LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor:
I'd just like to write a short letter, if possible.
To Nick Kiniski and all his staff at the Reef, thank you for your anniversary party on June 26. To the loud and obnoxious lady who complained all night of the lack of food, grow up and learn some manners! This was a complimentary dinner. Just be thankful there was anything at all. Besides embarrassing yourself with your loud and rude comments, at the very least you should apologize to Nick and his staff for your behavior!
Larry Sewell
Point Roberts

The Editor:
It was with complete disbelief that I read the fanatical anti-smoking rant by Errol E. Povah in the June edition of the All Point Bulletin. Once I had finally stopped laughing at the outrageous drivel this writer passed off as fact, it became apparent that a rebuttal was in order.
The last time I looked, the sale and use of tobacco products is legal in both the U.S. and Canada and as such nets various levels of government many millions of dollars in tax revenue. If you want a good laugh also, try to get the government to ban the sale of all tobacco products, I'm sure they'll be happy to do so.
But, while you are waiting for this to happen, remember that the freedom of choice should be an important part of our society and so long as non-smokers have many establishments to patronize, as they now do, it is my opinion that the zealots among you should butt your nose out of trying to tell business owners they should not offer their patrons a smoker-friendly environment if they so choose.
I patronize the Reef and will continue to do so if smoking is allowed and so far the political correctness that has sadly permeated Canadian society is not as prevalent at Point Bob. Long may that last.
So President Povah, perhaps I'll see you at the Reef sometime where I can light up and hopefully you can lighten up. In the meantime, please point your moral compass in another direction, the people who live in and visit this wonderful community want choices and they have choices and that is something you obviously have no tolerance for, unfortunately.
P. Rowlands
Tsawwassen, B.C.

The Editor:
Judging from John Hammell's letter to the editor in the last issue of the All Point Bulletin, his car wasn't the only thing full of manure.
Ross Douglas
Point Roberts

The Editor:
My little floral offering to my sweetheart was confiscated last weekend by those defenders of the undefended border. When I asked why, I was given the one-word answer, bugs.
Might I suggest to the Department of Agriculture that many bugs can fly, so a more effective way of stopping their entry into the U.S. of A, might be to string a small-mesh net, up to the appropriate height, along the length of said undefended border.
Of course, some bugs cannot fly, and so travel by shank's pony. These will have to be stopped in their migrations by other means. Possibly a low-level zapper ray, a constant insecticide mist, or maybe the border guards can just march up and down, as the British guardsmen do, stamping out the critters before they can infiltrate.
After my little posy was taken away, I felt very guilty. I felt even guiltier when, arriving at my friend's cottage, I found an ant in my car, which had somehow escaped detection at the border. Have no fear though, I did the honorable thing and dispatched it immediately.
Martin Riley
Vancouver, BC

The Editor:
Please drive slow because you mite hit the anamls. And hit me.
Kelsey Perry
Burnaby, B.C.

The Editor:
Now that all the hoopla of combined holiday is over (July 1, Canada Day and July 4, Independence Day), and at the risk of shooting myself in the foot (our need for the Canadian dollar of the tourists, such as it is these days) I confess I am still baffled as to how Canadians display their patriotism on the holiday - by coming to the U.S.A. in great hordes to buy cheap gas and beer?
Despite spending considerable time in Canada I don't get it. Am I missing something? I mean, I don't know anyone from Washington state who travels up to Canada to celebrate our own 4th of July holiday - in fact, it would be ludicrous for this particular holiday. Any answers?
Patti Vopnford
Point Roberts

The Editor:
As a Canadian and a non-smoker, I am amazed at the temerity of Errol E. Povah expounding his theories and opinions on smoking in the U.S. bars.
He is quite right about the dangers of smoking, but this does not give him the right to meddle in U.S. regulations.
Instead of spending his time in polluted bars, I would suggest he visit Canadian fast food chains who are contributing to another endangered species the obese. This should keep him busy and give him much food for thought!
J. Glazier
Vancouver, B.C.

The Editor:
Although voting in the primary has nothing to do with booting out Bush, primary elections, especially at the local level are vital to the democratic process in that the monetary contributions necessary to win in November are influenced by the votes cast in the primary.
We have as a state representative a Republican who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has never worked for any profit making organization outside of his family-run enterprises. Until his party bought the election for him two or three terms ago, he had never held an elective office. It is money that counts more than anything in most elections; in second place is incumbency. The holder of one of our two seats in the state legislature needs to be replaced by someone who will represent all of the people in the district and we have that in Robin Bailey.
A native of Washington, Ms. Bailey, a Democrat, has worked for seven years in the displaced homemakers program at Whatcom Community College. She recently earned an MA in Education at Western. She has worked in a number of different positions in the private sector, always looking for something to give her satisfaction and hoping in some small way to serve her community. Her main concerns in Olympia will be for jobs, health care, and education for families of Whatcom County and the 42nd legislative district.
The most important thing you can do now is to register to vote in the September primary before August 15 at most real estate offices on the Point, at the post office or library on Gulf Road or call me at 945-1066 and I’ll bring you a form and mail it for you. And then you can cast your ballot as good, loyal Americans.
Ted Mohr
Point Roberts

The Editor:
The Town Picnic was a wonderful celebration demonstrating our love of Point Roberts. The weather was gorgeous and Lighthouse Park the ideal location; those who attended enjoyed themselves immensely. The Brass Belles played a marvelous concert on the boardwalk while we ate our picnic lunches. The brass quintet began with a rousing John Philip Sousa March that concluded the historical reenactment of the men triumphantly returning from Seattle and greeting their families with the Homestead Land Grant papers. We are very grateful to the Belles, five fine musicians who often donate their time and talent to come and play for the Friends of the Library. We are also grateful to all the people who made history come alive with their participation in the reenactment of a moment from the famous picnic of 1908.
Our thanks also to those who kept everyone entertained with old-fashioned games: Jerry and Ryley White, (horseshoes), Jeanette Meursing and Gillian Rutherford, (egg and spoon races), Karen Nielson, (hoop races), Jim Linde, (marbles) and fire chief Nick Kiniski, (watermelon eating race).
The Guessing Games, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, had a number of winners - each making the closest guess to the number of pieces of candy or nuts in a bottle: Anne Ke, Pam Burt, Gary Tees, Connor McSweeney, Jack Nielson, Bill Meursing, and Liza Anderson.
Congratulations! You’re excellent at this traditional game! You were all extremely close to the exact number.
The judges of the pie baking contest, Monica Zeilinger, Mark Millman, Stella Abbey, Leslie O'Neill, and Marilyn Samis, had the delicious job of judging the homemade pies. This year the first prize went to Jeanette Meursing for her spectacular apple pie. Second prize, was awarded to Joyce Kiniski, for her creamy coconut pie, and third prize went to Bev Nielson for her blueberry pie made from local berries. There were several honorable mentions, but perhaps of special note is that two of them went to Joe Ferguson who brought three pies to the contest! Thanks to all the people who entered the contest. A piece of pie was given as a prize for each of the games, so having lots of contestants, (and lots of pies), was particularly wonderful and enjoyed by all.
A big thank you to Jay Lewis and the International Market who donated eggs and watermelons for the games and who featured the Town Picnic on their reader board. You are such a vital part of our community and so generous with your assistance.
Many thanks to Ben Van Buskirk and his Lighthouse Park staff and to Kelly Kiniski and his grandson Anthony Crowder, for helping set-up the event. Your efforts are very much appreciated. The work you did literally made the day.
A Town Picnic - what a wonderful way to say, “I love Point Roberts!”
Davea and John Fisher, for the Friends of the Library
Point Roberts

The Editor:
To the attendees of my Sixth Annual Lavender Tea, I would like to express my sincere apologies to those guests who had their lavender bunches taken from them at the Canadian border and to those that chose to turn around and sit in a border line up to return the bunches to Lavender Fields. We sold the lavender in good faith, as only a few days before I had entered a lavender shipment into Canada. The lavender bunches should not have been rejected. Fresh cut and dried lavender is allowed as well as other fresh cut flowers.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) told the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) to reject the lavender. During my event, a CBSA officer made an enquiry call to CFIA with regard to lavender after someone came into the border to check out any restrictions. At this time, no one was actually bringing anything across the border, so the decision was made without knowing what the actual product was. Later in a phone call to me, the CFIA officer stated that the fact it was cut flowers and not plants or plant material was not specified.
By the end of the day I requested an officer call the CFIA again, when I specified cut flowers, I was told without question they are allowed, but it was too late to save the day. The CBSA have expressed their regret to me over this incident. The CFIA has sent a letter stating, our inspectors acted both within their mandate and appropriately based on the information provided by CBSA.
I am sorry there is nothing I can do for those guests who were inconvenienced by this unfortunate incident. I'm sure it ruined their day as much as it did ours.
Carol Fowler, Lavender Fields
Point Roberts

The Editor:
As I am sure you are all well aware, we are in the midst of another extremely dry spell. While this is ideal weather for our summer holidays and vacations, it puts a strain on our water reserves.
I am also certain that many of you are already practicing water conservation on your own initiative. Thank you all for your care and diligence.
On behalf of our water district and fellow commissioners, I would like to encourage everyone to develop and/or implement water saving practices. There are so many methods, ideas and techniques available; it would be difficult to list them all here.
Little things can make a big difference. For instance: watering only plants and vegetables in the evening or morning (don't worry, your grass will come back after severe dry periods); while running water for it to become hot for your dishes and showers, run it into a watering can first; and bailing out your bath and dishwater to use on any growing vegetation is not only OK it also help to keep the bugs at bay. In addition, your septic tank (if you have one) doesn’t get too diluted. This becomes a win-win situation!
I invite you to stop by our office at 79 Tyee Drive as we have research documents, references (websites) and resource materials to assist you. In addition, if you have access to the Internet, check out the subject yourselves. You will find vast amounts of information and helpful hints on the web, too.
The bottom line is, if we all do our part, we will all benefit in the long run.
Madeleine Anderson
Commissioner, Point Roberts Water District No. 4
Point Roberts

The Editor:
As a small business owner new to the Point, I want to openly express my deep appreciation to Chris Green over at Northwest Permits. My business relies on a smooth running computer, and I have a database that is growing by hundreds each week, so I need an easy back-up and tracking system as well.
When I encountered a glitch last week and could not send attachments, Chris was readily available and willing to come over and help me. I cannot stress how vital and valuable it is to have someone of his caliber here in little Point Roberts! He provides a much-needed service by being available for troubleshooting when needed! His knowledge of computers is exemplary and his easygoing manner puts me at ease when dealing with the stress of computer challenges.
So, a heartfelt thank you goes out to Chris Green for his expertise, his valuable service, and his patience! Thanks for being here!
Emily Bouchard
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

BACK TO TOP