LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


The Editor:
It would seem to me that since people who have invested heavily in Point Roberts want to be able to sell their land, that without a sewage system they are unable to; therefore, since for once the small people do not want to pay for the sewage system, that these developers and people of money should pay for their own sewage system, thereby allowing these developers and monied people the ability to sell their land without the smaller people, once again, paying for something that only a few people want.
M.R. Howden
Oregon

The Editor:
I attended the October 30 sewer planning meeting at the firehall. I was disappointed when the only options presented were: no sewers, a partial system for developers and business areas, and a centralized sewage treatment plant. The last two options would be very expensive and smelly with only a vague explanation for the disposal of all that waste water and sludge.
When I requested two minutes time to offer up another alternative, the engineer denied me the opportunity. I wanted to state that the EPA supported the use of “decentralized systems as an alternative to costly centralized treatment and collection.” For more information, go to: epa.gov/owm/decent/index.htm. The EPA “developed this website to provide tools to help communities investigate and implement on-site/decentralized management programs.” If you click on ‘demonstrations’ and scroll down to Burnett, WA, the FAST system (an anaerobic upflow filter) is mentioned and it is the system with which I am familiar. These systems generally cost one half to one third the cost per home when compared with the cost the engineers presented.
You can have one of these ‘mini-sewage treatment systems’ in your backyard or your neighborhood (cluster development) can combine and decrease costs even more. These units are underground and there is no odor and the water that flows into a field is as clean (or cleaner) than the outflow that comes from a huge sewage treatment plant. These systems are used in commercial and industrial applications and can be used for soils that don’t perk well.
Centralized sewage treatment plants are not cost effective for small communities and create as many problems as they solve. The latest technology in sophisticated on-site systems make very expensive centralized systems obsolete and unnecessary for small communities.
Armene Belless
Point Roberts

The Editor:
It is with dismay that I discover the dreaded sewer issue has once again reared its ugly head.
The engineering firm Hammond Collier Wade Livingstone (HCWL) has studied two scenarios besides the preferable “no action” plan. They are: 1) sewer the whole Point; and 2) sewer businesses and large development.
It seems obvious to me that HCWL is salivating over the prospect of the money to be made by winning a contract such as this. That’s why they included ‘large development’ in their study. Most people I know have no problem with currently existing businesses being hooked up to their own sewers and paying for it themselves. These same people are as horrified as I am at the prospect of ‘large development’ on the Point. It is projected that in 50 years’ time with sewers in, there will be 10,000 people living in Point Roberts. Quite the city. Sure, there’s money to be made by development. I like money as much as the next person but I don’t like the idea of destroying a gem of a place in the Northwest in pursuit of it. Why does “progress” mean destruction? Why should it? Wouldn’t progress have a better ring to it if it meant we humans had learned to live in harmony with our environment, enjoying the abundance of nature that is our back yard? I like the song birds, the hummingbirds, the herons, the eagles, the deer, the squirrels, the raccoons, the owls, the coyotes and the trees that support these creatures. I like the (remarkably uncontaminated thus far) ocean. I know I’m not alone in this.
At the October 30 meeting, Armene Belless suggested an alternative in the form of decentralized sewage treatment, which would really be worth looking at if the majority of residents ever actually wanted a sewer. Blue Heron Water and Wastewater, Inc. has a toll free number - 888/948-8671. Could our water district find out more about this?
When I left the U.K., I thought I had left the class system behind. Now we have the prospect of the have nots being forced from their homes because of the needless expense of sewer hook-ups. The proposal put forward by HCWL mentioned a figure of $78 per household, roughly speaking. There are plenty of regular folk here on the Point who simply don’t have an extra $80 a month and would have no way of finding it. (Or even the $50-ish figure mentioned, should we qualify for all available grants.) I guess it’s the haves against the have nots and that could get nasty.
Americans and Canadians alike could be up in arms, perhaps starting a Sewage Hotline International Taskforce. Maybe certain factions would form a group called Stuck-up Householders for Increased Taxation. These would of course be the arch enemies of the Citizens Rallying Against Paying, who would probably start the Felicitous Action Network.
So let’s fight the short-sighted money-grubbing bigwigs - be involved! This is where democratic action could really work for us. Let’s not lose the whole Point.
Sue Johnson
Point Roberts
(Pub Note: The acronyms of the proposed organizations have been deleted. Readers are free to supply their own.)

The Editor:
Now that the cold weather has arrived, please would you be kind enough to warn people to bang loudly on the hood of their car before starting the engine if the car is not in a closed garage. It is a sad fact that Point Roberts has a huge feral cat population and they will be looking for a warm place to take refuge – car engines are a favorite hiding spot. In an attempt to trap and neuter a family of homeless cats recently we lifted the hood of a parked car and there were the kittens, curled up in the engine. Two years ago the sheriff was called to euthanise a kitten who had sustained severe injuries after the car owner unwittingly started the car without checking and/or banging on the hood.
Thank you.
Diana Maloney
Point Roberts

The Editor:
At the recent water district #4 meeting on sewers, total projected populations of 7,800 to 10,000 were quoted. Such numbers are meaningless unless their make-up is understood. For instance the population of 7,800 is based on the optimum land use calculated as required by the Growth Management Act. It was assumed that sewers are the controlling factor limiting population growth.
It was once thought an adequate and reliable supply of water would accelerate growth. This has not proved so. In current years, the number of new water connections has averaged 25 per year. Analysis of water district data from 1975 shows an almost constant growth rate of 25 new services per year for the past 27 years. At this rate, in 12 years the district will reach the supply and connection limit. Then a connection will become a commodity that will be factored into the value of a property having a water connection.
The question that must be asked is what factors really determine who can live here?
Communities with dense population are generally business and/or industrial communities or bedroom communities such as Tsawwassen.
Obviously, Point Roberts could not become a business/industrial area.
But what prevents it from becoming a bedroom community for people working in B.C.? Some of the restraints are: those who come to live here and work in B.C. must establish legal residency, (green card, dual citizenship), they give up certain social benefits such as B.C. medical, they must submit both U.S. and Canadian yearly income tax returns, they face border delays going to and coming from work, and exchange fluctuation affects the cost of living here.
The fact is that Point Roberts’ population of 1,309 (2000 census) after 100 years reflects this impediment to growth.
Point Roberts is destined to be a recreational area. As time goes on, land values will increase and it will cease to be a summer resort. Vancouver once had many easily accessible summer resorts that became residential communities and land values increased. Examples are White Rock, Deep Cove, Tsawwassen Beach and Beach Grove.
Comparatively, the effect of the ever increasingly national population pressures at Point Roberts is substantially less since its isolation limits those who can live here.
Syd Wallace
Point Roberts

The Editor:
We need sewers in Point Roberts “to protect the health of our children. And our grandchildren. And their children’s children.” We also need sewers “to protect our beaches – we don’t want our children (and presumably, our children’s children) – “swimming in a sea of E coli.” These dewy pronouncements and more surfaced at the public sewer meeting last month. Who can argue with the sanctimony of these arguments? The only problem is that they don’t hold water.
Whenever I hear any proposal pitched because “it’s for the sake of our children,” I instinctively reach back and check for my wallet. Because the truth is that the current push for sewers in Point Roberts is not about public health, it’s about money and development.
By even the most modest calculations, a comprehensive sewer system for Point Roberts will double your bill from the water district. Thanks to the unwitting generosity of ratepayers, our water district has, over the years, accumulated lots of money. Although some of that money has provided for infrastructure improvements, your district still authorized $60,000 last year to invest in commercial real estate. A wise use of ratepayer money? You be the judge.
Sewer proponents would have us – and county and state government – believe that there is a public health problem in Point Roberts from failed septic tanks. That is untrue. According to Whatcom County Health Department records, there have been 20 documented septic failures in Point Roberts from 1997 to 2002. An average of four per year.
Of these failures, four properties were vacated, eight systems were repaired, seven systems were replaced with new septic systems and one file is missing. There are currently no ongoing investigations of septic failures in Point Roberts.
An average of less than four failures per year for approximately 2,000 connections works out to a septic failure rate of less than one-half of one percent for Point Roberts. That rate is well below the septic failure rate for Whatcom County, which is about two percent.
Some argue that the 20 failures are “just the tip of the iceberg,” citing the statements of an intrepid Point Roberts jogger who has “run the roads of Point Roberts for 25 years and detected many failures by nose.” Or the local backhoe operator who repairs ailing systems that are never reported to the health department.
If public funding for sewers is going to be given serious consideration, it’s time for these individuals to come forward and provide some real documentation for their perceptions and anecdotes. Otherwise, ratepayers are just funding rumors for pro-development interests.
That “sea of E coli” in Maple Beach is another red herring. The Greater Vancouver Regional District regularly tests the water quality at nearby Centennial Beach. Their most recent tests confirm that west Boundary Bay beaches are the cleanest in the Lower Mainland, with fecal coliform readings averaging seven parts per 100 milliliters.
By contrast, the fecal coliform readings at White Rock (on the east side of the bay) average 20 parts per 100 milliliters. White Rock has had sewers for years. It’s not sewage that is polluting their beaches – it’s development.
John Lesow
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Now that we have seen Mr. Levy’s fire department vision come to its fruition, what’s next? Remember Syd Wallace said we need Mr. Levy; he’s a man of vision, only he didn’t say that his vision would be a nightmare! Then there’s the present chairman Don Franz’s statement that the people of Point Roberts weren’t qualified to pick a fire chief!
So, let’s check their record.
Number one paid chief forgot to show up for work for so long that not even they could cover it up, so they hire number two, who hits the deck running for Bellingham and points south to build his empire at our expense. This fiasco known as North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Services is already in the mutinous stage with district 3 bailing out. So, now what? Our third will become half! Have faith, folks, our commissioners will stick it out until we have 100 percent, they aren’t stupid, just watch and see! They will prove a statement that I always hated, that Point Roberts is unique. In my view that should be eunuch, because nowhere in the civilized or uncivilized world could you pull off what’s been done to our fire department and its money.
Speaking of money, the present chief was paid eight weeks pay, approximately $10,000 when he ‘quit.’ This was in lieu of severance or a possible wrongful dismissal suit. Sound sensible so far? It gets better. He’s now on a paid leave of absence of approximately $300 per day, seven days a week, for something that has nothing to do with his job, and it was one of our commissioners who put forward that motion to pay him, right Mr. Fisher!
Myself, I would like to see the ‘Yea, Mikey’ people pay his salary and leave my tax money alone. Of course, I haven’t heard too much vocalizing from these geniuses lately; they must all be in that eunuch place, known elsewhere as “Hopeless Island, Washington, 98281.”
Ron Calder
Point Roberts

The Editor:
In regard to the West Bluff Road ocean access lawsuit, I am pleased to report that an injunction has been granted by a U.S. court in favor of the plaintiffs in the case.
This ruling reopens the beach stairway that was abruptly closed over a year ago and reinforces the historical rights of property owners in the subdivision with respect to private road usage and ocean access.
It is hoped at this time that the bickering and small mindedness which have characterized the conflict will become a thing of the past. Maybe the neighborhood can be returned to its former state and regain some of the peace and tranquility that it has lost. Perhaps the west side can again be the relaxing resort community it once was, free of the antagonism and stress that has affected nearly everyone here.
The responsibility for a peaceful outcome rests with all involved but in particular depends on the future actions of those individuals who precipitated this dispute.
Let’s hope that egos can be put aside and that common sense and goodwill prevail.
Sandy Brock
Point Roberts & Burnaby, BC

Letters Policy
The All Point Bulletin welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 450 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality and good taste.
A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis.
Thank You letters should be limited to ten names.
Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please send your letter to: P.O. Box 1451, Point Roberts, WA 98281
or fax (360) 945-1613.
E-mail:editor@allpointbulletin.com

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