LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor:
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Adam Penn and Ted Mohr on what has to be the most exciting scientific discovery of all time. That being final and indisputable evidence of the existence of a parallel universe.
It appears the Point Roberts they live in almost all agree in voting President Bush out while simultaneously the Point Roberts I live in almost all agree on his reelection. Nice work guys.
Incidently, if you are going to participate in our political process you might want to learn something about it. Start with the little things, such as the United States is a republic, not a democracy.
Craig Young
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I want to give my most heartfelt thanks to Nick Kiniski and all the firemen and medics who responded to my son�s 911 call on November 23. Their quick action in getting me in the ambulance (and their insistence to the North Whatcom ambulance crew that met us at the Ladner Trunk fire station that I had to be taken to St. Joseph immediately) I believe saved my life.
I was suffering from Necrotizing Fasciitis, the tabloid-named �Flesh-Eating Bacteria.� As I have since found out, quick medical attention is literally the difference between life and death with this fast-moving bacteria.
We have a great department. I owe them my life. Thanks to each and every one of you who were there. I may not know your names, but your kindness and professionalism I can never repay.
Patricia Birchall
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Voters, help support local students!
Please vote to continue the levy funding for our local schools. Without it, our schools could lose what few programs and supplies they have, and our student�s achievements in academics, sports, music, and arts may suffer.
The funds raised from this renewable levy go towards the basics, like teachers salaries, paper and supplies, and special programs - hardly luxury items.
On February 3, vote for the kids and vote yes for the 2004 maintenance and operations levy. This is not a new levy, nor is it a tax increase. It is the continuation of an already established funding process that helps provide our local children with educational opportunities and basic learning materials. Investing in our community�s children will pay dividends in the future.
Pam Sarkissian, Lesley O�Neill, Maureen Millar and
Simone Shern-Pope
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Dear and precious friends and neighbors of Point Roberts - First, let us introduce ourselves to you; we relocated last November to Point Roberts from Whidbey Island. Tom has taken a position at the post office as a clerk. We fell in love with Point Roberts, experiencing such warmth from you all, and loving the unique character of this beautiful corner of the world.
Tragically, on December 26, after a very wonderful Christmas together, we lost our daughter Sarah, and her fianc� Marcus Winchester in a traffic accident in Tsawwassen on their way home. Tiffany, our 18-year-old daughter was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital. She was in critical condition for four weeks there with multiple fractures and internal injuries. Thanks to the tremendous skill and care by the doctors and nurses there - and perhaps more-so, thanks to all of your prayers, she is recovering and is expected to return home within weeks.
So many of you came to our aid at this dark hour. It was truly a humbling experience, and we thank you all so very much. To name you all would be a daunting task, but we must especially acknowledge the excellent and sensitive care by Deputy Emmons of Whatcom County sheriff�s department and Constable Agnew of the RCMP - they both had very tough jobs to do in the aftermath of December 26, and they handled it with grace.
We extend our eternal gratefulness to Trinity Lutheran Church, and all who have contributed to �The Mayer Family Fund� at Banner Bank. This will help our family to endure this financial burden. The Point Roberts Food Bank & Henry Rosenthal have been so wonderful and we must say to our Point Roberts post Ooffice family, �We love each and every one of you, and appreciate the endless kindnesses you have extended to our family.� Our decision to move here was so right. You are all wonderful neighbors and we are proud to join this caring community.
Tom, Val & Tiffany Mayer
Point Roberts

The Editor:
February 3 will be the date to vote on the Blaine school district maintenance and operations levy. This is not a new tax. It is very important to our schools. Last year the Point Roberts school was short basic supplies such as paper.
This levy will allow the district to keep the educational service at current levels. Without this levy even basic supplies such as paper may be considered unaffordable. Please consider the future generations and our community on February 3 and vote.
Gail Amundsen
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I am for people�s rights, with consideration to their neighbors and the environment that brings us to life. I am also like many people that need sunlight to feel healthy in mind and body. So regarding tree retention, where does that leave myself and many others that share this need or desire? I believe in a person�s right to clear their own lot and plant whatever tree they want. Or to create gardens without the tall trees and roots interfering with light or septic tanks and fields. I believe in a person�s right to have sunlight in their homes instead of being shaded and covered with heavy moss and infested with harmful molds. And I am for common sense, which includes respect for erosion problems.
How can we wonder why nations and religious groups can�t come to respectful and peaceful agreements, when we as a small community have a form of government that handicaps its own citizens? Why can�t the part time guest in our country respect the rights of the full time residents� who call this Point home? Why can�t we all come to some mutual agreements?
Most of us are interested in a community that lives in respectful harmony, so instead of arguing, can we start coming up with solutions? A couple of thoughts are: 1. An incentive - a building code or tax advantage for retaining trees; and 2. Create a tree retention fund.
Those of us that need to live in sunlight (whenever we have it), and/or just want to maintain a forested look, let�s buy parcels of land that also fill our need to preserve and enjoy the beauty and healing properties of the forest, instead of handicapping those that own them and pay the taxes on them. I�m sure our council members that pushed through this �reform� against the majority of full time residents wishes (as they totally ignored the voice of 98 percent of those of us that were at the Point Roberts meeting - their disregard was unbelievable) will be happy to contribute financially towards this cause. For starts, I am willing to contribute $1,000 to this fund. Anyone else? More ideas?
If you are demanding tree retention, are you willing to put your money where your mouth is? Who else of us that just loves being able to enjoy the beauty of the treed areas (�as long as it�s not affecting or on my property,� which also means enjoying somebody else�s property) is to come up with a plan and contribute time, effort and money (we all have extra money, just look at some of the crap we buy - is this not more important?) to come up with positive solutions? How many people that want tree retention don�t live here full time? How many already cleared their own lots just the way they wanted them, but now won�t let another do the same? How many don�t even own property here? How many of you that want tree retention own the larger treed parcels that are now less desirable or sellable? How much of this was instigated out of spite by the council? How much of this was pushed by an individual that works and lives in Canada?
If a community, a government does not respect individual�s rights, should they expect respect in return? Right now, the government is running us. Isn�t it time we put the government back where it belongs - working for us? They don�t pay us; we pay them. How did the employees take control of the �company�?
We allowed them to, through our own division and refusal to unite. Isn�t a fair and balanced community what we all really want? I don�t have the answers - but as a community in harmony, we do.
Think of Central Park in New York, what if that was left untouched, would the millions of residential and visitors enjoy and use it as much as it is? No. Maybe our council will give us the funds to create a mini Central Park on some of the land they have rendered useless to its current owners, and allow the rest of us to plant our gardens the way we want them.
Ann Christi
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I want to express my support to the Blaine school district and the programs it offers to all students through its continuing excellence in education by voting yes to the maintenance and operations levy on February 3.
By supporting this levy, we are supporting our community and our children�s future. Not only does your tax dollar remain the same, but at $1.75 per thousand, Blaine�s levy dollar amount is the lowest in the county. That�s a lot of bang for our buck! There is no better investment than investing in our children and their future! As responsible citizens, we owe it to them to continue on their path of excellence through education by voting yes Tuesday, February 3.
Renee Coe
Point Roberts

The Editor:
On February 3 we will be asked to vote in support of our school. The proposed levy is not an increase in property tax, but rather a continuation of taxes we approved in 2000. The levy will fund additional teachers to maintain smaller class sizes, librarians and support staff for special needs students, transportation, maintenance and funds to continue extra curricular activities.
In the past year, Blaine schools have sent teams and individual students to compete at the state level in soccer, basketball, wrestling, golf, track, math, knowledge bowl, technology education, drama, choir and band. The school also sent a team to a national competition in film technology where they placed second in the nation.
The commitment to quality education and extra curricular programs has prepared our students to compete for scholarships, jobs and university entrance on a national level. Because of this commitment, our students have been selected to attend highly competitive universities around the country. Our school and administration have demonstrated their strong commitment to our children�s education. It is time for us to show our continued support for our school. Vote yes on February 3 in support of the school operations and maintenance levy.
Joan Roberts
Point Roberts

The Editor:
This is my first time writing, and I have a couple of points to make.
1. To those of you who just don�t get it - it is the Point Roberts community center, not the Point Roberts senior center.
2. Slow down on our roads, and stop at stop signs. Too many people walk and ride, to drive as fast as some of us do, (me included).
Gary Kunze
Point Roberts

The Editor:
If you�re into numbers, here�s an interesting set: nine, 14, 74 and 221. They all refer to �Bye-bye Winter Blues,� the recent Friends of the Library�s event.. Nine is the number of musicians who played a wonderful concert for us. How extraordinary that both Brass Belles and Saxified continue to come to the Point to share their music with us, and they do this free of charge. We�re delighted! They�re wonderful.
Fourteen is the number of cooks who donated desserts to our dessert table. What a generous community we live in! People take the time and expense to donate refreshments for fund-raising events. Truly �a gift of self.� Our hats are off to these talented and giving folks.
Seventy-four is the number of people who attended the friends event - a good crowd who showed their pleasure over and over, ending with a rousing standing ovation!
Two hundred and twenty-one is the number of dollars that was donated through the sale of books and desserts. We�re very pleased! Most of the money the friends raise goes to kids in our community. For example, we purchase the library�s subscriptions for children�s and teen magazines - both popular items. In addition, the friends give each high school graduate a $100 book certificate for their college book store. Last year we gave six of them! Your money is being put to good use. Thanks for contributing.
�Bye-bye Winter Blues� was a fun evening. Three of life�s pleasures, books, music and desserts, certainly worked like a treat. There were many, many happy smiles throughout the night.
The next friends event should also bring a lot of smiles at our �Tall Tales Contest� on March 20. Story tellers, prevaricators and just flat out liars are invited to compete. If you can keep a straight face while telling a whopper, you won�t want to miss the chance to �take center stage.� If you simply want to have a good time, come and hear these outrageous tall tales. It�s sure to be a great evening.
Davea Fisher
Point Roberts

The Editor:
As a relatively new resident of Point Roberts, I am continually delighted by the members, artwork, and various activities of the Point Roberts community quilters. These wonderful ladies welcomed me into their midst with no demurs, and have initiated me into the wonderful world and the fascinating work of creating heirloom art pieces that are humbly destined for someone�s personal comfort. Quilting is an art form that is a part of our heritage not only in the local community in which we live, but also within the larger global community of which we partake. Our local group of quilters are amazingly gifted and delighted to share their gifts with all who seek to learn about this craft and art.
I would like to encourage the residents of Point Roberts to think about their own local artists, when they are thinking of a gift for someone. Instead of purchasing something online, or in Canada or Bellingham; check out the local gift shops and galleries on the Point. Many of our local artists become discouraged and take their work elsewhere because �No one buys locally!� Yet there are places here on the Point where local artists are showcasing their work, the Point Roberts Community Quilters included.
From the fullness of my heart, I thank you all for the wonderful gifts I have received this past year. I am looking forward to another year of learning from the community quilters and from the community of Point Roberts. Cheryl Fitzgerald
Point Roberts

The Editor:
Now proudly serving the safest food in the world! You think the beef thing is cumbersome, try registering with the FDA for the Bioterrorism Act, just to feed my customers!
I have just, for the first time, registered to bring an order from my Canadian supplier across the border. When I called the help line with the FDA, I was told that I cannot fax the invoice, that I needed to go on line and fill in the form. I asked �What do I do if I don�t have a computer?!� They responded that I would need to access a computer if I wanted to bring a food product across the border, it is the only way to get prior notice approval.
So I logged on - half an hour later I�m ready to put in my first order. My order is 11 items: fryer oil, walnuts, ribs (pork, of course), season salt, clams, potatoes, portebello mushrooms, cucumbers, sandwich hoagie rolls, and frozen tortellini. For each item, I need to scroll through the descriptions until I find the closest or most appropriate computer generated description. Then the computer asks me about packaging, then about processing! Wow and God forbid I get anything wrong! I have completed one item so far and I have worked on this for an hour! Maybe I�m slow, but I just don�t have an extra six hours per week to pre-notify the border each time I want to buy buns for my burgers!
I understand the big picture and the imminent threat that bringing these products across the border poses. This procedure was definitely not thought through for the little guy, but then again the little guy doesn�t matter anymore! This procedure would make people want to run their frozen tortellini across the border under the cover of darkness! Does our government have nothing else to do but think up ways to further frustrate its constituents? Help us! We are being held captive by our government!
Joan Roberts
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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