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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
The Editor:
I am responding to the letter by Robert Russell of Vancouver
(formerly of Bells Grove) in the August edition of the All
Point Bulletin.
Obviously Robert, someone of your intellectual prowess need not
be bothered (or able to comprehend) the essence of my July letter.
The original letter, written by a man from Maryland, commented
about ceding Point Roberts to Canada by virtue of Point Roberts
being north of the 49th parallel was the issue, which has nothing
to do with my “reasoning,” which you so ineloquently
stated in your letter.
For openers, the U.S./Canadian border was established in 1846
with the signing of the Treaty of Washington between the U.S.
and England, establishing the border between Canada and the United
States at the 49th parallel, establishing all land south of the
49th (excluding Vancouver Island) to be part of the United States.
Alaska was not purchased from Russia until 1867.
Alaska was not a part of the U.S. for at least 21 years after
the Treaty of Washington was signed.
It was not until 1869 that the 40th Congress even made Alaska
a “customs district,” not to mention that Alaska
did not actually gain statehood until 1959.
There was no way Alaska could have been considered part of the
U.S. when the 49th parallel established the border, so the comment
about “… Alaska being well north of the 49 (sic)
should be part of Canada,” shows the writer’s lack
of comprehension of my original letter.
Steve Diem
Point Roberts
(Ed Note: The letter was edited due to
personal invective.)
The Editor:
I see Mr. Hammel is stirring it up again.
O joy for us all!
But he mis-describes himself. He writes of being in rare form
on some radio program. Au contraire. Excessive narcissistic bombast
is his normal form.
Rare form for him would be brevity. But I expect that scares
him. He probably thinks it’s something the government is
sneaking into our water supply.
Ross Douglas
Point Roberts
The Editor:
The Point Roberts community van is a vital link between Point
Roberts and the rest of Whatcom County. It provides our community
with flexible public transportation that is indispensable.
Working parents whose children want to participate in after
school events in Blaine have come to rely on the Blue Heron
Express to bring their kids home. Our elders, unable to drive
long distances, have come to rely on the van’s weekly
trips to Bellingham. Point Roberts is a little bit closer
to Whatcom County through the use of this van.
I believe we should have two vans stationed here. The small
van we currently have is great for our elders to use for their
trips to Bellingham, Lynden or other places in Whatcom County.
With over 100 kids going to school in Blaine, you can be sure that
at least 10 of them will want to participate in after school events.
Last year as more and more parents became aware that the community
van was available to bring their children home its usage grew to
a point where most days a week the van was filled to capacity.
Our current public transportation is inadequate. If Point Roberts
were anywhere else in Whatcom County our kids would be able to
catch a bus home on a regularly scheduled public route. Located
as we are, this is not possible. The Blue Heron Express is their
only hope for public transportation and we should ensure that
it is available to bring them home.
The Dial-A-Ride Safety Net Service does not have the flexibility
or the availability of the Blue Heron Express. With the rise
in gasoline prices public transportation in Point Roberts becomes
more important than ever before.
Please write: Whatcom Transportation Authority, 4111 Bakerview
Spur, Bellingham, WA 98226, or send email to: Kim Cederstrom
at comment@ridewta.com, or call the WTA 360/676-RIDE (7433) or
the comment line at 360/715-4500.
Let them know how valuable the Blue Heron Express is to our community.
Cheryl Fitzgerald, volunteer van driver
Point Roberts
The Editor:
I would like to thank you most sincerely for the many beautiful
birthday cards and messages, phone calls and gifts, to all
who attended my Bayview Drive, Point Roberts beach community
and the Blaine and Whatcom County parties. It was grand to
see all of you. I’m looking forward to the next decade!
To my wonderful daughters and niece, thank you. I enjoyed it
all.
My love to everyone.
Virginia Wampler
Blaine
The Editor:
What a wonderful car wash! On August 20 eight members of the
fire department and 13 kids raised $588 for Dollars for Scholars!
Many thanks go to deputy chief Nick Kiniski, chief Bill Skinner,
and firefighters Fred DeHaan, Leslie Berekoff-Duke, Greg Hebert,
Jenny Kulbaba, and John Shields for all their fine efforts.
Many thanks also to Molly Fisher, Veronica and Lake Hughes, Kevin
Teng, Izaac, Ben and Grace Wilkowski, Joanna and Casey Hubbard,
Hannah Raine, Travin Irwin, Philip Yorke, and Andrew Grubb for
all their hard work.
There was a steady stream of cars and lots of energy and enthusiasm
displayed in washing them. We’re very grateful to both
the firefighters and the kids for being so generous with their
time and for helping to raise money for student scholarships.
Thanks also to Jay Lewis for allowing us to use the parking lot
of the International Market for this event.
What a wonderful response from our community! Many people came
and brought their cars to be washed while a few came especially
to give us a donation. This year’s car wash was the best
ever financially, and is a great kickoff to our fundraising efforts.
If you would like to make a donation to Dollars for Scholars,
mail it to P.O. Box 2168, Point Roberts, WA 98281. All funds
go to Point Roberts students.
Davea Fisher, Dollars for Scholars
Point Roberts
The Editor:
The library bids a fond adieu to Kiera Miller, after four years
of enthusiastic service to the Point Roberts community, as
she begins studies in the master’s library program at
UBC. Kiera’s keen interest in children has lit a spark
in many a young heart. She will continue as a storyteller Tuesday
evenings.
Marge Biery, our competent page for seven months, left in July
and we wish her well.
In their place the library warmly welcome Rosemary Snell as our
new page, and Mary Monaghan as the new public assistant. We look
forward to a great new year.
Kris Lomedico, Point Roberts library
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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