INSIDE

2002 Year In Review
Point Roberts Taxpayers

By Michael Rosser

In 2002, as in years past, the Taxpayers’ Association has monitored or been directly involved in parks, fire, and water districts, character plan committee, economic development committee, subarea planning, roads and public works, and the Whatcom bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee.

In some ways 2002 was typical, in other ways, unusual. This was the first summer since the advent of “Homeland Security” at our border; the number of border crossings plunged. Also, the decade-long battle over a controversial TV tower ended with a whimper when the venture declared bankruptcy. More typically, illegal logging continues to be the single greatest blight in Point Roberts.

This year our involvement with the Point Roberts subarea plan concluded with final approval by the county. The long process of public consultation resulted in a planning document that included options for
sustainable development and a pedestrian/cycling/equestrian trail network.

The county also revised and strengthened the tree retention ordinance to protect all large trees in Point Roberts in the same way that trees are protected in municipalities such as Blaine and Bellingham. The problem now, as in years past, is lack of enforcement on chronic violators.

We hope that the TV tower issue is truly gone, but everyone knows that a movie monster is not dead until the credits roll. There is one outstanding item. The Point Roberts legal defense fund (which is managed by our board) filed an appeal of the broadcast license application with the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC has not yet ruled on that appeal. Technically, the license application is still alive.

The taxpayers board has been working with county officials to create the first piece of a pedestrian trail route. We successfully lobbied Whatcom County public works to revise the county road plan to accommodate public trails adjacent to county roads. Eventually we hope to make a connecting loop from Monument Park to the border crossing.

More tangible progress can be seen in the trails that were created at Monument Park by our local county parks staff (and lots of boy scouts). Also, one local development plans to open a much longer section of scenic trail by this summer. Kudos and much thanks to everyone involved!

Typically unusual was this year’s sewer debate. The new subarea plan calls for the preparation of sewer plan; however, it identifies only the commercial district on Gulf Road and Tyee Drive. The subarea plan also emphasizes low cost, innovative alternatives.

Regrettably, none of the options offered by the sewer study applied these specs. Both of the sewer plans supply treatment capacity to development that does not yet exist.

For more than three decades the Point Roberts Taxpayers’ Association has been the watchdog for the best interests of Point Roberts residents. Over time we have successfully addressed issues in civic planning, representation, environment, development and of course, taxation. We are the largest and most effective community advocate, and a respected representative with county government. And we do it all for your five buck a year membership..

BACK TO TOP