Letters to The Editor: December 15-21, 2022

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The Editor:

I recently attended the Blaine planning commission for the H Street mobile home park meeting on December 8. I was and remain deeply concerned about the integrity of the proceedings after sitting through the three-hour meeting.

Blaine residents did extensive research into the following problems this proposed ‘park’ will create:

• Loss of precious wetlands.

• Contamination of our aquifer, which will affect thousands of Blaine residents both in the city and outside the city limits.

• Attendant flooding, which will occur on both sides of the border.

• Loss of animal habitat.

• Loss of habitat for pileated woodpecker, a threatened species.

• Loss of rainforests.

• Loss of property tax revenue since mobile/manufactured homes do not appreciate in value since the ‘homeowners’ do not own the land and must pay $800/month to rent the ground upon which the ‘home’ sits.

• Increase strain on fire and police resources.

• Increase strain on sewer, water and power resources/infrastructure.

• Increase strain on schools, school buses and emergency services.

• Increase in poverty since the ‘park’ owner can raise rent when he chooses.

• Increase taxes on current residents to cover the shortfall of tax revenue.

In the face of steep citizen opposition, no vote was taken. Half of the votes were an immediate denial of the projects, while three other councilmembers had more ‘questions’ about procedure and state law. Really?

None of those questions were raised at the beginning of the meeting, only when it was time to take a vote.

Is there an office that is designed to look out for the rights of current Blaine residents and the environment?

We are constantly bludgeoned about ‘climate change’ but when faced with an opportunity to save the current environment, the Blaine planning commission seems strangely silent. 

Makes you wonder whom they are really working for because I was left with the impression it surely wasn’t for the residents of the city of Blaine and the adjoining county.

Tina and Troy Erwin

Blaine

The Editor:

To truly revitalize downtown, Blaine needs an attraction. Fixing the sidewalks and improving plaza amenities are important, but they don’t draw tourists. An arts center would.

I thought about the vacant building where we held the Christmas Bazaar, and what a loss it would be were it to become just another commercial venue. Alternatively, were the city able to muster state and federal grants for economic recovery, the space could become an art center where we create a community of artists with classes in everything from bronze casting to ceramic sculpture and screen printing.

Tourism development takes investment. If you build it, they will come.

Jay Taber

Blaine

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