LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor:
As a frequent visitor to Point Roberts I have often wondered about the origin of the carvings on the rock situated just below the Lutheran Church on A.P.A. Road. No one seemed to know much about it, other than referring to it as “the old Indian rock.”
As I had never before seen this particular type of peck carving, I took several photographs and sent prints to the U.B.C. Department of Anthropology. Their findings were quite interesting to me and I would like to pass them on to any of your readers similarly interested.
The rock is designated as a Spirit Quest Stone. The center “boss” represents the beginning of the quest and the spiral rings are the journey towards the spirit. The zigzag formations lower down probably indicate “power” – often found in aboriginal petroglyphs and pictographs.
The age of the carvings is estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,500 years old. This type of petroglyph seems to have originated on Gabriola Island where there are several similar examples. The first such stones on the mainland were found at Marpole in Vancouver and they are, therefore, referred to as Marpole Stones.
Eric J. Kettle
Delta, B.C.

The Editor:
Here’s some great news for Point Roberts horse lovers. Horse owners have recently come together to form the Point Roberts Horsemen’s Association. Currently, there are over 50 horses living on the Point and more are coming all the time. Appropriately, the goals of the new organization are to provide for the health and welfare of these horses and to assist in the education of their owners.
Horse owners on the Point face some unique challenges in moving their horses back and forth across the border and in obtaining veterinarian and farrier services. By working together we can help ensure that all the Point’s horses are provided the services they need in a safe and timely manner.
The organization is also hoping to work in other ways to improve the safety of horses on the Point. Since much of the riding that is available here requires the horses to travel along the roads we want to provide for positive interactions between horses and automobiles. Horses are easily spooked, and a frightened horse is as likely to leap into or in front of a car as to jump in the opposite direction.
The association is looking for ways to encourage drivers to slow down and swing wide around horses, not only to ensure the safety of the horse and rider, but also to protect the driver’s vehicle and family. A thousand pounds of horse does a tremendous amount of damage to an automobile. Loud noises and sudden movement are two of the things most likely to spook a horse. Therefore, horses find fast moving cars, diesel engines, car horns, large trucks, vehicles pulling trailers and motorcycles particularly frightening.
A Tack Exchange/Sale took place May 20 at 1480 Gulf Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants were invited to clean out their tack rooms and bring the things they no long use to be recycled into the horse community. Of course it was not necessary to be a club member to attend the sale/exchange and everyone was welcome. Future events might include fun shows, barbeques and a poker ride.
Anyone wishing information about Point Roberts Horsemen’s Association can email the association at prha@pointroberts.net. Congratulations, Point Roberts, on this great addition to a wonderful community.
Mary Edgley
Point Roberts

The Editor:
In your recent letters to the editor and a guest editorial – a prior water commissioner has taken the opportunity to lecture and chastise the present board of commissioners by presenting false information as to their duties and responsibilities and lately called into question their competence.
Well, let’s have a peek into his tenure: Where the books were unauditable by the state auditor, and his board steadfastly refused to upgrade to computerization like the rest of the 20th century. That came in under the next board, when they allowed the manager to manage the district.
The manager at the time was Larry Renshaw. He quickly modernized the system to what it is today and all this without being an engineer, a CPA or an attorney. How could this be possible, you ask? I promised Larry I wouldn’t tell, but I can’t resist – Larry suffered from an overabundance of common sense. When he retired, Dan Bourks took over as manager and has done a great job improving on Larry’s start and having to adapt to the new rules put in place by various government agencies.
Under the old rules – no problem; add more storage and there is no water problem. If common sense were to be used the government would allow a variance for Point Roberts until more water can be secured because they know the ultimate build-out under zoning and growth management plans. Point Roberts is like an island; 3,200 acres, give or take, so it can’t expand.
There is a petition being circulated called the common sense plan. It wouldn’t make it past a first year law student for all its violations of federal and state laws. It should be titled the nonsense plan.
For some people to accuse this board and their manager of doing nothing is a complete falsehood. Maybe these self-serving individuals should keep to themselves and tell each other how smart they are because none of them are bright enough to power a one-watt bulb.
In closing, if you can’t offer something constructive, please keep it to yourself. Keep up the good work, ladies and Dan. There are no fast and simple solutions. Good luck.
Ron Calder
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Recorder players in Point Roberts – a group is forming to play early music! Early music is usually anything before Mozart, but selecting pieces to play will be flexible. Do you play any instrument from an earlier time?
Recorders, Harpsichord, viola da gamba (cello), lute, etc. all could add to the fun. If there is a piano player interested, a small harpsichord is available. For those interested in joining but not playing yet, free teaching/coaching is available. Please contact me at 945-1462 or merlecapps@hotmail.com.
Merle Capps
Point Roberts

The Editor:
We would like to voice our appreciation to the many volunteers who made the WTA vanpool – “The Blue Heron Express” such a positive part of our past school year. Our daughters participated in cross-country, track and field, volleyball and soccer at both Blaine middle and high schools this year. The majority of their transportation was via the WTA vanpool.
Many volunteers – who do not have students in Blaine schools – are contributing to the organization and operation of this vanpool service which is used by the students and others in our community.
Our thanks to all of you!
The Raine family
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I have much gratitude for the citizens who recently stepped forward to take positions on the executive board of the Point Roberts Registered Voters Association. They have breathed life into an organization vital to this community. This new board is composed of a healthy cross-section of folks, many of whom will have to be introduced to one another. No “good ol’ boy” group. No agenda. They will likely often disagree. As Ms. Stewart is wont to say, “that is a good thing.”
There are not always issues to be dealt with, but when those arise which are a concern to the folks who live here, there is an organization to determine their wishes and represent them. It is better to have such a group here and not need it than to suddenly find we need one and not have it. I encourage more registered voters to join the association and participate in their endeavors and activities such as candidates’ night.
Ruby White
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I wrote to the folks of Point Roberts several years ago and the editor of your local newspaper was kind enough to make note of it to your readers.
I am the son of Dui Marino Edvalds, who married Elin Myrdal, back in the 1920s I think. Part of my fun in growing up, was to go to Point Roberts, to visit Avi (Icelandic for Grandpa). My heritage is from Iceland and we recently heard from a man in New Jersey who is my cousin.
We lived in Blaine right near the border, and then in a house of Victorian style, with a steeple, and it as far as I know, it is still on the curve coming into Blaine via the old 99 highway.
It is my understanding that house was bought by a pilot, and they tried to use it as a bed and breakfast. My room was at the top of the stairs to the left. I was only two to three years old when our family moved to Ballard, (Seattle area, north end).
I am 64 years of age. We have a large family now, many grand kids and much Icelandic looking grandchildren.
Our sister, Lillian, died about six or seven years ago; her married name was Lillian Barnes. Our other sister is Lorraine (Dale) Ellison, (nee Edvalds.) Leslie, my brother, is 15 months older than I.
After running all of the Squire Shops that were popular menswear stores, I ended up owning my own men’s store. I am retired, and have Multiple Sclerosis, but I seem to handle it as best as one can handle such a diagnosis. Dui Edvalds, and Elin Edvalds are buried at Floral Gardens Memorial Gardens in Lynnwood.
I am extremely thankful for being an Icelander. As I learn, and have traveled to Iceland,
I appreciate our ancestry so incredibly.
Thanks for “hearing me out.”
John Edvalds
Tacoma

The Editor:
The Blaine school district and the community of Point Roberts are collaborating to provide the community an opportunity to tell us what they want for their children in our school at Point Roberts. We will be mailing a survey to every registered voter in Point Roberts.
The results from this survey will provide insight into the priorities of Point Roberts residents in the education of its youth.
Through this survey, we hope to accomplish the following: better understand parents’ expectations, understand what considerations are made by families when they select a school for their child(ren), understand the reasons why Point Roberts families choose other school options and assist the Blaine school district to create a long term strategic plan for the Point Roberts primary campus.
This survey can also be completed online by visiting www.blaine.wednet.edu. Surveys are to be completed by June 15 and they can be dropped off at the Point Roberts primary school or the community center.
We look forward to continuing to strive to provide the quality of education we all want for our children.
James “Red” Goodwin, director, Blaine
school board
Blaine

The Editor:
The following is a personal note written from my home and does not reflect the opinions of anyone else on the board.
I was taught to respect my elders, but I’m finding this one a little tough.
Having endured the barrage of criticism from Syd Wallace re: the incompetence of the present water board, I have to make a few points.
It seems Mr. Wallace is unclear on the concept of exactly what a commissioner’s role should be.
A good management team does delegate.
A commissioner does not need to be an engineer.
We cannot shirk our responsibilities to future generations. A sustainable system must be maintained. Assets depreciate, infrastructure needs maintenance, repair and replacement and a rate scale to support the system must be implemented. This is the first board to truly look at the future.
Yes, we knew the crunch was coming and yes, it is taking time to develop new water sources. In our defense though, to go from approximately 15 – 20 water connections in one year to a request for 50 in one day, can only be described as a growth “explosion!”
Besides planning for the future, the absolute basics also need to be taken care of. How is it, then, that under Wallace’s watch, the books were in such a shambles as to be deemed ‘Un-auditable?’
Sue Johnson, Point Roberts water
district commissioner
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I would like to thank the Point Roberts fire department, and especially John Shields, for coming to our assistance when I locked my keys, and the old blind dog, in the car. In the sun. With the windows up. A simple visit to the fire station, luckily on practice night, and he was there in minutes to help, despite the fact that it is certainly not his job as a firefighter to help a silly woman who has locked herself out of her car.
I have to also express some sadness that when I sheepishly called 911, acknowledging that this was certainly a small ‘e’ emergency, I was told that deputies did not respond to calls of this nature. The operator helpfully gave me the number of a towing company in Delta.
While I know the two deputies who serve Point Roberts, as people, would have come to my aid if they knew of my plight – Jeff Turner last fall rescued said old, blind dog from the blackberry bushes – the big message remains, “that’s not their job.”
It is my feeling that in a small, isolated community like this one, helping a citizen in distress, no matter how self-inflicted, should be the calling of all the men and women who protect our public safety. I only wish that the official line could reflect that. It might not be their job, but it’s the right thing to do. And it didn’t take him that long.
Meg Olson
Point Roberts

The Editor:
My wife Sue and I would like to offer a big thank you to Nick Kiniski, John Shields, and all the other EMTs who offered fast, flawless and fantastic help to our 15-year old boy who suffered serious facial trauma this past Saturday evening, May 20.
All indications are that he was hit from behind by a vehicle while riding his bike on the 300 block of Mill Road around 8:30 p.m. Because he was knocked unconscious by the impact, we have no witnesses. If anyone saw what happened, please call us at 945-1598.
Milt Litchard
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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