LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor and residents of the Point:
Many of you, I’m sure, well know of the big dog who often barks late into the night on the Point. You may be relieved on the one hand but sad on the other to know that you will be missing that barking from here on because today our canine guardian of the night has passed. 
Most of you knew her ... or at least must have seen her at one time or another walking the trails at Lily Point, or the beaches of Boundary Bay or around Lighthouse Park. More recently, the pilots at the airport saw her more and more frequently as she took great delight in chasing the herons and coyotes off the soft, green grass of the airstrip. Until the “No Dogs Allowed” signs were posted at Sterling Bank, she visited frequently and loved making regular withdrawals from her dog biscuit account. 
I didn’t know her long, but I knew her well. When I first saw her, I was more than a little taken aback by her size and that was when she had lost 60 pounds from her normal size. Still, at age 12 (nearly 90 in human years), she could run and play when she was happy, and even as recently as last week could bound like a puppy into the back of “her” van. There’s nothing quite like watching a 140-pound, hip-high Great Dane romping and playing on green grass. When a dog like that charges you, you don’t forget it. When she was younger, I’m told, she could clear a six-foot fence from a standing position. 
We first met a couple of years ago, and I finally had the chance to get to know her once I moved to the Point last June. She’s been my friend since the day we met once I adjusted to her size and gentle strength. Walking with her made me proud. Always heads would turn, fingers would point and cameras would come out. Wherever she went, people dropped what they were doing and offered a smile, an open hand or a hug. She was love in action unless you were a coyote or a heron, or a dog on a leash with an attitude.
John Donne wrote “if a clod be washed away, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were...” For those of us who knew and loved her, she was much more than just a ‘Big Dog.’ She was a big part of our lives, and in her absence we feel much the less.  But then again, we are the more for having been privileged to know her and to marvel at one of God’s wondrous gifts to us humans no less than the bald eagles who fly overhead, or Jack the cat who was her constant companion. He will miss her terribly as will all of us who knew and loved her well.
She was Delilah. She was a noble friend and, like the lion in the popular song, she sleeps tonight.
Don Kirchner
Point Roberts

The Editor and Executives of Whatcom County and WUTC:
Being among the 17 percent of the Point Roberts residents who receive regular service from Point Recycling and Refuse (PR&R) we are directly affected by the curtailment of recycling service. Yet we have complete sympathy for Arthur Wilkowski regarding the issues brought to your attention in his own special way.
Point Roberts is a unique ‘animal’ in our state and county, in fact in this country. This is made clear in numerous other ways on a daily basis. The unfortunate fact is that no government will admit this. County services are meager considering the taxes many residents pay, (though some may say they like it that way). The fact is: the community is changing, slowly in some ways – more quickly in others, and needs additional support and services.
Recycling, being the mandate of your governments, should be facilitated; if not completely administered. I am sure you are aware, as we are, of the many diverse systems for recycling in other states and local regions. If an effective (i.e. high percentage of compliance) system is desired it is clear that an alternate method is required.
We suggest conveniently located (eg. readily accessed from Tyee Drive) recycling bins with daily hours, completely maintained by the county.
It should also be mentioned here that there is also a significant day-use factor which is rarely addressed: marina, golf course, park and post office (cardboard and styrofoam) recycling is not often considered but can litter our community.
While not fully understanding the other PR&R issues with “ADLC” and the governments’ requirements – it is clear to us that the across-the-border competition for a lucrative portion of this business leaves a giant hole in the big picture when it comes to providing loss-leader service. We suggest that both governing bodies create a scenario that evens the playing field – whether it is legislation, regulation or just plain compensation.
Please do your best to make life on this “island peninsula” a bit more green.
Chris Patterson & Mary MacDonald
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Yesterday we witnessed a momentous occasion, the celebration of Lily Point Marine Reserve. Dignitaries from the Lummi Nation, representatives of county, state, and federal government, Whatcom Land Trust, Land Conservancy of B.C., and the Nature Conservancy, joined over 200 visitors and locals in an outpouring of joy and gratitude for this remarkable collaborative achievement.
Samantha Scholefield, our local activist extraordinaire, deserves particular recognition for her personal efforts. In March, Samantha was made aware that a final push was needed to obtain the dollars required to close the deal on Lily Point. She understands the importance of grassroots involvement, and how that translates to community ownership.
In lightening speed, Sam formed a core group of volunteers, began dialog with the Whatcom Land Trust, created press releases, spoke on Canadian radio, was videoed at Lily Point for Delta Cable television, and in doing so raised the consciousness of untold numbers of people on both sides of the border who love and use Point Roberts. Samantha and her able team’s efforts yielded over $45,000 in April alone. Along the way she created the Lily Point logo, held a celebratory walk with Whatcom Land Trust on April 26, and continues to raise money through the sale of t-shirts and aprons.
No matter what the weather, every weekend in April you could find Sam at the entrance to Lily Point with George and Julie Iddon asking for donations. She reported to me at the time how moved she was with the stories people told of their personal histories with Lily Point and the outpouring of generosity, large and small donations, from these friends.
Finally, Samantha was the backbone of yesterday’s celebration. Her leadership, from the grand scheme of things down to the tiniest of details, made the event a success. Many thanks to Joan Roberts of Brewster’s for her delicious catering, it was very special and befitting the occasion. Thanks also to Doug Shier for donating the Port-a-Potties. Everyone was indeed grateful! There were so many of us who were happy to pitch in and help yesterday, names too numerous to mention.
Again, thanks Samantha, for your enthusiasm, leadership, long hours and commitment to doing the right thing. And thank you to everyone who was involved in making this happen.
Maureen Buckley
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I fell and banged my head  in the morning of June 5 coming down the stairs at TSB in Point Roberts. It was entirely my own fault and no one else should feel any responsibility.
Immediately several men came to my aid, one man took off his sweater and made a pillow, another brought an ice-pack and held it to my head and then a young man called 911 and very soon the fire department and the emergency medical team came to my aid. They were most professional in every way and I felt most reassured to be in the care. 
Fortunately I did not sustain any major injury and I was eventually able to carry on home to Richmond and apart from a few bruises I am quite recovered from the incident.
I would like to thank, most sincerely, members of the staff at TSB and those other kind folks who immediately came to my assistance. I would also like to say to the residents and visitors to Point Roberts be reassured that you have a first class emergency medical team in whom you can have the utmost confidence.
Patrick Gannon. M.D.
Richmond, B.C.

The Editor and residents of Point Roberts:
On behalf of the Whatcom Land Trust board of directors I want to express our delight in the successful protection of Lily Point. The effort to acquire the property was a truly collaborative enterprise involving the enthusiastic participation by dozens of people from both sides of the border.
The result is the conservation of one of the most significant undeveloped shorelines remaining in the Salish Sea. An important side benefit of Whatcom Land Trust’s acquisition of Lily Point was meeting many generous people who donated money toward the $3.5 million purchase and who helped create our June 4 celebration of that purchase. It was wonderful to finally ignore the two borders that separate us. Point Roberts benefits from our conservation of Maple Beach and Lily Point. We benefit from now feeling truly connected to an important part of Whatcom County.
The lead on-site organizer of this celebration was Samantha Scholefield. Her initiative, positive spirit and skill proved indispensable. She arranged for the large noon lunch feeding approximately 200 people, provided by Joan Roberts of Brewster’s Restaurant. The food, its presentation, and ease of access brought raves from many hungry guests.
While most of us roamed the beach at a minus 4.4 tide, Madhu Honeyman and Steffan Omray tended the store on top, watching displays and informing late arrivals. Almost all who visited Lily Point on this long day appreciated trailhead port-a-potties provided by Doug Shier, Julie and George Iddon.
Other Point Roberts residents helping with the set-up and take-down included Deb Brett, Peg Keenleyside, Bill Simmons, Linda Hughes, Carol Fuegi, Maureen Buckley, and Graham McClusky. Judy Williams, boasting a long history with the Point and the Lummi people, led beach tours. Whatcom Land Trust has only six staff members, most of them part-time. Without volunteers like these, accomplishing our mission would be impossible.
We also appreciate Whatcom County parks department staff. Cooperation with them is always a pleasure, in this case it was Point Roberts ranger Ben VanBuskirk, plus Lynne Givler, Tom Chrisholm, Mike and David Bean. Few if any land trusts in the state enjoy the positive working relationship, beginning with the executive and the council, that we have with Whatcom County government.
Judy Williams, a person enjoying long time relations with the Point and the Lummi, helped with planning and led beach tours.
None of this would have happened without $3.5 million that allowed us to purchase this exceptional marine site. The money came from private donors and various government agencies such as the Puget Sound Partnership, the state Department of Ecology, state and federal fish & wildlife programs, and Whatcom County’s Conservation Futures Fund.
We thank Whatcom County voters who support conservation for the future, all donors large and small, and especially the residents of Point Roberts who rushed to help with this project.
June 4, 2008 marked the beginning of what we hope will be generations of enjoyment and stewardship of this remarkable community asset, Lily Point.
Chris Moench, president, Whatcom
Land Trust
Bellingham

The Editor:
Garbage! Yes, that’s a big topic for Point Roberts, but I’m going to focus on one incredibly irritating aspect of the subject. Garbage in the parks and on the roadside.
I seriously cannot even fathom how you litterbugs out there justify your existence. What makes you think it’s ok for you to dump piles of your revolting trash in the serene trails all around the Point? And when you bring your home garbage to put into the can at Baker Field and the raccoons tear it all to pieces spreading it all over the ground where the primary age school children play, I wonder who you are and if you’d like my garbage in your child’s play area.
When I pick up your garbage and transfer it to the dump, I wonder why you didn’t accept your responsibility – it is your garbage after all. When we discovered the disgusting, wet, moldy mattress that had been dragged to Baker Field, again left in an area where the school children take their “nature walks,” I wondered what kind of idiot would do such a disrespectful thing!
When I walk at Lily Point and pick up shards of broken beer bottles and three bags of trash, I wonder how on earth you’re capable of making such a stupid decision to break glass anywhere, and then why you don’t see the huge and dangerous mess you left behind? You carried the garbage in, didn’t you?
And when I drive and walk all over this beautiful Point of ours and see garbage strewn about the roadsides, I wonder who exactly do you think is going to pick it up, and why do you think this planet is your personal garbage receptacle? You’re probably the same people who drive in the NEXUS lane to cheat the lineup.
Wake up people! Be fair, be kind to your neighbor, don’t cheat, and for everyone’s sake (including yours), please don’t litter! 
Linda Hughes
Point Roberts

The Editor:
The oft-repeated quotation, “the more things change, the more they remain the same” often applies to Point Roberts. Periodically, a wave of new residents discover this place and decide to fix it. If they would first read back issues of our local newspapers, the Ocean Star and All Point Bulletin, they would learn that most of their brave new schemes have been tried and failed.
In recent years, both the character plan committee and the economic development committees were composed of representatives from each of the other organizations on the Point.
The character plan committee was intended to review signage and facades of commercial buildings. However, once it was inserted into county bureaucracy, virtually every development was subject to its review and approval. The action, or inaction, of this group is responsible for the clear cut next to the fire hall. Meanwhile, infractions that properly fell under the terms of its creation were not enforced. I can only assume it still exists on paper and in theory.
The economic development committee also had representation from all the other local organizations. The Port of Bellingham contributed substantial amounts of money toward this enterprise whose meetings were attended by a Whatcom County planning staff member.
The Bellingham Herald gave substantial coverage to a recent appearance at county council wherein Campbell McCluskey advised council members that Point Roberts residents were considering secession from the county as a protest against inequitable distribution of our tax dollars. Well, we have also been there and done that. Rather, after attending numerous lengthy meetings and acquiring the facts, we did not do that.
It became apparent that even if we qualified to operate as a non-chartered code city, we could not support ourselves. Aside from the financial aspects, it is difficult to keep a full complement aboard for the few local elected offices, much less a board to run a local government.
I could recite a long litany of the names of individuals who have taken it upon themselves to appear at county offices claiming to represent the residents of Point Roberts. If they had bothered to poll the locals they would have confirmed what they likely knew to be the case, that they were speaking for themselves and using the grindstone of government to try to sharpen their personal rusty hatchets.
If any of the current enthusiasts are interested, perhaps they should conduct such a poll. I suspect they would find that we do not need a new organization, we do not want to be our own city, and we do not need individuals speaking on our behalf.
If they have thoughts or proposals to present to our bureaucrats and politicians, let them make it clear they are speaking for themselves.
Ruby White
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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