The Editor:
Merideth Goodman and I are friends and we both serve on the board of Drayton Harbor Maritime. We both have white hair. But Merideth did not attend the Washington Trust meeting at the Bellingham Ferry Terminal. My name is Sunny Brown, and I did attend the meeting as shown in the July 14 issue of The Northern Light page 16 photo with Richard Sturgill and Alex Gradwohl. I have served as manager and volunteer coordinator of the Alaska Packer Museum at Semiahmoo Park for the last 21 years.
Drayton Harbor Maritime (DHM) is a group of local citizens dedicated to preserving and promoting Blaine’s maritime history. We are responsible for maintenance and operation of the Plover and staffing of the Alaska Packers Museum. Currently, with the help of Steve Alaniz and Norm Walsh, we are restoring Bristol Bay gillnetter, NN59. Financial backing for this project comes from our community via donations. When complete, the vessel will serve local residents and visitors with a sailing experience in Drayton Harbor.
DHM Board and APA museum volunteers include Founding Director, Richard Sturgill, Mike Dodd, Ron Snyder, Meredith Goodman, Graham Hunter, Brad Bytnar, Gary Cordray, Sunny Brown, Bill Brooks, Brian Solomon, Leila Humphrey and Ellen Clothier.
Sunny Brown
Birch Bay
The Editor:
The Blaine Harbor Music Festival wants to express its sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to support us last week. The community (and The Northern Light) opened its arms and welcomed us back after a two-year break because of Covid-19. We were overwhelmed by your generosity and involvement.
What had been envisioned as a recovery year turned out to be one of the most successful weeks that we have ever enjoyed. Your enthusiasm took our faculty and student groups to remarkable performance heights, and we are truly humbled by your participation and encouragement. We are already in the initial stages of planning for the 2023 event spurred on by the feelings of gratitude for being a part of such a warm and caring community.
For the board, faculty and staff of the Blaine Harbor Music Festival,
Bryan Johnson, Pacific Arts Association
Blaine
The Editor:
Last week, Cascadia Daily News carried an article about Bellingham’s new WinkWink store front and the FOX News reaction. The Bellingham Herald covered the story as it related to the Bellingham School District on Sunday, July 17.
The public might like to know that across the nation there is a church related Our Whole Lives (OWL) program for 9-12 and 13-17-year-old youth, young adults and adults. The OWL program is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association and United Church of Christ and was developed together. It is also about consent, puberty, sexuality and respect for yourself and others. Everyone needs to share thoughts and questions about a lot of life issues.
OWL is a program that stimulates thought and sharing as parts of society have really confused sexual identity “rules” and how they are personified. Between easy, confusing mass media messages and demanding social pressure, many people need and want a curriculum to enable discussion regarding human choice, responsibility and individualism. That is one reason that 58 percent of Washington voters passed Referendum 90 in 2020.
WinkWink may have found a public niche for this kind of education. People should know that it is also available through many local churches.
Donna Starr
Blaine
The Editor:
Most voters don’t know who to vote for when it comes to judges. But we all know that there are certain qualities we expect in our judges – integrity, legal experience and accomplishment, fairness, and a good balance of both compassion and accountability. In short, we have a right to expect that our judges be the best the legal profession has to offer.
I have had the opportunity to meet with all three candidates for Whatcom County District Court Judge this year and have found Jonathan Rands is head and shoulders above his opponents. For 20 years, Jonathan has been representing ordinary folks in our county’s district court, and in my view, he understands the challenges of making our communities safer and healthier places to live and work. Jonathan has shown a willingness to be an innovative leader and someone who listens to the many different voices in our county. We need his depth of experience and his integrity.
Jonathan is the only candidate in this race who has earned the endorsement of both parties. We need more judges who understand that the core of an equitable justice system comes from our Constitution and the rule of law. Jonathan Rands, in my opinion, will be a judge who will ensure due process and will protect our Constitutional rights in the courtroom.
I urge you to cast your vote for Jonathan Rands for judge.
Dan Robbins
Bellingham
The Editor:
In some quarters Simon Sefzik’s interim appointment to the state senate after the death of senator Doug Ericksen is being called a “political favor” to representative Sharon Shewmake, who is a contender for that senate seat in this year’s election. This sounds to me like a not-so-subtle attempt to undermine Shewmake’s reputation.
I was in the audience when Whatcom County Council picked Sefzik, and that’s not how it looked to me. The county Republicans provided three candidates to choose among. Tawsha Thompson had even less political experience than young Sefzik. Ben Elenbaas refused to relinquish his county council position if he were appointed to the senate, stubbornly insisting he could do both jobs at the same time. Given the candidates’ responses to a common questionnaire, the council made the reasonable choice for a temporary caretaker till the current election.
Voters, don’t be fooled. Beware of candidates who use falsehoods and innuendo as campaign tactics. The only reason to do so is because they don’t believe the truth will work in their favor.
Representative Shewmake doesn’t need any favors. She’s running on her own very effective legislative track record, and she’s got my vote.
Nancy Ging
Bellingham
The Editor:
I am writing to support Kyle Christensen for state representative position 2. I have known Kyle for eight years and in that time, he has proven to live Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” He is extremely humble in his service opportunities and truly values others as more significant than himself. He has served as a sheriff’s deputy, volunteer firefighter, as mayor of Sumas for four years and now works as the Whatcom County flood recovery manager following the flood of 2021. He is a realtor and started Christensen Home Services where his whole focus is on others’ needs.
In everything, Kyle works relentlessly to provide for his family and community. As a taxpayer, you can be assured that any dollar entrusted to Kyle will be returned many times over.
Compare taxpayer dollar usage versus his Republican opponent in this 2022 race and see for yourself who is managing your hard-earned tax dollars better: (via the Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission website).
Dan Johnson: bit.ly/3IPqv69
Kyle Christensen: bit.ly/3ILhV8w
Kyle’s income comes entirely from his efforts versus his opponent’s household governmental unemployment support payments, ranging from $30,000 to $90,000. While taking the unemployment payments was completely legal, tough times call for a strong resolve to support those around you. Who is working harder for their income? By that example, who will most likely put in the most significant effort on our behalf to ensure our taxes are supporting Whatcom County?
Kyle is a true servant leader. I am honored to call him a brother in Christ and friend. I endorse Kyle and ask that you vote for him on August 2. He has proven his commitment and service to the people of Whatcom County.
Steve Nims
Lynden
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