LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor and Mike at the Texas Water Development Board:
I have been studying the success that you have had instituting rainwater harvesting in Texas.
We are the tiny community of Point Roberts, Washington that is totally disjointed from the rest of the U.S.; in fact, you have to go through Canada to get to the rest of America.
We get our water from Vancouver, British Columbia and the powers that be, i.e. our local water board is hell bent on spending millions of dollars on increasing our water storage facilities and purifying water from old wells.
After the obligatory cost overruns, you can bet that this method of proceeding is going to cost the 1,500 or so people who reside here horrendously.
The situation is just a microcosm of what happened in Texas except for a couple of factors: one, we have tons of rainwater; two, we don’t have as much money as Texas.
I have studied the Texas rainwater harvesting manual and the final report of November 2006 outlining the successes and would like to pass on my congratulations for implementing this innovative solution.
I have also talked to and passed on the web site to our water board for consideration; however, it has not nudged them toward logical thinking.
Are there any other reports or testimonials that you can suggest which might get them to see the light? Anything that you can provide would be helpful and I will keep you advised. Thanks.
Tom Miller
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Well, Whacky or Wacky, the Walkers are still walking. The misspelling of the name of the group in the last issue engendered some wailing, and a whale of a discussion: Were we more Whacky than Wacky?
Would Wacky Walkers need to be wary of Whackers? Would Whacky Walkers end up bush whacking while walking the woods? Why would we change from Wacky to Whacky? Would women and their willing walking partners win more walkers or end up whistling in the wind? Would William whine? Would Wendy wander? The error whipped up wide discussions filled with whimsical wishes and witty words of wisdom. When finished, the winning decision was to wing it, to see what would be.
Why wait? Walking’s wonderful. Join the group Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings every week. Every Tuesday at Lighthouse Parking lot by the ocean at exactly 0800 hours for warm-up exercises and a brisk one-hour walk. Man’s best friend is welcome to join. Call Jim at 945-1938, or Sally at 945-1804, or just come to Lighthouse Park on Tuesday at 0800 hours – we’ll be there!
Annette Hamm
Point Roberts

The Editor:
The Point Roberts Garden Club has distributed the donations from our very successful 2006 Garden Tour. Half of the proceeds have been used to help local community organizations, with the remainder assigned to beautification projects on the Point. We are finalizing plans for our first beautification project, which we hope to plant this spring.
Last fall we made a $500 donation to the Point Roberts Food Bank, to help those in need within the community. A scholarship of $500 was presented to Dollars for Scholars for any person wanting to pursue environmentally related studies. This spring we have given $250 to the Historical Society towards the purchase of a professional quality tape recorder, which will be used to gather the oral history of Point Roberts. Another $250 went to the Tsawwassen Animal Hospital for the Point Roberts animal welfare fund. They graciously take care of our many feral cats – spaying and neutering them for population control, providing other treatments, and often finding homes for them – for the most part using their own resources. Finally, a $500 donation was made to PREP, the Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness Committee, for their general fund.
We have made the decision that PREP will be the sole recipient of our community donation for 2007, as this organization will endeavor to provide broad-based help for the community in the event of an emergency. In order to provide support or assistance in an emergency situation, PREP will gather information from interested individuals who have special needs such as health or mobility issues. They plan to buy a generator to supply power for an emergency shelter.
As Garden Tour fundraisers in preparation for this year’s tour, summer bulbs from Dutch Gardens will be sold outside the International Marketplace on April 7, 14 & 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On April 21 the Garden Club is holding an open house from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the community center. There will be a silent auction and a performance by the Point Roberts Wind Ensemble. Please join us for an afternoon of fun and the opportunity to meet your fellow gardeners.
Sincere thanks to all of you who joined us on such a lovely day to view the gardens last July. Special thanks to the garden owners, sponsors, volunteers and everyone else who helped to make the tour such a success. We could not have done it without you!
If you would like us to consider your garden for this year’s tour, or a future tour, please contact one of the committee members. Our new website www.pointrobertsgardenclub.org is now available for contact information.
We look forward to seeing you at this year’s tour on July 8.
Jessica McVey, Carol Fuegi, Dave
Stumpo, Maureen Buckley
Point Roberts Garden Club
Point Roberts

The Editor:
First, I would really like to thank everyone for the opportunity to be your chamber president. The board of directors that we have right now are such great people to work with and we are implementing some very exciting projects. Thank you vice president Byron Velasquez, secretary Heather McPhee, treasurer Darlene Perritt and board members Michelle Carson, Karen Holstead, Jane McDougal and Helena Furno.
Our annual chamber social kicks off the season with a bang this year on April 21, “Hooray for Hollywood” is our theme for both social and parade on the 4th of July. Elvis will be in the house for the social and it will be a costume party so don’t be afraid to become a Hollywood star!
We are in the process of getting information about a health insurance plan for chamber members. Medical insurance is one of the most important issues that we face today and using our chamber as a strong buying group is a tool that we need to explore.
We have produced postcards to advertise Point Roberts and we will place them throughout western Washington and Canada. They have the chamber of commerce website information to guide visitors to local businesses.
We have many more plans in the works that I can report to you on a monthly basis.
My goal is to make joining the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce well worthwhile and to nurture, with vision precious, beautiful Point Roberts.
Pamala Sheppard
Point Roberts

The Editor and Those Interested in the Septic/Sewage (OSS) Regulations:
First I want to thank those who attended the recent meeting or who have conveyed their concerns regarding this issue. The OSS inspection/evaluation schedule (every three years for gravity systems and every year for all others) is a requirement from the state of Washington (WAC 246-272A-0270). Who does the evaluations is where we may have some flexibility.
I contacted the county executive’s office to request some time to work with the health department regarding the specific part of the OSS regulations that deal with the inspection/evaluation schedule. Executive Pete Kremen has graciously allowed health department staff to work with me on the issue of who does the evaluations of septic systems.
I brought a proposal to the meeting with the health department staff last Friday. I proposed that the county set up a homeowners’ class to allow homeowners to learn how to do evaluations of their systems. Once the homeowners are certified they would be able to do their own evaluations for five years in a row. On the sixth year they would hire a licensed Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Specialist, preferably the same person who comes out to inspect/pump their tanks. By the time this rule kicks in there should have been enough time for those who apply to become licensed O&M specialists to have completed the course provided by the health department. I believe many of them will also be pumpers. Remember the whole process will take a number of years to get set up.
One of the first items, even before the classes, would be for the county to complete an evaluation of the systems that currently exist. I also propose that, during the initial evaluation process, homeowners who can provide documentation that their tanks have been inspected/pumped within the last three years of the initial evaluation period should be considered as current. Finishing up a countywide evaluation of current systems will also probably take a number of years. So it may be five or six years before the inspection schedule requirements even take effect.
Health department staff said they would come back with a draft of my proposals in the context of the state requirements within a week. At that time I will send a copy of the draft to everyone on the e-mail list and contact those who have indicated interest but don’t have e-mail.
I am interested in feedback because doing nothing is not an option. The schedule is a state mandate. I am interested in making it the least onerous as possible while keeping it effective and legal. Also I am only one council member. A number of other council members may be interested in some changes to the inspection/evaluation schedule but I don’t know for sure.
I believe there are many people who take responsible care of their septic systems. There are also those who don’t, either out of lack of knowledge or for other reasons. I do not wish to insult those who do know how to care for their systems but I believe that septic system failures can create public health issues off of an individual’s property. My rights end if they can negatively impact others.
Also, for the gentleman who was concerned that the council has been working on the regulation without any expert advice, our health department provides us our expert advice. If you are interested in knowing the qualifications of the particular staff persons, you can contact the executive’s office. Also there was a subcommittee formed that included persons in the OSS industry. The executive’s office also has that information. However, I believe we can still improve the regulation and keep it effective without violating the state law.
I look forward to striking a better balance with this regulation. With your assistance I think we can make it more effective and reasonable. Thank you for your patience.
You can e-mail me at bbrenner@co.whatcom.wa.us or bbgun1010@aol.com or you can call me at 384-2762.
Barbara Brenner, Whatcom County
Council member
Bellingham

The Editor:
We are outraged at the horrendous increase in property taxes on our cabin and the separate lot beside it, a lot we use for the pleasure of gardening. I wish to use the 50x100 foot lot as an example of an unjustifiable evaluation increase from $7,000 in 2006 to $45,000 in 2007. This evaluation increase has resulted in increased property taxes from $85.23 to $407.84 in 2007. Unbelievable! You figure the percentage increase on a small property used for gardening. The pleasure of gardening is gone! The evaluation is unsubstantiated simply because the property a) will not pass the perk test b) water connection is unavailable c) is unbuildable upon because of size, etc. d) is over evaluated as there are not any sale examples of similar properties in the immediate neighborhood.
County assessor Keith Wilnauer claims property taxes do not increase in lock step with evaluations property. Well, Mr. Wilnauer, the proof is in our tax statement.
Is this a one percent increase in property tax, as he maintains? Show me a taxpayer who would approve of such a massive money grab. This on property owners in so called private subdivisions (Bells Grove, South Beach Estates, etc) that receive no services from Whatcom County in return. None! Zero! The roads are similar to primitive cow trails, full of potholes, etc. No ditching, no snow removal, sidewalks or lighting. Nothing in services for 40 years of paying taxes to Whatcom County. Would someone please explain how taxes could be collected and get no services in return? I have been trying unsuccessfully all these years for answers as to why people don’t receive any services in private subdivisions, but must pay outrageous property taxes like everyone else.
Mathew J. Bohn
Point Roberts & Surrey, B.C.

The Editor:
I feel that I can finally sleep well in Point Roberts, knowing that Arthur Wilkowski thinks that it is his responsibility to notify the fire department of all small fires in the event that your small fire might be consuming something that should have entered his transfer station.
Mr. Wilkowski admitted to me that he had indeed notified the fire department that there was a fire on my property and that I might have been burning items that should have entered his solid waste facility.
Mr. Wilkowski’s license agreement with the county/state allows him to only collect or provide pick up service of household generated garbage. All other garbage, such as recyclables or contractor related waste can be, (and frequently is) collected by independent collection agencies at a great cost benefit to the customer.
I, for one, support this as do many other Point Roberts residents. In conclusion, it is time for a change in the Point Roberts garbage industry.
Craig Carter
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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