Letters to the Editor

Kudos for crooks?
The Editor:
Please convey my congratulations to the author of the police report appearing in the October 10-16 issue. My wife regularly reads these reports to me, and this I believe is the most outstanding I have heard.
Although the whole report is excellent, there are three items which I think deserve particular mention. The one about the fraudulent use of a credit card by a female subject (October 4) is intriguing to say the least – the dormant novelist in me imagined all kinds of possible scenarios. Also notable is the one involving juveniles with a spray can and lighter – I can only say that the advice and subsequent action of the officers was sorely needed in those circumstances. Finally, the item involving possible defective traffic lights well demonstrates the kind of patience sometimes demanded of a peace officer.
Again, please do pass on my best and most complimentary regards to the party or parties responsible for this excellent notice.
Richard Stookey
San Francisco, CA

From those who judge...
The Editor:
I wish to thank the many Whatcom County voters who wrote in my name for Supreme Court, position #4 on September 17. Friends called me shortly after the primary saying they had voted for me after learning the other candidates for position #4 were 100 percent endorsed by the National Abortions Rights Action League. After learning that possibly 20,000 voters across the state had taken similar action, I have filed with the Secretary of State and now request that voters write in Steve Alexander for Supreme Court, position #4 on November 5. For more information, visit www.judgestevealexander.com.
Steve Alexander
Kitsap County District Court Judge
Bremerton

Happy days are here again...
The Editor:
Representative Doug Ericksen is a proven leader for the people of Whatcom County. Let’s take a look at some of the facts.
When Ericksen entered the legislature, out of 29 counties, Whatcom ranked dead last in terms of gas tax revenue distribution. We are receiving less than 50 cents back for every dollar we send in.
After four years of Doug Ericksen representing us on the Transportation Committee, Whatcom County is projecting to receive $1.15 back for every gas tax dollar we send to Olympia over the next ten years.
Did Ericksen accomplish this magically by himself just because he is a nice guy? Of course not. Ericksen did it through hard work, building teams, working with local government groups, and by just plain being a good leader.
We need to keep representative Ericksen’s work ethic, ability, and leadership in Olympia, or that $1.15 very well may go back to what it was before he became our legislator.
Sam Crawford
Bellingham

Credits due...
The Editor:
It was very nice to be recognized by the Blaine city council last Monday evening for the renovation of the old Blaine Journal building at 245 H Street. It is a commitment to the community and to the vision and efforts of some individuals who were not present at the meeting. I shall attempt to not forget anyone.
Bill and Lesley Hofley of Drayton Harbor Realty who were instrumental in negotiating the purchase of the building and continue to show their professionalism on in its management. Brad and Diane O’Neill of the O’Neill Group who so graciously shared their vision and donated time and expertise to the design of the project.
Employees of the city of Blaine: Ed Yurgalevicv, Terry Galvin, Debbie Harger who kept on keeping on with a smile and an encouraging word. The city of Blaine, itself, with its RED program administered by Sterling Bank through Larry Sutton.
Last, but not least, the construction crew supervised by Mike Terry of His Builder who did excellent and timely work.
If I have forgotten someone, forgive me, and again thank you, you really are the ones who deserve to be recognized.
Pierre Constantin
Blaine

The Editor:
On October 11 The Blender high school youth center had a season opening post football game pizza party. We had a great time with lots of food and fun for about 100-120 students. During this time we were able to have students fill out a questionnaire regarding what they would like to see added to The Blender. This has given us good information to continue making the Blender a purposeful part of Blaine.
We would like to say thank you to Little Caesar’s Pizza for making this possible. We bought 15 pizzas from them and they graciously donated another 15. Without the generosity of manager Mike Harward and his staff, we would not have been able to have such a great event. Thank you Little Caesar’s for becoming a positive addition to our community so quickly.
Ken Martin, Director
Blaine

Interesting. But where is New York?
The Editor:
I came across a reference to Blaine in Wednesday’s NY Post, and thought your paper might be interested in it. A New York City councilman, Alan Gerson, was talking about plans to move the local main US Customs offices from lower Manhattan to Newark, N.J., and he said, “The Customs Service has offices in hundreds of places you’ve never heard of, Georgetown, South Carolina; Blaine, Washington.” I couldn’t help but notice the ignorance he was displaying in this comment, and thought Blaine would want to hear it.
Arne Christensen
Blaine

Glad you cleared that up for us
The Editor:
How will you vote on Referendum 51 in November?
For 10 years I have been stuck in northwest Washington, can’t go to Portland, can’t go to Idaho, I have to pay $50 bucks each way on the ferry to see the Washington coast and this year they upped the fee on my 30-year-old R.V. trailer, 561 1/2 percent to $36.50. The state Supreme Court says it is o.k. to take videos up a woman’s skirt so why not have $33.50 license fees for $90,000 Bentleys, Jaguars, Rolls Royces and house-sized SUV vehicles? That is justice? Also called other names.
Yes there are T.V. talking heads claiming that the passage of Referendum 51 will be better for our interstate highways. You know what? They are full of exactly what they are promoting.
This past spring congressman Rick Larsen asked for input on a transportation survey. My answer was, I had seen firsthand the limited access Interstate highway system corrupted in the 1950s. It continued to be corrupted until the crowning insult of the convention center built over the interstate. Yes, they will need more than Ex-Lax to clear that blockage.
The state will take your money and it will dink here and dink there and shift even more cars on to that giant parking lot called metropolitan I-5, I-405 and I-90. There are only two ways that will return the Interstate to it’s true purpose and stop cheating the non-metropolitan tax payers.
One: is to put automated gates on all interstate entrances so they will close when traffic slows below 60 m.p.h. in normal weather. And, yes, we need police to also enforce cell phone use, driving make-up artists, and tailgating regulations.
Two: make I-5, I-450 and I-90 into a toll road. Based on a minimum mile fee. Yes, separate the interstate from the parking lot.
Yes, I hope you vote the same way. Or do you have a high tolerance for people who are full of it?
John Gussen
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