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Voters group looking to be revitalized

By Meg Olson

The Point Roberts Registered Voters Association board hopes to revitalize the organization at their annual general meeting on April 19 at 7 p.m. at the community center

“We’re trying actively to push for more members,” said Holly Malysh, one of only three board members remaining on the nine-position board of directors for the group. “We are going to be asking people to come and asking the people that do show up what they want us to work towards.”

This meeting would also be addressing some possible bylaw changes, Malysh said, including the possibility of limiting the board to seven positions, and welcoming full-time residents who are not voters to the group. The move is intended to attract a broader audience and end years of struggle to get a full, stable board of directors to guide the organization. “It’s definitely been an issue,” Malysh said. “We’ve had so much turnaround and there has been confusion among some directors about why the organization even exists.” Association president Reid Smith was the latest resignation, citing personal and business constraints.

With the upcoming meeting Malysh said they want to send a message to the community that the association continues to be about community support. “There are so many things we used to be involved with and I want us back in there,” she said.

On the advocacy side Malysh said the group wanted to apply pressure to the county to increase the level of code enforcement on the Point. They will also be active with the Point Roberts emergency preparedness group’s efforts. In a community support role Malysh said the organization needed to return to supporting local Dollars for Scholars and other programs.

The annual general meeting will be a time to review issues critical to Point Roberts and representatives from the border, the water district and the hospital district will be on hand to answer questions.

The meeting is scheduled for April 19 at 7 p.m. at the community center.