Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
The Christmas Giving Tree Project is finished for another year and with the help of our sponsors, volunteers, shoppers and the staff of Stafholt Good Samaritan Center it was a great success. A total of 490 children from 154 families received over 1,470 gifts.
This is the first year that I have coordinated the giving tree and it was a wonderful experience because of the generosity of all of you who helped. Many volunteers helped to pull together the huge job of making tags, organizing, sorting, wrapping, calling and distributing gifts. I would like to say a special thank you to Chelsea Swearinger who volunteered her time for her senior project and volunteers Sharon Mark, Bill Law, Judy Ploghoft, Delores Carter, Christine Alexander, the Semiahmoo Ladies Club and the HOG.
So let’s all take a deep breath and relax. We still have 353 days until next Christmas.
Marsha Hawkins
Blaine

The Editor:
I would like to thank the North Whatcom (Blaine) EMTs and the EMTs of Medic 3 for their help and kindness shown to me on Christmas Eve.
I was experiencing an erratic and rapid heartbeat and my neighbor called 911. The North Whatcom team arrived promptly and recorded my vital signs and health history. Their calm and professional manner relieved much of my fear.
This attitude was echoed in the demeanor of the Medic 3 unit from Ferndale as they transported me to St. Joseph Hospital’s emergency room. They answered my questions while acting calm and efficient. I knew I was in competent hands. The ER staff at St. Joe’s was ready for me upon my arrival and proceeded with my excellent medical care, all the time acting calm and relaxed.
The nurses on the fourth floor where I spent the night continued with my care in a dedicated and efficient manner.
Thanks to all these people who don’t just do a good job, but care about the job they do.
Clare Nurre
Blaine

The Editor:
I received a phone call a couple of weeks ago informing me that Blaine City Council member Mike Myers has decided that he wants to be the next mayor of Blaine!
Apparently he is unhappy with the leadership skills of our current mayor John Liebert. This is the same Mike Myers that gave a one-hour presentation at Semiahmoo on the importance of the expansion of the Blaine airport.
Mr. Myers was not acting in the best interest of his respective ward and when I asked him if he even knew the appraised value of the airport property, he said that he had no idea!
Our city does not need a leader that doesn’t clearly understand what the value of the airport property is, and we don’t want a leader that shows support for an airport that voters have decided to close.
Our current mayor John Liebert has been very professional, approachable and shown great leadership skills by bringing the airport up for discussion.
Our city council needs to work together towards eliminating the airport and having disgruntled airport supporting council members try to take over at city hall has got to stop!
All seven council members should be united in doing their very best to get the airport property either leased or sold. If any member feels that he cannot help out in this effort, they should respectfully resign and let someone have their position that better represents the voter’s wishes.
Mike Myers has shown bad judgment a few times with regards to his support of the airport. He was wrong to support the airport in a ward that voted to close it, and he should have never signed a letter to the editor as Mike Myers, Blaine city council! Charlie Hawkins, Bruce Wolf, Ken Ely, Bonnie Onyon, Jason Overstreet, Mike Myers and John Liebert need to make it clear that they are working to close the airport.
I encourage residents to call these people and make sure they are doing the right thing with regards to keeping John Liebert as mayor and to also remind themselves that they are doing a study to close the airport. This is not a study to expand or keep the airport open.
Dennis Hill
Blaine

The Editor:
Several months ago, six Blaine artists and craftspeople joined together to form the North Whatcom Arts and Crafts Alliance. We discovered that there were a great number of artists in our region and very few venues for them to show their work.
We have created a series of shows called Fests and Studio tours. Our first show, WinterFest, was a great success thanks to the support we received from the community and The Northern Light newspaper. The recent WinterFest held at the Wildwood Dream Alpaca ranch for four Saturdays in December drew over 800 of our neighbors from Blaine and Bellingham.
For the artists, what makes our fests different from the usual art show is there are no fees collected by promoters. Every participant is expected to help with the production of the show and artists and craftspeople must demonstrate his or her skills.
We provide entertainment for children, live music, snacks for the public and we collect food and money for the food bank. Our two main goals are to have fun and to meet nice people while sharing our arts and crafts skills.
In the future, we are planning a studio tour for Mother’s Day weekend in May, an outdoor SummerFest on July 1 and 2, and an outdoor CiderFest in the fall.
From everyone involved in this years WinterFest, many thanks to the publisher and staff of The Northern Light newspaper for their ongoing support of the arts in our community.
For more information on the fests and studio tours contact Ron Snyder and Catherine Taggett, The Circle of Trees Art Studio, 3432 Sweet Road, Blaine or call 332-8082.
Ron Snyder & Catherine
Taggett, The Circle of Trees Art
Studio
Blaine

The Editor:
In 1870 some of my family arrived at Semiahmoo and settled that area. Shortly after, property for a cemetery and school was donated, and over the years many of my family were buried at Hillsdale cemetery. Since 1997, I have been doing volunteer work at this site. Through your column, I would like to thank the many folks who give me so much help, it has allowed me to do much more than I had planned. We are attempting to locate and preserve many unmarked grave sites so am looking forward to another year so thank you all.
Thanks to: Nora Atwood and Doug Freeman who give me free rein; Elizabeth Flannery who spends countless hours volunteering; Larry Freeman and sons who do so much; Dave Hrutfiord and Golder Associations, ground penetrating radar; John Locke and Quiring Monuments; Tom Fenton and Sue Garold Bird, Bill Chaput, Jim Kagey, Alan Martin, Linda Kiens and Kanicki Inc.; Whatcom County Sheriff’s alternative correction center, Blair Beebe and Hertz AA Equipment Rental in Bellingham.
If I have forgotten, thanks to all.
Ray Bice
Bellingham

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