Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
I am writing regarding the dedication of the memorial and relocation of the cannon. Nothing was written on the memorial, I saw no picture of the memorial, or whose names are on it. These are veterans who made the supreme sacrifice in WWI, WWII & Vietnam. The memory of those veterans should be remembered. There are some from this vicinity who lived in Blaine, who fought and died for peace.
The cannon represents how far we will go to keep peace. As President Theodore Roosevelt said, “speak softly, but carry a big stick.”
O.R. (Joe) Gordon
VFW Pike’s Post 9474
Blaine

The Editor:
Merry Christmas – oops, sorry if I offend.
I was in line at a local counter when a personable young cashier bade some folks in front of me to have a ‘happy holiday.’ I smiled, then asked the young lady if her – let’s say suggestion – was the equivalent of ‘Merry Christmas.’
“Oh,” she said, “We have to be careful not to offend our customers.”
A pity, I thought, as I wandered out, that since about 84 percent of Americans are loyal to the Christian tradition, that probably Merry Christmas would be preferred!
So why, may I ask, offend them? Of if one wishes to be politically correct, wish your customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday.
Ken Knutsen
Blaine

The Editor:
The Exxon Valdez ran aground in 1989 at Prince William Sound, AK. Now, years later fisheries remain devastated, jobs lost, and dig two inches under the beach rock – oil remains. They said in time it will break down.
With these facts in mind, energy companies mobilize against the Magnuson Act which restricts oil tanker traffic in Puget Sound. The act limits excessive tanker traffic in Puget Sound in order to reduce the risk for catastrophic oil spills like Exxon Valdez.
We just concluded a local election. A central campaign issue was sustaining our county’s quality of life. So now think of washing oil off our beautiful eagles, of watching helplessly as our salmon, already struggling to survive, are put at greater risk of a black toxic death.
As the 60 percent of us know who voted last month, we can shape our future. We cannot allow the Magnuson Act to be overturned. Respect who we are and what we have here. Our sound and its wild residents are counting on us.
Eliana Friedlob
Birch Bay

The Editor:
On Friday, December 2, town spirit was evident in the crowd who braved the cold to attend our annual Christmas lighting downtown.
Musical performances by the eighth grade band, under the direction of Bob Gray, and eighth grade bagpiper Anthony Munden set the mood. Then city manager Gary Tomsic and mayor John Liebert led the crowd in a medley of Christmas carols. After a reading of “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” and a rousing chorus of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” Santa and Mrs. Claus made their way downtown with the assistance of our local volunteer firefighters and their antique fire truck.
We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make this event possible: city manager Gary Tomsic, Carolyn Anderson, Brian Solomon, Jim Jorgensen, Jody Fox, Nils Dahlgren, Blaine Volunteer Fire Association, Anthony Munden, Bob Gray and the eighth grade band, Blaine public works and Bill Dodd, and the Blaine police department.
A special thank you goes to Kendall’s Tree Service and Nursery for their donation of the beautiful Christmas tree.
Pam Christianson & Carroll
Solomon, Blaine Chamber of
Commerce
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