Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
Passengers riding the venerable historic Plover ferry next summer during times of cool and damp weather will experience a much warmer passenger cabin. Up to now a cabin heater has been beyond the scope of the ferry’s budget. Thankfully because of the Semiahmoo Yacht Club’s generosity and continuing support of the historic Plover and a recent $600 check to the Plover Project, this much-appreciated amenity will become a reality.
Captain Richard C. Sturgill,
Drayton Harbor Maritime
Blaine

The Editor:
Inside the Peace Arch is a provocative statement about international peace: “May these gates never be closed,” it says. Gateways to the promotion of peace seem simple and direct. But opening them is not so easy as one may imagine. Here in the Peace Arch city, I’m realizing the gates are often closed, even padlocked.
The reasons are varied. Take, for example, my venture with Christ the King, a new church that meets in our primary school. Indeed, my invitation for members to come for a visit was a late notice. I heard it was such a dynamic parish, that I thought someone might appear. Nobody came. I’m renewing my invitation, but this time with no fixed time in mind.
I attended a Sunday service. It didn’t take long to realize I’m “spiritually stubborn.” I don’t believe the Bible is verbally inspired. It merely inspires me! The Sermon on the Mount inspires me. The beatitudes inspire me. Does that kind of inspiration count?
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” is such an inspiring beatitude, that I find it hard to set aside. This was the Jesus agenda that was too political for the Romans, and too heretical for the Pharisees. I’m trying to grasp that agenda, and bring it to life in our official city theme, “Promoting Peace,” adopted by our city council in 1998.
People say they love peace. But Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are the peace lovers.” I heard someone say, “Everybody wants peace.” But Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are the peace wanters.” It’s not about what we love or want. It’s about what we do.
With cataracts and aging reflexes, I don’t drive much. But my home is open. I welcome anyone, including agnostics and atheists, who wish to help me find no-nonsense ideas that will open the gates toward implementation of Blaine’s city theme: I especially welcome Randy Duggan, the staff, and Jeanne Halsey. Just call 332-5175 or drop a line to dclark30@peoplepc.com. We’ll arrange a time to meet. Welcome!
Richard Clark
Blaine

The Editor:
For the last two years, the parents of the football team have been bringing dinner to the football players on Thursday nights.  We would like to thank Little Caesar’s Pizza in Blaine, and especially Amber Rucker, for donating and delivering pizzas to our team dinner recently. 
The pizzas were enjoyed by the team, coaches and parent volunteers. 
Thanks again for your support of our football team dinners.
Mary Kay Phelps
Birch Bay

The Editor:
The Friends of Blaine Boys Golf, the coaching staff, and the athletes would like to take this opportunity to thank all the “weather proof” golfers who braved the weather and supported our 2nd Annual Golf Fundraiser tournament on Sunday, September 30.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the following business and individuals who sponsored a hole for our tournament or providing money to purchase one of the tournament prizes: hole sponsorships – Sawarne Lumber Company, Blaine Enterprises, Freeman Real Estate, Alley-Auto, Border Cargo Services, Paso del Norte, Blaine Marina, Smuggler’s Inn Bed & Breakfast, Top Line Builders, Cascade Dafo, Jones & Jones Custom Brokers and Trade Consultants, Kathy Stauffer – Windermere, King Nissan Volvo Hyundai, Varsity Gold – David Wright, Larry Hartman, Employees of CBP, Solid Foundations and Flatwork, and Rosewood Management.
Tournament Prizes – Sound Pacific Resources, Ed Williams-BayPort Financial, Sanders Brokerage Services, and Larry Hartman.
Finally, we would like to thank all the local businesses that donated merchandise to the post-tournament luncheon: Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club, Everyday Fitness, Red White and Brew Coffee, Border Brew, Sports World, Sea Links, Silver Reef, Avalon Golf Course, and King & Prince Seafood.
Because of these outstanding individuals and businesses, our fundraising efforts were a great success!
Steve Barthlow, head boy’s golf coach
Blaine

The Editor:
The city of Blaine is so fortunate to have Harry Robinson running for city council that I feel compelled to write this letter to share with you and your readers some facts about this extraordinary man.
Harry was a founding member of the board of directors of the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, created five years ago when a group of community leaders recognized that a national care crisis was threatening St. Joseph Hospital – the only hospital in our county.
This group of concerned citizens formed the foundation because they understood that philanthropy would be the “new health care reimbursement” and would be necessary to ensure that services at our hospital did not decline, as services have in so many hospitals nationwide.
Harry Robinson’s background as an insurance executive, combined with his expertise in planned giving, his work with other nonprofit organizations and his thoughtful approach, have served St. Joseph Hospital Foundation well. He is not one to just throw out ideas and let everyone else figure out how to implement them, he is a person who jumps right in to guide and help staff and other volunteers achieve a common mission.
Without a doubt, Harry is one of the wisest individuals I have ever known. I am so grateful that the hospital and community have had the benefit of his expertise and volunteer leadership.
While I am writing this letter as a private citizen, as executive director of the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation I have observed and benefited first hand from Harry’s involvement with the organization.
With more than 30 years experience in the nonprofit world, I can tell you that it is rare in this life that we have the opportunity to work with individuals as wise and selfless as Harry Robinson.
The city of Blaine will be well-served if he is elected to the city council and I urge you to vote for Harry. You will be glad you did.
Judy Biondi
Ferndale

The Editor:
In the upcoming election for city council I feel that Jason Overstreet is the best candidate for the job.
After serving two years on the council he has the experience and knowledge to help guide the city through the next few years, which I feel will be very difficult times for the city.
Jason has the ability to make the hard decisions. Jason also has proven himself to be a team player, working well with other council members. For these reasons I am voting for Jason Overstreet and encourage you to do the same.
Ray Wilkett
Blaine

The Editor:
We were pleased to learn that Kathy Stauffer is running for fire commissioner of district 21. We have known Kathy for 15 years. We have observed her mowing the lawn, cleaning out the garage, redecorating her house, welcoming new families in her home with food and fun to introduce them to many new friends. She not only sold homes to these families but followed with many contacts to be sure they were comfortable and had the information they needed to get acquainted in a new community. We have watched her raise her son, from a toddler, to a fine young man with many skills and experiences to guide him through adulthood.
We have also been the beneficiary of her expertise business acuity and her outreaching willingness to always go the step beyond to help anyone who asks for her advice or needs her help in making decisions based on her varied and vast experience in the business world.
She has a long history of volunteering on boards and committees to further the communication and develop policies affecting the members of the community at large. We have watched with pride her contributions and sincere dedication and seriousness of her commitments from the city council to the planning commission.
As a friend and neighbor we would have no doubt about her ability, her knowledge or her commitment to the job of fire commissioner. We would feel much safer and assured that everything that can be done would be handled with the same honesty and dedication she has given to her family and the members of the community in the past.
Barbara and Bill Dolph
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