Letters to the Editor

Hats off to Coasties
The Editor:
I happened to be beachcombing Semiahmoo Spit last evening when I stumbled across two volunteer members of Blaine's Coast Guard Auxiliary assisting a sailboat that had run aground. While most of us were home eating dinner, these two gentleman were out rendering assistance to the boaters in trouble.
They stood by ready to lend a hand until the boaters were confident they could handle the situation. All the while they were providing valuable information to US Coast Guard dispatch in Seattle which allowed better use of the Coast Guard's limited resources. There is a saying "There are those who have run aground and there are those who will run aground." When my turn comes I hope there will be someone like the Blaine Coast Guard Auxiliary standing by to help. Hats off to Blaine's Coast Guard Auxiliary!
Andy Peterson
Birch Bay

Democratic dialogue
The Editor:
I believe that in a democratic country we all have the right to disagree with our government officials, but we also have responsibilities. We have the right to drive on the streets of our communities, but if we drive 100 miles per hour on those streets, we forfeit the right.
By the same token, when we criticize our public officials, we have the responsibility to inform ourselves regarding what the law permits the governor, county executive or mayor to do. After all, in a democracy we operate on laws.
We also need to be aware of our presentation. When we resort to insinuations we forfeit our right to be taken seriously. Let�s have more civil discussion.
Trav Skallman
Blaine

No to condos on the spit
The Blaine Planning Commission & The Editor:
I am a somewhat new (two years) and still part-time resident of the area. When my wife joins me in retirement this summer, we will move full-time into our home in the Aerie neighborhood of Semiahmoo. Our home overlooks Drayton Harbor, where we thoroughly enjoy watching all of the birds that frequent the area. It was the view and the presence of the wildlife that played heavily in our decision to purchase our retirement home in Blaine and specifically in the Aerie.
At the time of our purchase we were not aware of the plans to build a large number of condos on the spit itself. I now understand that it has been in the �Master Plan� for many years, but that plan is not made available to new residents; a fact that became very clear at the last annual residents meeting. Perhaps we bear some of the responsibility for not doing better research, but that does not change the facts that the building of residential units on the spit is a bad idea and no good can come of it.
I find it hard to imagine how approval could be granted for so many new homes to be built on such a narrow strip of land. It does not seem to fit into the theme of the current neighborhoods, all of which are shielded to some degree by trees and gates.
We frequently see eagles sitting on the two old trees on the spit and watch the crabs, birds, and other wild life on the banks of the harbor. As it is, they are only disturbed by the inconsiderate jet skiers who frequent the harbor in the warmer weather - another pollution issue to be addressed in the future. With up to 80 new homes, the wildlife will disappear in a short time. I know it, and so do you.
It would seem to me that the introduction of fertilizers, fuel and oil runoff from vehicles, and other toxic substances will only destroy all of the hard work that has gone into cleaning up the harbor to again allow the commercial raising of oysters. Is all of this work to go down the drain to further line the pockets of the developers? I hope not. It would be a shame to lose or push away the migrating wildlife that we all enjoy. It would be a shame to create all of the additional traffic on the spit. It would be a shame to allow the devastation of the harbor to begin on your watch as members of the planning commission, knowing that you have the power to stop it.
I have not been able to get the e-mail addresses of two members to pass on the concerns of these two resident at your next meeting.
Patrick and Sandra Soll
Blaine

Blaine Planning Commission & The Editor:
People from all over our region and the world come to Blaine for a variety of reasons.
I have the pleasure of recommending Resort Semiahmoo to business associates during their tour of the Pacific Northwest. They come from Singapore, Shanghai, Taiwan, northern and southern California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois and elsewhere. Everyone of them remarks on the beauty of the Semiahmoo Spit and the wildlife.
And, it is no wonder. Travel the United States and the world and you will not find anything more beautiful.
Now we are faced with the prospect of altering this fragile ecosystem with the building of a relatively high number of condominiums on the spit. A permit has been applied for and is under preliminary review. The time for public comment will come but the window is short. Please keep your fingers on the pulse of this decision.
Some will look at the prospect of developing the spit as a wealth creator. I look at it as a way to spend in a moment the wealth that has accumulated there over the ages. Once the landscape is changed it will never be the same. That wealth of wide open space and relative quiet will be gone.
They will also say that their mitigation efforts are effective. Really? Where will the sewage go from these planned condominiums. I suppose it will go to the same place as that from Drayton Shores.
The planning commission for the city of Blaine will be making a decision as to the efficacy of the developer�s permit. How many of you want the building to go forward?
Don't you owe it to yourselves to get involved in the process and make your voice heard? It is your privilege and responsibility to give input as well as listen to the proposal.
How can we begin to be a low impact people? To leave things better than we found them or at least not depleted. Please don�t take what we have here for granted. It is too precious. Think about the real wealth we enjoy and let�s see if we can build on that.
Crispin T. Lachner
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