Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
It is nice to see that the Blaine city council appears to be on the verge of closing the airport and selling the property so that the city as a whole can benefit from the sale of the airport property.
For many years the airport has been used by a few local pilots and the dream of an expanded airport was just that – a dream. The city could have saved a lot of money if they were not misled by the airport commission’s promises of $16 million in federal grant money.
I find it ironic that local residents for years have tried to shut down the airport and in the final analysis, the FAA should be credited as the main reason that the airport will be shut down.
The FAA basically blew the whistle and let city council know that there was no way that Blaine would receive millions of dollars in tax money. If they would not have admitted this very important fact, our city would be well on its way to a financial nightmare that it simply could not afford.
I also find it ironic that airport commissioner Doug Fenton stated in a public meeting a few months ago that the city only had two choices with the airport, and that was either to expand it or close it.
He claimed that if the airport continued as is the city could not afford to keep it open.
Somehow in the last 20 years the airport has been able to stay alive through some pretty close calls but this time they attempted to ask for more than they could receive and as commissioner Fenton stated a few months ago our only option now is to close the airport.
Thanks for putting the icing on the cake Doug, and no, you can’t have your cake and eat it too!
Michael Farrell
Blaine

The Editor:
Your article “Use caution when hiring in-home help” (February 1 – 7, 2007) by Denise Zamora, contained numerous inaccurate and misleading statements regarding in-home care.
Ms. Zamora, whose for-profit business steers people away from using licensed home care agencies, uses the threat of L & I fines and IRS tax consequences to dissuade seniors from hiring in-home help.
She further obfuscates the issue by referring to homeowners being dropped by insurance. These scare tactics do not serve the interests of the seniors of Whatcom County.
The claim that agencies “charge too much” and “workers don’t earn a decent wage” is patently untrue. Our nonprofit home care agency charges reasonable rates.
In fact, many of our clients pay nothing for their services. Home Care Aids at Visiting Nurse Home Care (VNHC) are members of a union, OPEIU Local 8, and receive a fair wage, paid health insurance, paid time off, and at least 10 hours of continuing education every year.
They are covered by L & I and our agency has extensive operating and safety policies, is fully insured and is meticulously compliant with regulations related to in-home care services.
Seniors who work with VNHC – or any licensed home care agency – have the assurance of ongoing care if an individual caregiver is unable to work – and they also have high standards of care to help people live safely, independently, and affordably at home.
Terri Booth, executive director
Visiting Nurse Home Care
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