Letters to the Editor

Blend on!
The Editor:
I wanted to update people on The Blender high school youth center. We have had a great first eight months. Since we opened in October, we have been able to add many great things to the center. Along with the pool table, ping-pong, and foosball, we have added an air hockey table, eight and a half-foot basketball hoop (great for slam-dunks), PS2 console and video games (Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 rocks), snacks and drinks, and a great stage for performances.
Speaking of the stage, we are having a high school Battle of the Bands on Friday, June 7. If you are in a high school band and want to compete in the competition, let us know. Tell your friends about it. High schoolers from all local cities are welcome. Get over there and support your friends and let’s get The Blender rocking.
We are also having a car wash fundraiser on Saturday, June 1. The car wash is totally free. The way we are raising money is by receiving pledges of 50 cents per car that we wash. Our goal is to wash 50 cars. That means that the maximum any pledge would be is $25.
Even if we wash 100 cars on this day we will cap the pledge at $25. You can support us by making a tax-deductible pledge and/or making sure you get your free car wash on June 1. Everyone who pledges is eligible for our drawing of a free pass for two to golf at Semiahmoo golf course (that is a value of up to $200). So pledge and win!
We will also be having a garage sale on June 22 & 23. If you have things hanging around the house that you do not use and have some sort of value, we hope you will make a tax-deductible donation of the items to help us raise money needed to keep The Blender running.
Finally, if you are a high school student (graduating 8th graders included) and are looking for some fun this summer, consider joining us on our outdoor adventures. We are planning sailing trips and lessons, a mountain biking trip, camping, rock climbing, and hiking day trips. Let’s get out there and enjoy the beautiful summer weather western Washington gives its residents.
If you are interested in participating in any of the above mentioned events you can contact me by phone at 371-5362 (office) or 332-8461(youth center). You can also email me at klmartin@telcomplus.net, or send correspondence to P.O. Box 3361. Let’s have some fun this summer.
Ken Martin, director
Blaine

NAFTA stuff...
The Editor:
There could be an error in the letter in the May 2 edition in which the writer states that a Canadian company is suing the US government for one billion dollars under terms of NAFTA.
The Canadian government paid a U.S. firm $18 million under terms of NAFTA for potential future earnings. The gasoline additive product has been banned for use in both Canada and the U.S. for a number of years. Under the same NAFTA ruling the U.S. is suing Mexico for about $50 million because Mexico will not allow a Texas firm to dump toxic waste in their country.
And under the same ruling, UPS is suing the Canadian postal service for $200 million because Canada owns a parcel delivery service which delivers to all areas of Canada and not just the major market areas. This is not a subsidy as UPS claims.
H. Nicholls
Richmond, BC and Blaine, WA

Thanks...
The Editor:
Thanks to Bill Wright’s golf tournament and dedicated committee of volunteers to benefit the Dollars for Scholars. The tournament was extremely organized. It was a tremendous experience and lots of fun.
Great money was raised for a great cause.
The community is a better place because of Bill Wright and his organizational skills. Thanks for all you do for us. I was proud to be a contributor.
Dr. Pat Rooney
Blaine

Dear Editor:
We would like to thank all of the volunteers and city staff who helped to create a new parklet in Blaine.
On Saturday, May 18 there were 23 volunteers who showed up to weed, shovel, rake, weed-eat, push soil, haul bark, and pick rocks.
Trees, grasses, flowers, and shrubs found a new home overlooking the harbor at the end of Clark Street on the west side of Peace Portal Drive.
Thanks again to the volunteers who made this possible: Beth Waters, Wendy Egan, Christine Cass, Judy Joyner, Don Hart, Bruce and Sandy Wolf, Mindy Hatten, Anna Sticklin, Elaine, Kathy, and Stephanie Scott-Lerner, Terry Galvin, George, Sam, and Ben Kaas, David Borden, Hannah Hathaway, Jordan Snow, and Shin Minami.
Also, special thanks to LeRoy Dougal, Leo Baldwin, and the rest of the crew.
Laurie Hart and June Auld
Blaine Beatification Committee

Show her the money...
The Editor:
You have a great little newspaper - we enjoy its many talents.
Thanks for keeping us informed on the border and what, if anything will ever happen re: the PACE Lane. It seems as far off as the moon at this time.
We were wondering what happens to the $25 we paid for the PACE lane a few days before 9/11. It has not been refunded and as we are on a fixed income, it matters.
I wonder how many more had this experience.
Marjorie Layh
Ferndale

Words of support...
The Editor:
It saddened me to see the news about Dan Newell in last week’s edition of The Northern Light. I’m sad because those who don’t know this very good man may form an opinion about him based on a mistake he’s made. I’m sad because those who enjoy seeing public people struggle will secretly rejoice, or will not-so-secretly have something juicy to gossip about.
If the allegation is true, then Mr. Newell is guilty of making a serious mistake in his personal life and I don’t try to justify it. But for stone-casters, who among you hasn’t made mistakes? Who doesn’t have some personal transgression you would be mortified to find headlined in the local paper? As the saying goes, “nobody’s perfect” – though some may act the part.
But still, it’s been said that school personnel are held to a higher standard, and that we always need to focus on “what’s best for the kids.” It should be remembered in this difficult time that Mr. Newell has met that higher standard for more than a dozen years at BHS, and that his primary focus has always been the welfare of Blaine students. He loves them. He expects the best from them, and they usually respond.
We all hope to learn from our mistakes and I believe this mistake will make Mr. Newell even more fantastic with kids, because in my humble opinion, the best educators, the best leaders, the best people are those who’ve made personal mistakes, and have overcome them. In working with kids, these people are able to draw on very real experiences, and kids respond to “real” more readily than they respond to theory. I have no doubt that Mr. Newell will use this real experience to help kids. After all, that’s what he does best.
Finally, as a parent, I hope that Dan Newell decides to stay on as principal at BHS for many years, so that my three children can experience the level of caring support, motivation and leadership offered by this good man with the booming laugh.
Craig Foster
Birch Bay

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