Letters to the Editor – February, 2019

The Editor:

On behalf of the Point Roberts Park and Recreation District, we would like to thank everyone who assisted us in opening and operating the community center as a shelter during the December storm disaster. We had several hundred people come in to get warm over the three days we had the facility fully operational. Our wonderful volunteers served between 400 and 500 hot meals as well as gallons of coffee to those in need, and no one was turned away.

There are a few special people that I wish to point out who went above board when it came to helping me keep the facility open. Roger Gookstetter from the Eagle’s Roost Restaurant at the golf course really stepped up and did the yeoman’s work of running the kitchen and providing enough delicious hot meals for everyone; Virginia Lester who helped serve the meals with a small cadre of volunteers who helped clean the pots, pans, cutlery and utensils; Pamela Saulnier who also cooked when Roger was not available and assisted with serving meals; Raye Newman for his endless hours manning the communications center and Sandra Henry for filling in when Raye needed a break as well as helping wherever needed.

Our fire chief, Christopher Carleton, who kept me in the loop with accurate information on what was going on so we could pass it on to all those who were taking shelter as well as addressing any needs that we identified to keep the shelter fully functional. To the firemen who helped clean when they were not needed in the field, the PREP and CERT trained volunteers who did show up, those who stepped forward to run food out to people stuck at home or essential jobs, and those who drove people anywhere around the Point they needed to go, thank you.

On a personal note, I wanted to say that I love this community and I am proud of what we achieved. We can be quirky and fiercely independent at times but we come together when we need to. This disaster was a great test for us on what we can do together and what we need to do for the future.

Bennett Blaustein

Park commissioner

The Editor:

Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness (PREP) would like to express its appreciation for any and all who helped us through the Point’s December emergency.

First, for the largely spontaneous outpouring by people here on the Point for their help clearing fallen trees and branches across roadways or blocking residences or driveways.

Secondly, for all the fire department personnel, both Canadian and American, who quickly identified fallen and dangerous wires as well as providing help and safe directions to persons coming to the Point to check on their homes.

Third, to the fire chief, while the winds were still causing damage, who for a time centralized his command post at the Shell Station to facilitate neighborhood canvassing by volunteer fire personnel as well as PREP volunteers assessing injured persons, downed power lines and poles, road blockages and home damages while ensuring that absent homeowners received timely notifications of damages.

Fourth, for Bennett Blaustein, and the Point Roberts parks personnel who opened the community center and, supported by various volunteers and cooks, welcomed anyone needing warmth and/or food and ended up providing temporary refuge to an estimated 800 visitors during the four power outage days of this mini emergency. And for Henry Rosenthal and the Food Bank along with the volunteer cooks and the senior center crew who provided 500 hot meals during the outage.

Fifth, for key individuals, especially Virginia Lester and fire department EMTs who remained alert and ready throughout and who worked with PREP members to set up beds at the fire department for any whose homes were damaged, too cold or otherwise blocked and in need of overnight accommodations.

Sixth, for Dan Bourks who, with the support of the water board, took the initiative to switch the amateur radio club repeater to back up power, keeping it running and providing the fire department and PRARC emergency communications we needed during this storm.

Seventh, for all of the many others who helped neighbors, who endured the Market Place darkness to shop and then write their purchases for later tabulation and payment, who loaned generators to save family foods, who canvassed neighborhoods making sure housebound persons were not forgotten, and who persevered through it all offering help and solace where and when the opportunity was presented.

Campbell McClusky

Point Roberts