Letters to the Editor

Wait for Dubya’s deal
The Editor:
George W. Bush’s education plan has just been introduced. What impact will it have on finances and on the number of students that attend your schools three years from now?

Of course you don’t know until the government bill is passed, funded, and you see how your students pass the education tests.

What you do know is that too many students can not read and write at graduation, at least 45 percent of property tax dollars are going to education, or how much new federal financial aid will become available. Also you are well aware that there are many other property tax funded community services that need financial help like law enforcement and social services.

Therefore it would be wise to be patient and wait and see how George W. Bush’s education bill will affect your school’s finances, also how many students pass the education tests before going to the taxpayer with new long-term debt bond issues. Then go to the public with a realistic budget.

You taxpayers who have no financial income interest in the schools, do you think it would be wise to wait?
John F. Ackerman
Blaine

About that bookstore...
The Editor:
My husband and I moved to this city less than a year ago. We have been very impressed by the changes that have taken place in just this short time. The streets are a delight to drive on, the decorations and lights on Peace Portal Drive are spectacular and the small businesses starting up are to be applauded.
With all this going on we wonder how much longer are we going to put up with the eye-sore of the adult film building on our main street. We don’t know who owns it but surely whoever it is must realize that it has given this community a sleazy reputation for too many years. Can anything be done about this? This is merely the opinion of a couple of newcomers and perhaps the rest of the community likes it there. We would really like to know what other people think.
Bill & Anna Knight
Birch Bay

More airports, less trees
The Editor:
Tree-huggers in Blaine? Nope, just another vote for no progress.

Let’s not change anything, and maybe if we wish hard enough the good life will return to our deserted little town. Maybe if we hold our breath all the gas stations will return, a tavern on every corner and line ups two blocks long for the XXX movie theater. (Wouldn’t that be grand?)

But we do have some permanent assets:
1. Our harbor. 2. Our pristine views of Mount Baker, the islands of Puget Sound, and the rocky peaks of northern Vancouver. 3. We have millions of cars going by, looking to spend some loot. 4. And we have an airport.

Blaine by any other name would still smell as sweet, but if something doesn’t change, moss will begin to grow. A. James G. Blaine, (our namesake) who really cares? B. Borderites ... How about “Harborites?” C. Blaine airport (Dodd’s Field) or maybe “Field of Dreams?”

I think we should find some way, by hook or by crook, to buy the property south of the airport. Then we should lengthen the runway by twice its size, close the western portion of Pipeline Road (or build a tunnel under the new runway) and promote some air freight company, and even some commuter flight company, with services to Seattle, Spokane, Portland and even further.

This is of course a long-term goal ... A fully facilitated, commuter/freight oriented, centrally located airport, between historic downtown and our busy cross town mall. (Of course to finance this, we may all have to pool our recent lottery winnings.)

But if we close the airport ... Well, we all know how that movie ends. So meanwhile, back to the tree-huggers ... I’d say that the only community-spirited thing to do would be for the owners of the property south of the airport to voluntarily top their trees. (And mail the bill to James G. Blaine.)
Sean Smyth
Blaine

Local 4H news
The Editor:
The Trail Blazers would like to welcome new members Dustin Newel, Brandy Puller and Christina Willand.

On January 13, the Trail Blazers (TB) held their Tack Sale at Meridian middle school. We would like to thank the community for their support, as well as the school for the use of their cafeteria. Thanks also to Kellen DeZarn for putting out signs, Hannah Hathaway for her help with the refreshments, Chelsea Judge for putting together the bake sale, Brittney Wydur for making and distributing posters and all the members who donated items for the Bake Sale. We couldn’t have done it without you! Thanks also to leader Patty Johnson for supervising the day. Thanks everyone!!

On January 20, the County 4-H Horse Leaders held their semi-annual basic training day for anyone interested in horses. Basic training day was an all day class about horses and showing. It was a great event for new 4-H members who are interested in horses or in a horse project.
Stephanie Hiner
Lynden

Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters should be limited to 10 names. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please send your letter to:
225 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230 or fax 360/332-2777.
E-mail:editor@thenorthernlight.com

Letters Policy

The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com