LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor:
I, like many others, was out of the country when the confluence of wind, tide and waves occurred causing considerable distress to us all. Fortunately for me, and I am sure others, some kind Samaritans thought ahead of the potential disasters that may occur and braved the elements to tie down my propane tank in a manner that prevented it from sailing about the yard when the water reached its higher levels.
Even though the tank did float, and turned on its side, it did not rip loose and cause who knows what chaos. I would like to thank all those many unidentified persons for their kind help and assistance. It is greatly appreciated.
Tarrnie Williams
Point Roberts

The Editor:
While the last question in the headline, “Mad cow. Bird flu. What next? Tainted pig?” (January) was clearly intended to put smiles on our faces (and it did!), regarding an otherwise serious matter, it really drives home the point I’ve been making for decades.
It is truly mind-boggling, the extent to which we, as a society, completely over-react to relatively minor and/or potential problems and, simultaneously, severely under-react to (in fact, virtually ignore) a very real, major and ongoing (for the foreseeable future – in fact, it’s projected to get much worse before it ever gets better) problem. Specifically, I refer to tobacco.
Over the last decade or so, I would guess that, worldwide, literally billions, perhaps trillions of fowl and livestock have been needlessly slaughtered because one bird or one cow among them was found to have one “potentially deadly” virus or another.
Nope, we can’t take any chances! Why risk it? Better safe than sorry! Slaughter the whole flock ’n herd – and every animal that ever came into contact with it over the last 20 years! We just can’t risk a pandemic (doesn’t that word just send shivers down your spine?), especially that avian bird flu one, that sounded so imminent when we first heard about it – two or three years ago! I believe the human death toll from avian bird flu, globally, currently stands at 75, maybe 80.
Tobacco, on the other hand, kills about five million people each and every year. Tobacco kills more Americans every three days than were killed in all of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Tobacco is the leading – and most easily (and cheaply) preventable – cause of disease, disability and premature death. The tobacco industry, despite its vehement denials, targets kids (how many people do you know who started smoking at or after the legal age to purchase cigarettes?). Tobacco is one of the biggest drains on our “in-crisis” health-care system. Tobacco is, by far, the leading form of litter, etc.
Notwithstanding the billions of dollars that nations all over the world are throwing at the potential avian bird flu pandemic... If the way we’ve responded to the very real, here and now tobacco pandemic is any indication of how we’ll fare against the avian bird flu, we might as well just kiss our you-know-whats goodbye right now.
Whoops, I forgot: There is no multi-billion dollar, multi-national “avian bird flu” industry. If there was – and that industry made political payoffs like the tobacco industry does – bird flu would suddenly and magically disappear off the radar.
But that’s all such heavy, depressing stuff. Let’s lighten things up a bit – and throw a few billion bucks at the dreaded (not to mention, potential) tainted pig pandemic!
Errol E. Povah
President, Airspace Action on
Smoking & Health
Delta, B.C.

The Editor:
This is an open letter to people new to Point Roberts. First of all, “Welcome.” We need a vibrant community to help the local economy. It’s nice to see the local building contractors busy year-round. We are pleased that you have chosen this beautiful spot to make your home.
However, I have no wish to offend, but I feel I must speak out on something which I am finding increasingly disturbing – that once here, some (not all) newcomers then start asking questions such as: “Where are the sidewalks?” and “Where are the street lights?”
Well, not to put too fine a point on it, but – ahem! Why, exactly did you move here? If it’s a city you want, then it would seem this is not the place for you. Most of us here love the unspoiled beauty. We don’t want wider streets, enabling sidewalks because… Boom! There go more trees. We don’t want streetlights, because we like to see the stars at night. At the moment most drivers are aware of the dangers of pedestrians and cyclists on these narrow roads and drive accordingly.
Anyone who thinks streetlights cut down on crime need to remember this fact… cities have streetlights and most crime occurs in cities.
Sue Johnson
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Just a short note of thanks to the Canadian volunteer coast guard. On Saturday, February 4, the combination of high water and high tide caused the ocean to wash out our breakwater of logs and flood our property.
Within 45 minutes the coast guard was at our door offering any assistance we needed. They went in the water up to their chest to rope down and secure our propane tank and stuck around until the danger was over in case we had to evacuate.
Great job guys – much appreciated.
Gary & Carole Viner
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Folks seem to have accepted what they have read in the paper. Recent articles have concluded that no one is interested in participating in local organizations.
I suspect there are some fairly simple reasons why memberships have dropped off. A large number of newer residents are unfamiliar with the local groups and their purpose. This coupled with the fact some of the more recent directors were tempted to use their positions as whetstones on which to sharpen their own little agenda hatchets has resulted in diminished participation.
It is likely none of us would be living here had the Point Roberts Registered Voters Association not been founded over 30 years ago. The registered voters numbered less than 100. When we learned of an international commission’s plan to gradually reduce and eliminate the residents of the Point, the organization was formed.
We were successful in thwarting this plan, as we were recognized as the only group which could legitimately represent the local community to the various levels of government. That is still true.
Surely, if the organization could flourish as it did with smaller populations, it should grow now that we have so many capable, interesting people joining this community.
I hope many of them will show an interest and participate in the group as it prepares for the annual general meeting. There should once again be competition for a place on the executive board. Whether concerns involve county, state, or federal situations, that is the organization through which to make your concerns known. I hope the April AGM will be attended by a large group of folks who are concerned about the best interests of our ‘other San Juan Island.’
Ruby G. White
Point Roberts

The Editor:
My family and I would like to express our appreciation to all those involved in the pumping effort at Maple Beach following the recent storm. This community support is what makes Point Roberts special and one of the many reasons we enjoy our time there so much.
Thank you all!
D. Westphal
Point Roberts & Oregon

The Editor:
As the secretary of the Registered Voter’s Association, I would like to notify everyone that we are postponing our annual AGM until April, exact date to be determined and announced later this month.
We are actively trying to re-invigorate our group and will be soliciting comments from all current and/or future members as to what topics you feel are most important for us to address. On the agenda for the AGM we will be discussing the role of the voter’s association in community affairs, and most importantly, the representation of the voters and residents of Point Roberts.
Some suggestions have already been made covering the areas of county code enforcement, emergency plan and response, current postal service, and general infrastructure (roads, ditches, seawall). We have also received many suggestions that we explore changing the criteria for membership to possibly include green card holders, or other residents who are not yet registered to vote in Whatcom County. In previous years the Voter’s Association has been an energetic, purposeful organization, and we are working diligently toward returning to the group’s original goals.
For all of you who may be interested in attending our AGM to hear firsthand what we are hoping to accomplish, please keep an eye out for flyers, mail-outs, and future articles and ads in this newspaper.
Holly Malysh
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Thank you very much to all the friends, neighbors, and fire and rescue workers who helped us during the storm. Their kind efforts in our time of need were greatly appreciated.
Josanne Lovick
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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