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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
The Editor:
On page 3 of the May All Point Bulletin, I saw the ad for Kiniski’s
Reef Tavern. Then, on the flip side of the page, I saw (and read)
the very inspirational article about “body, mind and spirit
conditioning partners” Gene Kiniski and Dan Delong.
“So, what’s the problem?,” you ask.
No problem! While some may suggest a contradiction or hypocrisy,
I disagree. There’s no question: If alcohol is used in
excess or otherwise abused, it can clearly be a huge problem.
But when used in moderation, alcohol is, at worst, harmless;
at best, good for you.
But then I read the Reef ad a little more thoroughly and noticed
that it’s “smoker friendly,” which clearly
implies, to me, that it’s non-smoker unfriendly! A recent
visit revealed that, indeed, there’s an ashtray (aka, an
invitation to smoke) on virtually every table at the Reef!
Disappointing (not to mention unhealthy, for both the public
and staff) as that is, it’s good to see that the management
recognizes the absolute futility of even trying to protect non-smokers
in that environment, via a so-called non-smoking area, ventilation,
etc.
And yes, I recognize that Gene Kiniski does not own the Reef
(his son, Nick, does). But, on the smoking issue, I would strongly
encourage Gene to give Nick the same powerful advice he offers
in the above-mentioned article: “....each of us must be
mentally tough and do the right thing, even when it hurts.”
Banning smoking - in all public places and workplaces (including
bars, pubs, casinos, etc.) - is, even at this late date, the “right
thing” to do. As far as it ‘hurting’ goes,
contrary to the doom and gloom crap we regularly hear from sundry
bar and pub associations (which are nothing more than well paid
puppets of the nicotine cartel), business usually either stays
the same or actually improves after banning smoking. Just ask
the owner of virtually any bar in the lower mainland, including
Tsawwassen’s own Beaches, Rose & Crown and Bunkers.
For the record, smoking prematurely kills (by an average of about
15 years) more people than alcohol (including drunk driving),
crack, cocaine, heroin, AIDS, homicide, suicide, fires and car
accidents - as well as West Nile virus, Avian bird flu, Mad Cow
disease and the Norwalk virus - combined! Furthermore, tobacco
is the only legal product which, when used exactly as intended
by the manufacturer, kills one out of two of its users!
Come on, Nick, bring the Reef into the 21st century! Make your
Dad proud, do the “right thing” and - ban smoking!
Errol E. Povah
President, Airspace
Action on Smoking & Health
Delta, BC
The Editor:
The committee for the Point Roberts Healthy Living Fair, May
1, want to thank all of the wonderful people who helped to
make the fair a huge success!
Heartfelt thank you’s go out to: Steve O’Neill and
Lori Schloss for the delicious food, Tsawwassen First Nation
Singers for opening ceremonies, Susan Harms for website design,
Martinez & Associates for web hosting, Bill Simmons for our
banner and Eddie for hanging it, Rita and Valerina for the garland
making and May Pole festivities; Borderline Bluegrass and Craig
Jacks for the great music; the All Point Bulletin and Delta Cable
for all the media exposure, Sandy Simundson for all the gorgeous
flowers, the Marketplace, Thrifty Foods, Safeway and Boundary
Bay Lion’s Club, Michelle, the Carson and Barnett families,
Len and Annette for setup and moral support; George and Rose
for take down and clean up and Art for disposal; Renee for the
photos, the chamber of commerce for their speakers’ gifts
and web site calendar listing, Henry Rosenthal, Darryl, Steffan,
Kelly, Nancy, Pam, Jini, Giselle, Samoyed puppies, dogs and owners
Michelle and Heather, and so many more! Please know we appreciate
everyone’s contributions! The fair was a huge success due
in large part to the generous time, energy and enthusiasm offered
by all our volunteers from both sides of the border.
We also want to thank Irene Waters for her generous support and
cooperation, and the Point Roberts parks board and Point Roberts
Community Foundation for sponsoring the event. The parks board
granted the use of the community center which was the ideal location
for creating an event where community members could come together
and enjoy each other’s company in a healthy, fun-filled
way.
A special note of appreciation goes out to inspector Linda Robinson,
port director, inspector Randy Reid, and all the border officers
who kindly fielded all of our requests and inquiries as to how
to create easy passage for visitors, speakers, demonstrators
and exhibitors coming over the border on May 1.
And of course, we want to give a special thanks to all the businesses
and individuals who generously donated financially and in services,
essential for actualizing the event, and for all specialty items
that were donated to the silent auction. The auction raised over
$1,000 for the Point Roberts Community Foundation which has been
added to a growing reserve to support and fund community and
cultural development projects in Point Roberts.
With gratitude to you all.
Sharon Barnett, Emily Bouchard, Madu Laurene Honeyman, Judith
Mann and Karen Stanwood, Point Roberts Healthy Living Fair Committee
Point Roberts
The Editor:
The new Dockside Pub was the perfect venue for the Point Roberts
Chamber of Commerce spring social on May 15. The food was the
best ever, the chefs at Dockside really outdid themselves and
the music by Craig Jacks and the Jackalopes was great!
Thank you to all those great sponsors (from both sides of the
border), who continue to donate wonderful prizes for the silent
auction and raffle. These help to fund the activities that the
chamber of commerce sponsors. And thank you to everyone who attended
our sixth annual dance and got some great memories and items
to take home.
Lots of people got into the spirit of the party, with long hair,
bell bottom pants, and tie dye shirts. Best 60s costume went
to the Frantz’s. Well done and thank you.
Terrie LaPorte, Point Roberts
Chamber of Commerce
Point Roberts
The Editor:
This is regarding the story about Whatcom County Council issuing
guidelines for groups purporting to represent the community
in the May All Point Bulletin. We need a new independent voice
in Point Roberts. The EDC is not acting in our best interests.
Anyone wanting to volunteer for the Point Roberts rural advisory
committee, can contact me at 945-7014.
Sam A. Miller
Point Roberts
The Editor:
On behalf of the Point Roberts Community Foundation, I would
like to thank the members of the Healthy Living Fair Committee
for all their consistent dedication over the past few months
in organizing the May Day Healthy Living Fair. Their event
included a silent auction that successfully raised over a thousand
dollars after expenses for the Point Roberts Community Foundation.
We are a new non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting
and funding community and cultural development projects in
Point Roberts. The Healthy Living Fair effectively served to
raise awareness of our existence and kick start developing
our reserve to fulfill our mandate.
I would also like to thank the All Point Bulletin for their
timely article introducing the Point Roberts Community Foundation
in their May issue, page 20. May I offer one correction for
the article? It was stated “The fair has been organized by
a group of women active in the healing arts who required the
ability to be able to accept tax-deductible contributions.” This
is incorrect. They did not require nor request this ability.
They invited the Point Roberts Community Foundation to be involved
in their project as a way to have the benefits of the day serve
the community for the long term. The Healthy Living Fair committee
members in no way received any monetary remuneration for their
time nor special tax privileges under the foundation’s
umbrella. They donated hundreds of hours of organizing time and
were only reimbursed for direct expenses related to the fair.
The foundation is grateful for the energy, time, and dedication
these five women committed to creating the Healthy Living Fair
for our community.
Finally, thank you to everyone who made this event a success
and to those who supported the Point Roberts Community Foundation
by providing and buying auction items. May we all continue to
do our best in creating a healthy, harmonious community we can
all be proud of.
For more information on the Point Roberts Community Foundation
please contact prcf@pointroberts.net or Emily Bouchard at 360/945-0250.
Paul Rusk, board member, Point Roberts Community Foundation
Point Roberts
The Editor:
The county planning department has recently set out guidelines
for setting up rural advisory committees in Point Roberts,
Birch Bay, Lummi Island, and the Mt. Baker foothills. These
proposed committees will be funded by the county and membership
is subject to review and appointment by Whatcom County Council.
Rural advisory committees are intended to communicate and work
with county government on matters of local concern. Through
these committees, the county can provide local residents and
property owners with information on governmental proposals
and initiatives that affect Point Roberts. These lines of communication
are important, particularly in unincorporated areas.
A draft statement of purpose and by-laws for a Point Roberts
rural advisory committee were submitted to Whatcom County Council
on May 18. Membership is open to individuals and representatives
of community and neighborhood associations.
If you are interested in joining a Point Roberts rural advisory
committee or would like a copy of the referenced draft statement
of purpose, contact any of the following individuals: Sam Miller,
945-7014; John Lesow, 945-2620; or Tom Hollett, 945-0799.
John Lesow
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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