Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
I am currently deployed in Iraq as an explosive ordnance disposal technician, which is a fancy name for the bomb squad.
I am in the Navy but I work with the Marines, and my two team mates Joe Bryant, and Earl Jacobsen. These two guys are a couple of the greatest people I know, and I am lucky to work with such stand up guys. The Marines provide security for us and they do an outstanding job of it. I always know that they have our backs in any situation.
Our job here is to disarm, and destroy any and all improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other potentially dangerous items that the insurgents use or build to kill coalition forces. It’s a great job, and very fulfilling. I have seen some amazing things here, some great and some terrible.
The reason I am writing is to say hello to the town I grew up in and thank the people for their support of the troops here. I don’t think people at home know how much it really means to the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen (and women) deployed all over the world to have the knowledge that their communities are behind them and praying for them.
I have received letters from Tony Andrews, who is also a veteran, and many other folks I don’t even know reminding us that we are doing a good job and that they believe in us.
So thank you to Tony for taking the time to send some well-wishes, and the entire community of Blaine for your support.
Take care all, and I’ll see you soon.
Clayton Swansen
Blaine

The Editor:
Hallelujah! How delightful that a simple little letter to the editor could produce such wonderful results as a dedicated left-turn lane for travelers desiring to turn south onto SR 543 from H Street!
Who would have thought that one woman’s ardor could cause the department of transportation to change their minds and give us this much-needed left turn arrow? Now all the other citizens of Blaine can formally state, “I’m using the Halsey dedicated left-turn signal,” when you exit the east side of H Street en route to Bellingham via I-5. As the King so aptly said, “Thank you, thank you very much.”
Just kidding, of course. Naturally I realize that the left-turn signal was most likely already in the long-term plans for the massive renovation of the truck customs approach lanes, and it was very decent of Dustin Terpening of the Washington state department of transportation to bring us all up-to-date on the long-term plans to direct traffic in and through our little town. That was more information than I got from inquiring at Blaine’s city hall or by asking an IMCO representative.
As the Bible says, “You have not because you ask not” (Matthew 7:7; also James 4:2), and because I used the fair public forum of a letter to the editor in The Northern Light, we all heard a welcome answer to a vexing problem. So again I encourage you: speak out!
Don’t just stew in silence, and then be frustrated later on. Just as your vote is important – even by such a “minor” step as the primary election on August 21 (where we have one tiny vote to cast) – so it is important that you let your fellow citizens know what you like about Blaine, what you’d like to see improved in Blaine, and what you will do to make the living experience better for all.
Jeanne Halsey
Blaine

The Editor:
Thanks to The Northern Light for listing the Semiahmoo Park Museum in the coming up column. In the August 16 issue we were listed near the top and as luck would have it we had a “volunteer crash.”
The museum is staffed by volunteers on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Our Sunday, August 19 volunteer is a nurse who received an unexpected call to work.
The people on the back up list were not available. Richard Sturgill and I received calls of complaint. We apologize to the folks who came to visit and found a locked door. 
This presents an opportunity to advertise the need for more volunteer docents. The requirements are a friendly smile with an interest in the history of Semiahmoo Spit and the surrounding community.
Retirees are encouraged to participate. Basic training is provided. Whatcom County Parks is making major improvements to the park and buildings. We are looking for a larger volunteer base so we could be open five afternoons a week.
Our little museum is a gem. We have visitors from across the world and they leave with an appreciation of our heritage. Last summer there were over 1,000 guests.
Come visit next weekend. We will be there. For more information or to volunteer, please call me at 371-3558.
Sunny Brown,
volunteer coordinator,
Semiahmoo Park
Maritime Museum
Birch Bay

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