The Editor:
I love Birch Bay. If I could ask Whatcom County government, I am sure – he, she, they – would also say they “love Birch Bay.”
However, I bet my perspective is different than that of the county. Over the last month I have read different articles in The Northern Light that feature actions by various parts of Whatcom County government, by individuals who do not live in Birch Bay but I would assume are in “my best interest.”
Like for one: The new Birch Bay Community Park in the middle of the bay. Unfortunately, the county has set rents so high Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce will not be able to sponsor different functions at this facility.
Or the proposed library. It appears that Gary and Cindy Vogt were under the impression that in the event financing did not materialize for the proposed library, they would be able to reacquire the property that was homesteaded by Gary’s great-grandparents, apparently not. There won’t be a library there, but Whatcom County Library System will decide the best fate for that property.
The Northern Light reported in the April 14 issue on the expansion of the Horizon development. This project went from 230 units to as many as 477 residences. The project “doubled when developers realized the land supported multi-family development.”
My issue is not with the growth and change of Birch Bay – it will happen.
I believe in local control. Change should occur, under the direction of the city of Birch Bay. Comments can be sent to: Comments@ILoveBirchBay.org.
Stephen Nelson
Birch Bay
The Editor:
I write this short note to let you know how impressed I was with the accuracy of the information in the recent background article by Ian Haupt in The Northern Light, as I begin service on Blaine’s school board.
As you well know, accurate reporting and a free press are the twin pillars of successful democracies and both require careful, diligent work. Ian took the time to get facts right. His work was even more accurate than several articles appearing in The New York Times about my work in the past, when I was at the University of
Connecticut.
We are so very fortunate to have your publications, and Ian as a member of your team, in our special community of Blaine. Thank you!
Donald Leu
Blaine
The Editor:
President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “I have one yardstick by which I test every major problem – and that yardstick is: Is it good for America?”
There is a great debate going on in our country right now: Republican versus Democrat, and liberal versus conservative. Because of this, unfortunately, legislatures ignore President Eisenhower’s yardstick.
Instead of asking, “Is it good for America?” they instead ask, “What does my political affiliation say about this policy?” More often than not, policies are passed roughly along party lines. This gives a great advantage to the majority party. Bipartisan is currently the exception, not the norm.
There is one proposal that I wanted to bring to your attention – Washington State SB 5897, a temporary suspension of the state motor vehicle fuel tax. It should be bipartisan, but it’s not. Majority Democrats haven’t given it much thought. Apparently, they would rather spend the money on whatever they choose. The other option: Suspend collection of the gas tax for the remainder of the year. This has also been proposed on the federal level. Wouldn’t it be great if every family in Washington could save about $200, no bureaucracy, no strings attached? Is this good for Washington?
The bill deserves more thorough consideration. Our new state senator Simon Sefzik has tried to make this happen this past session. I’ve watched some of his speeches and it seems that he gives a more logical, evidence-based approach to policy. Rather than letting political motives drive decisions, it seems that he really does care.
Andrew Bargen
Lynden
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