LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor:
My hero, Yogi Berra, said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you might wind up somewhere else.”
The proponents of the “hospital district” should heed these words. Ed Aydon, one of the nicest guys in the world, dreamed of having a place here where old-timers could live independently.
He started collecting and selling aluminum cans to start a fund for the project. Other well-meaning residents who wished to assist him joined in and formed an organization. It seems when they reached the point where applications were made they were told such a residence would not be approved unless there were local medical facilities. Ed’s project was derailed, or somehow jumped the track and became the center housed in the fire hall. The original grants were to fund that project, which was to become self-supporting. It was not, and we are now asked to vote in a “hospital district” funded by a tax increase.
I am not sure what a hospital district means, other than the tax increase. I do know if we had an emergency, we would dial 911, and our emergency service folks from the fire department would come to our aid.
No other rural community in this county has a hospital, and probably none has a hospital district.
As far as I know, if a medical emergency arises, they also dial 911 and are transported to St. Joseph Hospital’s excellent facilities.
In case of extreme emergency, Canadian physicians may legally come here to provide care.
Contrary to popular opinion, we may still visit most Canadian physicians. Bellingham provides very comprehensive medical care.
The local care center was a nice idea, and its operation seems to have proven it is not needed.
It did nothing to fulfill Ed’s dream of a residence for the elderly.
The Point does not need another district. It does not need another committee. It does not need another tax increase.
Ruby G. White
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I would like to defend myself against the slurs upon my good name penned by Mr. Calder in your final issue of 2004.
Mr. Editor, I can assure you that since 1968 I’ve been a bona fide (male) Canadian citizen.
I have never, ever used illegal substances, let alone such legal ones as nicotine. For 10 years I trained as a clinical psychologist, a profession I practiced for a decade (1963 – 1972).
I do hope that Mr. Calder is familiar with two concepts widely circulated – projection; the psycho-analytical defense mechanism; and paranoia, the psychiatric designation.
Both behaviors, or psychological stratagems, enable a person to avoid self-knowledge and to attribute their personal faults to others who have it in for them, allegedly.
With regard to Mr. Calder’s slur against Canada, my country, which I am led to believe once granted him a cozy refuge – he has thus demonstrated an unforgivable lack of gratitude to my adopted country, I do believe.
A.A. Grant
Vancouver, B.C.

The Editor:
Kiniski’s Reef Tavern held their third annual chili cook-off on November 20 and did we have a great time! We raised a great deal of money for the local food bank, sampled 10 different chilis, danced to country music and even won a few prizes. Third prize went to Josh Matthews, second prize to Val and Tom Mayer, first place to Wolfgang G., and the grand prize to Dani Magnusson.
A big thanks to them and to Brent and Dawn Rosso, Jim Robinson, Wayne Seeley, Henry Rosenthal, Leslie St. Nicholas and Dean Mattatall for donating very tasty chili. Thanks also goes to Paul Marshall for donating a portion of his sales of his many products and to Linda Krahn for her hand-made scarves and bears. Thanks to Linda and Paul and many others, we had a great silent auction. Last but not least, a great big thank you to everyone who came out to donate to a worthy cause, sampled chili and helped us to support our local food bank! We hope to see you all again next year.
Nick Kiniski & staff of Kiniski’s Reef Tavern
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Matthew Lang is obviously a Democrat that doesn’t care for my President George Bush. Yes, Jean Poutine loved Bill Clinton as Mr. Lang probably does but I was angered and embarrassed for my country when he showed up at the G7 Summit in Halifax.
I am an American living in Canada and I find Mr. Lang is very wrong about Canadians’ disdain for Americans. I have lived in Canada for 19 years and I know what the school systems teach about America, our values, lack of participation in WWI and WWII, etc. Just pick up a Canadian school history book and read it.
On the east coast they would definitely prefer to be Europeans or French. Canadians believe in a socialist society. When questioned why would Canadians go to resorts in Cuba the answer is, “it is cheap and what’s wrong with communism?” I say, ask the students in the Ukraine that question. Or how about the political prisoners in China?
Our freedoms and way of life have been and continues to be changed because of, “people’s hate of our free society.” America and George Bush may not be perfect but they are the best country and world leader happening. I can’t wait to come home!
Charlene Edwards
Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Editor:
Oh yum – this coffee is heavenly (Storm Chaser Blend; Dylan’s at Shell). Dark, shiny, rich beans, bursting with flavor – I digress, sorry. I suppose that comes with age – speaking of, it was not so very long ago that it was all too important to me to always be right; however, along with the wrinkles that maturity brings, there are blessings that counter-balance that sorry old mug in the mirror.
One such blessing is a bit of wisdom, maybe even grace, to be able to admire when one is wrong – as in the case of Dylan’s. Way back when, going under the original name of Expresso-oh!, I must confess, I was one of the early “doom and gloomers,” a nay-sayer who left their employ, convinced of impending failure on their part. I was extremely unhappy with the inevitable chaos that all change brings … and couldn’t see what was evolving.
I am happy to report that since I have drifted back into the little store, I have found so much that delights me – the coffee, mentioned above, is nothing short of fabulous – and roasted on the premises. The baked goods are myriad and ever-evolving (which I have come to see is not necessarily a bad thing).
The staff is helpful, welcoming and knowledgeable about all the new offerings – there are wonderful and unusual wines and beers, very reasonably priced – a cozy little coffee bar with a view of all the comings and goings – and a treasure trove of goodies tucked into every nook and cranny of the store.
Way to go. Dylan’s is truly a community gift to us all.
Patti Vopnford
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Last December 11 we had our ‘holiday dinner and fair’ at the community center. We would like to thank the crafters, businesses, and individuals who donated something to be raffled. We were able to raise $630 U.S. and $350 Canadian to be donated to the food bank.
We would also like to thank Steve O’Neill for preparing all the food – it was great!
Thanks also to “MCT” for supplying the music and Martin Anderson for helping Steve in the kitchen.
A special thanks to all the people who attended in support of the food bank. See you next year. Thanks again.
Ted & Sharon Munroe and Samantha Scholefield
Point Roberts

The Editor:
We would like to extend our thanks to friends and family for their support and condolences during the recent passing of Vic Iwersen, who was our brother, uncle and friend. Special thanks to fire chief Bill Skinner, deputy sheriff Jeff Turner, Ernie Loreen, those who sent flowers, cards, baking for the memorial and for sharing memories of Vic with us. We appreciate it.
Pauli & Fred DeHaan and family
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I appreciate the letter from former Point resident Matt Lang in last month’s All Point Bulletin. Obviously, Lang does not share my support for President Bush.
Moving to Richmond, B.C. may have provided Mr. Lang with a temporary fix for his anti-Bush fixation. But I question Matt’s claim that his Canadian neighbors share his Michael Moronic attitudes towards Mr. Bush. Ease up, Matt – the President is hardly the devil incarnate.
Having lived in Richmond myself, I can confirm that many new Canadians, particularly Asian-Canadians, support political freedom, lower taxes and U.S. - style entrepreneurship. That is why they left their repressive governments in the first place. Given the chance, many would move to the United States, and the brightest and most successful often do.
The suggestion that “booting out Bush” is going to change America’s direction in the coming years is naive. Of the 100 fastest-growing counties in the United States, only nine are in blue (Democratic) states, of those nine counties, only three voted for John Kerry. The fact is that George Bush won 97 of the 100 fastest-growing counties by a margin of 1.72 million votes. The citizens of these economic-engine counties are more politically conservative and they generally vote Republican. Mr. Lang may disapprove of this trend, but he would have difficulty denying its existence.
Contrary to Lang’s personal anecdotes, the majority of Canadian voters in Richmond-South Delta have consistently chosen a Conservative to represent them in Parliament. (John Cummins). Neither the Conservative Party of Canada nor the voters that elect them to Parliament are as embarrassingly anti-Bush as Mr. Lang.
There has been a significant conservative shift in values, culture and political attitudes on both sides of the border over the last few years. That trend is likely to continue. Following the election, a number of Hollywood celebrities (Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford, Alec Baldwin, etc.) announced their intention to leave the United States if Bush were re-elected. So far, they seem reluctant to do so. But I congratulate Matt for taking that bold step himself.
John Lesow
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Formed on October 30, 2002 by six members of the Point Roberts Blue Herons seniors group, namely, Sally Roberts, Henry and Esther Rosenthal, James and Joan Linde, and Dona Dyde as a project to get seniors in the community involved in a healthy lifestyle form soon turned into a community wide participation of individuals of all ages from eight months to 80 years of age and including a few of our Canadian neighbors.
This Wackie Walker group has had over 150 individuals who have participated in their walks, have a core group of 70 walkers, and a hard core group of 50 walkers who show up on a regular basis at 8 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
They walk in the sun, the wind, the rain and the snow. In the two years and four months since their beginning, there have been 240 scheduled walks and there has never been a cancellation because of the weather. As a group they have amassed a total of 7,773 walking miles since October 28, 2003.
One of the features of the Wackie walkers walks is that there is a “snack time” with coffee and some assorted health conscious goodies served after the walk which lasts about an hour or so and covers about a three mile trek each walking day. When they are not snacking at Lighthouse Park, some 45 different Wackie Walkers have opened up their homes to the group, for the snack time.
The Wackie Walkers often visit some of the local businesses after their Thursday morning walks, and have been to Brewster’s, the Roof House, Sterling Bank, Shell station, Caffé Capanna, Dockside at the Marina, Point Roberts Golf Course, the Maple Meadows B&B and the Point Roberts and refuse.
The Wackie Walkers have not limited themselves to just walking around the Point. They have gone to Deas Island & Boundary Bay Regional Parks Reifel Bird Sanctuary, and Steveston Quay all in Canada as well as the Semiahmoo spit and the harbor in Blaine.
And so the walk goes on. Won’t you join us. Everyone is welcome. You can call for schedule and info at 945-1934/1804/1711/or 2753.
J.K. Ferguson, Wackie Walker
Point Roberts

Dear Editor:
I wanted to acknowledge the parks and recreation board for opening the community center for the collage party on January 8. This fund raising event for Tsunami victims had a low turn-out due to the snow, but we had a great time and received some donations none the less!
Thank you to Arthur Wilkowski for donating his services for the refuse and recycling. And most of all, thank you to all the hearty souls and musicians who braved icy roads and cold winds to come and make beautiful collages and music.
May the intentions that you set for the New Year show up in your lives in wonderful ways.
Emily Bouchard
Point Roberts

The Editor:
The local volunteer medical clinic has apparently failed – but the Point’s entitlement junkies have thought of a great new way to keep this essential service on the Point, even make it better – get the property owners to pay for it. (Funny how a service that never existed here until last year has suddenly become essential!)
Folks should be able to voluntarily band together and fund their medical facility as a non-profit church or whatever – like the previous clinic – but they appear to prefer these days to work the system (and be organized thanks to Wallace, Rosenthal, Oakley, Anderson et al).
They’re willing to force every property owner to kick in for their pet project (that way it’ll be cheaper for them)!
Makes you wonder though, why people who have medical conditions would move to an isolated and economically febrile area like Point Roberts and then agitate for increased taxes to have more convenient medical services? If you need constant medical attention doesn’t it make sense to move close to where those survives are already available?
But back to my extraordinary plea – please don’t vote!
In the proposed Point Roberts hospital district, a simple majority of 40 percent of the votes counted in the last general election (242 votes)is all that’s required to force another $50 to $400 in annual property taxes on property owners.
So the only practical way to defeat this is to have fewer than 242 total ballots cast. A 122 to 121 vote gets it through because 40 percent have voted; if one less person voted against it – the proposal fails (122 for and 120 against fails of the 40 percent rule; even 240 for and one against fails). You do the math.
Opponents of higher taxes are strategically better off not to cast a ballot if they cannot be certain of gathering more votes than these in favor – and on apple-pie issues, (hospitals, skate board parks, schools) you can’t be sure. Who the heck votes against sweetness, light and essential services?
But I fled to the States from the socialistic thinking in Canada. The idea of these folks voting themselves money out of my pocket is frustrating – and unfair. I have trouble paying my taxes as it is!
I remember reading a warning from one of the Founding Fathers once – that long before the economically comfortable started to worry about the burden of taxation, the marginal middle class would be taxed into ruin.
Am I the only person in Point Roberts who is unwilling or unable to give another cent in taxes to government? Am I the only one who realizes that the want of Point Roberts citizens will always exceed their ability to pay? Am I the only one willing to suffer the discomfort of fewer government services in return for keeping more of my hard-earned dollars?
How long can our Republic (the freest nation to ever exist) survive when the electorate can vote themselves bread, circuses and hospitals they think/hope the ‘other guy’ is going to pay for?
And I wonder how many property owners are the yes vote on this and how much of it is the idealistic, uneducated, inexperienced non-property owners for whom it is a freebee anyway.
How is it that tyranny has come to sound so good (your health is so important!) and common sense sound so bad.
Stuart Grant
Point Roberts

The Editor:
This is a somewhat late thank you letter directed to the many people in Point Roberts and elsewhere who gave me support and encouragement during my recent hospitalization and rehabilitation. The problem which landed me in St. Joseph Hospital on November 2 was complications from diabetes with an amputation, a heart attack and two strokes which almost did me in. My rugged determination and will to live bolstered by many prayers and good wishes from many directions, especially from Point Roberts, is I am sure, what got me to the point where I am now.
In rehab at St. Francis I was told they couldn’t discharge me until my home was equipped with a wheelchair ramp. My devoted wife/partner when learning of this mandate called an ad in the All Point Bulletin to see if that person could build the ramp.
She reached Aaron Einfeld who offered to design and build a ramp and on hearing that I was a retiree who was just barely getting by on a state pension and social security, and would be hospitalized at least seven weeks, said he would donate his labor. The Einfelds suggested that we solicit contributions to help pay for the material which was supplied on credit by Nielsen Building Center.
Those contributions reduced the balance owing Nielsen by well over half. Thankfully I’ll be able to scrape up the remainder in a few months time, if more contributions to that account set up in the name of my wife, Angela, don’t come in.
So I wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the wonderful people who contributed so generously to the solution to my problem and have made mine and Angela’s lives so much fuller and easier at this most crucial time. Thank you again and God bless you all.
Ted Mohr
Point Roberts

The Editor:
The Aydon Wellness Clinic has met and exceeded all expectations of the definition of success. During the grant application phase it was projected that there would be 800 patient visits per year. In fact, there were over 1,000.
The grant funding ends this April. The years of hard work of the Pioneer Group, equipment purchased and unrecoverable momentum will be lost if we fail to vote for a public hospital district.
It’s not going to cost each taxpayer very much for the privilege of local health care. Tax monies raised stay in Point Roberts. There’s no big umbrella organization our money goes in to.
So many people, especially our seniors, absolutely rely on this clinic.
Honestly, where else nowadays can you say folks can make after-hours visits or even get house calls? (Bless your heart, Virginia!)
My own family actually has (thus far) had little personal use of the clinic, but we sure appreciate it being there for our friends and neighbors. I can’t think of a community that needs local health care more.
Think of your ballot, as one of Ed Aydon’s aluminum cans. No – it’s not junk mail! Put all together, our ‘yes’ votes will carry out his selfless vision.
It’s time to be selfless, folks, and think of our whole community’s well being. Please vote yes on forming a hospital district then chose three candidates for the commissioner’s positions on your ballot.
Sue Johnson
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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