstfed.com/personal/savings/cd-rates or scan the code for details.
ourfirstfed.com | 800.800.1577 Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, JULY 11 & 12 G Street Plaza • 12 pm LIVE MUSIC
EXPERIENCE THE SOUNDS OF THE FESTIVAL
THURSDAY, JULY 11
Barnstar Events • 5295 S. Church Rd., Ferndale • 7 pm BIG BAND AT THE BARN ENJOY A NIGHT OF FUN WITH BBQ, LIVE MUSIC & SWING DANCE! $75 for General Public
FRIDAY, JULY 12 Blaine PAC • 7 pm STUDENT SHOWCASE
FEATURING OUR AMAZING BHMF STUDENTS!
SATURDAY, JULY 13
H Street & G Street Plazas • 11 am-4pm
JAZZ-BY-THE-SEA BHMF MUSIC & ARTS STREET
MORE www.blaineharbormusicfestival.org
Summer Day Camps
Blaine Harbor Music Festival puts on live music through Saturday, July 13
s Greta Matassa, c., sang jazz tunes to a crowd at the G Street Plaza in downtown Blaine on July 9 for the Blaine Harbor Music Festival. Bassist Clipper Anderson, l., and drummer Julian MacDonough, r., accompanied, along with pianist David Joyner and guitarist Christopher Woitach (not pictured). The festival has free noon concerts at G Street Plaza through Friday, July 12. For information on other festival performances, including the downtown street fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, visit bit.ly/3y2Etkd.
County council reconsiders 22 North funding
B y N ola N B aker
Whatcom County Councilmember Ben Elenbaas introduced a resolution requesting the county executive pull funding to Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services relating to 22 North, a permanent supportive housing facility in downtown Bellingham, during the July 9 council meeting. Council voted 5-2 to extend conversation on the funding to July 30, with councilmembers Mark Stremler and Ben Elenbaas opposed.
Councilmember Kaylee Galloway requested a two-week extension on the resolution to hold ‘robust conversations’ with stakeholders before voting on fully removing county funds from the supportive housing service. The
hold was extended to three weeks due to scheduling conflicts.
Dozens of members of the public spoke against the proposal, saying despite a record of violent and overdose deaths, outcomes are still better for vulnerable people when they are housed in 22 North compared to being on the street.
“I’m just not interested in sponsoring the deaths anymore. I’m sorry, I’m not,” Elenbaas said during the July 9 meeting. “What I want is an outcome that is better in the long run.”
22 North houses about 40 people experiencing homelessness, many of whom are battling drug addiction. The resolution cites “at least eight individuals who have died” at the location between February 2022 and May 2024. Elenbaas’ res-
olution described each death by name, some depicted in grim detail.
“My resolution is not to just pull the carpet out on 22 North, my resolution is to hold the folks that hold 22 North accountable for the poor performance that we’ve seen,” Elenbaas said.
The resolution requested that the county executive repurpose the building into a secure detox and treatment facility, which would reinstate funding toward that new objective. 22 North doesn’t receive all of its funding through the county, but multiple programs are supported by county funds.
“Whether you support keeping 22 North or want to get rid of it, most people say we can do better,” councilmember Jon Scanlon said. “And I think we can do better.”
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue schedules meetings on levy proposal
B y G race M c c arthy
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) is holding three meetings on its levy lid lift proposal that will appear on August 6 primary election ballots.
NWFR chief Jason Van Der Veen will lead the meetings:
• 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 at the Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street
• 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 24 at Station 61, 9408 Odell Road in Blaine
• 9 a.m. Saturday, July 27 at Laurel Grange, 6172 Guide Meridian Road in Lynden
The lid lift would increase the levy rate $0.34 per $1,000 of assessed property value, from $0.76 to $1.10 per $1,000. The lid lift would cost the owner of a $500,000 home an additional $14.16 per month, or $170 per year.
The levy lid lift would fund up to eight emergency personnel, add another response unit for medical emergencies, replace a ladder truck and replace
three engines.
State law limits the fire district to only collect a one percent revenue increase annually.
The district’s call volumes have
doubled over the past 10 years, with EMS calls increasing 50 percent. Costs have also increased 4 to 5 percent annually, according to the district.
County ...
From page 1 this route?’” Elenbaas said that the extra hoops to jump through also leads to an erosion of voter trust.
“I feel like democracy is under attack here, I mean, what’s it going to hurt to put this on the ballot? Nothing,” Elenbaas said. “I just think we’re way out of line here. I think this is an attack on democracy and I think that the people did what we’ve asked them to do.”
Photo by Nolan Baker
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
Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com
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
Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl, Laura Nesse
The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230
Tel: 360/332-1777
Vol XXX, No 5
Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Plover passes U.S. Coast Guard inspection OpiniOn
s A group of people assist with moving the Plover ferry into Blaine Harbor on July 9. The U.S. Coast Guard passed the Plover’s final inspection the following day, signaling the vessel’s return after being out of the water last season.
The U.S. Coast Guard passed the historic Plover ferry’s final inspection on July 10, allowing it to return to transporting passengers after a major restoration that took over a year.
The Plover passed the U.S. Coast Guard’s out-of-water inspection, done in
The Editor:
Oh, say, did you hear all the bombs bursting near?
If you live in the city of Blaine, you heard them, beginning on July 3 and extending through July 5.Blaine puts on the best and biggest “old-fashioned July celebration” in Whatcom County. The new parade route was great, as were all the vendors, music, play areas, car show and book sale. In the evening, fireworks were launched from Semiahmoo, for all to watch from Peace Portal Drive, the marina, porches and rooftops in town, safely. And then, there were the fireworks that
Plover captain Richard Sturgill’s backyard on June 26, to ensure the replanking of the boat’s hull was done properly. With the out-of-water inspection approved, Sturgill paraded the Plover in Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July festival before returning the boat to Blaine Harbor on July 9.
Letters
turned our wonderful “back in time” small town into a warzone.
Every year, there is a letter such as ours, ranting about private fireworks in city limits. This year is our turn. We hope our thoughts may compel action by the city of Blaine. The issues of common decency and neighborliness, and the issue of the danger of fireworks in the hands of non-professionals, are worth reviewing.
Regarding neighborly consideration: Why are the desires of the few who wish to shoot fireworks inside the city limits given preference over the desires of the majority, who would love to have a backyard July 4
CiviC Meetings
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district office, 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: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Meetings are second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
The in-water inspection on July 10 was the needed greenlight for the ferry to set sail.
The Plover is a 1944 vessel that once transported workers to the old Alaska Packers Association salmon cannery on Semiahmoo Spit. Sturgill oversaw the Plover’s original restoration in the ’90s.
barbecue without feeling like they are in a military battle?
Regarding the danger of private fireworks: Must Blaine wait until a house is burned, an adult is injured, or a child is killed before banning private fireworks in town?
Last year, 9,700 Americans sought ER services, and eight people died from July 4 fireworks accidents. See July 5 Washington news:
(See Letters, next page)
Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Blaine Public Works and Park Advisory Board: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine council chambers. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district boardroom, 770 Mitchell Avenue. Info: blainesd.org.
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue: Third Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.
BBWARM: Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee meets quarterly in-person and on Zoom. Info: bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org.
Photo courtesy Richard Sturgill
Blaine Arts Council opens gallery
Blaine Arts Council (BAC) held a soft opening for its new gallery at 922 Peace Portal Drive, near Clark Street, on July 4. The gallery features a monthly rotation of artists from Blaine
and around the region. Artists featured during the soft opening were Annie Pflueger, Bonnie Ventura, Christy Schroeder-Lloyd, Dana Hayden, Gordon Nealy and Lyn Gray Rackley.
The gallery’s grand opening will be Friday, August 2. BAC will hold monthly receptions during the evening of the first Friday of the month.
The gallery is open from 11
a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The gallery will also be open Mondays of holiday weekends, such as Labor Day.
Blaine school district releases preliminary 2024-25 budget to be reviewed by public
The Blaine school district released its preliminary budget for the 2024-25 school year, with a formal adoption of the budget scheduled to be voted on by the school board on August 26.
The upcoming school year’s budget shows, “the second year in a row of significant cost reduction,” according to the budget overview. Roughly 80 positions
Letters ...
From previous page
Renton: A brush fire set off by illegal fireworks near an apartment building forced people to evacuate because of flames near the building, July 4.
Auburn: A 15-year-old teen lost a portion of his hand when he lit a mortar on Sunday, June 30.
Bothell: A 45-year-old man died when hit in the back of the head by the mortar-style firework he had lit.
It’s time to do the right thing. It’s time to ban private fireworks in the city of Blaine.
Andrea Stampley and Dave Carr Blaine
The Editor:
I was perplexed by Doug Dahl’s response to the question regarding the one-lane road rules on Drayton Harbor Road. Mr. Dahl states one option is that all cars should proceed through without stopping when there are several cars waiting on one side, when no vehicle is present on the opposite side.
General driving regulations state that one must come to a complete stop before any stop sign and then proceed. This recommendation of flushing through contradicts the universal stop sign rule.
were cut in the last two years.
With funding drying up due to lowering enrollment, state laws capping tax collection, and fewer post-pandemic federal dollars, multiple school programs are expected to be reduced to maintain a balanced budget, according to the district.
The board of directors will hold a review and discussion of the draft budget at 6 p.m., Tues-
It is also confusing in that two of the stop signs are four-way stops and third is a simple stop sign.
Over 60 percent of drivers don’t obey the second stop sign when proceeding southeast. The above scenario could result eventually in an unnecessary accident let alone inducing further road rage.
Gabriel Komjathy Blaine
The Editor:
Did you know that call volumes to North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) have nearly doubled in the last 10 years, and EMS calls have increased by 50 percent, resulting in 71 percent of all calls being EMS-related? Did you know that 30 percent of the time, multiple emergencies in the area happen at once, and NWFR isn’t staffed to respond to multiple overlapping calls?
This could mean longer response times when minutes count. This could mean the difference between life and death.
From time to time, NWFR must ask voters to reset their fire levy rate. This is known as a levy lid lift, and it helps them keep up with costs to provide service for higher call volumes.
That time has come, and therefore a very important local measure will be on the ballot in the August 6 primary election, asking voters to consider lifting the
day, July 23, which the public is invited to attend.
Digital copies of the proposed budget are available at bit.ly/4cWqH1m, and hard copies can be provided by request of the superintendent’s office at 360/332-5881. Questions regarding the budget can be sent to superintendent Christopher Granger at cgranger@blainesd.org.
current levy lid. What will happen if the measure doesn’t pass? NWFR will be forced to operate below minimum staffing levels, they won’t be able to replace or maintain aging apparatus, and they won’t be able to replace Birch Bay Station – all of which will impact response times districtwide. Without a funding increase, emergency medical services might not be available when you need them.
I strongly urge you to vote yes on August 9.
To learn more, I encourage you to attend one of several public meetings in July, hosted by NWFR fire chief Jason Van der Veen, or visit nwfrs.net/levy-lid-lift
Margot Savell
Birch Bay
Notice is hereby given that the Blaine City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 6:00pm in the City Council Chambers, Blaine City Hall, 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000, to receive public comment on a right-of-way vacation. More information can be found on the Newsflash portion of the City’s website.
Blaine School District Budget
On July 10, the Blaine School District will have completed its preliminary budget for the 2024-25 school year. A budget summary will be on file at the district administrative office at 765 H Street, and a copy will be furnished to any person requesting one. The summary will include a projected total of expenses and revenues.
A public hearing on the 2024-25 budget will take place during the regularly scheduled Board meeting, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. at 770 Mitchell Avenue in Blaine. Anyone in attendance will have the opportunity to speak for or against any part of the budget, the four-year budget plan or changes to use of enrichment funding. Board adoption will take place during the meeting.
s Guests attend the soft opening of the Blaine Arts Council’s gallery on July 4. The gallery is at 922 Peace Portal Drive. Photo by Molly Ernst
s The Blaine Arts Council’s art gallery is showcasing a monthly rotation of art from six local artists. Photo by Diane Butts
From page 1 evolve and always have opportunities to learn.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned over your career?
Patience, empathy and looking for the bigger picture. We can’t judge people by a moment in time. It’s so important for officers to look at every situation they’re in and see that the snapshot of what they’re getting is not reflective of an entire person’s life.
How do you take those lessons you’ve learned and bring them to your officers?
It’s going to sound kind of silly, but I ask them to slow down. Don’t rush to judgment. Don’t rush your decisions.
In emergent situations where it’s dangerous, obviously they have to make quick decisions. But try to be thoughtful, try to think through ‘What am I missing?’ so that you’re not making mistakes and you’re thinking of hurdles before you get to them.
And treat people fair, follow the golden rule of treating others as you want to be treated. We serve everybody. It doesn’t matter what their status is in society, or in the community, or in the country.
How have you seen law enforcement change since you started your career?
It’s become much more profes-
“We’ve
sional. Technology has changed. The legal expectations for officers to understand the ins and outs of the laws are more complex.
When I first started, you’d go to a call, you need to understand the basics of the law, but it was much more functional. It’s become much more academic and intellectual.
I think we’re really blessed in Whatcom County, specifically, but on the West Coast in general, that law enforcement is as professional as it is. Officers are expected to be thinkers and problem solvers.
What are your biggest pieces of advice for someone who wants to become a police officer?
I tell people when they first get into law enforcement to write themselves a letter of why they wanted to get into law enforcement and what sparked that interest so that they can maintain that drive.
I think there’s a distinction between motivation and drive. I want to capture that drive for people. You can motivate people with something shiny, more pay or whatever. Blaine is a prime example of the community offering so much more than just the pay.
The satisfaction of support we get from our schools, business members and the community taps into the drive.
How have you used what you learned at the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office as Blaine police chief?
As chief for investigations and support services, it really opened
my eyes to the support services for law enforcement. What faces the community is the patrol car, the uniform, but there’s so much more in the background. The position opened my eyes to evidence management, records management, public disclosure – the behind the scenes things that keep us going.
In my last position in professional standards, the focus was on labor issues, policy development, employee investigations, ensuring the balance between management and employees were respected. It broadened my perspective with things that you don’t think about earlier in your career that go on in the background. What are things the Blaine community may not know about their officers?
I don’t think they realize how busy they are. The call volume does not reflect how busy our officers are.
We have officers that have a lot of collateral duties to keep us functioning as a smaller agency. We still have all the requirements that a big agency does, we’re just on a smaller scale. We still have to manage our evidence, public disclosure, vehicle fleet, and we still have the same training requirements. Our officers have those collateral duties to keep all of those things going, whereas a bigger agency may have somebody dedicated to it.
How have your first three months been as Blaine police chief?
Absolutely fantastic. The welcoming from the community, the officers, the schools, is just overwhelmingly positive. The partnerships that we have amongst all of the departments within the
city is fantastic.
What has your work looked like over the past three months?
I’m getting my bearings, understanding the budget, understanding Blaine policies for both city and police, getting to know my officers, getting to know the community. I’m spending a lot of time getting to know the ins and outs of the city. What challenges do you see for the Blaine Police Department?
Recruiting is a challenge. We’re competing against agencies throughout the state trying to hire a limited pool of people. The other challenge, like I mentioned, is we have to do the same things as a bigger agency with a smaller volume of people.
Where do you see improvements needed in the department?
Where do you think the department is doing really well?
I’m looking for opportunities to improve our efficiencies within our systems, our processes, identifying what our policies and procedures are that can be streamlined. Not that we’re doing anything wrong, but there’s always room to make that process more lean.
One thing that we do really well, especially our officers, is they’re so compassionate. I stress with our officers that my focus for them is quite simple: I want them to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason.
I’m hearing the officers express that in the work they do. I’ll give an example: Yesterday, we arrested a person for a crime. The person didn’t want to get into a patrol car, and rather than force them into a patrol car, we had a conversation.
The person finally said, “You’re not saying the right thing. You
have to say, ‘Por favor.’” It wasn’t their language, they were just being goofy. The officer said, “Fine. No problem. Por favor,” and they climbed in the car. The officer took the time to get the cooperation to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason.
What are your goals for the next year?
I want to streamline all of our processes so that the knowledge doesn’t rest with any one person, but that it’s shared. I want a model for our officers that everybody is a leader and have them know the expectation that it’s OK to speak up if you have a good idea for improvement. What responsibilities do you bear as police chief and how are you working to fulfill those duties?
My ultimate responsibility is the administrative side of the police department, but I have a goal of being a working chief. I want to get out there with the officers in the community and not be stuck behind a desk. I want the community to know who I am. I want the officers to know who I am.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
I love running. I’m a trail runner and I’ve run several ultramarathons. My sister is also an ultra runner so she and I do these ultra events. I love being in the backcountry and in the woods. It’s my way of recharging.
Is there anything else you want the Blaine community to know about you or the police department?
I’m approachable. If they see me out and about feel free to wave and say hi, invite me over for a conversation. I want to engage in those conversations.
The Northern Light has 23,600 weekly readers in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo. The largest circulation newspaper in Whatcom County.
www.TheNorthernLight.com has 60,000+ views every month from Seattle to Bellingham.
s Blaine police chief Rodger Funk stands in front of the police station at 322 H Street on July 3. Funk, who has been settling into a new role he assumed in April, discussed his approach to policing and goals for the police department.
Photo by Grace McCarthy
Health & Wellness
Covid-19 transmission rates increase in northwest Washington
B y J oshua k or N feld
The latest Covid-19 variants “FLiRT” and LB.1 are creating a summer surge nationwide, but Covid-19 remains under control in northwest Washington.
FLiRT strains are subvariants of omicron that began spreading in April, according to Yale Medicine. LB.1, which is similar to the FLiRT variants but with an additional mutation, began spreading in June.
The FLiRT variants now make up more than 60 percent of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. compared to five percent of cases in March, according to Yale Medicine. The LB.1 strain accounted for 17.5 percent of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. at the beginning of the summer.
In Washington state, emergency department visits for Covid-19 patients have been steadily increasing since mid-May. However, that number remains under the threshold for significant transmission as the latest data shows Covid-19 only accounted for 1.7 percent of total emergency department visits statewide during June 23-29.
Transmission rates are considered significant when over three percent of emergency department visits have a Covid-19 diagnosis, at which time healthcare facilities may reinstate masking require-
s The Washington State Department of Health respiratory data dashboard shows the number of emergency department visits where patients have tested positive for Covid-19 in the north sound region, which encompasses Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Snohomish counties. The pink line represents 2023-24, the dotted line represents 2022-23 and the gray line represents 2021-22. Image courtesy Washington State Department of Health
ments. Northwest Washington hasn’t had significant transmission rates since late January.
CDC spokesperson Sharleta Stamps wrote in an email to The Northern Light that there is no evidence any of the recent variants cause more severe disease.
“CDC tracks all SARS-CoV-2 variants, including KP.2 (and other ‘FLiRT’ variants which have similar mutations) and KP.3, and is working to better understand their potential impact on public
health,” Stamps wrote.
Eighteen people with Covid-19 were occupying ICU beds in Washington state during June 23-29, which is higher than both the flu and RSV combined, according to the latest data from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) virus illness dashboard.
Vaccinations and testing
As of July 2, roughly 20 percent of Whatcom County residents were up to date with their
Covid-19 vaccinations, according to the state vaccine dashboard.
“New variants tend to be better at evading immunity from previous infection or vaccination, and immunity also wanes with a longer time interval since last vaccination,” wrote WCHCS health officer, Dr. Amy Harley, in an email to The Northern Light “People 65 years of age and older who have not yet received an additional dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at least 4 months following
their last dose should consider getting a dose now.”
Ron Warner, public information officer at Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS), wrote in an email that people can receive free Covid-19 tests through a kiosk in the parking lot of the WCHCS building, 509 Girard Street in Bellingham. The kiosk offers both rapid antigen tests and lab-based PCR tests
(See Covid-19, page 10)
Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July brings Independence
Thousands of people descended to downtown Blaine for Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July. The festival had
entertainment throughout the day, from a parade, community breakfast, street fair, live music, beer garden, children’s games,
and firework show. Former Blaine mayor Bonnie Onyon was the parade’s grand marshal and parade floats included the
Blaine Harbor Music Festival, Blaine Food Bank, Blaine High School cheer.
Photos by Louise Mugar
B y l aura N esse
Working with your hands, through arts and crafts, helps improve fine motor skills and muscle coordination, allows you to express yourself when communication is difficult, and gives you a sense of fulfillment and social connection. These are important in enhancing one’s health and well-being at any age.
Painting can be as structured or as unstructured as you want it to be. Try getting a basic painting kit, find a lovely spot to sit by the water, and just use primary colors to paint what you see on paper or canvas. This basic painting method can help ground you in the present and reduce stress. If you know paint is not in your wheelhouse – putting a puzzle together, knitting, or working with ceramics will give you the same health benefits. Finishing a piece of artwork, puzzle, knitted hat, creating a planter pot, or whatever you choose to try, will give you a sense of accomplishment that will increase your self-esteem. If it doesn’t, you just need to find a craft that does. Everyone is different. I found landscape painting would leave me feeling inadequate most of the time, but acrylic pouring and res-
Covid-19 ...
From page 7
to the public 24/7. People are instructed to return PCR tests to the kiosk and results will be provided around 48 hours later.
The DOH encourages people
in gave me a release that helped grow my love of paint, chemical reactions, and color combinations. If you’re interested in trying ceramics, Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation (BBBPRD2) has pottery classes for kids and adults starting in July and August.
Arts are not limited to painting but can include writing, music, photography, and acting. So, if you enjoy writing, try enrolling in a poetry, fiction, or nonfiction writing class at your local community college. I took a fiction writing class one summer, years ago, and I began writing short stories that helped me work out my emotions creatively, which I still do.
Wondering where to go for arts and crafts? The Blaine Library offers monthly adult crafting group meet-ups on the second and fourth Monday of every month, where you can bring your crafting equipment and craft in the company of others. Blaine Senior Center offers arts (watercolor, Zentangles, and acrylics) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and crafts (crafting and knitting circles) on Thursdays. Call Blaine Senior Center at 360/332-8040 for more information. BBBPRD2 has classes in Still Life Drawing, Rock Painting, Expressive Self
to do the following to protect themselves from Covid-19: get an updated Covid-19 vaccine, stay home if unwell, do frequent handwashing, and consider wearing masks in crowded public spaces.
Reporting results
Andrew Weitz is a program director for the National Insti-
Portrait, and Guided Landscape Painting starting in July. Check out our website (bbbparkandrec. org) to register. Need some arts and crafts geared to kids? On July 18, kids can make a wind chime with a pinwheel. On July 25, learn about the importance of cedars in Coast Salish culture as you weave a mat for the library. Get your teens into
tutes of Health (NIH) who has worked on makemytestcount. org (MMTC), an NIH website where people can report at-home Covid-19 test results.
“One of the things I love to tell people is that it’s just as important to report negatives as positives because that positivity rate gives you information about the percentage of people who are testing at home who are positive,” he said. “And that’s partly why
art by signing them up for the library’s 3-day art camp starting July 16. Call the Blaine Library at 360/305-3637 for more information. If your kids are interested in acting, BBBPRD2 has a Youth Drama Camp for 5 to 12-year-olds starting in mid-July. If you just enjoy appreciating art, please check out the Blaine Arts Council’s The Wave Art Fes-
we called it, ‘make my test count,’ because every test counts.”
Since the website’s launch in November 2022, the team has collected 240,203 tests, Weitz said.
“We’re still learning how to use it, how to draw actionable insights from it, and how to use it for public health surveillance and public health action,” he said. “The more data that we have, the better we can figure out how to do that.”
In the past, when people re-
tival at Marine Park on July 27 and 28, where you can find different genres of artwork displayed and for sale.
We have a very artistic community around us and it’s great to know how much is out there for everyone to enjoy.
Laura Nesse is the activity coordinator at Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2.
ceived free Covid-19 tests through Covid.gov, an initiative that has since been discontinued, they would be invited to report results to MMTC. Since the conclusion, Weitz said the public may no longer be provided reporting resources.
“I think the top-of-mind question for someone is, ‘Why should I do this?’” he said. “And my answer to that is, you’re helping this new cause of helping our nation understand how to better utilize this new type of testing data, home tests, that’s really here to stay.”
Weitz said NIH has no plans to discontinue the site and hopes to expand testing to include flu and STI tests. Reporting test results is optional, he said, and those choosing to report can determine how much information to share with healthcare authorities.
“We really believe that there needs to be a permanent platform in place for the public to be able to voluntarily share their results,” he said.
The Northern Light reached out to the Washington State Nurses Association about the experiences of frontline healthcare workers, and the union declined to comment citing concerns about disciplinary action. The union represents nurses at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham.
For more the latest data on respiratory illnesses in Washington state, visit the DOH dashboard at bit.ly/460lIdU. For more information on vaccines, visit the DOH vaccine locator at bit. ly/3XRWWuv, visit the WCHCS website at bit.ly/4cyTHN4 or call 360/778-6100.
Birch Bay Family Medicine
Ryan Willis, ARNP
Ashley Harmon, ARNP
s Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2’s hot cholocate Paint and Sip at L&L Bakery in Blaine on December 28, 2023.
Photo by Kristin Nesse
Birch Bay July 5 cleanup
Volunteers picked up 10,640 pounds of trash along the Birch Bay shoreline during the annual July 5 cleanup. The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted the cleanup, while Whatcom Conservation District and Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District provided supplies. The event typically removes thousands of pounds of trash each year from the environment.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In re the Estate of: ADRIANA VAN HORSEN, aka JENNY VAN HORSEN, Deceased. Probate No. 24-4-00556-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Assigned Judge: David E. Freeman 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 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 personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the Clerk of this Court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative 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 (twenty-four (24) months if notice is not published). 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 probate opened: June 21, 2024
Date Notice to Creditors filed: June 28, 2024 Date of first publication: July 4, 2024 Date creditor claim period closes: November 4,
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SKAGIT COUNTY. No. 24-4-00368-29. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) In the Matter of the Estate of Terrence S. DeValois, Deceased.
The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having 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 personal representative’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 probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative 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 non-probate assets.
Date of first publication: July 11, 2024
Personal Representative: Michelle R. VanDellen
Attorneys for Personal Representative: SKAGIT LAW GROUP, PLLC MEGAN OTIS MASONHOLDER, WSBA #29495
P.O. Box 336/227 Freeway Drive, Suite B Mount Vernon, WA 98273
The
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. 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 non-probate assets.
Date of First Publication: July 11, 2024
Administrator: Cecilia Masinas
Attorney for Administrator: Daniel E. Pizarro, WSBA #47937 Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess PLLC 1200 East D Street Tacoma, WA 98421
Power outage impacts Semiahmoo
B y G race M c c arthy
A power outage left Semiahmoo without power the night of July 3 through July 4.
According to the city of Blaine, two cable faults caused the outage. The first fault left people without power from Blaine Road
to the end of Semiahmoo Spit.
Blaine Public Works Department was able to restore power to 75 percent of customers by energizing segments of the cable. However, public works realized there was a second cable fault that delayed returning power to the remaining customers until
3:34 p.m. July 4. Public works believes the second fault could have been caused by an animal or natural deterioration of the cable.
The city of Blaine is in the process of replacing circuit 11, which provides power to all of Semiahmoo. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Blaine Marine Park events: Pride in the Park, evening of live music
The Whatcom County Library System will hold Pride in the Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14 at Blaine Marine Park.
The event will have activities for all ages to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, including story time, jewelry crafting, art vendors, karaoke and a pride
scavenger hunt. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and picnic.
After Pride in the Park, the International Peace Arch Park Association will host an evening concert 6-7:15 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at Blaine Marine Park, near the orca statues. The concert will feature the
Bram Brata steel drum brand from the Tri-Cities Steel Band Association. The band is comprised of 30 high school and middle school students traveling from Richland, Washington to Vancouver, B.C. for a summer music tour.
Attendees are encouraged to picnic during the concert.
Six county grocery stores to be sold in proposed Kroger, Albertsons merger
B y G race M c c arthy
Kroger and Albertsons have announced the store locations across the country it plans to sell if the two grocery giants merge, including six in Whatcom County.
Kroger and Albertsons made public on July 9 a list of 579 stores in the U.S. that the companies intend to sell to New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers.
In October 2022, Kroger announced plans to acquire Alb-
ertsons, and the grocery store conglomerates said in April they planned to divest the 579 stores. Washington state and the Federal Trade Commission are suing to block the merger.
Below are the stores in Whatcom County that could be impacted:
• Haggen, 1815 Main Street in Ferndale
• Haggen, 2814 Meridian Street in Bellingham
• Haggen, 1401 12th Street in Bellingham
• Haggen, 210 36th Street in Bellingham
• Haggen, 2900 Woburn Street in Bellingham
• Safeway, 1275 E Sunset Drive in Bellingham
Washington state has the highest number of stores in the U.S. that would be sold, at 124. Arizona would have 101, Colorado 91 and California 63 stores sold. The merger would impact 18 states and D.C.
C&S Wholesale Grocers has committed that no stores will close as a result of the merger and all frontline associates will remain employed.
Town hall on single-payer healthcare system to be held in Bellingham
B y J oshua k or N feld
The League of Women Voters Bellingham-Whatcom County and Whole Washington will host a town hall on a single-payer healthcare system at the Bellingham Public Library central branch on Saturday, July 13.
The groups described in a press release their concerns with the current system that include inadequate staffing, hospital closures, challenges with navigating insurance coverage, surprise bills and
medical debt. The event will consist of a 20-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session.
“Whole Washington aims to create open dialogue about our healthcare system. In some way, we’re all too familiar with the failures of the fragmented, for-profit system that we have today,” the group released in a joint statement.
Whole Washington is an initiative that started in 2016 as a coalition of healthcare professionals and volunteers statewide to create a national single-payer
healthcare system, according to its website.
The town hall will be hosted 2-3 p.m. at the Bellingham Public Library lecture room, 210 Central Avenue in downtown Bellingham. The event is intended to be non-partisan and educational.
The event is free and doesn’t require registration, according to the League of Women Voters Bellingham-Whatcom County website.
To learn more about Whole Washington, visit its website at wholewashington.org.
Road Rules: Front license plates
B y d ou G d ahl
Question: I’ve noticed that very few Teslas display front license plates. And on further review, I’ve noticed other brands and types of passenger cars, mostly compacts, don’t either. I don’t know of any exception to the law that would apply to
these vehicles. Just wondering what your take is on this issue.
Answer: Before I besmirch the good name of Tesla owners, I thought I’d gather some data and see if it confirms your assertion. I conducted an informal observational survey, and my results are as follows: 71 percent of Teslas had a front license plate and 93
percent of non-Teslas had a front license plate. It would seem that Tesla owners, as a group, are more inclined to violate the law that requires a front license plate. Lest anyone jump to any conclusions about some character flaw present in Tesla owners, (See Road Rules, page 16)
sheriff’s repOrts
June 29, 10:07 a.m.: Runaway on Treevue Road.
June 29, 10:26 a.m.: Burglary cold call on Harborview Road.
June 29, 2:33 p.m.: Death investigation on Loomis Trail Road.
June 30, 2:29 a.m.: Burglary on Shore Pine Place.
June 30, 4:44 a.m.: Missing person on H Street Road.
June 30, 4:57 p.m.: Mental health check on Moonlight Way.
June 30, 5:14 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Birch Bay Drive.
July 1, 10:22 a.m.: Harassment cold call on Blaine Road.
July 1, 6:50 p.m.: Shots on Gulf Road.
July 2, 11:44 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle cold call on Sweet Road.
July 2, 11:45 a.m.: Suspicious person on Harbor Place.
July 2, 3:37 p.m.: Serve warrant on Bay Ridge Drive.
July 2, 9:13 p.m.: Theft cold call on Harborview Road.
July 3, 7:27 p.m.: Animal
problem on Eddie Lane.
July 3, 8:51 p.m.: Overdose on Birch Terrace Place.
July 4, 11:54 a.m.: Trespass cold call on Blaine Road.
July 4, 12:10 p.m.: Vandalism on Birch Bay Drive.
July 4, 2:02 p.m.: Death investigation on Oakridge Drive.
July 4, 2:31 p.m.: Fight on Harborview Road.
July 4, 5:57 p.m.: Juvenile problem cold call on Twilight Place.
July 4, 7:23 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on West Badger Road.
July 5, 7:07 p.m.: Burglary arrest on Cowichan Road.
From June 29 to July 5, 21 local fireworks-related calls were made to WCSO.
pOLiCe repOrts
June 29, 4:41 p.m.: Shots on North Harvey Road.
June 29, 9:00 p.m.: Fraud on E Street.
June 30, 2:24 a.m.: Burglary on Shore Pine Lane.
July 1, 5:13 a.m.: Assault –simple on F Street.
July 2, 3:29 p.m.: Assault –simple on Evans Drive.
5. Very important person 6. It precedes two 7. Flavored 8. Musical notes 9. String instrument (slang) 10. Mister 11. Fine, light linen fabric 12. Absence of bacteria 16. Discounts
17. Area units 18. A description of one’s life 22. Gazelles 25. Plumbing fixture
27. Makes especially happy 28. One side of something many-sided 29. Frosts 30. Defunct monetary unit of Guinea 32. Female animal species
34. School terms 35. Written law 36. Unpleasant aroma
37. Nuclear weapon 38. One who challenges 40. Opposite of first 41. Able to be utilized 42. Less interesting 43. Implants 45. Canister 48. Gestures 51. After B 52. Romanian monetary unit 53. Long-term
Coming up
Blaine Harbor Music Festival: Through Saturday, July 13. Noon performances Thursday and Friday, July 11 and 12 on the G Street Plaza; student showcase, Friday, July 12, Blaine Performing Arts Center. Free. Info: blaineharbormusicfestival.org.
Blaine Chamber Breakfast: Thursday, July 11, 7:30–8:30 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Info: blainechamber.com.
Big Band at the Barn Fundraiser: Thursday, July 11, 7 p.m., Barn Star Events, 5295 S. Church Road, Ferndale. Enjoy a night of fun with BBQ, live music and swing dancing. $75. Info and tickets: blaineharbormusicfestival.com.
Amphibians!: Friday, July 12, 5 p.m., Birch Bay State Park’s bp Heron Center. Vikki Jackson of the Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program will introduce you to local amphibians and share information about their secretive lifestyles. Bring a chair. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
July 4, 11:09 a.m.: Hit and run on Harrison Avenue.
July 4, 11:00 p.m.: Domestic –physical on Harrison Avenue.
July 5, 11:46 a.m.: Domestic –physical on 3rd Street.
July 5, 12:51 p.m.: Burglary on Osprey Road.
July 5, 3:43 p.m.: Serve warrant on 2nd Street.
July 5, 4:14 p.m.: Assault –simple on Mary Avenue.
From July 3 to July 5, 19 fireworks-related calls were made to BPD.
54. Cash machine 56. The Volunteer State
tides
July 11-17 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
Jazz-By-The-Sea: Saturday, July 13, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., H and G street plazas. Live music by Blaine Harbor Music Festival students and street fair. Info: blainechamber.com.
Falconer: Saturday, July 13, 11 a.m., Birch Bay State Park’s wildlife theater. Presentation with live birds by master falconer Caitlyn of Mount Vernon. Topics will include falconry, native raptor species identification, and conservation. Bring a chair. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Black Dahlia: Saturday, July 13, 2 p.m., Village Books in Lynden, 430 Front Street. Birch Bay resident Steve Hodel will give a presentation followed by a Q&A on his investigation into the Black Dahlia and other murders in which his father is suspected. Tickets are $5 or a book purchase. RSVP is required, visit villagebooks.com.
Pride in the Park: Sunday, July 14, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Blaine Marine Park. Bring a blanket and your family to picnic and enjoy activities for all ages. Story time, jewelry crafting, art vendors, karaoke, a pride scavenger hunt and more. No matter how you identify, this event is for you to celebrate all things Pride with your loved ones and chosen family. All ages are welcome. Info: wcls.org.
Summer Day Camp: Monday–Friday, July 15–19, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Northwood Chapel, 580 C Street. Kids ages 5–11. $30 per child for the week. Register: cefwhatcom.org.
Community Meeting: Wednesday, July 17, 5:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Chief Jason Van Der Veen presents information on the proposed fire levy lid lift. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.
Sunsets, Sculptures & Serenades Concert: Thursday July 18, 6–7:15 p.m., Blaine Marine Park (near the orcas). Featuring Bram Brata, a 30- piece high school steel drum band from Richland, WA. Bring a picnic dinner and lawn chair.
Tidepool Exploration: Friday, July 19, 10 a.m., meet at Birch Bay State Park’s bp Heron Center. Every day at the beach is a new discovery. Enjoy learning about the habitat at Birch Bay State Park with naturalists. Info bbbparkandrec.org.
Karaoke at the Center: Friday, July 19, 5:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Sing and play along to our favorite songs. Open to the community. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.
Midsummer Night by the Bay: Friday, July 19, 6–9 p.m., Birch Bay Beach Park and Birch Bay Library. Enjoy an enchanting evening filled by captivating stories around a campfire, games and crafts for the kids, plus a special performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream by the talented children of the BBBPRD2 camp. Free hotdogs by the Friends of Birch Bay Library.
Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, July 20, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Over $275 in prizes. Games start at 12:30 p.m. Eight games $15. Lunch available for $8. Info: 360/332-8040.
Walk on the Wild Side: Spring and Summer Wildlife: Saturday, July 20, 1 p.m., Birch Bay State Park wildlife theater. The Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Center experiences a wave of wildlife babies each summer. Learn about the different species the wildlife center commonly receives and what happens once they are admitted to their care. Bring a chair. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of July 1 to 7, no precipitation was recorded. The 2024 year-todate precipitation is 17.5 inches.
Temperature: High for the past week was 78°F on July 6 with a low of 49.8°F on July 4. Average high was 72.9°F and average low was 53.3°F.
Courtesy WeatherUnderground.com
Sculpting Class: Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting July 23, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Join Sculptor Heather Onyon as she teaches a 4-part sculpting class. Learn about polymer clay and create a bust. Limited space, registration required. $20. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.
Native Plant Walk: Friday, July 26, 1 p.m., Birch Bay State Park wildlife theater. Learn the insights and benefits of native plants. Learn about the insects and birds that they support while taking a nice stroll on the trails in Birch Bay State Park. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Giant Insects of the Amazon and Asia: Friday, July 26, 3 p.m. Birch Bay State Park’s wildlife theater. Park rangers present real specimens of the largest bugs in the world. Bring a chair. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
The Wave En Blanc Fundraiser: Friday, July 26, 6– p.m., Blaine Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive. Live music by Michael David, food, drinks, silent auction and fundraising for the Blaine Arts Council gallery. Tickets and info: blaineartscouncil.org.
Blaine Art Festival: Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, July 28, 11 a.m.4 p.m., Blaine Marine Park. Enjoy a variety of different genres of artist displaying and selling their art, plus music and food trucks and beer garden. Info: blaineartscouncil.org.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Road Rules ...
From page 13
I’ll point out a detail about the non-Teslas without front license plates. Regardless of brand, when the front bumper of a vehicle doesn’t have a clear mounting point for a license plate (or includes it in a kit as an afterthought), people are less inclined
to install them.
Modern cars tend to have swooping front bumpers without a flat rectangle in the middle. Older cars often have a license plate mounting location built into the bumper. In my aforementioned observational study, those cars with the swoopy bumpers were also the ones most likely not to have a front plate. Tesla ranked highest in my
survey because the brand’s entire vehicle lineup has swoopy bumpers, with one recent outlier, the Cybertruck, a vehicle proving that wealth and good taste are not directly correlated. It looks like what would happen if a five-yearold drew a car and convinced a billionaire to manufacture it. The Cybertruck looks like a Pontiac Aztek for rich people. But I’m not here to criticize Elon Musk’s de-
sign skills. I’m here to point out that vehicle design influences driver behavior.
Yes, front license plates are required by law. From a traffic safety perspective, the lack of a front plate is inconsequential, but vehicle design does seem to play a role in whether or not a car owner installs a plate.
In the bigger picture, some other vehicle designs are less benign.
Build wide, sloping A-pillars and drivers are less likely to notice a pedestrian crossing the street (I’m talking about you, Toyota Prius). Put a ridiculous amount of horsepower in a vehicle and brag about it, and more people will speed and spectacularly crash (prime example, the Dodge Hellcat). Install a touchscreen interface, and people will look at it (bring back knobs and buttons). Build a vehicle with an excessively tall and boxy front end, and drivers will run over pedestrians they didn’t even know were there (every new full-size pickup and SUV – it’s as if truck designers hate pedestrians.)
When drivers crash, we blame their actions. To be fair, driver actions are a core factor in traffic crashes. But we often forget the role that vehicle manufacturers play in our driving safety. On the positive side, thanks to vehicle designers, we have turn signals, seat belts, crumple zones, anti-lock brakes, air bags, backup cameras, and we’re entering a new era of high-tech safety features like emergency braking, lane assist and blind spot warning. But, as mentioned prior, not all vehicle innovations actually make things better.
Next time you get in your car, take a moment to think about how the design of your vehicle influences how you drive. And then, don’t give a machine the final say. Decide to drive in ways that overcome poor design.
Doug Dahl is a Blaine resident, manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.
