The Editor:
You want to save the salmon. You want to save the seals. You want to save the orcas. I am sure you realize none of the seals, salmon or orcas play well together.
Representative Vincent Buys has continually sponsored and cosponsored bills and amendments to increase hatchery production of salmon to provide more food for the orcas.
This year he cosponsored a southern resident orca recovery bill (House Bill 2417) to increase hatchery production of salmon and establish an orca recovery task force. This would have promoted orca recovery by providing 10 million more fish for them to eat, but the bill never made it to the House floor.
We also need to look at the causes of salmon depletion. How does a salmon, a seal or an orca survive when other countries across the Pacific overfish salmon? Why do we protect harbor seals when orcas enjoy inviting the same Chinook salmon to lunch that the seals love to eat as well? The seals decimate the salmon yet are a protected species. How do we protect salmon when they are netted with wild abandon by Native American tribes?
If representative Buys can wind his way through this legal and political minefield, bless him.
Gail Pappacostas
Blaine
The Editor:
Senator Doug Ericksen and representative Vincent Buys took multiple trips allegedly paid for with [surplus] campaign funds to support Cambodian Prime Minister Hu Sen – a man complicit in the mass murders of over 2 million of his countrymen during Pol Pots Khmer Rouge in the ‘70s.
At the same time (last summer) Ericksen and Buys were there endorsing a corrupt election, the GOP-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed resolutions condemning Hu Sen’s government.
Ericksen and Buys are like Trump mini-mes. As Trump cozies up to Putin, like our two local legislators did to Hu Sen. In fact, Hu Sen and Putin are both brutal and corrupt Communist dictators who kill their enemies and purge opposition parties. Two other Washington state legislators saw though the charade and came home early, but not these guys. If Ericksen and Buys are that stupid why would anyone vote for them? Some will, so remember to vote. We need a change. Our elected legislators belong in Olympia, not Washington D.C. or Cambodia.
Jack Kintner
Blaine
The Editor:
The need is great. The need is now. Are the communities of Birch Bay, Blaine and Custer up for a challenge? The Blaine Food Bank has an incredible opportunity.
If BFB raises $30,000 by December 21, a local resident generously promised to match community donations up to this amount. Whether you are a business, a family or an individual, please help us reach this goal.
Have you ever gone to sleep hungry, not by choice but because you had no food? Are you a parent who goes without to provide more for your children? Are you a child who goes to school without a breakfast?
If so, please tell your friends exactly how important it is to receive milk, eggs, and proteins such as meat, fish and poultry from the Blaine Food Bank. Encourage community giving by sharing what being able to rely on the Blaine Food Bank means to you and your family.
The Blaine Food Bank needs your help. Our lines are longer and our government support has been cut in half. Point of fact: the Blaine Food Bank now serves close to 100 more families a week than this time last year.
We average 425 families (over 2,000 individuals) in a week and distribute over 120,000 pounds of food every month.
Many people are still struggling. However, with help from our local businesses, churches and community, the Blaine Food Bank will continue to provide help to those residents who are most vulnerable.
To those who have donated in the past, thank you. You understand the need and we truly appreciate your support. Hunger is unacceptable. It is time to end hunger in our community.
So the challenge is issued: will Birch Bay, Blaine and Custer businesses, local churches and current residents step up? Will you help Blaine Food Bank reach our goal of $30,000 by December 21?
Starting on October 15, the Blaine Food Bank will display a thermometer showing our donors how we are progressing (from a low simmer to a full boil) as we try to reach our $30,000 goal. Our mailing address is PO Box 472.
Jerry Bladies, manager
Blaine
The Editor:
Mr. Smith’s letter to The Northern Light states that Luanne Van Werven objects to fees. Yet, he illogically ignores that she was in power and did not object when they were put in place. She supported the fees then, so why
reward her now?
How our beliefs match legislators’ votes can tell us if they deserve re-election. Should employers offer paid sick leave; should a parent be able to stay home for a short time with a newborn? See House Bill 1356, Senate Bill 5875. Should legislators hide their actions and not be subject to public records laws? See Senate Bill 6617. Should voter registration be both legal and easy? See House Bill 2595. Is it dangerous to use a cell phone or text while driving? See House Bill 1371, Senate Bill 5289.
Our Republican representatives all voted against sick or paid family leave, transparency in public records for legislators, legal and easy voter registration, fines for texting/cell phone use while driving, and other logically beneficial legislation. And one of them, Ericksen, took an EPA job in Washington, D.C., without giving up his state legislative salary while working there, when he was supposed to be representing us here. Ericksen also voted against protecting you from being fired for talking about your salary (see House Bill 1506), while Van Werven and Buys voted against banning bump stocks. See Senate Bill 5992. By the way, bump stocks are not arms; arms work perfectly well without them, and banning them for public safety does not counter the second amendment.
Go for productive change! Vote for Democrats Pinky Vargas, Sharon Shewmake and Justin Boneau. Vargas has experience and understands future planning. Shewmake, an economics transportation professor at Western Washington University, understands budgets and transportation needs, and Boneau understands housing affordability. All are committed to health care, public safety, infrastructure projects, affordable housing, generating jobs, and working to make our lives better.
Chuck Kinzer
Birch Bay
The Editor:
The Healthy Youth Coalition North County 501(c)(3) needs your help as a Teen Night host!
We are looking for a energetic and compassionate person who enjoys empowering youth and wants to make a difference in the life of a teen.
Experience with teens will be helpful and training opportunities are available. This is also a great opportunity for building your resume. Must pass background check.
For more information please contact us at hycoalition@gmail.com or 360/510-0221. We look forward to making a difference together.
Jesse Creydt
Blaine
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here