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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
The Editor:
Halloween was ever so much fun this year! I had more than one
child run up to me at the Dockside Halloween Community Party
and tell me that this was the best Halloween that they ever
had!
Sponsored by the Point Roberts Arts Foundation and Dockside
Cafe, we turned the Dockside Cafe into a little spookatorium.
We had a room with eight different carnival style games including
a pumpkin walk and a “Wheel of Misfortune.”
I think the biggest hit however was the Haunted House in
the sunroom which was actually very sophisticated due
to the horror writing background and backbreaking labor
of John Sheppard and the dedicated assistance of reptile
handler, Allan Weeden. (Yes, we had real snakes!) Point
Recycling and Refuse provided styrofoam and black tarps
for props, Nielson’s provided black plastic
and money for decorations, and Jason McDougall of Captain Bob’s
Emporium provided literally thousands of prizes. Thank you Shelly,
Rob, Heather, Neil, Mary, Craig and Anita, Eddie, Mark and Helena,
Hal, Jay and everyone who helped make this such a success. You
are family to me and to the almost 100 children who came to this
event.
Pamela Oakley, manager of the soon to
open “Captain Bob’s Emporium”
Point Roberts
Dear Editor:
It was with shock and dismay that I read in the November issue
of the All Point Bulletin, that a cell phone can “pierce” the
stronghold of the microwave oven. This is very disconcerting.
Can you imagine what must be going on inside our heads due
to this evil intrusion?
This shook me so much that I decided to check out some other “wireless” devices.
I put my cordless telephone in the microwave (of course with
the microwave off), and tried calling it. Hey wait a minute,
it worked perfectly! How can this be?
Let me try something else. How about an AM radio? I put a
functioning AM radio in the microwave as well. What?
It works as well. What can this mean? Does it mean that
cordless appliances and AM radios use radiation that
is as powerful as microwaves? Should I be using my cordless
phone to heat up my leftovers?
Of course not. Microwave ovens block microwave radiation
because they use a type of shielding specific to the
wavelength of that particular frequency of radiation.
This is not a secret. It is high school physics.
If anyone would like to understand how microwave energy can
be localized in a device made of plastic and light sheet metal,
do some research on line. I did try one more experiment. I
wrapped my cell phone in one layer of aluminum foil (purchased
at the market). Guess what, no signal. Hmm … I suggest that anyone
that feels the need to protect themselves from unwanted terrestrial
radiation line their hat with aluminum foil. It will be much
more effective than trying to find a place to live that is not
literally washed in radiation from one source or another.
Dallas Martineau
Point Roberts
The Editor:
I have always enjoyed reading the All Point Bulletin. I
like being informed about the things shaping the community
I live in. And yes, I will admit to reading the sheriff’s report.What’s
disturbing me is the “Crime Round-Up” section in
last month’s paper. Heaven help anyone who gets into a
spat with his or her spouse, or is ever in a compromising situation.
Personal lives will be exposed for everyone to judge. As a “community
paper” I would think hurting people and their families
would be against what you stand for. I also think one is innocent
until proven guilty. Once a court of law (not the paper) has
found one guilty of something, then report it to the community.
Until then, mind your own business. We are not all perfect. I
am sure the author of the articles in question has done something
wrong, or god forbid, something stupid. I just do not see what
it helps to have these people’s mistakes thrown
around like that.
As far as you possibly saying these alleged crimes
impact the community, then by all means, put them in
the sheriff’s
report; which previously did not include names. Disclosing
names like was done is only hurtful to those who are
innocent.
I know for a fact that several of the people mentioned
have children. Is it right for these children to have to
see that? Don’t
you think they are already affected? What ever these
individuals end up having to deal with is enough without your paper
smearing their lives all over its pages.
Shame on you APB! The “Crime Round-Up” reeks
of spitefulness and meanness.
I truly feel bad for those folks names in those
articles. I will always now have a doubt in my
mind to the accuracy and truthfulness of any article
published in your paper, for it seems to me that
all bets are off when reporting in the All Points
Gossip.
Darlanne Buendia
Point Roberts
The Editor:
The All Point Bulletin sheriff’s report has traditionally
been a staple for Point Roberts gossipmongers. So why do we now
need a “Crime Round Up” to embellish the details
of Point Roberts arrests? The charges of child rape, drug smuggling
and domestic violence are just that – charges. We don’t
need the sordid details, which could well be prejudicial to the
residents charged, set out in a community newspaper.
John Lesow
Point Roberts
The Editor:
Upon reading your articles in the November edition of the All
Point Bulletin, in the column you titled “Crime Watch,” I
noticed a pattern. You failed to contact each individual you
were writing about to allow them to make a statement, or at
least comment, on your so called facts.
I attended the preliminary hearings for the Lopez/Calder case
and your facts are quite wrong in several instances. Mrs. Lopez
and Mrs. Calder have yet to give any type of statement or testimony.
You should be ashamed of yourselves for this type of irresponsible
journalism. Have you ever heard of innocent until proven guilty?
We still have that in this country. Did the children of these
individuals you clearly named need to hear or read these accusations
that are being made upon their parents? I think not.
You say you want to do what is best for the community; well
the individuals in two of your stories are core members of
this community.
All three of these families have lived in Point Roberts for
well over 30 years, and in numerous situations over those decades,
have been instrumental in building this community to what it
is today through volunteer work and business ownership. Remember
innocent until proven guilty!
David J. Archer
Blaine
Publisher’s
Note:
The All Point Bulletin has a long-standing policy regarding
the reporting of crimes in the community. We report arrests
without names in the sheriff’s report.
If any of those persons arrested is charged with a major
felony we report the information to support those charges
that are filed with the court by the county prosecutor.
All information is taken directly from the affidavit of probable
cause, a public document. We also report the plea entered by
the defendant.
Our criminal justice system is not a private one. As a community,
we elect not only the legislators who create our laws but also
the county sheriff, prosecutors and judges who charge and try
those individuals suspected of having violated those laws.
Our courtrooms and court records are, in most circumstances,
open to the public. We report their proceedings as we report
the proceedings of other elected public bodies charged with
upholding or implementing our laws.
Why do we do this? Because we are the community newspaper
and we recognize the community has the right to know
what is happening in their community. It is, in fact,
the role of the newspaper.
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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