INSIDE
Elections 2003

On November 4, voters will be heading to the polling booth. Here are some of the local candidates and their ideas if elected.

Point Roberts Water District
What do you believe is the proper involvement for the water board in regards to the issue of public sewers?

David Niles
First, sewers are a decision made by the Point Roberts property owners, not the Point Roberts water district.
It is the responsibility of the water district in this process to supply the pertinent information to each property owner so that they are able to make an informed decision.
Property owners receive, by mail, from the water district a ballot showing their assessment based on the financial benefit to each particular property derived from sewers. An accounting specialist in the field prepares assessments. The property owner returns the ballot marked to show whether or not they accept the assessment. Over 50 percent of the property owners must approve their individual assessment for the project to proceed.
Excluded are rural properties zoned 5A or about 30 percent of Point Roberts.

Art Wilkowski
I believe the water district’s role in developing sewers is to be cautious and practical. The district should continue with the current policy requiring all property owners to meet their sewer needs through on-site septic systems or large community septic systems. Property owners and developers desiring sewers should organize themselves as a Utility Local Improvement District (ULID). The ULID would then petition the water district for assistance. This will assure that sewers are wanted, needed, and funded by the affected property owners.
The push for sewers comes from the Economic Development Committee (EDC). The EDC is a small special interest group that meets behind closed doors without any existing legal mandate or accountability. The district shouldn’t build sewers because of a developer’s dream of economic prosperity. While the water district will prudently plan for economic development, it’s not the job of the district to force future development. Sewers may happen someday, but first, the people wanting sewers need to stand up as an organized group and ask for them through the open and legal process.
I believe in open public process, decisions based on facts, and accountability to the people.

Port of Bellingham Commission
What can the port do for Point Roberts?

Ginny Benton
Over the past few years the Port of Bellingham has developed ‘outreach’ programs for the small cities and unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. Two of those programs are presently available for the Point.

The first is the Small Business Development Center, SBDC, substantially funded by the port and operated through Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics. The SBDC professionals can help small business owners and managers with free confidential counseling to develop solutions to a broad assortment of business problems including market strategies, analysis of costs and expenses, and access to capital. This service is available through the satellite office at Sterling Savings Bank by appointment. More information can be found at www.cde.wwu.edu/sbdc.

The second program which is available is the port’s own community outreach. The port provides resources, both monetary and staff, to develop the community’s own in-house capacity to assume more responsibility for their future economic success. The Port of Bellingham has been actively involved in Point Roberts for several years now, helping Point Roberts residents and business’ to develop an economic development plan and then implement that plan. We will continue to be actively involved until our assistance is no longer required.

Jim Jorgensen
The Port of Bellingham is a public entity which maintains diverse interests in Whatcom County. It owns and operates Blaine and Squalicum marinas, Bellingham Airport and industrial park, Bellingham Cruise and Shipping terminals, Fairhaven Marina and the industrial park and Sumas business park. This wide range of responsibility and experience is proof that the port has taken a major leadership role in Whatcom County.

This leadership needs to reach out to all areas of the county including Point Roberts, which needs economic stimulus to become a vibrant community. The expertise of the port staff is invaluable to the Point in helping develop ideas and plans that would promote overall sound economic decisions. The Point Roberts pier needs to materialize as it will add a very attractive addition and create more tourism as well as a valuable recreational asset for the residents.

How about a small marine life habitat “touch tank” on the waterfront, possibly near the county park. Bellingham has the perfect example at Squalicum harbor and it draws about 60,000 visitors per year. The port could help design and plan this as well as contribute financial support.

The more ideas your residents can suggest for stimulating the economy, the more the port will be able to help in planning and developing these ideas, taking positive steps in making a vibrant future for Point Roberts.

Point Roberts Fire District
Do you support the proposed fire levy increase, and if yes, why? If no, why?

Bill Meursing
As most of your readers probably know by now, I am 100 percent against the proposed fire levy increase from .79 to $1.44. This increase paves the road to formally merge with districts 3 and 13 (Lynden and Birch Bay respectively).

Not a week goes by without a request for more money from our district to pursue or finance projects in NWFRS. In less than six months, a $150,000 line of credit has been used up, the rent of the maintenance shop is in arrears and just in the past month, a loan from district 13 to district 3 in the amount of $140,000; (also for shop purposes), suddenly appeared on the surface. This is a modern day Titanic story. We have been dating for two years; let’s break off the engagement now, because if there is a wedding, the divorce will be ugly and very costly. Local tax dollars should stay in local districts.

Point Roberts Parks District
Do you see the parks department continuing its focus on facilities maintenance or do you see it offering more programs for residents?

Linda Hughes
In a nutshell, I think that is up to the constituents of Point Roberts. I hope to learn the direction of the current parks board commissioners and realize a forward-looking conscious plan, utilizing a combination of understanding how the facilities are currently maintained, and where there is room for additional programs for residents.

Once I know where we are, it would be sensible to discuss ideas in a community forum, formulate a strategy from that input and then offer every effort that I am capable of toward implementing the plan.

I support more programs for residents, and look forward to working with the many vibrant members of this community in facilitating community-driven initiatives.

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