LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor:
As a Canadian citizen who owns property in Point Roberts, I wish to voice my displeasure with the U.S. Customs as experienced on August 3. The line-up to cross into the U.S. was at 6th Avenue at noon and 55 minutes later when I reached it, there was one lane open.
I’m sure it’s perfectly obvious when “we” have a long weekend and there is absolutely no reason for this kind of treatment other than ignorance. Good neighbor policy? I think not.
On my return to Canada on Monday night, the Canadian Customs had all three lanes open. Well done.
J. Johnson
Point Roberts

The Editor:
With our most recent “changing of the guards” (INS staffing at our border), came new enforcement of old rules and horse owners found themselves in a precarious situation: no veterinarian or farrier services would be available to us from Canada. (Those services in mainland U.S. are not prepared to cross two borders to service our 48 horses.)
Through a cooperative effort by the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, Andy Anderson, of congressman Rick Larsen’s office, Susan Walk, the liaison between INS and congress, Tom Merlina our port director, Jan Pete, our new regional director, petitions, phone calls back and forth over the two week period of panic, we have now come to an understanding. Thank you to the horse owners of Point Roberts for working together in a timely and cooperative manner to help defuse a very volatile situation. It looks like we are “OK” for at least the next six months or until someone once again changes the rules.
Thank you to everyone who assisted.
Terrie LaPorte
Point Roberts

The Editor:
You recently published a letter to the editor, entitled “Strange Tales...,” in the August issue of the All Point Bulletin. The letter, authored by Ruby Gibson White, resident of Point Roberts, voiced concerns about the attitude of the Immigration and Naturalization Service regarding the Point Roberts community and criticized this service’s response to a previous letter written by her on June 22, 2002.
The Seattle district office acknowledges that its response to Ms. White’s letter of June 22, was improperly handled, and for this we apologize. As Ms. White stated in her letter to the editor, the district director has been temporarily detailed to Washington, D.C. for the summer. All correspondence authored by this office must leave under the signature of the district director, or his designee. As the acting district director, I personally review all correspondence leaving the office; however, I, too, was unavailable at the time the response was sent.
Please understand that the service recognizes the challenges that members of the Point Roberts community encounter, due to the nature of their location. The events of September 11 led to the termination of Point Roberts’ previous automated system (PACE lane). The absence of an automated commuter lane over the past six months has no doubt caused great frustration to residents and business owners alike. During that six-month period, the service worked feverishly to replace the PACE lane with new technology that tracks not just the vehicle, but rather the occupant(s) in the vehicle.
I would like to reaffirm that the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Seattle district are committed to securing the borders of this country against those who wish it harm, while facilitating legitimate commerce and travel. I do commend the men and women in this district for their outstanding commitment to the service mission in the face of increasing demands and finite resources. I feel strongly that a vital component in achieving our mission is an adequately resourced work force using appropriate technology, such as NEXUS. Another vital component of these transitioning times is community outreach. I am concerned about the lack of response Ms. White references regarding the service’s handling of Point Roberts. The intent of community outreach meetings is to keep residents and business owners informed of the current status on ongoing programs and other items that impact the area.
The ease in which residents and business owners can travel to and from Point Roberts, is of great concern to the Seattle district office and Immigration and Naturalization Service. The service is confident that NEXUS will provide the community of Point Roberts with a border crossing system that facilitates the flow of goods and people, while still securing the borders of the United States. I am very pleased to note that, despite some technical difficulties, the NEXUS lanes at Point Roberts did open on July 29.
Robert J. Okin
Seattle

The Editor:
The Art and Music Festival this year was possibly the most enjoyable event that I’ve ever helped organize. The directors and volunteers knew and did their jobs promptly, perfectly and with no supervision. The division of labor was perfectly balanced so no one was overworked. We all did what we loved.
I want to thank Eddie Buendia and Craig Jacks profusely for continuing a great festival tradition for seven years. I am so honored to work with two such talented people. Steve O’Neill made such incredible food that we appointed him director. Again, what a great person to work with. I can’t thank Ben Van Buskirk enough for what he means to this community and to our festival. He goes way out of his way for us.
Then there’s Ginger Porter. Would there be a community at all in Point Roberts without Ginger Porter? I think not.
And we can’t forget all our generous sponsors, our vendors, our musicians and the spouses of the organizers who provide pats on the back and two spare hands that we so frequently need.
The Monday after the festival, I started organizing an art auction that will take place at the Marina on October 12 to benefit the Arts Foundation. This will be very fun and will give us a financial jumpstart for next year’s festival. I have 20 artists donating so far and more coming!
Hope to see you there and if you would like to donate art or money to the Arts Foundation, give me a call at 945-1816.
Pamela Oakley
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Christopher McDonald of Spruce Grove, Alberta wrote a letter published in the August 2002 issue, as did Ruby Gibson White of Point Roberts and Robert S. Coleman, the district director of the U.S. INS.
One clarification needs to be made to all three letters - the U.S. public in 1846 was unaware of Point Roberts, as it is today 156 years later. The U.S. Army, however, was not. The border issues of the first half of the 19th century included the call: “54-40 or Fight!”
This was a campaign slogan of President William Henry Harrison and his running mate, John Tyler, who later became president on the demise of W. H. Harrison. Obviously, cooler heads prevailed and nothing came of that slogan. If it had, well, we wouldn’t have the border issues that we have today.
When things got serious, the 49th parallel became the focus of border discussions. Canadian and Crown interests balked at the 49th crossing Vancouver Island and making Victoria a U.S. city. The U.S. Army knew of Point Roberts and wanted it as a strategic battery location long before the actual setting of the line through the Tsawwassen/ Point Roberts land mass. Otherwise, the border might have been jogged around Point Roberts from the Peace Arch terrestrial end of the 49th parallel.
Today, those of us who call Point Roberts home are, in the majority, deeply committed to maintaining the status quo. Surely, we U.S. citizens who cross the Boundary Bay and contiguous border points use Canadian civil servants’ time and Canadian taxpayers’ money. However, we contribute a whole bunch, too, without impinging on the B.C. medical system except when spending cold hard cash, which must have some positive benefit to the health care system.
On the other hand, too, it must be kept in mind that for years Albertans used U.S. 10 to reach Vancouver and Victoria and even today the U.S. Interstate system is used by Canadians without restriction. This is as it should be.
The march of civilization should produce free world trade and free passages of borders, without in the least, diminishing national, regional and community pride and loyalty.
So, the U.S. cannot “give back” Point Roberts to Canada, as it never belonged to Canada in the first place, nor do most recommend that Point Roberts be ceded to Canada to avoid “border hassles.” Resident citizens, Canadian property owners, Canadian visitors, visitors from the rest of the U.S., and from all over the world should be supporting equitable and logical handling of border crossings without resorting to vitriol or forgetting the web of events that have entangled the civil servants and travelers on both sides of the border.
Thank you.
Hamilton K. (Knick) Pyles
Point Roberts

The Editor:
When I first read of the proposed racetrack in June, I thought it must be some kind of late April fool’s joke. Indeed, how could any sane person think a profitable racetrack could exist in Point Roberts (population 800) when Hastings Park in Vancouver (population 2.5 million) is having trouble filling its race card.
On reflection, however, it seems there is a way to succeed: First, clearcut the 67 acres to provide an immediate cash infusion from the sale of logs; and second, install off-track betting, which when combined with the inevitable slot machine poker games, blackjack, roulette, etc. plus a bar and restaurant, it should attract a few hundred hardcore gamblers a night, if they can get through the border unscathed.
Voila! We have a casino. And the ‘race,’ well, I understand someone on Benson Road has already been approached with a view to rent out her donkeys.
Martin Riley
Vancouver, BC
(Ed Note: The population as of the 2000 census was 1,511.)

The Editor:
I have a few questions in response to Ms. White’s letter from Mr. Hays with a signature block of Robert S. Coleman, Jr., district director. If the letter was written by Mr. Hays then why didn’t the signature block read Ron Hays, district director, as he openly stated he is? Personally I would expect at least that much in his letter. Also, I would still like to hear a response from Robert Coleman, regardless of his position in the INS at this time.
As to the presence of the National Guard at our border, I feel this was not a very well thought out decision. Being a U.S. veteran myself, I find our Canadian neighbors have very different thoughts about military than most Americans, be it with weapons or not, thereby causing them to not want to cross our border. Did Mr. Hays get an opinion about this from the INS agents in Point Roberts to make sure we were getting what would be the most beneficial to the businesses in our community during the busiest time of the year?
Last, but not least, if Mr. Hays has been the biggest proponent of the NEXUS program in Point Roberts, then why is the NEXUS lane scheduled to open only 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. if we are to have been shielded from the impact of the post 9/11 world.
Patrick D. Brady II
Point Roberts

The Editor:
In the September 17 primary elections, Point Roberts Republicans have the opportunity to endorse a candidate whose background, experience and personal dynamism far exceed any other candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.
At 55, Herb Meyer has compiled an impressive record of accomplishments in government and business that demonstrate his effectiveness in representing voters from our district in Washington, D.C.
During the Reagan administration, Herb Meyer served as special assistant to the director of the Central Intelligence Agency and vice chair of the CIA’s national intelligence council. He is widely credited with being the first senior U.S. government official to forecast the collapse of the Soviet Union.
His company, Real World Intelligence, currently designs systems to help companies monitor global trends in economics, politics, science and technology.
Meyer has served as associate editor of Forbes Magazine and is the author of several books, including How to Write, a best-selling guide to communicating ideas and information that is widely used in schools and universities throughout the world.
Herb Meyer understands national security issues. He can provide the expertise and support that President Bush must have to win the war on terrorism. He understands that peace and stability are essential for economic prosperity, both in our region and around the world. His campaign has attracted contributions from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. as well as endorsements from the Veteran’s Voting Bloc, Washington State Farm Bureau and the Law Enforcement Alliance League of America.
It’s clear that Herb Meyer’s special brand of populism has resonated with a broad range of votes - Republicans, Independents and Scoop Jackson Democrats are joining the growing list of enthusiastic Herb Meyer supporters.
Washington state is a long way from Washington, D.C. We need to send leaders of substance to our nation’s capital to ensure that our local concerns and national interests are heard over the din of partisan posturing. Herb Meyer can deliver that message more effectively than any other candidate. He deserves your support of September 17. For more information on Herb Meyer, visit our website at: www.herbmeyerforcongress.org.
John Lesow
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I wish to thank Davea, chairperson of Friends of the Library, for her terrific organization of a fun event - the joke telling contest! Two years ago two of us from Ambassadors Toastmasters in Tsawwassen attended and enjoyed the laughter so much that we took the liberty to copy the idea and Ambassador Toastmasters sponsored a joke contest in Tsawwassen last November. Imitation is the most sincere compliment, isn’t it!
This year, Donna Makelki, at our club, promoted the Friends of the Library joke contest. (Donna won 8th place dreaming about two tents because she was too tense.) What fun and terror! Laughter and fun - obviously! Terror? I would much rather chair a meeting than tell a joke. (I could readily identify with the too tense.) I thank you, Davea, for providing the venue to be stretched beyond my comfort zone. While Friends of the Library provided the opportunity, experience in Toastmasters gave me the courage to enter the contest, so thank you Toastmasters. Ambassadors welcomes visitors. As of September 3, we will meet every Tuesday, 7:15 p.m., Tsawwassen Alliance Church, east door.
Vera Ganderton
Tsawwassen, BC

The Editor:
In regard to comments made by INS officials in reference to the hostility of Point Roberts and how Mr. Hays was warned not to come here, but chose to anyway:
I, for one, did not take Mr. Hay’s comment about giving Point Roberts to Canada seriously. I believe it was said in frustration. Although selling or trading Point Roberts to Canada would solve many problems: no multi-million dollar expense to run a border entry, no Canadian government telling Canadians they have to pay taxes on almost every lousy purchase – making it impossible to have retail shops here, no problem with fruits, plants and vegetables (because for some reason they believe the “bugs” they have in Canada or the rats off the barges for that matter, can’t walk or fly over our border), no sewer/septic, RV or permit fights, no more robbery of 12 cents a minute phone rates to call our children’s schools, doctors or dentists in Blaine or the rest of Whatcom County...
But to all the Canadians who voiced their “Yes!” after Mr. Hay’s comments - are you saying you want a larger Tsawwassen? And if so, how many of you could afford property there, especially beach property. You couldn’t have RVs as homes or left as unsightly junk. You couldn’t ignore the permit process or build over height, or like one of my neighbors, build a large structure one foot from his front property line, (we had to go back 25 feet, because as full time residents we had to get a permit) and get away with it like here.
Believe me, it’s much better for you that Point Roberts is U.S. territory – you get to dictate our laws unlike U.S. citizens in Canada, you get Whatcom County saying that the permanent residents in Point Roberts are a hostile group because our policy makers have refused to do their jobs for years and then blame us for their inability to uphold the laws already in place. I don’t know why you’re complaining – it sounds like Canada already owns Point Roberts. Even with NEXUS, Canada gets to decide first if we get to use the program.
Anyway, the U.S. government is doing a much better job at destroying Point Roberts than anyone else. Our businesses are holding on (or not) by a hair. Wasn’t the INS given 1.5 million dollars a couple years ago to go directly to the hiring of help that was needed to keep the waits down? Didn’t they spend it somewhere else? Didn’t we tell the INS before September 11 that we did not want NEXUS and its incredible expense to the tax payers and the Big Brother methods being put in place? September 11 conveniently allowed INS to replace PACE.
We have begun to accelerate the rate where America will no longer be America. America loses its freedoms more and more each day. We, the people, once belonging to a great nation have allowed our government to take our power away for the sake of “security.” We are now puppets driven by fear. Giving up what we fought so hard for – freedom. What a horribly high price to pay.
Right now we are only given excuses as to why the money already given to hire the people to process the border crossings quickly isn’t happening. Bad excuses that insult the intelligence of the people. If the borders were run like a good business, we wouldn’t even need NEXUS.
We have already heard of countless people who have been turned down for NEXUS because of things like potted plants, or being in a PACE lane with someone who wasn’t supposed to (remember when two members of our state department did that about two years ago coming for an RV discussion? Wonder if they will turn them down? But then I am sure that wasn’t noted in the INS computer – justice in America is not really just for all).
DWIs from 10, 15, 20 years ago, I wonder how many of these people are terrorists? My sister was killed by a drunk driver, so I am not sympathetic to drunk drivers – but these people are not terrorists and their livelihoods should not be destroyed by an action over five or 10 years ago. I want to know how many of our senators, governors, (how about our Presidents) and public officials have DWIs and will be given NEXUS?
Bad government creates angry and resentful people. Good government, like good business, creates trust and teamwork. Enough excuses, find solutions and stop destroying a great country.
Ann Christi
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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