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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
The Editor:
It was a great summer for whale watching at Lighthouse Marine
Park in Point Roberts. Although the southern orca community is
facing possible extinction five new babies were seen while two
adults died since last summer.
The southern community resident orca population numbers only 83.
There is an urgent need for strong conservation measures. These
orcas could become extinct because the aquarium industry captured
48. They not only lost 48 family members but also continue to
lose many newborns. The resulting abnormal age and sex ratio will
take decades to return to normal. Threats to the southern community
such as dwindling food sources and environmental pollution will
not be resolved immediately but we can immediately reduce some
of the threats. By controlling boat traffic we can immediately
reduce noise pollution/boat traffic that interrupts their lives
and cause stress that affects their immune systems. We can also
stop/reduce boat collisions that could injure and kill orcas.
Education programs that include monitoring and collecting data
for the enactment of strong regulations are essential for their
survival.
In 2003, Lifeforce, a Vancouver-based ecology organization, used
a custom Streamline 25’ boat to protect orcas and other marine
wildlife in local waters. We were able to increase our marine
life programs which includes monitoring boat traffic around Orcas
(Lifewatch Boater Awareness Program) and promoting land-based
whale watching (Orca Trails Program). If the Orca Trails and Lifewatch
Programs can save even a few, it will help ensure their future
survival.
Lifeforce would not be able to conduct our programs if it wasn’t
for the generosity of individuals and businesses. A major contributor
of the custom aluminum boat has been Streamline Boats and Trailers
of Maple Ridge, BC. The Streamliner owner and boat craftsman,
Pawel Zakrzewski, wants to help protect whales and dolphins for
present and future generations to enjoy. His boat designs are
more efficient and help reduce fuel waste that in turn help protect
marine habitats. We also would like to thank the Point Roberts
Marina and Whatcom County parks for their assistance.
We are presently seeking other donations for additional equipment
and operating costs. If you would like to be a member or make
a donation you can contact us at lifeforcesociety@hotmail.com.
Whale Watch Guidelines and Orca Field Guides are also available.
Peter Hamilton
Lifeforce Foundation
Vancouver
The
Editor:
Please vote for the parks board levy on the upcoming ballot to
enable seniors to add Friday as an activity day at the community
center in addition to the Wednesday which is now the only day
available.
In
1990, my 80-year-old mother, Josephine, whose health was failing,
had to leave her home, friends, and independent living to be close
to me so that I could care for her in Point Roberts. Visiting
the library one day, my mother was approached by friendly, dynamic
Ed Aydon who asked if she knew of the Wednesday seniors’ lunch
and invited her to come.
As a result, until she died in 1996, Wednesday was the high point
of her week and her only social engagement. When other seniors
learned that she could play the piano, every week thereafter she
played old favorite tunes before lunch and seniors sang along
as they set tables. She felt immensely pleased to be so appreciated
and made sure she didn’t miss a Wednesday even when we had to
take over the driving for her. For some seniors, it is the only
time they get out to participate in the spiritual, emotional,
physical, social, and not the least, gastronomic benefits of sharing
food and activities. It brightens the lives of everyone who attends.
By adding a Friday activity/lunch day, we increase the number
of individuals who can benefit from the opportunities for friendship,
learning and service to others.
Every senior in Point Roberts should come as a guest some Wednesday
very soon to enjoy the camaraderie and activities available. In
fact, non-seniors are welcome, too, and add to the richness of
the social experience for all who attend, so even if you aren’t
a senior, plan to be at the community center next Wednesday to
see how much fun it can be to grow older. Armene Belless has added
a number of popular events as well as regular bridge, pool, computer
classes, bocce since she has been coordinating. As Rob Bunnett,
Whatcom Senior Services director, said in his talk to the seniors’
board on September 10, “The best thing you can do to support the
senior center is to come to the lunches.” He explained that our
wonderful cook, Steve O’Neill, has to be in the kitchen the same
amount of time if he is cooking for 30 or 60. Please show your
support for the seniors in our community by attending a lunch
and then by voting in November for the parks board levy.
Hoping to see you next Wednesday,
Sandra Gottschalk
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
The music and song concert at Trinity Lutheran church on August
30 was outstanding.
The artists, Natasha, Troy, Sarah and Karen, were of the highest
caliber and proved this by a standing ovation. To all those who
made it possible, a sincere thank you.
Shirley & Tom Farrell
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
Fire commissioner Jesse Lofquist is quoted as explaining one of
the reasons for the proposed levy is to increase revenue. He goes
on to explain some of the money will go to pay some of the guys
who are now volunteers. It is a volunteer fire department.
He stated that the levies should be equivalent with those of districts
13 and 3 in order to continue a merger with them. The past couple
of years have provided examples of why this was not a good idea
to begin with. Our service is not improved. It used to be a lot
cheaper to save foundations. We have always been proud of our
EMTs. Many locals served in that capacity over the years to provide
emergency service to their neighbors.
The fire hall and equipment presently in use was primarily purchased
from funds from bingo. The best information I can obtain indicates
the worst that operation has done in recent years is break even.
With some encouragement and promotion it might once again generate
funds to provide equipment and service. Incidentally, one of the
items promised when this merger was proposed was that we would
get a new fire hall here, and statement were made that the present
hall did not meet any standards.
Of course, there were a lot of statements made in pushing this
merger. Somehow, we became contiguous to Birch Bay, since we are
connected by water. Will the levy buy amphibious vehicles for
our mutual assistance?
All the merger accomplished was the creation of an inefficient,
expensive bureaucracy that feathered a few nests and fouled our
own.
If we suffer through another year, hopefully we will have commissioners
who will withdraw from the agreement. Meanwhile, let us not vote
them any more funds to play around with.
Ruby White
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
This is a heartfelt letter of appreciation to the wonderful people
of Point Roberts. Since moving here in July, we have met more
kind, generous and genuine people than we met the whole time we
lived in Sebastopol, California. From the restaurants to the marketplace
to even the majority of the border guards we have been made to
feel welcome, at ease and grateful to be here!
Some individual thank yous are in order: to Sian Lindemann for
telling us about the Point and being the catalyst to us moving
here; to Paul Rusk, who showed great kindness, patience and even-mindedness
in the midst of a never-ending escrow; to the Simundsons for their
warm hospitality and friendship; to Rose and George for the great
music, creativity and fresh veggies from the garden; to the Edmundsons
for their mentorship, support and the best Samoyed puppy ever;
to Teresa Millman for her willingness to help me create my brochure;
and finally to Terry Ritchie for a sail boat ride that was a real
treat for my extended family during their visit in August.
I also want to thank Arthur, from the transfer station, Virginia,
from the clinic and the Point Roberts parks board for their time
and patience with me as I research the needs and services here
on the Point for families and children. I look forward to learning
how I can be of service to the families of this remarkable community.
Emily Bouchard
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
Once again, Delta Cable has generously come to the aid of the
Point Roberts seniors center by providing us with another computer.
Many thanks, John, Jeannette and Ken!
Fourteen students are currently taking our classes. Watch the
All Point Bulletin for information about our next class starting
in mid-January. If anyone in the community would care to donate
a computer capable of handling Windows 98, or a fax machine, please
call 945-2101.
Armene Belless
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
Say goodbye to your property tax dollars! Sounds a bit crazy,
but that is the message from district 5 commissioners Lofquist
and Frantz after both of them approved at the last district meeting
that the levy be raised from $.78 to $1.44 (an 85 percent increase).
Then there is the September $.38 EMS levy to consider. You’ll
see it all neatly printed on your November ballot. At the August
district 5 meeting, two other budgets (both with lesser amounts)
were presented, but tossed aside quicker than you can kiss your
bride goodbye. It is important for all to know that most of our
Point Roberts tax dollars will be funneled quickly and neatly
to North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) in Lynden to
replenish the thirsty coffers of district 3 and 13. Many issues
are at stake, lots of mistakes have been made and lots of decisions
made are highly questionable. NWFRS is in a financial mess and
district 5 (Point Roberts) needs to terminate its relationship
with the other districts ASAP.
District 5 will have an open house, call it a town hall meeting,
on October 16, at 7 p.m., at the community center.
I urge you to attend. I, for one, will try to answer any and all
questions to the best of my ability.
Bill Meursing, fire commissioner
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
I have made the decision to withdraw from the forthcoming election
for the parks board position no. 5. This decision is necessitated
by the outside consulting I do which will take too much of my
time and efforts to allow me to perform the board position at
the level required. I will be traveling frequently, for example,
in the next several months for my consulting activity.
I will still be teaching the computer classes at the seniors program.
Thus, I hope to continue to contribute to Point Roberts at the
level I can maintain. The county, it turns out, has no way to
actually remove my name from the ballot even though it has not
yet been printed. But I must withdraw from the election and would
not be able to serve, in any case.
I am sure that Linda Hughes will do an excellent job and I look
forward to supporting her if I can.
Douglas Ritchie
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
Sumas is an incorporated border town with numerous similarities
to Point Roberts. Its tax-assessed value is $299,000,000; Point
Roberts is $270,000,000. The permanent population of Sumas is
1,100; Point Roberts is 1,308. Sumas covers an area of 13 square
miles; Point Roberts covers 4.5 square miles.
This year, 2003, Sumas contracted its fire protection and EMS
to their nearby fire district. Sumas is paying $60,000 for these
services. For similar services, Point Roberts fire district received
at $.77/1,000 of assessed property values, approximately $207,900.
The commissioners are asking us to give them more money, that
is, double to $1.44/1,000 yielding $415,800.
Something is very wrong here. Sumas gets by spending $60,000.
Point Roberts cannot make it with $207,900 and we are being asked
to double this amount. The time has come for the residents of
Point Roberts to say no! I urge everyone to stop the excessive
spending by our fire commission and vote no on the November ballot.
Bruno Moras
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
The Point Roberts Artisans Guild would like to thank the community
for their support of the Saturday Market. From summer solstice
to labor day we held the market every Saturday from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. in the field beside MP Gas Station. We would like to show
our sincere appreciation to Meta & Harry and Tom Bradbury for
buying into this crazy idea. We couldn’t have done it without
them!
Planning is underway for a Christmas party that includes a craft
fair and silent art auction. It will be a great place to buy local
gifts for the holidays. If you are interested in attending or
participating please call me at 945-1448 or Pamela Sheppard at
945-1816. The community support was invaluable for our first venture
as a group. Thank you!
Melissa Croda
for Point Roberts Artisans Guild
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
Sometimes other’s remarks make us grimace, but that’s their prerogative.
I believe before statements are randomly made, all facts and statements
should be accurate and truthful.
The truth is Irene Waters has clearly been the best choice over
the years and still is, representing the community of Point Roberts
with true, honest and intelligent consideration. Her many accomplishments
on the various boards and communities she has worked with in the
past is proof of her success.
Irene is supportive, careful and thoughtful in all aspects. She
studies the facts before committing public money. Over the decades,
Irene Waters’ honesty and dedication have always been in Point
Roberts citizens favor.
It would take too much space to name every committee and board
she has worked hard and successfully on.
Please return the only choice, the right choice, Irene Waters
for Point Roberts Parks Board in this November’s election. She
will listen to all sides and her decision will not be based on
pleasing a few but what’s good for the whole community, which
includes our senior center.
Virginia Baker Wampler,
Wendy Wampler,
Victoria Reid, and
Peggy Dohner
Blaine
The
Editor:
The parents of Point Roberts gratefully thank the school board
members who voted to extend the turn-out bus for the rest of the
2003/04 school year. We are also painfully aware of the budget
crisis the state has burdened with every school district within
the state and with this in mind know that this decision was not
taken without a lot of input from both the community and our new
superintendent, Mary Lynne Derrington. She has demonstrated not
only her leadership but her unbiased ability to work with the
board on our behalf.
It has been a pleasure to get to know our new superintendent with
this issue and see her at work during the last two school board
meetings. We, the many Point Roberts school parents, look forward
to the opportunity to be involved in further decisions that affect
our school and community in the future.
A farewell and many thanks to Jane Woods who has served as our
community’s school board member for many years. Jane, we will
miss you and hope to see Debbie Hart fill the chair as professionally
and thoughtfully as you have in the past.
Renee Coe & Sue Schroeder,
and all the turn-out bus parents
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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