Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
The Association for Police and Sheriffs has been telephoning citizens of Whatcom County and soliciting donations to assist local victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. According to a report filed with the Washington Secretary of State, it collected $1,220,123 in 2004. Of this, 3 percent, or $25,505, was paid to charity. No organization in Whatcom County engaged in domestic violence or sexual assault services received any funds or authorized this organization to solicit on its behalf. The Association for Police and Sheriff’s has a mailing address at a law firm in Kansas City and a street address in Anaheim, California. It is not affiliated with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, a legitimate professional organization that does not engage in telephone solicitations.
These activities detract from legitimate organizations, such as Whatcom County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, that depend on community generosity to fulfill important needs. While lapses in state law apparently allow these types of solicitations, citizens should remain cautious of anyone calling to ask for donations. Inquiries should be made about the percentage of revenues turned over to charity and the identity of those charities receiving funds. Citizens can verify this information, report suspected fraud and learn about legislation proposed to combat this problem at the Washington Secretary of State’s website www.secstate.wa.gov
/charities/ or by calling 360/753-0863.
Sheriff Bill Elfo
Whatcom County Sheriff’s
Office

The Editor:
The reason that I am sending you this letter that I would like all the readers of The Northern Light to consider boycotting Canada as a travel destination, now and during the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 as well as any Canadian products.
The reason that I am asking for this boycott of my nation is that this nation is engaged in a blood bath of a seal hunt on the east coast of Canada as we speak. There are sealers from the east coast of Canada who are bludgeoning baby seals to death for their pelts of fur.
I would like to ask any pet owner how would you like this happening to your beloved pet. So I am asking you readers to help me stop this blood sport that is happening in my nation by sending a message to my government who you are not willing to come here and spend your money here and on Canadian products till this barbaric hunt is stopped.
Mike Elinicki
Vancouver, B.C.

The Editor:
I was sickened and devastated to open your paper only to see a poor dead animal lying there. I know that Jerry Gay has some pretty dumb, nonsensical pictures and captions that have no meaning whatsoever, that’s expected from someone who doesn’t even know where he lives, this is Blaine not the Peace Arch City.
I expected more from the editing staff to have the decency to not run something like that. My husband and I never read the dumb captions but to try and put some meaning to a heartless picture my husband had to read it to see if it made any sense. It didn’t, the caption had nothing to do with putting a dead animal in full view for everyone to see.
My 5-year-old granddaughter was hysterical when she saw the picture and I must say so was I. I am an animal lover, they have feelings, brains, blood running through their veins and very seldom hurt anyone unless provoked or backed into a corner which is more that I can say for mankind.
Your paper must be pretty down and out to have to use Jerry Gay’s meaningless pictures and stupid captions. I pray that next time you use some editorial judgment and realize that most people don’t want to have to view something like this. What’’s next – a dead person?
C. Kinney
Blaine

The Editor:
On October 26, 2005, the city of Blaine ordered a stop construction on the Seascape condominium development that included all external site work – drainage, concrete and landscaping. This led to a four and a half month delay in construction and was in fact, the fourth unlawful stop work action received by builder/developer Harbor Lands.
Yes! We opposed condemnation of private property for the boardwalk. Yes! We believe Mr. O’Neil and Mrs. Sturgill have glaring conflicts of interest in their planning commission membership. But that is not a proper reason for the city’s foot dragging, malevolent stonewalling, denials and delays – which have created an economic liability not only for Seascape Villas, but for Blaine itself.
City manager Gary Tomsic said to the council (April 26), “We don’t issue room-by-room occupancy permits.” We now ask him to review carefully the permit(s) issued to the new Northern Light building some weeks ago.
The city of Blaine issued us a permit to construct a 21-unit condominium with garages on June 13, 2005. This permit was based upon a site plan and accompanied by a 13-page drainage study and plan. It was a legal permit!
Facts are facts; proof is clear.
The city chose a property line known only to itself as additional basis for the work stoppage, alleging we “enriched” into the 4th Street setback area. It has cost the city and developer $150,000 in legal expenses to clear up the city caused administrative mess so far – and this is only the beginning.
We still have no occupancy permit! Hopefully the city council in its investigation will do the right thing.
Joel Douglas & Mark Douglas,
Harbor Lands Company
Blaine

The Editor:
Imagine your children setting off on an adventure requiring ancient skills, part art, part science, handed down through the millennia, one where they learned discipline and self reliance, developed a sense of self esteem and camaraderie, all while having fun with their friends.
Sounds like a recipe for success, doesn’t it? No, I’m not talking about outback survivor camp, I’m talking about sailing. There is currently a sailing program for ages 14 and up with the Sea Scouts and with the efforts of a number of people, there is soon to be sailing for the younger set, also right here in Blaine.
This past weekend’s sailing regatta provided an opportunity that would further the new sailing program. Volunteers provided breakfasts for race participants to raise funds for Drayton Harbor Maritime. You know, those people who look after the Plover, and their developing Clancy Sailing Program.
Thanks are due to the people who helped make the fund-raising breakfasts a success: Debbie at Blaine West Marine for the music system and a great selection of tunes to help wake everybody up, her decorating skills and her never ending good humor; Peg Cutting and downtown Bellingham Starbucks for the coffee which made it that much easier for race participants to get up at the crack of dawn to face the prospect of four or more hours on a pitching boat with rain pelting down and a wind chill of who knows what; Blaine Cost Cutter for their donation of fruit that helped insure sailors had a selection from all food groups to help them face the day’s challenges; Charlie and Marsha Hawkins for their food handling skills and Stafholt Good Samaritan Center for the use of serving pieces and food storage; Blaine Library for the tables and coffee maker; Angus Pratt and the Blaine Sea Scouts for their assistance with setup, bussing etc. and of course the members of DHM and the volunteers who put in the time to make the breakfast happen.
Thank you – we are one step closer to seeing Blaine’s youth setting off on their own sailing adventure right out here in Drayton Harbor.
Pam Amundson
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