LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


The Editor:
Christopher McDonaldÕs solution to the border mess was both amusing and annoying. While he was not specific about what he considered the problem to be, his proposed solution was certainly inventive.
However, Point Roberts is not Campione dÕItalia or Buesingen, nor are we Andorra, San Marino or the Grand Duchy of Fenwick (see ÒThe Mouse that RoaredÓ) although our size is comparable. We are part of the United States of America and proud of it. And we are not unique. ThatÕs right, Point Roberts is not the only community isolated geographically from the mainland of the U.S. I leave it to Mr. McDonald, who apparently has time to ponder such mysteries, to find the others that exist. Hint: look carefully along the eastern border of the U.S. and Canada.
It was difficult to understand his concern about hand gun control and illegal firearms entering Canada through Point Roberts. I have to assume that it is similar to American concerns about drugs and firearms from Canada entering the U.S. across our mutual border. The alleged terrorists who were targeting Seattle came through Canada, after all.
Perhaps Mr. McDonald would like to consider an alternative plan of having the U.S. treat British Columbia as an enclave, albeit larger. It certainly would not inconvenience him in Alberta and, we could then drive directly to Alaska without having to cross a border. Yes, I am kidding.
As an American resident of Point Roberts and the managing member of a business that relies heavily on our very welcome Canadian customers, we greatly appreciate our northern neighbors who visit Point Roberts.
However, I would never trade any of the rights and responsibilities of my American citizenship and heritage for some vaguely perceived easing of the procedure for crossing into this part of the United States of America. Trade the U.S. Postal Service for Canada Poste and our government for B.C.Õs? I donÕt think so.
Both the U.S. Customs and Immigration and Naturalization Service have done what they can to ease entry problems following the tragedy of September 11, 2001. They have made real efforts to ease the time burden for those who live in Point Roberts but work elsewhere and, although we would all like to see the U.S. NEXUS lane open longer hours, Point Roberts is one of the few locations in Washington state with a NEXUS system up and operating. Considering our size and population density, that is remarkable.
Is it like it used to be? No, and it never will be again. The world changed on September 11 and we have learned much since then. Is it inconvenient at times? You bet! But IÕd rather live with the inconvenience than be an enclave of another country, even one as well liked as Canada.
So, Mr. McDonald, thanks for your suggestion, but no thanks.
Karen Scotti
Point Roberts

Fire chief Rutherford & The Editor:
I just wanted to commend you there in Point Roberts by telling you a story of what happened to me in south Seattle/ north Tacoma.
I have just moved down to Olympia from Bellingham. I was traveling south on I-5 on a Saturday evening, when I stopped to get gas in what turned out to be a pretty seedy location in the Seattle/Tacoma area. I sat discouraged after I discovered that my car would not re-start after having gotten gas.
After a few moments, scared and wondering what I would do next, a wonderful man appeared. I noticed immediately that he had a ÒPoint Roberts Fire RescueÓ license plate, and a blue emergency light on his dash. He approached me with such kindness and care, as well as complete control over the situation, that I was in shock. He made sure I was safe and OK and that my car was started before he left the gas station.
I know my life wasnÕt directly in danger, and that a broken car is very little in the scope of work that you do, but I just wanted to let you know that whoever this mystery man is, he is exemplifying everything wonderful and good about what you do Ð one who gives without reserve and does it with care and true generosity, and off the clock even! I canÕt tell you how comforting it was to be helped by this man.
Because it is not just that he stopped to help me, it is also that he left behind a mark of kindness that will stay with me always. I do not know his name. But I thank him, and you.
Eula Garrison
Olympia
(Ed. Note: The good Samaritan in question is no longer a mystery. He's Greg Hebert.)

The Editor:
I was chagrined to see that we will no longer have the column of Margo Wallace in the All Point Bulletin. They were a delight.
I reckon I have been reading your pleasurable paper for about 15 years. Typically, I would open the Bulletin, scan the Letters to the Editor column for the latest invective between Messrs. Lesow and Calder in order to know what was really going on at the Point and then settle into Margo WallaceÕs column for a good read. Often, I would cut the columns out and forward them to gardeners I know. They will be missed.
Godspeed, Mrs. Wallace. You brought much pleasure to your readers over the years and I thank you for it.
John R. Uren
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I would like to put on record my appreciation of the outstanding kindness shown to me by your local firefighters and EMTs as a visitor to Point Roberts, staying with my niece Sue Johnson. I unfortunately fell and broke a rib.
As one can imagine this was extremely painful. One of our volunteer firefighters drove me to the hospital going carefully over every bump in the road. Both fellows stayed with me until I was admitted.
As citizens of Point Roberts you can be justly proud of them. It leaves me to say a heartfelt thank you to them, and to wish one and all a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Dianne Hinder
Gloucester, England

The Editor:
Congratulations on your great story on the fire district. I hope you keep it up; youÕve only touched the tip of the iceberg.
I hope that youÕll afford me a few lines to respond to our self appointed expert and historian, Mr. John Lesow. He talks about informing newcomers to our community, perhaps he should get informed himself, heÕs hardly been here long enough to be considered for local status, let alone historian.
Mr. LesowÕs record, which speaks for itself, is peerless in the annals of Point Roberts politics. He alone has the power to ÔmorphÕ from persona to persona as the situations change. On the gas tax committee he was referred to as ÒClarence Darrow.Ó on the water board as ÒClarence the ClownÓ and now he was reinvented himself as ÒCarnac the Magnificent.Ó So much for hermetically sealed fruit jars! He now tells the outcome of elections that never took place and gives credit to undeserving people for things that never happened! He seems to have the uncanny ability to get on the wrong side of every issue, but then you always need two sides.
He called Syd WallaceÕs water board to task over some problems but failed to give credit for SydÕs board solving the dire water problems of Point Roberts. But then, how would he know, he wasnÕt here, and believe it or not, there really was a history before John! To his credit, Syd fought a hard election, lost like a gentleman and went on to other things.
John Lesow resigned at the first sign of trouble; and reappeared as Citizen John, spreader of the truth!
In my case, I served my six year term on the water board in full and moved on and no, John, I wonÕt be putting my name up for water district commissioner. I have nothing to prove; I was elected, did what I promised and left a better district for others. My record speaks for itself as does yours, Johnny Boy; some things are better left alone, but ÔmorphÕ away, Carnac.
Ron Calder
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I just want to make a suggestion concerning a small change in a control that I feel might be of benefit to all who come to the Point.
Whether you consider it necessary to print my idea is up to you. I only wish that you might forward it to the people who might be interested, be they voting residents or responsible authorities.
How about a left turn lane from southbound Tyee to eastbound Johnson?
During the aftermath of 9/11 there were times that northbound traffic backed up far enough to block a left turn onto Johnson. If there were cars wanting to make that left, they either stopped traffic behind them, or had to continue on to the blinker light. It seems like a natural to make a left turn lane at this intersection for a couple of reasons: 1. Probably half the daily traffic to Point Roberts turns left onto Johnson; 2. Northbound Tyee abruptly changes from one lane to three at Johnson, and could as easily change one to two and then within a couple hundred feet change to three; 3. As traffic to the Point increases, having a left turn lane (long enough for several cars) would eliminate the possibility of a rear end collision; 4.
Unfortunately, we cannot say that 9/11 or something like it wonÕt re-occur. We can say however, that it did affect everyone at our beloved corner little of the world. The less the effect the better; and 5. At night, and if itÕs raining, and one is wanting to turn left, and there is northbound traffic shining in your eyes, and there is a car or two behind yours, you would feel a lot safer in a left turn lane.
We have left turn lanes at the blinker light and down by the post office and I think we need one at Johnson Road.
Glen Blanchard
Point Roberts

The Editor:
On a recent flight from Auckland to Los Angeles, in a light conversation with the man occupying the adjacent seat, I asked him where he lived. ÒDallas,Ó he said. He then asked me where I lived and I replied, ÒPoint Roberts.Ó He began to laugh and laugh. Becoming irritated I asked, ÒWhy are you laughing?Ó He said, ÒIÕve been to Point Roberts two times. I remember the Breakers and a few other mundane elements. ItÕs a place with no past and no future.Ó
In the months that followed I thought about his words. ÒNo past, no future.Ó He may have been right about the past, but what concerned me was his prediction of no future. I started to look at why he believed there was no future. If you look around you, what do you see?
Retail businesses closed and dying; construction businesses once flourishing are now struggling; an overabundance of residential property for sale and not moving; a subarea plan (approved by local residents) that essentially prohibits any new residential developments and down zoned land usage from urban residential to rural, curtailed commercial zoning, thus lowering property values; a problematic fire commission and department; a border crossing impediment that discourages both visitors and permanent residency, (dramatically worse after the September 11 fall out); a county council government opposed to growth, particularly in Point Roberts; and no organization to address sustainable and orderly development of the community to maintain its natural charm while encouraging business, residency and tourism. I am puzzled why a community that can organize a needed wellness clinic, a van pool, an active senior activity day and many more positive projects, cannot recognize that its future is severely compromised by the above listed situations.
All of the foregoing situations could be addressed, planned and resolved by working together towards a common goal, being the improvement of Point Roberts and eventual self-government to give Point Roberts the future it deserves.
Bruno Moras
Point Roberts

Point Roberts Fire Commissioners & The Editor:
I understand that you have some money burning a hole in your pocket (better get your ÒteamÓ to put it out for you, eh?) and that you are anxious to set up the wellness clinic in the fire hall. It is my understanding that the space you wish to use will take up space from the bingo operation Ð perhaps even lead to the end of bingo.
Why is there a huge rush to get rid of bingo? I thought bingo was a way to raise money. You guys seem to be pretty good at spending money (from what IÕve read in previous All Point Bulletins), so why not hang on to bingo, as it seems like youÕre going to need some cash.
I heard through the grapevine Ð a most reliable source of information here on the Point Ð that Sam Miller had offered his building down on Gulf Road for use as a medical center. Why was this turned down? I am sure that the people who work at the bingo donÕt do it just for fun.
I am sure they need the money. So if bingo disappears so do some part time jobs and there are precious few of those here in Point Roberts.
Can anybody imagine a wellness center in Point Roberts being full of people at any given time? I canÕt. My aunt fell and broke her rib and when I took her to the fire hall it seemed like there was plenty of space back there where the water district office used to be. In fact, that is exactly where she was seen Ð more than adequate for the occasional needs of our residents. Just a thought.
Sue Johnson
Point Roberts

The Editor:
After many beautiful and meaningful years of running Girl Scouts here in Point Roberts, Roseanne DÕAquila and I, Ginger Porter, have decided to step down.
I canÕt say enough about the intelligent and beautiful young ladies that we have had the pleasure of working with. We have so many amazing memories that we will be having a goodbye picnic and sharing our memories, pictures and experiences with all of the former leaders, former scouts and the community at large at the community center in May.
We will miss our troops but look forward to seeing some new exciting leadership filled with new adventures and revolutionary ideas. We are in the process of looking for our replacements, so if you want to invest just a few hours a month to provide a healthy focus for our girls in Point Roberts, please contact me at 945-1308.
Being a scout leader is artsy, giggly, campy fun. You will have the chance to show these girls that anything is possible with a little hard work and imagination. They will show you, the leader, a fresh new world through the eyes of a child. Scouting provides enough framework to make the job easy without imposing uncomfortable restrictions.
We will be available to consult, as are most of the former leaders. I dearly hope that you, as a community, choose to keep scouting alive here on the Point.
Ginger Porter
Point Roberts

The Editor:
After attending the K-12 meeting on January 23, I was deeply dismayed by the lack of personnel from the Blaine school district. No principal, no superintendent, no school board member. Without school representation how is the community supposed to take a K-12 feasibility study seriously?
I would like to thank and commend Jack Thompson, the consultant hired by the district, for his ability to handle the packed community center in such a calm and professional manner. He was thrown to the wolves without a clear understanding from the district of the complex issue of adding a K-12 to our K-3 school. With only a $2,000 fee, he wonÕt begin to touch the surface with regards to the scope of this request.
Although the crowd was deeply divided, he was able to extract many good and viable points from both sides of this controversial proposal. The bus ride to Blaine and problems that arise on the bus seemed to be the most pressing topic for the families of young children. The eventual ride to Blaine schools is the choice you make when you decide to move here and live isolated from the rest of the county by land and two border crossings.
Given our unique location, one would assume that new families would have looked into the difficulties this presents beforehand. It has always been a concern and most likely always will be. Case in point, when we heard from a long time resident who made the comments that the same problems existed many, many years ago when she took the bus to Blaine.
And what about the cost? With a two billion dollar state budget shortfall, education and social services for children are being threatened with major cuts that hurt all of our children. Two weeks ago, Blaine teachers took part in a rally in Olympia to fight Gary LockeÕs initial budget proposal suspending voter approved cost-of-living increases and holding off on putting more money into reducing class sizes for two years.
I want to see my money helping our stateÕs struggling teachers and students, not just the few parents who want a K-12 school so they and their children wonÕt be inconvenienced by two borders and a bus ride. Blaine primary, elementary, middle and high schools have great programs and great teachers. Go to Blaine, walk the halls, sit in the classrooms, talk to the teachers, talk to the kids and get involved. Be informed and you may find the Blaine school experience is not as bad as you think!
Renee Coe
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Well, we had another public meeting in Point Roberts. As usual, opinions were strong and divided. I will admit responsibility for starting this issue. I stood up at the Blaine school board and said, ÒSome parents want more grades available in Point Roberts. Please study the need and determine what is desired and possible. While you are at it, look at adding grades all the way to high school so that as the community grows, we know what is possible.Ó
The study currently being done is just the physical feasibility of adding grades. The available building space and the construction costs for more grades. It is only part of the process. There is no reason to panic that any kids will be transferred back from Blaine. Any changes will take time, maybe years, to implement.
The Blaine school district provides a variety of services to our community through programs locally and in Blaine. As with any complex system, there is room for change and improvement in areas both small and large.
The next step is to explore, measure and evaluate the system, develop methods for community input and to methodically plan the improvement of our schools. Everyone has a right to give input and seek to have their unique needs met in better or more creative ways. We all also have the duty to respect each otherÕs views and work together on projects.
The responsibility for the quality, structure and planning of our schools does not rest completely in the hands of school administrators but also is held firmly in our own hands and hearts.
Arthur Wilkowski
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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