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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
The Editor:
I have been meaning to write this letter for some time. People
seem to be so much quicker to write when something is wrong. Human
nature, I guess. But here I want to fling around some words of
(high) praise for our Recycling and refuse people. Namely Debbie
and Arthur, and the folks who work with them. In my 30-odd years
off and on the Point, coming and going, never have I seen our
waste handled so efficiently, and in such a friendly and neighborly
fashion, to boot. Garbage. It’s not a very exciting subject,
I guess, but hey, we generate an awful lot of it. And Debbie and
Arthur, through a thorough game plan, an obvious amount of strategy
and planning, and sheer hard work, have managed to take into consideration
all of our various needs in this small but diverse community,
and tailor several plans that we can then choose from.
 I am terribly
impressed with the can labels. It shows a lot of initiative, and
a full understanding of how things really work in our little Brigadoon.
And the waste site itself is so organized and clean - a paradox
for a refuse site - I feel cleaner going there than I do at several
discount stores in the Bellingham area.
It’s
truly amazing to me, and a credit to our community. Hats off to
the folks at the dump!
Designer
tie-dye and new scales! Who could ask for more?
Patti Vopnford
Point Roberts
The Editor:
In spite of Ron Hays promising that the wait to enter Point Robert
would
not be longer than 15 minutes, on several recent days around 4
p.m., the line to enter Point Bob has extended beyond the traffic
lights and down the hill. Wait times can be as long as 30 minutes
(experienced personally), and anecdotally as long as 40 minutes.
During each of these times, only one lane was open, although from
all appearances, the space to open another lane existed in spite
of the construction underway for the NEXUS lane.
I have
been told that a letter writing campaign is underway to remedy
the situation and I would like to add my support to this campaign
as a property owner at the Point.
P.S. Forgot
to mention that I enjoyed the article on the yoga at the Point
and have now joined the classes. I would also like to see an article
on Tai Chi (as per your front cover in the June issue).
Regards,
Dr. Terry Allen
Point Roberts
The Editor:
Frequent news reports reveal INS incompetency. The performance
of assistant district inspector Ron Hays at the NEXUS meeting
on June 8 in Point Roberts provided an example of the type of
official who sets these fiascoes in motion. A self described “bureaucrat,”
he admitted to “weaseling on answers.” He suggested
we would have to resign ourselves to long border lineups unless
we gave Point Roberts “back to Canada.” Mr. Hays owes
the community an apology for that statement. As an old-fashioned
American, I am embarrassed to have such a person representing
my country.
Hays went
on to boast that a couple of years ago he had tried to convince
headquarters to remove inspectors at the border and have a couple
at the marina. Who would be expected to visit the inspectors at
the marina?
The INS
bureaucracy needs to spring clean its drawers. I urge them to
dump officials like Mr. Hays. Until they do, the INS motto should
be SNAFU.
Ruby Gibson White
Point Roberts
The Editor:
I thought your readers might like an update to the ocean access
issue ongoing on the west side of Point Roberts off West Bluff
Road. As I mentioned in my letter published in your October 2001
issue, the owners of an easement to the beach had fenced it off
and are restricting access. This matter will be decided by the
courts. I am part of group of approximately 30 property owners
currently suing the owners of the easement.
A noteworthy
sideshow to the main event has developed with the original two
owners of the property apparently selling to a new group.
I believe that the new owners have in effect been duped into purchasing
a lawsuit and other potential liabilities. In any event there
has been an escalation in pettiness and bullying related to the
issue. Soon after the sale, one of the new owners appointed himself
gatekeeper of the Bluff and began exerting his perceived authority
by telling individuals walking on West Bluff Road that they were
trespassing on private property. While making my way over to a
friend’s house, I was personally told that I was “not
welcome” in the area. Of course these attempts to restrict
access make a very interesting legal study.
At the
same time, I understand select property owners on West Bluff Road
were being offered an opportunity to buy into the “new stairway”
to the beach. In case anyone was wondering, the “old stairway,”
which was originally installed to facilitate beach access for
all area residents is the same as the “new stairway”
except that ocean access is now to be controlled by a group of
money-grubbing individuals on a self-serving and discriminatory
basis.
So once
again welcome to the west side, home of the arrogant and the elitist
wannabes.
Sandy A. Brock,
Point Roberts
The Editor:
I am writing in regards to how kids locally have nothing to do.
I believe that all kids benefit from having a recreation center
or a Boys & Girls Club so they have something to do besides
getting into trouble.
Due to
the restrictions and confinement of the Point Roberts community
the establishment of such a program does not exist. Being only
14 years of age, I can only hope that my request for change will
arouse the community to action. This is not a demand, but simply
a plea for help.
We are
bored and tired of complaining. If Point Roberts has the funds
to invest in a senior center for the elderly, bars for the adult
populations, and numerous gas stations to get teens out of here,
surely adjustments can be made to benefit the town’s coming
generations.
Kaila Seeley
Point Roberts
The Editor:
This year the Kid’s Karnival will be the high light of the
4th of July festivities for kids of all ages. Held after the parade
on the boardwalk at Lighthouse Park, it will feature a number
of booths with neat games to play (like the dime toss, the fishing
pond, darts, and the beanbag toss), plus some special contests
to enter, (like cake decorating and the jellybean guessing game).
Best of all there will be a chance for kids to win a whole bunch
of exciting prizes and a chance for parents to buy a ticket for
the “Get Away to Point Roberts” raffle!
The Dollars
for Scholars is sponsoring both events to raise money for next
year’s scholarships. Don’t forget to go to Lighthouse
Park after the parade to take part in the Kid’s Karnival.
Run by Margaret Moran and Ginger Porter, it’s sure to chockfull
of fun. You won’t want to miss it!
Joan Roberts, President, Dollars for Scholars
Point Roberts
The Editor:
Bakers of Point Roberts: We need your help! We need cakes! The
Kid’s Karnival, held at Lighthouse Park on the 4th of July,
is featuring both a cake decorating contest and a cakewalk.
If you
can donate a cake, please call Margaret Moras at 945-2940 or Ginger
Porter at 945-1308. The money raised at the Kid’s Karnival
will help provide Dollars for Scholar scholarships for Point Roberts
kids, so we hope you’ll help. The Kid’s Karnival will
be held July 4th on the boardwalk after the parade.
Come and
join in the fun!
Margaret Moras
Point Roberts
The Editor:
June 23 was a sunny Sunday for the Annual Strawberry Social hosted
by Trinity Community Lutheran Church. Held in the Parish Hall
from 1 - 3 p.m. followed by a special Sunday Service, which included
the Appreciation of Volunteers, with a handout of long stemmed
white & red carnations, donated by Harris Nurseries of Tsawwassen.
Seventy
pounds of strawberries . and whipping cream were all generously
donated by Thrifty Foods of Tsawwassen . Many home baked angel
cakes helped make this a no expense event. We made a profit of
$450 U.S. with matching funds of the same amount from our fraternal
organization Lutheran Brotherhood.
Our gratitude
to the community of Point Roberts for your wonderful support and
to all the very special volunteers who made this afternoon of
luscious dessert such a
success.
Again,
thank you.
Marilyn Samis, co-ordinator
Point Roberts
The Editor:
Yesterday I had conversations with my cousin about border crossings.
She told me about her crossing from Mexico into the U.S. mainland
in April. After camping in Mexico with her husband for 4.5 months,
they were ready with all ID: passport, driver’s licenses,
and lists of good purchased. At the booth, the inspector asked,
“What’s in the back?”
Mike, surprised
by the question, hesitated, then responded “Ahh; camping
gear?” The inspector said, “Good answer – go ahead”.
No ID was required to make entry! I have to wonder why it is more
difficult to enter Point Roberts from Canada for a two hour dinner
than it was to enter the U.S. from Mexico!
On Monday,
June 24 a group of concerned citizens and business people met
with Mr. Ron Hays, (head of Immigration for the Western Region
of the U.S.) to discuss our border problems. I voiced my concern
about the requirements to present passports or birth certificates
to enter Point Roberts. I expressed frustration over the number
of customers turned around because of insufficient ID - no passports
or birth certificates.
Mr. Hays’
response was, “This has never been a requirement for Canadian
or U.S. citizens and is not now.” I thought I had misunderstood
him, so I asked again for clarification and he repeated that passports
and birth certificates are not required for U.S. or Canadian citizens
crossing into the U.S. It was then pointed out to him that there
are even signs stating the ID requirements and he said he had
no knowledge of the signs and they would be removed.
How frustrating
is this! This week, I have had two annual parties, totaling 50
guests, cancel due to this regulation and have had hundreds of
cancellations in the past three weeks due to long border lines
and ID requirements.
In Mr.
Hays’ presentation on June 1, he referred to the decrease
in border traffic to Point Roberts. For any of us dependent on
the local economy, this was an alarming fact. I have to wonder
if Mr. Hays’ sudden policy changes at the border is an intentional
effort to reduce border volume thus reducing the need to increase
the staff here in Point Roberts.
Joan Roberts
Point Roberts
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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