Letters to the Editor

It's good to be here
The Editor:
Several months ago, I was stricken with some serious, debilitating and unexpected health problems. Without being asked, this wonderful community in which we live stepped forward to help my family and me through these trying and difficult times. We received an outpouring of help in caring for our children, meals, visits, flowers and most importantly, prayers. Much of this help came from people we do not even know.
Especially supportive were the parents and teachers at the Blaine schools, our children’s coaches, and the families from the Blaine Freedom Fellowship, the Northwoods Alliance Church, Saint Anne’s Church, the Blaine police department and city government.
With your help, I am moving ahead of expectations in making my recovery.
We are very thankful to live in such a kind and caring community and to call Blaine home.
Zulma and Bill Elfo
Blaine

C'mon -return it!
The Editor:
On Tuesday, August 20 someone stole my bike out of my yard. I can’t believe someone stole my blue 21-speed Rhino bike. I worked very hard on getting that bike.
I spent the summer doing chores for my neighbors, to earn money to buy a new bike, only to have it stolen four weeks after I got it. I hope you have fun riding it, because I sure did.
Darrell Price Jr.
Blaine

A wonderful place
The Editor:
What a difference a week makes! Seven days ago Blaine Family Service Center staff sat pondering the rather desperate state of affairs of our school supply bank. Parents on stretched budgets were already calling asking for help.
Now, a few short days later, the generous contributions of community organizations and individuals have magically replenished our supplies and we stand fully ready to support families in need of school supply assistance.
To the extent possible, these caring organizations and individuals need to be recognized. They include: the Cost Cutter store and particularly Bobbi and Sue at the service counter; Tami Kramme for tireless shopping; Blaine’s Free Church Unitarian and United Church of Christ Congregational members for absolutely generous contributions; and countless unnamed community members who either bought supply bags at Cost Cutter or left school supplies at our center over the past week.
Our gratitude is heartfelt and unending. This is a wonderful community.
Leaf Schuman
Director, Blaine Family Service Center
Blaine School District

A fun time
Dear Editor:
On behalf of Drayton Harbor Maritime, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the entire Blaine community for its support of this year’s Plover Days.
This year’s Plover Swim raised the money to pay off the remaining $3,800 debt on the little ferry’s covered moorage.
The community generously pledged its support to the 21 brave and intrepid Plover swimmers who garnered those pledges, then honored those who gave by jumping off the end of the dock at Marine Drive and then swimming across the chilly and potentially dangerous waters of Drayton Harbor Channel.
A special thanks goes to Plover swimmer Chrissy Westerhoff whose dedication and hard work raised the most individual funds of nearly $1,600. For her sterling effort, Chrissy has earned a free night’s stay at Resort Semiahmoo courtesy of the resort. She is a true friend of the Plover.
Hoyt Hatfield and fellow members of the newly chartered Blaine based U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary unit who participated in the swim event deserves credit for helping to provide an additional measure of safety for the swimmers.
Many people helped to make this years Plover Days again a success. Space does not allow me to thank all who helped in this year’s event. However, I should like to mention the following: The Port of Bellingham, who bent over backwards lending their support by providing the advertising, berthing space, free moorage and boat launching for the steam boat enthusiasts and wooden boats participating in the Wood on the Water Festival. Many thanks also to the city of Blaine for allowing several steam launch presenters to park their RVs overnight on city property across the street from the marina so they could keep close watch on their water craft.
I would like to mention the 700 member Northwest Steam Society has decided to hold their next annual steam meet here the second weekend in August 2003, DHM will hold Plover Days at this same time.
Oh the prestigious George Raft race, what a hoot! Thanks to all who participated and to those who watched from the promenade, a good time was had by all.
Richard Sturgill
Director, Drayton Harbor Maritime
Blaine

Just say Yes!
The Editor:
This September 17, we have an opportunity to say “yes” to our streets.
We are in need of maintenance money and the city council is asking us to vote money strictly earmarked for that. Time passes so quickly it seems impossible that our street chip seal and other projects are due or overdue for preservation measures. Please read the brochure that is coming out with our utility bill explaining it in detail.
We all know that it is much cheaper to take care of what we have than to completely rebuild something. Let’s be smart with our money and vote yes.
We all use the streets in one way or another. We are a community connected to each other by streets. You may not use a particular street, but someone, a fellow member of our community, does.
We have a history of support for our streets and we’re sure we want that to continue.
“Yes” on street maintenance on September 17. Thank you.
Alma & Dave Wagner
Blaine

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