Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
I am a big history fan and collect all types of old memorabilia and collectibles relating to Western History, so it was with interest that I recently read in your paper that there are some local folks that want to preserve and move the old N.P. Depot.
Kudos to them for stepping up and not letting it be demolished, how sad to think that BNSF would actually go ahead with destroying this fine old structure, have they no common sense and love of history? I know they sure like to honk their horns too long and excessively as they pass by at various hours of the night, but that is another story! 
Although I think the city is trying to do the right thing and have the best interests of the town behind them, I’m afraid that if they get their way, it may end up hurting Blaine’s historic make-up more than helping it. 
I am not all-knowing about all the details regarding the city and BNSF’s plans regarding the historic old train depot, but what happened to the plans of restoring it in its original location and making it a viable stop for Amtrak?
Perhaps if the energy spent talking about demolition or moving the structure were instead directed at leaving it in its original location and pressuring those concerned about reopening it and moving it several yards to one side to permit another set of tracks would be more beneficial for all concerned!
All one has to do is go across the bay to the White Rock Depot, built about the same time and see what they have done with their building, or Fort Langley, or Toppenish and Yakima, Washington, etc., all left in thier original locations.
White Rock Depot was moved to the north a few yards to accommodate the needs for the new line. It is sitting pretty much in its original location and is a main focal point for the White Rock waterfront, pier and community, with a fine little museum, gift shop and local meeting room.
Moving it away from the tracks doesn’t make any sense, it’s a railroad depot!
The city and others want to build on the character of Blaine’s waterfront and history, that being said, the best way to preserve this fine old original railroad depot and maintain its character, function, connection and originality to the community is not to move it to some distant location where most folks never go but to leave it where it has been for almost 100 years. This is where it should remain, its true home in Blaine!
Bill Becht
Blaine

The Editor:
On behalf of the Washington State Department of Transportation and IMCO Construction, I would like to thank the residents of Blaine for their patience with construction on SR 543. I’m happy to announce that we opened lanes and the D Street bridge six months ahead of schedule. The end of major construction is in sight. 
I also would like to extend to the community an invitation to our grand opening celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 5. We will be on top of the new D Street overpass above SR 543. Join first gentleman Mike Gregoire, Washington state and British Columbia officials, and others as we celebrate a wider, safer highway.
The celebration also will mark the opening of the new Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lane designed for commercial vehicles at the fourth busiest commercial crossing on the U.S.-Canada border. The FAST lane will immediately reduce congestion, shorten wait times and save money for commercial vehicles crossing the border. The grand opening is going to be outside, and it is winter. Please dress accordingly. Of course, we’re hoping for nice, dry weather. Keep your fingers crossed.
There are no public parking lots within walking distance of the event. You will have to find parking on nearby city streets. If possible, please consider carpooling, riding a bike or walking.
Crews have transformed SR 543 from a narrow and congested two-lane road into a five-lane highway with lanes designated for commercial vehicles and an overpass that reconnects a primary route for the community of Blaine.
If you have questions or concerns about the project, don’t hesitate to contact me at 360/757-5997 or terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov, or project engineer Chris Damitio at 360/788-7403, or by emailing damitic@wsdot.wa.gov.
Dustin Terpening
WSDOT

The Editor:
Wal-Mart would destroy Blaine just like it has destroyed hundreds of other small towns all over America.
Small mom and pop stores cannot compete with gigantic box stores. Moreover, by importing tons of cheap, shoddy, Chinese goods, Wal-Mart is bad for America – our manufacturing base is being destroyed as China, our avowed enemy, keeps building the strength of its military while simultaneously controlling our debt.
Go here to learn the specific steps you can take to keep Wal-Mart out of Blaine www.wakeupwalmart.com/community. On this site you will find a slew of reasons to oppose Wal-Mart. Be sure to especially read this section of the site where you can learn how Wal-Mart mistreats its employees who are regarded as slaves www.wakeupwalmart.com/workers. Everyone in America should boycott Wal-Mart.
John Hammell
Point Roberts

The Editor:
On behalf of the small committee to elect Harry Robinson to Blaine city council, I would like to thank the citizens who provided support.
At the end of the day, Harry ran unopposed but it was important for all of us to demonstrate our support for him. This was evident from the number of votes he received.
During the time we had the pleasure of working with Harry, we learned more about his willingness to dedicate himself to representing our concerns. He is a patient, enthusiastic person who has learned a great deal from his extensive service on the Blaine planning commission and is very ready to listen to the ideas of other citizens.
We appreciate all the support, including financial donations, which were so readily provided and we all wish Harry good luck as he takes his seat on the council.
Trevor Hoskins
Blaine

The Editor:
The 2007 CAP Thanksgiving Basket Project was a tremendous success. Two hundred families, more than a thousand children and adults, were fed. Families in Blaine, Birch Bay, and Custer received the dinner baskets on Wednesday afternoon in time to prepare complete turkey dinners for Thursday.
It all wouldn’t have happened without the tremendous support of this wonderful community. Many of you gave generous financial support for which we are deeply appreciative. Some businesses provided significant support too: Edaleen’s Dairy gave 208 gallons of milk. Bedlington Potato Warehouse gave 1,000 pounds of potatoes. Jeff Robinson and Totally Chocolate provided seven Thanksgiving dinner baskets. Sterling Savings Bank, Bank of America, and Cost Cutter were focal points for financial intake. True Value Hardware, Big Al’s and Pizza Factory became fund collection centers. Our deep appreciation to all of you for your generous help!
Next, there were the volunteers from our community who gave us the pies. Whereas in 2006 we had to buy pies to get enough, this year we had a plethora of pies: 312! All morning long they just kept coming and coming.
Finally there are some special thanks. First, to Susan Cadell and Phillips Edison & Co., owner of the Blaine International Shopping Center, for the use of the distribution site; next to Greg Avery and his team at Cost Cutter for getting all the groceries; then to Bryan and Daphne Johnson, Jim Holloway, Larry Donovan, Tom Dorsey, and Bob Williams who spent many long hours and days working to bring it all together. Mike Nelson and the NW Whatcom Professional Firefighters Local 3867 hung the banner, moved the groceries and milk cases, and returned the milk crates to Lynden.
Northwest Whatcom Fire and Rescue muscled the heavy baskets of food to the waiting needy families. Larissa Dhanani and Andrea Marcus spent hours contacting and working with the people who received the baskets.
They didn’t finish until 7:20 p.m. on Thanksgiving eve. Tom Dorsey and Brian Johnson took baskets that evening to shut-ins and others who couldn’t get to the distribution center. Without these people, it would have been chaos.
Thanks so much to all of you and to those others, too numerous to list, who helped. And thanks to all of you who gave so generously financially that made this whole outreach effort possible.
Because of your giving hearts and helping hands, 589 children and 425 adults had a reason to be thankful last Thursday. You can be truly proud of what you have done! Bless you all.
Brent Brentnall, director, the
Community Assistance
Program
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