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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
June 9 - 15, 2016
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IN THIS
ISSUE
GPT hits another roadblock, page 2
Voters to decide on EMS levy this November
Graduation special section, pages 7-10
BHS Recognition Night awards, page 11
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Miles of Subarus in Birch Bay
By Oliver Lazenby
(See EMS, page 3)
s Hundreds of cars lined Birch Bay Drive on June 5, with people hoping to achieve a world record for longest line of Subarus. The large and exuberant turnout fell short of the current 550-car record, with only 522 cars counted.
Photo by Steve Guntli
Blaine council to hold hearing on fireworks code Following requests from various groups and citizens, including the Semiahmoo Resort Association, Blaine City Council held a special council meeting on June 6 to discuss concerns and proposed changes to Blaine’s regulations governing the personal use and discharge of fireworks. The council has scheduled a public hearing for Monday, June 13, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000, to hear public testimony on proposed changes to the fireworks code. Proposals include banning consumer use and discharge of fireworks in west Blaine including Semiahmoo spit, limiting the dates and times of use, prohibiting use in city parks and banning fireworks citywide. Mayor Harry Robinson encouraged
those who spoke for and against fireworks regulations to come to the June 13 meeting to get their comments on the record. Blaine Municipal Code 5.16 on fireworks has been in effect since 1964. Amendments in 2011 further restricted dates and times for setting off fireworks. There have been a number of requests for additional restrictions, up to and including banning personal use and discharge of fireworks, citing concerns about safety and the protection of property and wildlife. Any changes wouldn’t take effect until 2017. Any interested party may offer testimony at the public hearing, or submit written comment. Written comment shall be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 13, or during the public hearing. Written comments or questions
regarding this notice should be directed to Sheri Sanchez, administrative services director, 435 Martin Street, Suite 3000, Blaine, WA 98230 or ssanchez@cityofblaine.com.
INSIDE
This November, Whatcom County voters will decide whether to pass a six-year property tax levy to fund county Emergency Medical Services. The levy, which needs 60 percent approval to pass, would solve a budget shortfall the EMS system has had since 2011 and fund a fifth ambulance unit that would be in service in the fifth or sixth year of the levy. The levy rate of 29.5 cents per $1,000 assessed value would add $88.50 per year in property taxes for a home valued at $300,000. If approved, it would begin in 2017. EMS is overdue for a new funding source, Bellingham fire chief Bill Newbold said at a May 17 county council meeting. In 2005, voters approved a .01 percent sales tax for EMS. That kept the system fully funded through 2011. Since then, the city of Bellingham and Whatcom County have each contributed more than $1 million per year from their general funds to help pay EMS bills. A 16-member work group with representatives from more than a dozen local fire districts, governments and other organizations formed in 2014 to analyze the problem and determine how to fund emergency services. The group recommended the 29.5cent levy in a 52-page report that came out in March. “It is the right amount of funding for the system today to be sustainable,” said Newbold, a member of the work group. “Currently, the way we are operating, with the number of units and level of service, it cannot be sustained.” The levy would raise nearly $7.7 million in 2017 and more in subsequent years, according to the report. Without the levy, the report forecasts a net loss of nearly $5.2 million next year. Extra money from the levy would go toward the training, wages and equipment needed to operate another ambulance by 2022. Some in the work group think a fifth ambulance is already necessary, Newbold said. Another expense the levy would permit is funding to train and equip a community paramedic, an outreach position that has resulted in fewer 911 calls and lower EMS costs in other counties, according to the report.
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