Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
I ran across the article about the Harbor Cafe closing while researching the possibility of relocation to the Blaine area.
I used to fish Seattle and Alaska based out of Seattle and it happens that I knew of the Investor, in fact I took part in the last set of the season in 82, on another 58’ Delta named the Lake Bay which was actually right next to the Investor out by Steamboat Bay/Noyes Island. They had set and got caught on a snag and we were going by and our skipper decided to set and let me off basically on the same snag. That date was September 4, 1982.
Anyway, we went into Steamboat Bay to work on the net and I hooked a ride into Craig on the Binki to fly out the next day from Hollis on my way to Vermont to get married.
When I returned to Astoria, where I was living at the time and called my skipper in Seattle to find out about the last settlement, he asked me if I had heard about the Investor and you could have knocked me over with a feather when he filled me in on it. It is a moment in time that I can still picture today.
One of the crew members on the Binki was a witness for the prosecution and my skipper was also involved in some way as I remember. It all took place right there in Craig in front of the cold storage and there were quite a few boats in there for the closure. The prime suspect was a kid we had partied with the year before in Sitka during a closure who was a deckhand on the Kit, and didn’t get invited to work on the Investor, but was hanging around Craig working on a Libby boat. My skipper said something in that first phone call about him, but I could not believe it as he was just a young kid.
I can relate to the sentiment over that incident that is obviously still felt today there.
Bob Poor
Crested Butte, CO

The Editor:
My name is Wayne Maschger. I managed the Birch Bay Hostel in Lions Camp Horizon Park for the last five years. I was replaced this year by the new management there. I left for vacation last winter and soon after I left I was given notice that I was fired, so I didn’t get to say goodbye.
I just wanted to let every one in the Birch Bay-Blaine area that either knew me or were aware of the hostel know how much I enjoyed living and working there. I have more memories than one should. When you have so many travelers and relocators wanting information about the local area you become seriously aware of local business and interesting things to do and places to see.
Last year alone the hostel had over 820 overnights. Granted not all of the previous years had that many, as it takes time and effort to gain. What I want to say is thank you and say I miss your beautiful corner of the world.
Wayne Maschger, manager,
Birch Bay Hostel, 1998-2003
Birch Bay

The Editor:
After all the studying, the city of Blaine is going to have two sewage plants within sight of each other?
That is simply amazing because Blaine can hardly afford to own and operate one new sewage treatment plant. The apparent reason for this very strange result is that we do not want to send raw sewage under the bay. I understand the fear of leaks but we safely send many products under water and we also send people under the water in cars, trucks and trains.
It is clear to me that if we used the right type of pipe, like a pipe within a pipe, we could be certain of never having a leak. Any sewage leaks from the inner pipe would be picked up in the outer pipe and pumped to the station for treatment – along with any leaks of seawater into the outer pipe.
I am very hopeful that the state will let Blaine know that we have to fix this two plant problem. We need one new plant and we need to close the old one.
Tom Long
Blaine

The Editor:
I endorse Rick Larsen for congress as he has done so much for us. He has come to the border several times in regards to the NEXUS lane, getting more inspectors, met with the city council in regards to trains being stalled and officials of the railroad and also, trying to keep Intalco open so the jobs will continue.
So I hope you will vote for him as I plan to do in November.
Virginia Thomas
Blaine

The Editor:
I have a number of concerns about the lack of coverage of the art show at Resort Semiahmoo June 13.
There was no pre-show coverage in the paper so I thought maybe your paper had chosen to do a post-show article. However there was no coverage at all. Why? Surely this event was worthy of some coverage in our local paper!
The show highlighted the art of more than 22 local artists, most of whom reside in Blaine or Birch Bay. In addition, the art of a number of Blaine high school students was featured.
The event raised more than $5,000 which will be given to service organizations in Blaine; part of the $118,000 raised by this same organization over the past 10+ years. More than 300 art lovers attended. It was a lovely day for photographs. All in all a good portion of the community had some level of participation in this event - it would have been nice if the newspaper had acknowledged the addition of this event to our community’s roster of summer activities.
I noted that the bassoonist concert was covered pre- and post-event. And I applaud this level of coverage for a local art event; however, I had hoped that the June 13 art show would receive an equal level of attention. And I really hope that the level of coverage for next month’s Jazz Camp would reflect the impact it has had and will have on our community.
This camp will bring to Blaine not only nearly 100 students but an internationally renowned faculty; many of whom have returned for their third year to our city and our students. Concert attendees will be from throughout the country and beyond, attending concerts throughout the week in Birch Bay and Blaine. I hope to see photos as well as articles based upon interviews with students, faculty and the organizers.
It does seem that I have strayed from my initial contention and that this letter has become much lengthier than I had intended, but I do thank you for your attention.
The bottom line is that there needs to be much more coverage of the arts in all its aspects and for all the many local groups participating and trying to give Blaine a more well rounded persona.
Donna-Lee Elke
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