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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
The
Editor:
Someone mistakenly took my valuable tropical plants from outside
the gate at Bloomers Nursery.
I know this was a misunderstanding but these plants were not
there to be given away. Please return to Bloomers. No questions
asked.
Sylvia Schonberg
Point Robert
The Editor:
Mr. Brian Brackman’s letter in June’s All Point
Bulletin regarding the abysmal lack of service and/or facilities
we receive for the amount of tax revenue paid by residents
of Point Roberts, is an example of the quintessential elephant
standing in the living room and no one makes a comment noticing
it – until now.
Folks, this country began by starting a war because
of being heavily taxed with no representation; by comparison,
the early colonial settlers got a bargain compared to the short
shrift Whatcom County gives Point Roberts!
What is really amazing is the unbelievable apathy shown by the
body politic here while being fleeced in colossal style
and epic dimension.
No street snow removal (anyone remember last December, especially
if you didn’t have four wheel drive), no street lights,
no public schools without a three-day ride by wagon train to
get to them, no hospital, no animal control, no public works
or engineering, no serious reliable police service (call their
non-emergency number to report something and see how long it
takes to, if ever, get a call back), no public health access,
no public transportation and when you add up the numbers, folks,
we pay the same fare as our fellow citizens right smack
dab in the middle of the city of Bellingham.
Some may think it not possible, but the legal basis for just
pulling out of Whatcom County and forming our own county does
exist. It might take some extra-curricular effort, but the alternative
is this continued fiasco of having Whatcom County shove a gun
in our ribs twice a year and telling us to hand over our
money.
For any of you business majors out there, what do you think would
happen if you invoiced a customer for $4,000 – for absolutely
nothing? You got it!
Steve Diem
Point Roberts
The Editor:
I try to catch the All Point Bulletin as often as possible, but
sometimes it’s a little hit and miss. Such was
the case with the June issue: I didn’t come across
it until June 10, which was, unfortunately, the day after the “Point
Roberts Community litter clean up” (the ad for it was
on page 4).
I would’ve gladly participated in the clean-up had I known
about it sooner. That said, I can – with a great deal of
certainty – predict what the number one leading type of
litter picked up that day was, by far ... and, quite frankly,
I’m totally fed up with cleaning up after piggish smokers.
I have no idea what percentage of all smokers fall into the “piggish” category,
but how is it that only about 15 percent of the population is
directly responsible for 60 to 70 percent or more of all litter? And,
if I may be so bold, I would suggest that smokers are responsible
for most of the ‘non-tobacco-related’ litter too!
After all, those who don’t think twice about tossing (often
still-smoldering) butts out of their car windows or onto the
street they’re walking along wouldn’t likely be too
concerned about tossing any other kind of garbage either (candy/gum/chocolate
bar wrappers, etc.).
Amazingly, over my lifetime, I’ve heard countless dozens
of smokers discuss their habit and every single one of them have
described themselves as kind, considerate, caring (I don’t
smoke within three feet of my child!) even “conscientious.”
I’ve never yet heard a smoker say, “Yah, I toss my
butts out the car window. Is that a problem?” Or, “I
don’t empty my ashtray in parking lots.”
Bottom line: Anti-littering laws need to be beefed up and
much more aggressively enforced. And if that means police
stopping smokers (who the police have just witnessed tossing
their butts out the window) and issuing a ticket/fine, then so
be it. And repeat offenders need to be dealt with even more
harshly.
Errol E. Povah, president, Airspace Action on Smoking & Health
Delta, B.C.
The Editor:
Our school – the heart of our community, celebrated a robust
alumni reunion and retirement party for Mrs. Rita on June 1.
Nearly 100 people attended and we thank each and every one of
you for making it such a big success! Extra sweet appreciation
for the desserts and treats you brought for everyone to share!
Other really big hearts in our community are Brewster’s,
International Marketplace, Point to Point Parcel, J-Man Trucking,
Kordlyn Holdings, Captain Bob’s, Dylan’s, T.J.’s,
Julius Realty, Point Roberts Realty, Banner Bank, Sterling Savings
Bank, Nielson’s Building Center, Arts and Music Foundation,
and Point Recycling for their enormous generosity in supporting
this event and the PTO’s connection campaign, where we
are aiming to build strong connections between our community,
our Point Roberts primary school, and its sister Blaine campuses.
Thanks to all of you for your kindness.
Mike, Ron and Dan – thanks for making music for us, along
with Craig and the talent show kids; all your time and talents
are greatly appreciated and the festive mood was certainly your
domain.
Rita – many thanks for all your caring of our children
over the years, and Mary – welcome back, the PTO looks
forward to sharing your wealth of talent with the next generation
of Point Roberts graduates.
Linda Hughes
Parent Teacher Organization member
Point Roberts
The Editor:
There are many volunteers involved in the organization of the
WTA Blue Heron Express vanpool. Without the efforts of
all the volunteer administrators and drivers we would not have
the privilege of its use. After school sports are a very
important part of our children’s development. Without
the volunteers, many kids on the Point would not be able to
participate.
Suzanne Crawford has been an outstanding volunteer for the
WTA Blue Heron Express vanpool in Point Roberts. She organizes
all the after school loop runs for the many local students who
attend Blaine middle and high schools.
Suzanne often has more riders than space on the van, so at peak
times she also organizes parent carpools. She handles a complex
array of after school sports practices and games, as well as
band events, driver’s education and other school activities.
And she is a vanpool driver herself.
We want to thank her for her daily efforts in communication and
organization that she does the whole the school year long.
From these student passengers and their parents, thank you Suzanne!
Sheila Monty and Shelby Hebert, Stella and Allison Hartley, Kelli,
Sammy and Parker Wallace, Anthony, Robin and Samantha Nault,
Alison, Hanna, Sandy and Jeff Raine, Vickie and Carolynn Robertson,
Joanna, Casey, Erica and Roy Hubbard, Debbie & Neil Malcolm,
parents of Maggie & William Clift.
Sandy Raine
Point Roberts
The Editor:
I attended the last water board meeting with the other pitifully
few.
The briefing from the lawyers and consultants re: the situation
as they wish to describe it was as expected. Continue to pay
full price for one third of the water that we contracted for
and spend millions on a new storage area that will not solve
this problem. We will end up with two full storage tanks and
still not be able to take the water that we are buying.
Lots of ideas came from the floor. At least two of them should
be acted upon immediately: A lady got up and said let’s
have some severe watering restrictions like the rest of the lower
mainland. A gentleman who spent his life as an engineer suggested
a full water audit to explore the numbers presented as well as
alternate solutions.
If we demonstrated our willingness to reduce the amount of water
required from the GVWD we could renegotiate this abysmal contract. Vancouver is
facing a water shortage and we would be assisting them in solving
a problem that will continue to get worse.
If we work with the governor’s office we can also get building
permits issued with a minimum of delay by implementing alternate
supplies that reduce storm water run-off.
If you want to continue to follow the current water board you
can do three other things:
• Next time you buy a dozen eggs, as soon as you leave the
store throw eight of the eggs in the garbage. Trust your government
and the bureaucrats; do not get a second opinion.
• When your teenagers want you to co-sign for a credit card
and promise that it will be used responsibly do not set conditions,
just believe them.
• If anyone wants to form a group to explore logic and common
sense in dealing with this issue, I will take names, e-mail addresses,
phone numbers and suggestions at buzz1@pointroberts.net.
Tom Miller
Point Roberts
The Editor:
I just wanted to thank everyone who helped us June 1 when we
had our flat tire at South Beach.
Thanks, Pat, for going out of your way to drive us to get the
tire and taking it to Dennis Auto Repair. Thanks to the lovely
lady from Kamloops for driving us back to South Beach the next
day with our tire and thanks Lil for the ride home Friday night.
Carell & Dave Henderson
Burnaby, B.C.
The Editor:
The community litter cleanup on June 9 was a big rain out. I
want to give special recognition to Marisa, Anita and Craig Jacks,
and to Katee Leatherby for being the only people to brave the
nasty weather. We have rescheduled to clean-up for July
7. I encourage everyone to take a few hours and volunteer
to clean-up some roadside litter. And a reminder that August
25 is the annual household hazardous waste clean-up.
Arthur (the Garbageman) Wilkowski
Point Roberts
The Editor:
I came across a reference to the town of Point Roberts while
reading an article about Captain Vancouver the other day. It
interested me that the town was named after a one time resident
of my hometown, one Captain Henry Roberts of Shoreham-by-Sea,
I thought you might like these photos of Captain Robert’s
house. I wonder if any links have been formed between our two
towns?
Rod York
Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex UK
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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