Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
I wanted to comment on several recent letters to the editor. I applaud Leslie Oberholtzer for the March 15 letter concerning “meth.”
It is a growing and deadly problem here and in Washington state and all over the U.S. It destroys individuals, families, and property. Mike Kent made meth a major campaign issue when running for county council. Unfortunately, his message did not register with the voters or his opponent who criticized Mike for emphasizing this problem saying that it was overshadowing more important issues. Maybe he forgot that in his own city, a 10-month-old baby boy died last year due to the actions of a meth user. While justice didn’t prevail, the evidence in this case pointed toward a different verdict.
It doesn’t bother me that Jo Slivinski labels me a liar, etc., as she has called me worse names. She obviously missed my point (again) about her address. I live in Birch Bay and am very proud of it. Like her, I live in unincorporated county, so my “mailing” address is Blaine as we are both served by the Blaine post office. True to form, she approached Kathy Berg and more than likely pressured Kathy on this old subject. Truth is that long ago I offered to provide Slivinski with a hard copy of Kathy’s email to prove that what I said was factual. She ignored my offer and went and bothered Kathy instead. So, I stand by what I said and have the document to prove it.
Marilyn Vaux continues to announce her opposition to Birch Bay’s possible incorporation. Since it is not known if she lives in the proposed urban growth area, she will not be able to vote on this issue if she does not live in the targeted area. She has never stated in her letters why she is opposed to this issue and I have only seen a series of questions from her.
Once again, I invite her to attend our committee meetings and get informed. I trust that the registered voters in Birch Bay UGA will make an informed decision should this come to a vote.
Mickey Masdeo
Birch Bay

The Editor:
I was most interested to read the article requesting volunteers to “help” students with their college application essays and/or letters. As Ms. Abrams notes students need “help – to write clear, grammatically correct application letters.” Also, she notes, “these essays can be really important...”
What Ms. Abrams fails to mention is that these letters and/or essays are a way for admission boards to assess the skills of the student, their placement needs and their English language skills. They are not to assess the skills of a retired teacher, or other person, that may help.
Why are these kids being encouraged to cheat by having someone help them? If they lack the writing skills, why not take remedial English? If they are “college material” why do they not have adequate high school English skills? It’s pretty close to graduation to figure out they can’t write an essay.
Maybe Ms. Abrams might want to rethink her “win” at all costs approach to applications.
Iola Marion
Blaine

The Editor:
I am completing my senior class project at Blaine high school. My goal is to register all eligible grade 12 students to vote. Please join me at the Blackberry House café on Saturday, March 25 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. If you register to vote, you will get a free latte.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me in such an awesome way over the past year.
Emily Hendricks-Hockey
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