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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
The Editor:
I am writing regarding the fifth annual Garden Tour. There was
just enough rain during the night before to keep the dust down,
a gentle breeze during the day and a host of enthusiastic gardeners
sharing their spectacular gardens, gate keeper volunteers in gowns
and hats greeting visitors, helpful bus drivers chauffeuring and
delightful girls serving tea and scones to wonderful MCT music
while crafters displayed their wares. A special thank you to Nielson’s
Building Center, C.G. Bloomers and others for selling our tickets.
This was an example of everyone working together to make this
a fun event.
Thank you to all very much for making this a very rewarding success.
We had a great day in Point Roberts.
Terrie LaPorte, What’s the Point?
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
On July 13, the decision was made to close Miss Molly’s Market
at the Texaco. It was not a decision we reached easily; however,
given the circumstances, necessary.
Unfortunately, Miss Molly’s did not experience the support needed
to make the operation viable.
The season got off to a confusing start when the newly formed
Arts and Crafts Guild of Point Roberts launched an aggressive
sign, banner and poster campaign advertising the “Saturday Market
at Texaco, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.” Many were confused by this to think
Molly’s was only open for four hours each week. I met with those
in charge of advertising for the Guild, however it was too late.
The damage was done and it was too late in the season to undo
it.
We wish to thank all of our regular customers who supported Miss
Molly’s Market - Lina & Rolf, Thelma & Ed, Doreen & Hank, Alberto,
Tom, Jackie & Tinker, Lillian & Amber, Kris, Dick Craddock & Tracey,
Joannie Robertson and all of the staff at Texaco; and all of the
regular customers whose names I don’t know. Special thanks to
Tom Bradbury and Bev Nielson for the space. Also, a very special
thank you to Brewsters and the International Marketplace for their
help.
Besides the regular produce, we also featured June’s wonderful
homemade jams and Carol’s beautiful lavender. Both were a big
hit.
Thanks to generous donations, Miss Molly’s will send $56 to Small
Paws Rescue to help her fellow rescues find new homes and the
love and security they deserve. If you are interested in learning
about Small Paws, log on to www.smallpawsrescue.org.
On behalf of Rich Lloyd, Ron Calder and myself, thanks again.
Sheelah Oliver
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
I have known Ginny Benton for some considerable time, and I would
like to comment on her exceptional performance as our port commissioner.
She has steadfastly represented the interests of this district
and has earned our respect and vote.
She has labored hard and brought economic development support
and funds to Point Roberts and Blaine. We want to thank her and
encourage her to continue her efforts for the Point Roberts Economic
Development Plan. Ginny has worked hard on our behalf and I urge
all my friends and fellow citizens to vote for Ginny in the upcoming
primary election on September 16.
Dave Gagnon
Blaine, WA
The
Editor:
Many thanks to all the folks who bought our pies at the seniors
annual fundraiser on August 2. We are also grateful for the assistance
of Diane and Jay at the Marketplace.
Our blackberry pies went fast, so next year we have a goal of
baking 100 blackberry pies!
Armene Belless Coordinator,
Point Roberts senior activity center
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
Enough already on the hardships of the fire department.
Since its inception until it ceased being the Point Roberts fire
department we had, I believe, seven chiefs. Since Levy’s folly,
we have had four who have come and gone for various and sundry
reasons, but not without a price tag for Point Roberts.
For this Crossen guy to quote stress and overwork, I would have
to suspect that he has been exposed to too much smoke and not
the kind from house fires, but perhaps he also did not inhale.
As far as national statistics, firefighters and police don’t rate
in the top most dangerous jobs, and these are careers that these
individuals chose. This isn’t the military where you don’t have
a choice, this is free will employment. I get sick and tired of
these people whining about stress as they slop heartedly at the
public trough.
Let’s examine the local fire department. All administration is
done elsewhere; accounting is also not done here. There is now
a medical clinic to handle some of the 100 or so calls per year.
So let’s see, great pay, very little work, good pension. Stressful!
Give me a break. The only thing you could suffer from in that
job is being able to out lonesome the Maytag repair person; and
I don’t think the taxpayer should be required to hire a friend
for company. As far as paper work done at that hall, 90 percent
is followed by a flush!
Excluding Bill Meursing, the commissioners haven’t the intestinal
fortitude or cerebral capacity to cut their losses and bail out.
Rather, they push for more tax money to squander on North Whatcom.
In closing, you and I should feel blessed to be members of the
stress free real world where there are no guarantees and no tax
payer funded bailouts if we can’t do our jobs!
Ron Calder
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
I’m writing to publicly commend Bill Meursing of Hummer Bill Tractor
Services for his professionalism, honesty and technical expertise.
My mother, an American senior citizen, has lived on the Point
for several years. Recently, she went looking for someone to level
her yard and spread several truckloads of gravel on it. Scanning
the ads in the All Point Bulletin, she found one for Hummer Bill
Tractor Services with the tag line, “always on time, on budget,
and no broken promises.” After talking to owner Bill Meursing,
she hired him on the spot.
I was there the two days it took Bill to spread the gravel and
found him to be a man of his word. He really exemplified truth
in advertising by showing up on time, getting right to work and
charging my mother a very reasonable fee for the services he provided,
as he had promised at the outset. Throughout the job, he repeatedly
checked with her to make sure he was doing it as she wanted and
he called that evening to ensure that she had found everything
to her satisfaction. On top of doing an excellent job, he was
very personable and easygoing. Residents of Point Roberts are
lucky to have access to Hummer Bill. If I ever need to have such
work done myself, I hope I can find someone of Bill Meursing’s
caliber in my own town.
Toni Timmermans
Squamish, B.C.
The Editor:
The class of 1983 held their 20th reunion at Semiahmoo Resort
with a reception and a get together at the hotel on Friday, July
23 when they registered. Many of the class brought their spouses
and children. About 40 in all attended and a class picture was
taken, which will be sent to all who attended. On Sunday a barbecue
was held.
The following graduated from Point Roberts that year: Shayne Fortt,
Tracy Fortt, Tanya Taylor, Ian Moore and Russell Shellington.
Shayne Fortt is now an RN working in Australia. Tanya Taylor is
working in Vancouver and Russell Shellington is a pilot working
for a pharmaceutical company in Seattle, mostly travelling to
Europe and some charter work in the U.S. No one knew where Tracy
Fortt and Ian Moore are living.
After the reunion, Russell and his family enjoyed time with Beverly
Connors (his sister and family) from Phoenix, Arizona and his
mother in Delta, B.C. Thanks to Andrea Hogan and Robin Anthony
for their time and success in organizing this reunion.
Ellen Shellington
Delta, B.C.
The
Editor:
A sincere thank you should go out to Terrie LaPorte for her great
effort and success in organizing the 2003 Point Roberts Garden
Tour which took place on a beautiful sunny July 20 day.
It was a perfect day for a delightful happening, with many tickets
sold folks came from great distances to attend.
Our grandchildren and neighbors helped at our house by attending
to the # 8 gate showing people around our garden and giving
away packages of hollyhock seeds. They had great fun.
The tour ended with tea and scones at Terrie’s beautiful house
at Maple Meadow.
She is well on the way already in organizing another show for
2004. You’re the greatest many thanks Terrie.
Effie Abrahamson
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
Michael Rosser and the taxpayer’s association deserve credit for
their continued support of tree retention provisions in the latest
subarea plan, despite predictable opposition, mainly from trophy
home owners in treeless subdivisions.
Tree retention provisions have been part of the subarea plan since
its adoption in 1990. These clear and simple guidelines have wide
support in Point Roberts.
Given the history of lax enforcement of most Whatcom County regulations
in Point Roberts, existing guidelines for tree retention are rarely
followed. A short drive around the Point can provide numerous
examples of previously wooded lots that are now bare. Many of
these lots have been sitting vacant for years, stripped of trees
as well as market value.
Tree retention guidelines are not an “interference with property
rights.” Most of the subdivisions in Point Roberts have restrictive
covenants that are a lot more onerous and restrictive on a property
owner’s activity than tree retention. Property rights arguments
are just a transparent attempt by pro-development interests to
appeal to the perceived conservative instincts of some members
of the Whatcom County Planning Commission and county council.
To frame tree retention in a political context seems contradictory
in an entitlement-driven community like Point Roberts. After all,
we voted overwhelmingly Democrat in the last election and are
constantly lobbying federal, state and county government for more
money and services. And we seem to accept the inevitable rules,
regulations and bureaucracy that follows, as long as our pet agendas
get funded.
To their credit, county planners aren’t buying the property rights
argument. Nor the ridiculous notions that we should have a “gardening
ordinance” or that shade trees and gardens are somehow mutually
exclusive. Anyone who visited homes on the recent Point Roberts
Garden Tour can verify that tall trees and gardens can be complementary.
The present guidelines for tree retention are mild. Its critics
needn’t worry lacking effective enforcement, it is still easy
to clearcut lots in Point Roberts and get away with it.
Current plans to incorporate tree retention as part of the building
permit process are a positive step and deserve community support,
as well as effective enforcement once they are enacted.
John Lesow
Point Roberts
The Editor:
On August 7, on behalf of the seniors association, I approached
the parks board for financial assistance to expand the senior
activities for another day. The monies would cover the cost of
a coordinator and chef.
The seniors use the center on Wednesdays. We play cards, pool,
bocce, beanbag baseball, use the library and have lunch. The cost
of lunch is by donation. We cannot force anyone to pay.
We also have classes water color painting, computer, etc. These
classes are not restricted to seniors. I took the computer class
and my granddaughter took the painting class. There was a very
small fee for the classes.
There is a $5 annual fee to join the senior association. The seniors
have two main fund raising events. The salmon and chicken BBQ
and the pie sale. These events are open to the community as we
rely on their support to raise money.
We also have a small raffle at the end of the month. These items
are donated by members. The bridge club also makes a small donation
every month.
Members can bring guests. Recently, Sylvia Schonberg brought a
group of young people who were volunteering their time working
at the Trinity Lutheran Church. We also have a 100-year-old lady.
I personally have brought seniors from Victoria and White Rock
when they were in town.
Do the seniors have money? We have some. We pay $500 per year
for the use of the center. We made a donation to the Wellness
Clinic and we support the Dollars for Scholars.
We do not have enough money to support another day of activities.
We would like to seed the back of the center for a bocce ball
court. I do not believe that a new lawn would harm the septic
field. Now I have some whys. Why doesn’t the historical society
display their photographs at the center? Why doesn’t the youth,
with parental supervision, use the center on Saturdays? It is
open pool tables, videos from the library, bocce, etc. Why are
the arts and craft vendors using an open field?
If you support any of these ideas, please attend the next parks
board meeting on September 4, at 7 p.m.
Eleanor Gendron
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
I am a member of the Point Roberts senior center, born and raised
in California and have lived in Point Roberts for the past 15
years. The seniors presented a request at the August meeting of
the Point Roberts Parks and Recreation Department and so my husband
and I attended.
My most vivid memory of this meeting was when coordinator Armene
Belless (for the last two years) received a round of applause.
This unexpected thank you to Armene was for her dedicated effort
and many hours (many unpaid) that she has put into developing
the senior center, making it a better place for our seniors to
enjoy what may be their final years!
I was seated in the front row and during this applause I happened
to be looking at the board members and was shocked by director
Irene Waters reaction. I was stunned. If I had not seen Ms. Waters
make a childlike puckered up face, with her tongue hanging out
and wagging, I would not have believed it. A full grown, senior
woman making such a disrespectful gesture is unbelievable to me.
Bev Griffith, who is both the senior’s president and a member
of the parks board sat through the meeting totally mute. I had
hoped she would at least make a statement of some kind. She knows
how many of us use the center that one day and have shown that
we need a second day a week to use the facilities.
It would have been nice to see the board at least be open and
respectful to the possibility of giving a little bit to meet the
growing need of our local seniors. I have been to the Blaine seniors
center and though it is a long day to drive there and back it
is an amazing experience. I know we need to offer more here at
the Point as an outlet for our seniors.
What goes around comes around. We will all be seniors one day,
before you know it, it sneaks up on you. We all deserve to be
treated with respect and kindness. This added day for the seniors
at the community center will allow a little more time spent outside
of our homes interacting with other isolated seniors.
Someone ought to tell Ms. Waters, it is not yet the Irene Waters
community center and this is not all about her.
P.S. I look forward to exciting changes on the parks board at
the upcoming November election. I urge everyone who is eligible
to vote, to make sure you are registered to vote. If you cannot
get out to vote you can request a mail-in advance ballot. Registering
to vote and requesting a ballot by mail can be done by phoning
800/448-4881. This ballot will be sent to you at home and you
can mail it back in or drop it off at the polling place.)
Mrs. B.J. Kish
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
Jim Jorgensen’s slogan is Vision with Roots, and that’s exactly
what Jim will bring to Whatcom County as a port commissioner.
As a resident of Blaine, I have seen first hand what Jim’s abilities
as a visionary can mean to the community: Blaine Marine Park,
once a garbage dump, is now a beautiful addition to Blaine’s waterfront
and serves locals as well as visitors from across the country
and across the border. What was once an eyesore is now a gathering
place for walkers, joggers, and bird watchers. That’s the kind
of vision and outcome that we need in Whatcom County.
When Jim says that he will strive to make Whatcom County cleaner,
more beautiful, and more prosperous for all of us, that’s just
what he means. That, in a nutshell, is his agenda. And he plans
to do that by listening before acting. He will be guided by what
we, the residents of this county, want to accomplish with our
port taxes. What Jim Jorgensen will bring to the port commission
is his background as an educator and environmentalist, his ability
to listen, his ability to communicate his vision, his desire to
seek consensus from us citizens, and last, but not least, his
integrity.
Those of us fortunate enough to live in Whatcom County have the
responsibility to elect the best candidate to our port commission.
Your vote can make a difference - a difference in our future.
Once you’re registered to vote, I urge you to vote for Jim Jorgensen
for District #3 port commissioner. He will serve us well.
Ken Trupp
Blaine
The Editor:
For over 25 years, my husband, Ed, and I have attended and supported
the Point Roberts senior activity center.
I always look forward to Wednesday, visiting with old and new
friends and enjoying our delicious lunch and all the other activities.
I would definitely attend if the center was open on Fridays. When
I’m having a bad day, the hot home-delivered meal is a big help.
Let’s all hope we can have the center open on Fridays!
Kathy Aydon
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
I support the addition of a Friday program for the Point Roberts
senior center. Seniors are an important part of any community
and it is my understanding that here in Point Roberts, residents
55 plus comprise approximately 30 percent of the year-round population.
There is currently a strong Wednesday program in place; an additional
day would provide the opportunity for a wider range of programs
and services. As the number of seniors in our community continues
to grow, this has become necessary.
Some of the benefits of seniors having a regular place and time
to meet, as well as programs to participate in include: prevention
of isolation, loneliness and depression by socializing, sharing
and problem-solving; activities to help retain mental alertness
and physical fitness; nutritional meals (seniors especially
those on fixed incomes or living alone are often malnourished,
which in turn leads to physical and mental decline); volunteering
to help with the various programs and activities enables people
to feel useful and needed resulting in improved self-esteem
and well-being.
When making your decisions regarding the very small levy requested
to expand the seniors programs, I urge you to recognize the challenges
faced by an aging population, as well as the contributions of
seniors to your family and community.
Carol Guegi
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
I have had a home in Point Roberts for over 12 years but I didn’t
start attending the senior activity center until two years ago.
I didn’t know what I was missing! New friends, fun, activities
and classes along with the opportunity to volunteer and use my
varied skills and experience.
Our seniors program on Wednesdays is fully funded by Whatcom County
Parks and the Council on Aging. We need to be open on Fridays
to accommodate our growing membership and population. No more
funds are available from Whatcom County and we have been advised
to seek supplementary local tax dollars like every other senior
center in Whatcom County. Blaine contributed $30,000 to its senior
center, Ferndale, $10,000, Lynden, $47,000, Sumas, (population
1,003), $12,300 and Point Roberts contributes zero dollars to
its senior center.
On August 7, our seniors asked the Point Roberts parks and recreation
district to increase their levy by three cents per $1,000 of valuation
to finance our Friday operation. This would mean that a home valued
at $100,000 would pay an extra $3 per year to fund 52 full days
of operation for the senior center. What a bargain!
Last year, the Point Roberts parks and recreation district turned
down our first request for financial help. It was reported in
the January 2003 issue of the All Point Bulletin that Point Roberts
parks chairperson, Irene Waters (also president of the historical
society) unsuccessfully bid $65,000 to acquire a new building
for the historical society. The community center is a historical
building. Why not display pictures and memorabilia all over the
old school building and also have the building be more accessible
to local needs?
If the parks board continues on their current path, soon many
of us seniors will be looking down from ‘on high’ at the planned
new historical society building (open 2 4 on Saturdays only)
while our underused so-called community center is still locked
up as usual.
It would appear that the Point Roberts parks board feels there
are lots of tax dollars for the historical society, but has no
interest in helping the seniors program. We will see on September
4 at the Point Roberts parks board meeting at 7 p.m. Anyone who
is interested should come to the meeting and stand up and be counted.
M.E. Erickson
Point Roberts
The
Editor:
The members of local 500 Pensioners Club (International Longshoreman’s
Union) thank the staff and management of the Point Roberts Marina
for their assistance for our recent fishing derby.
We should also like to thank those who contributed prizes: Jim
Julius Realty, Mathey Marine, Nielson’s Building Center, TJ’s
Restaurant, Stillwater Sports, Westwind Marine and all those whose
participation helped raise over $8,000 for the Children’s Hospital
and other charities, including some in Point Roberts.
Winning fish were caught by Wayne at Horseshoe Bay (22 pounds),
Alberto Martinez at Active Pass (20 pounds) and Scott Stuart at
Point Roberts (17.5 pounds).
The cruise for two to Alaska was won by Brian Payer of Tsawwassen
who bought his ticket at the fuel dock. Again, thanks to you all.
Jimmy Keith
Richmond, B.C.
The
Editor:
The congregation of Trinity Community Lutheran Church wishes to
thank Max and Diana Briand for their gracious hospitality. On
August 10, the annual church picnic was held in the lively setting
of South Beach House. Dueling BBQs turned out hamburgers and hot
dogs, backed up by a generous banquet of pot luck salads and desserts.
Tables were set in Diana’s beautiful garden, which expands each
year in diversity and loveliness. With the help of her father,
Diana has created a serene environment with interesting and unusual
plant varieties sweeping down the bank to the sea.
One of the delights of a small community lies in knowing your
neighbors. Max and Diana have always been great friends and neighbors
of the church and we thank them for their generosity in sharing
their wonderful, unique restaurant by the sea.
Margot Griffiths, for the congregation of
Trinity Community Lutheran Church
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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