Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
Me thinks the good Reverend Macartney of La Conner should be spending her spare time tending to her own flock, instead of criticizing and rebuking our good Blaine City Council members for their decision on the Pugwash sister city issue, a decision that I personally endorse.
I don’t think I am alone in believing that local and/or municipal governing bodies should attend to matters of their local constituents and keep their noses out of national politics.
Reverend Macartney cites the example of Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Seattle forming a sister city relationship in 1973 as a positive event, since Uzbekistan is no longer a part of the old Soviet Union’s “communist party-ruled dictatorship.”
That may be, but non-Soviet Uzbekistan now appears to be governed by a brutal, probably fascist dictatorship, possibly placing their citizens in a worse environment than before.
I certainly subscribe to the hopes and objectives of Reverend Macartney for world peace. I’m just not sure that connecting a bunch of lawyers, teachers, physicians, chefs and school children with heartfelt visits with their counterparts in other cities or countries achieve much other than increasing the number of people available for peace marches.
However, since she’s directed such harsh words at the Blaine council for not taking a more aggressive stance in national affairs, perhaps the council should respond by declaring war on La Conner. We could use the airport (if we still have one) to mount a carpet bombing campaign, using soft, quilted carpets of course, and to defoliate those pesky tulips (Agent Pink?).
The Semiahmoo and Birch Bay yacht clubs could launch a naval attack, bringing La Conner to its knees quickly.
If all that is too aggressive for Reverend Macartney, perhaps the council could satisfy her by declaring Blaine and Birch Bay a nuclear free zone, which would keep those horrid nuclear submarines out of Drayton Harbor and Birch Bay.
Philip Gardner
Blaine

The Editor:
Lights are on, heat’s on. It’s fall and thanks to Birch Bay Bible Church, the Birch Bay Steering Committee and its seven subcommittees have a place to meet for their more than half a dozen monthly meetings.
Committee members and the public sincerely appreciate your wonderful hospitality and open doors on behalf of our growing community. Once again, thank you Pastor Rick, Mavis and congregation.
Patti Barton,
Birch Bay Steering Committee
Birch Bay

The Editor:
I am writing you to state that our family is very disappointed by your ability to publish correct information about Norma Kruse. On more than one occasion there has been information that has been incorrectly stated in your paper.
This last time it was printed that Leonard Breidford was the oldest person who attended the United States/Canada Peace Anniversary Association event when in fact Norma Kruse was the oldest to attend at age 99 years old. She was born in Blaine and has lived here her whole life.
She too had attended the original dedication ceremonies for the Peace Arch.
We understand that it is difficult to speak to every person that had attended but we would appreciate a little more research. She had received a special invitation to attend and to participate in this event.
Don and Melissa Kruse
Blaine

The Editor:
On behalf of the Blaine Youth Basketball program we would like to thank everyone who participated in our first annual Blaine Youth Basketball/Luke Ridnour golf tournament.
This event was a huge success and couldn’t have been accomplished without your support.
Our appreciation and gratitude to Luke Ridnour of the Seattle Super Sonics and Luke Jackson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, for taking time out of their schedules to lend support to our event.
A special thank you to our hole sponsors: A & A Contract Custom Brokers USA, Inc., Ainsworth Engineered Canada, Banner Bank, Bayport Financial Advisors, Blaine Enterprise USA, Inc., Blaine Harbor Dental, Bob and Lisa Baily, Border Cargo Services, Chelan Fresh Marketing, Donald L. Rather, DDS, Doug Freeman Real Estate, Jones & Jones, LLC, Norman G. Jensen, Inc., The Northern Light, Pacific Building Center, Prostock Athletic Supply, Red Goodwin, Century 21 Properties, Sports Unlimited, TC Trading Company, Inc., TC Trans, Inc., Transgrroup Worldwide Logistics, Windermere Real Estate Whatcom Inc.
Wayne Schouten &
Tammy Alexander
Blaine

The Editor:
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has received reports that an individual purporting to be a representative of the Danish consulate has contacted area Rotary and Kiwanis Club members to solicit funds to assist a stranded Danish citizen return to Denmark. In one call, the caller identified himself as the district governor of the Copenhagen Rotary. Members of the service clubs were asked to meet the alleged Danish citizen, “VanDerclerk” outside a bank in downtown Bellingham with over $400 in currency.
The Danish consulate has confirmed that they have not and would not solicit funds for this purpose from service organizations.
It is unclear at this point, how the caller is obtaining membership lists or telephone numbers of service club members.
The sheriff’s office is investigating. Citizens are advised to closely scrutinize requests of this nature and never meet someone unknown to them on a street corner with cash.
Anyone solicited for this or similar purposes should contact law enforcement.
Sheriff Bill Elfo, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office
Bellingham

The Editor:
The recent airport study was based on the total impacts in the year 2025 with an FAA approved $20 million airport expansion using all of the available airport land and the total impacts with closing the airport and using the property for retail and industrial purposes, using only one third of the airport property.
Employment = 35 new jobs with airport; 322 new jobs with airport closure. The city will gain a net benefit of 122 percent more jobs by closing the airport.
Income = Blaine would take in $3,815,000 by expanding the airport and the city would take in $10,420,000 if they were to close the airport and use it for retail and industrial purposes. The city will have an income that is 164 percent better if we close the airport.
Sales = an expanded airport would have sales of $35,006,000. Closure of the airport would result in sales of $97,227,000 by using the property for retail and industrial development. A 164 percent advantage if we close the airport.
Direct business to city = $96,000 with an expanded airport and $149,000 if the airport was closed. This would support airport closure by a 55 percent margin.
All sources to state & local = expanding the airport would bring in $325,000 and closure would net $1,045,000. This is a huge 222 percent difference supporting airport closure.
Consultant Paul Sorenson of BST Associates says it best when he points out, "The Blaine Airport property is the best industrial property you have. It has the best access and visibility." This is not the first time we have ever heard about location, location, location!
The Bellingham Herald opinion page states; "Blaine may be better off without airport." "The new study makes this much clear: Closing the airport and using the site for industrial and commercial use has clear-cut economic advantages for Blaine."
The Vancouver Sun on Monday September 11 front page story; "What goes up must come down." "The number of private pilots fell from 350,000 in 1980 to 245,000 in 2006. Private plane sells have fallen 80 percent in that span, and dozens of general aviation airports close each year."
In closing I would like to quote Harry S. Truman with regards to city council, airport commission, and a few people that are tired of my stance on the airport. "I never gave anybody hell! I just told them the truth and they thought it was hell!"
Dennis Hill
Blaine

The Editor:
On October 9, Blaine City Council will be voting on the future of the Blaine airport.
This will be one of its most important decisions in recent history.
I would like to hear from more Blaine citizens on both sides of this issue. If you are undecided or simply have no opinion one way or the other, I would like to know that too.
You can leave a message anytime on my home phone, 332-4020. Please express your view or simply say “airport, yes,” or “airport, no” if you want. You don’t have to leave your name unless you want to.
If you would like a response, leave your number and I will call you back. I am sure other council members would appreciate hearing from you as well.
All of our phone numbers are listed on the city website (www.cityofblaine.com) or you can call city hall at 332-8311 for telephone numbers. I am looking forward to hearing from many of you as the council makes this important decision affecting the long-term future of Blaine.
Bonnie Onyon
Blaine City Council,
mayor pro tem
Blaine

The Editor:
I am writing to pledge my support for congressman Rick Larsen in the upcoming election. Since first elected six years ago he has worked tirelessly to solve problems for the people of our district, improving the quality of life here at home. As a veteran in the district, I have witnessed his work firsthand.
His proposal for a community based outpatient clinic in the district and his regard for preserving veteran’s health care have proven his commitment and dedication to our veterans.
He has kept that commitment to the veterans returning from the current war and is working hard to ensure they, along with their families, are taken care of.
Congressman Larsen received an endorsement from the VFW PAC as he deserved, just as he deserves every veteran’s vote this November.
Markku Kanervikkoaho
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