Letters to the Editor

Clarifying SEPA hearing
The Editor:
This letter is in response to a letter published in the June 19 edition of The Northern Light by Mr. Lincoln Rutter concerning SEPA thresholds and Blaine Planning Commission. I received this letter June 15 by email and I responded to Mr. Rutter by email June 16 with the following letter:
Thank you for your email concerning last Thursday�s planning commission meeting which dealt with SEPA thresholds. I know you care deeply about this issue. One point of clarification that I would like to make is my perspective of the community�s interest in SEPA. What I thought I said, or if I didn�t say it exactly, what I meant to say was, �That the community apparently does not care to testify about SEPA,� (meaning, at that meeting). This came about at the point of the meeting when the 30 or so people who came to hear the public hearing about the gambling ordinance chose to leave the facility and not take part in the public hearing on SEPA. If you were given the wrong impression about this then I deeply regret it. I know from living in Semiahmoo for 13 years and sitting on the planning commission for 10 years that this community cares deeply about this area and the laws that affect development.
As you know, in order to allow the opportunity of more public input on this matter, the planning commission has continued the public hearing process on these SEPA thresholds for the next planning commission meeting. Due to this, I am unable to discuss this issue any further with you outside of the public hearing process. Because of this, I will ask city staff to address other issues that seem to need additional clarification based upon your email.
Lastly, the issue of �conflict of interest.� This is a very serious issue and one that all city council members, planning commission members, board members, etc., review constantly. This is an important issue to us all and I plan to address this issue at the beginning of the next planning commission meeting. No one I know who serves the city would ever want to be in a position of conflict under the definition of state law.
Brad O�Neill,
Chair City of Blaine Planning Commission
Blaine

Thanks for support
The Editor:
The generous contributions given by former students, friends and the city of Blaine in honor of Reginald W. Campin is appreciated very much. Thank you city workmen John Walter, Leroy Dougall and Mike Schrader who did such a neat job doing the cement work and installing the powerful telescope.
We hope you will take time to stop at station three in Marine Park and look at the view of the water, boats and the variety of birds. The first I saw coming in was the �Miss Leona,� well known here in Blaine.
Jim Jorgensen, and the city of Blaine parks board members, chaired by Jan Hrutfiord, are appreciated. Thank you.
Vivian M. Campin & family
Blaine

All because of Luke
The Editor:
Now the greatest advertising mecca ever to hit this city has become a reality. I am not talking about the proposed boardwalk, which no one will come to see or walk on, I am talking about our native son, Luke Ridnour. This may be asking a lot of the council to think for a moment, but they should be putting up signs at each and every entrance of this city, proclaiming this as the hometown of Luke Ridnour, NBA, Super Sonics. Now that will draw people to what�s left of the business community, not a boardwalk.
This young man has brought more pride and recognition to this town than anyone in history and we should shout it from every corner.
The values instilled in him by his parents and his drive to succeed, glorifies what can be done if we truly set out goals right from the beginning.
Coach Ridnour has brought us many great moments throughout his time as coach and his son is a shining example and we should all honor that achievement by letting the rest of the world know how we all feel about Luke.
My son was lucky enough to play with Luke and to have the coach teach him, and our home has many, if not all, of Luke�s press clippings.
Luke, from our house to you, may your eye be true and your legs keep their spring for many years to come, for you truly are the greatest credit to Blaine.
Dave White
Blaine

Congrats on the station
The Editor:
To the city of Blaine and district 13, I wish to congratulate you and Blaine, as a community, for seeing that our firefighters have such a beautiful station and good equipment inside.
I also want to congratulate our local volunteer firefighters/EMTs and thank them profusely for the tremendous job they do in our community. Each and every volunteer is as trained, qualified and dedicated to serving us as the paid staff. But being volunteers they have made a commitment to do this on their own time. I hope all the fire chiefs will recognize the valuable service that our local firefighters � many of them raised in Blaine � are doing for us.
Thanks to each one of you for a job well done, you are treasured in our community.
Kathy Renskers
Blaine

Coaches gave a lot
The Editor:
Now that the Blaine youth baseball season is over, my wife and I would like to take this time to thank Ken Hudson and Troy Olason for all they have done for the youth baseball program.
These two individuals not only ran the league but also coached which led to many, many hours out of their already busy schedules. Being parents of three boys who participate in baseball every year we were able to se the dedication and hard work these two exhibited.
They both make the baseball program a positive and fun place for all the individuals involved. You never saw them lose their cool, they were always upbeat and professional even while handling adverse situations. Thanks again guys for a great baseball season.
Kris and Tracy Kruse
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