The Editor:
Please save the date and join us! We are excited to invite the community to “Summer Fun in the Park” on August 26 at 5 p.m. at Blaine Marine Park located
on Marine Drive.
This is a free event geared toward all ages. There will be live music from Gladstone and Trouble at the Henhouse and an outdoor movie (Lego Batman) will begin at dusk. Food, beer and wine will all be available for purchase. The beer and wine garden will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. and food trucks will be on-site all evening.
We are hoping to make this an annual event but need the support of the community to make that happen – hope to see you there! For more information, please check out the event page on Facebook: Summer Fun in the Park.
Jen Freeman and Leah Crews
Windermere Real Estate
Blaine
The Editor
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the city of Blaine for sponsoring the 4th of July activities. We recognize the hours of planning and effort necessary to stage an all-day event such as this. The number of people in attendance speaks to the fact that people appreciate Blaine hosting this birthday celebration of the United States of America.
When leading the parade, we continually hear the words, “Thank you for your service.” While we greatly appreciate the acknowledgment, it is not why we participate. We believe the people in Blaine on the 4th are there to acknowledge the sacrifices and celebrate the success of prior generations of Americans.
Last Veterans Day, VFW Post 9474 dedicated a Battle Cross monument at the Blaine Memorial Park. The Battle Cross was selected because we believe it is a representation of the consistent commitment by each generation of Americans to those principles enumerated in the Declaration of Independence. The 4th of July must be celebrated. However, the evolution of this nation is not a one-day event, and it may not be a straight line of righteousness. It is, however, a commitment from generation to generation by its citizens to defend those values which they consider
their unalienable rights.
We are extremely offended by the actions of the city of Blaine, and a specific vendor. It is our opinion that if ever there is a day that the monument and Blaine Memorial Park should be featured, it is the 4th of July. Instead, the city of Blaine allowed the entire plaza to be occupied by vendors selling hot dogs, and the Battle Cross itself became a place to stack debris. This is sacred ground to us.
We encourage the members of the city council, or any other city employee, to go count the names on the World War I memorial. Take the time to read the names on all the other plaques displayed from other conflicts and consider the implication of the Battle Cross as it relates to the 4th of July.
We sincerely hope that in the future that the Blaine Memorial Park will be honored, not desecrated.
Gerald L Busig, Jr. Commander Post 9474 Veterans of Foreign Wars
Custer
The Editor:
Can you believe it’s early August and the 2017-2018 school year is on the horizon? Every year, the Blaine school district family service center provides low-income (those on free and reduced lunch), foster and homeless children with backpacks full of school supplies. This year we expect the number to continue to grow to over 250 students.
The family service center is in need of school supply donations. If you would like to donate money you may do so, giving us the ability to buy supplies in bulk at a lower price. If you would like to donate supplies – backpacks, composition books, USB drives, highlighters, dividers and scissors are most needed at this time.
For monetary donations, please mail a check to: Blaine school district family service center, Attn: Jessie Burton, 765 H St, Blaine, WA 98230. Please make checks out to Blaine Family Service Center (this is tax deductible and a receipt will be provided). If you would like to drop off a monetary donation or supplies, you may do so anytime between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the district office at 765 H Street.
This service is provided only by donations from amazing community members like yourself. We so appreciate your continued support of the resources that the Blaine school district family service center is able to provide to the families and students who are in need. I am always in awe of this community and the continuous generosity and giving spirit. Thank you so much to all who contribute!
The school supply distribution for the 2016–2017 school year will be on Friday, August 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the family service center (located behind the old middle school gym, blue door is facing Blaine Elementary School). To qualify, you must have a student attending Blaine schools, and be on free/reduced lunch. This will be verified before services are offered.
Thanks so much! For more information, please contact Jessie Burton at the Family Service Center at jburton@webmail.blainesd.org or 332-0740 (summer hours are limited so a phone call will be returned within the week).
Jessie Burton
Blaine School District
The Editor:
I felt compelled to write this letter after I got home from my daily walk on the beach at the Semiahmoo spit today. I was devastated to see that someone had spray-painted nearly every piece of large driftwood along the west beach near the main parking lot in Semiahmoo Park.
This is a place I had always considered my “happy place;” a place to beachcomb, watch the birds, meditate and just enjoy the beautiful view.
In very large red and black lettering, someone had defaced a lot of the huge silvered driftwood with the words “love,” “peace,” “love your body,” “love your inner goddess,” “love yourself,” “be yourself,” etc. The irony of these words being spray painted on these lovely old pieces of driftwood was not lost on me. No self-respecting hippie would ever ruin these beautiful monuments of mother nature.
I was sickened by the selfishness of this act, I quite literally nearly cried. In my opinion, vandalism like this is the result of parents and society not teaching children to respect and enjoy nature. My husband and I walk here nearly every day picking up trash left by the public, but our route will now be changed. I can’t bear to walk along that stretch of beach again.
It is my hope that maybe the parks department has a way to remove the spray paint, but I can’t imagine how. This act of vandalism was obviously done when it was still light out, so I have to assume there may have been a witness or two. Please, people, speak up and confront vandals like this and protect our parks and beaches!
Teresa Smith
Blaine
The Editor:
I read with interest Bill Becht’s letter in your July 27–August 2 issue. His comments on over-policing of minor traffic infractions are spot on. I am a Canadian and one day in April I drove to the post office north on Mitchell from Peace Portal Drive and left onto H Street.
Out of nowhere I was immediately confronted by a police officer who told me I was going 35 mph in a 25 mph zone and asked what was my hurry. I was stunned at the confrontational and aggressive manner of the officer. When I asked the location of the speed limit sign, I was told that all of Blaine had a 25 mph limit and that H Street had posted signs. When I explained that I was a visitor to the city and therefore did not know the rules, he brushed me off and proceeded to write me a ticket for $166.
I retraced my route and there are no speed limit signs in that area of H Street heading west. There is one heading east but I would not have seen it. My point is, why would the city of Blaine condone such bullying behavior towards visitors, let alone local citizens? A simple warning would have sufficed and encouraged me to obey the rules next time. Instead I have told everyone about my negative experience and I am now hesitant to return.
Darlene Wilson
Langley, B.C.
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