LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor:
Paths to the Point: Patiently, Peter padded past the path to Lily Point, pondering his position on the problem. Pen pocketed, panama propped upon his brow, he plodded on.

His promise to partake in the preparation of policies and procedures for preserving the Point as a park perturbed him, but Petra had pestered and protested, so Peter capitulated. “Pah!” he sputtered, “Politics!” He stomped in protest.

Unexpectedly, a passel of perambulators appeared on the path, pressing past at speed. One person impulsively proffered a palm and spoke.

“Peter, paths in parks in perpetuity promise positive paybacks for posterity.” Peter spluttered, prepared to part and paused, “Perhaps.”
Wackie Walkers pursue paths on the Point every Tuesday and Thursday at Lighthouse Park. Tuesdays at 8 a.m. sharp. Call Jim at 945-1934 or Sally at 945-1804.
Annette Hamm
Point Roberts

The Editor and Barbara J. Cory, Whatcom County Treasurer:
I wonder if you can tell me what my taxes are in fact paying for!

We in Point Roberts have no street lights, no curbs, no gutters, no sewers, no snow removal (on side streets) and in my personal situation, no children in the elementary school system. We pay for our water and garbage separately. So why exactly am I paying $2,154.12 per year?

Our taxes this year have gone up $591.66 which is more than the one percent we were led to believe would be the case. I feel our taxes in relationship to services rendered is reprehensible!

Maybe the residents of Point Roberts should all be questioning their taxes and what in my view is extremely poor services for dollars put forth by the residents.

Maybe we need to organize proposition 13 to freeze taxes at current levels. I look forward to hearing from you in regards to my concerns and questions.
Brian Brackman
Delta B.C. and Point Roberts

The Editor:
It is very generous of Mr. Wilkowski to bear the cost of thousands of dollars by picking up garbage but he need not worry as by my reckoning with approximately 1500 households, plus those without telephones, each paying a compulsory amount of $84 U.S. per annum he should gross $126,000 U.S. per annum.

Wow! At the most three days work a month the water board grosses six times this amount. It all boggles my mind.
Bill Williamson
Victoria, B.C.

The Editor:
Just who is Arthur Wilkowski trying to kid when he says that charging each Point Roberts household $7 per month for garbage collection is not a “cash grab” for him. Let’s see – with a minimum 1500 households, that’s $10,500 per month or $126,000 per year. Not too shabby an income.

As far as I can see, the present system works well. I don’t see piles of trash in the streets of Point Roberts, nor do I see any evidence of residents sneaking their garbage into dumpsters.

Wilkowski says that more than half of the Point’s households “are not properly disposing of their garbage.”

What he implies is that more than half are not paying him to dispose of garbage which may not even exist.

Many residents are only on the Point for short periods. Many use composters. I, for instance, visit his dump (transfer station) about once a year, since I do not use canned foods or packaged breakfast cereals and have minimal amounts of garbage.

The present system may not work well for Mr. Wilkowski in terms of profits, but it works very well for the majority of residents.
Martin Riley
Victoria, B.C.

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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