The Editor:
I have been the director of the Blaine Clothing Bank since May of this year. I have been so impressed with the response we have received from the community for our requests for gently used clothing, towels and bed linens.
We have been able to provide over 250 people per month with items they need to provide for themselves and their families.
If we could only share the looks of gratitude and happiness that we see as people leave the clothing bank.
Not only have the communities of Blaine and Birch Bay been generous with their donations, but they have been willing to volunteer their time and energy to make sure that the clothing bank is in good shape, stocked and open for business. We are truly blessed.
So I feel a bit awkward about reminding everyone that we are a clothing bank that also includes a bit of linens for the community. We are not a convenient place to drop off your unwanted furniture, appliances and other household goods.
We often find all sorts of random items left outside of our doors. I know the thought is that people in need come here or to the food bank next door and could possibly use these items, but if the items are not taken we must dispose of them at the expense of the clothing bank and the time of our volunteers.
We have a small facility and no additional space to handle items other than clothing and linens. If you have items that you would like to go to people in need contact Goodwill, ARC, Habitat for Humanity or some other such organization that accepts those items. They would be glad to have them and make sure they are put to good use.
Thank you all for your support.
Jan Schlack
Clothing Bank Director
The Editor:
Just a reminder for everyone interested in having regular Amtrak passenger rail service in downtown Blaine, hopefully in a restored 1908 depot, there is an important meeting happening at Western’s Viking Union Lounge sponsored by All Aboard Washington. They don’t often come this far north, and there will be many folks interested in this from B.C. and Northwest Washington.
This is a very important and needed transportation hub, which will help serve the lower mainland and NW Washington.
I sure hope all interested can make this most important meeting, to help make it a reality.
It is happening at the Viking Union Lounge at WWU in Bellingham, on October 8, 2016 between noon and 4 p.m. Lunch will be served.
Hope to see you there.
Bill Becht
Blaine
The Editor:
Whether it’s playing on Whatcom County’s beaches or Mt. Baker’s snow, most of us want our children and grandchildren to experience the wonders we’ve enjoyed.
We want to pass on to our children and theirs an Earth similar to the one our parents gave to us. But this may not be possible because we humans are “cooking” the Earth primarily by burning fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas.
A recent Bellingham Herald article reported, “Climate change could leave 2,900 Whatcom County homes under water – literally.”
Since worldwide record keeping began in 1880, we’ve increased Earth’s temperature 1.7 degrees and sea level has risen 1.5 feet.
If we fail to reduce fossil fuel use, Earth’s temperature eventually will rise 8 degrees and sea level will rise a foot per decade ultimately exceeding 160 feet; severe storms, droughts and wildfires will become more intense; temperatures and sea levels will rise too quickly for people, plants and animals to adapt; agricultural disruptions and flooding of the world’s greatest coastal communities will create a worldwide refugee crisis and mass starvation.
These worst impacts of climate change can be avoided but only if we act now and that is why this election is critically important. Climate change is too big a problem for any single person or corporation to fix. Only government can limit climate change.
In this election voters will determine whether America curbs climate change or accelerates it.
Democrats are committed to curbing climate change and protecting the quality of our air, land and water for future generations.
Years ago, Republicans were environmental leaders – Republicans created the Environmental Protection Agency and proposed climate change solutions like cap-and-trade.
Today’s Republicans deny climate change and want to make it easier to dig up, ship and burn fossil fuels anywhere. Republican candidates support coal export terminals, new gas pipelines and exporting unrefined crude oil.
My hope in this election is that our votes reflect, not anger or group loyalty, but our desire to give our children and grandchildren a chance for a decent healthy future and to me that means voting for the Democratic candidates.
Paula Rotundi
Blaine
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