Letters to the Editor – October

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The Editor:

Thanks for the great article and photo that you published on July 31, 2020.

My wife and I have received so much positive feedback from friends with whom we have shared the article. In this day and age, there hasn’t been much good news and several friends really thought this was a great story (even though you misspelled our last name Gryniuk, perhaps a correction to the article).

We have a friend who is a news anchor in Dallas and he wants the television exclusive and promises to get our name right.

As a follow up, my wife and I completed the program last week and I was surprised to find out that I am only the ninth pilot to complete the program. That makes my wife number 10 in the state out of 22,378 licensed pilots living in Washington state.We thought you might enjoy hearing the post script.

Again, thanks for the great article.

Joe Gryniuk

Auburn

 

The Editor:

Over Labor Day weekend, Circle of Care held a very successful fundraiser with a virtual tour and concert featuring original songs by our own ShauneAnn Feuz. Our intent was to show off our beautiful Point Roberts to our Canadian and other friends as well as to show everyone our resilience as we are all unable to get together.

First, we want to thank everyone who donated and enjoyed “Care Without Borders.” We are so grateful for your support.

Special thanks and gratitude go to ShauneAnn for her spectacular voice and songs, Bennett Blaustein and Point Roberts TV for the video footage, Darrell and Louise Cassidy for the design and editing of the video to sync and harmonize with ShauneAnn’s music, and our trustees for contributing time, energy, enthusiasm and still photographs.

As our community signboard says: “We love and miss our Canadian friends so much!” With grateful hearts, we will continue to be of service to our wonderful community.

Galen Wood, Circle of Care

Point Roberts

 

The Editor:

On September 16, my husband had a small accident with a hand-held electric drill. The hard plastic handle hit him in his forehead and that produced a small cut that bled profusely.

Off he went to Super Track Urgent Care next to the fire station in Point Roberts. He was looked at by someone there who had no authority to put three stitches in his forehead. We had to drive to the Bellingham branch to get the three stitches sewed by a doctor.

Everyone was pleasant and helpful except we spent hours driving and dealing with a boo boo that required three stitches. What is the purpose of having a clinic here if such a simple procedure cannot be handled?

Suzanne M Rosser

Point Roberts

(Ed. note: According to the hospital district, the care provider who would normally do the stitching-up was off sick that particular day.)

 

The Editor and Point Roberts residents:

I, 84 years young this January, am still in San Diego since last October. My kids don’t want me to come back to Point Roberts because if I fall over and really hurt myself, there is no way to get to the doctor or hospital other than by plane or that only Tuesday boat.

One time a few years ago I cut open my knee and my dear Canadian neighbor drove me to Ladner Hospital to be sewn up. No problem but I can’t do that now. So here I stay.

I had to close out my little account in Banner Bank. I hope terrible Trump won’t stop the mail so I can get the check the bank is sending me.Take care all of you. I hope your bad smoke lets up.

Luckily yesterday the sky was partially blue and today even better but the fires up north of me, still rage on.

I know of two people who were burned out of the Paradise camp fire in North California last year, went to Oregon to live peacefully and were burned out again.

One family member said, “Well, we lost everything in the California fire. At least this time we didn’t have very much left to burn or lose.” Just too sad. I’m feeling lucky to be alive.

Peace, love and good luck to all.

Lyn Pyles

San Diego

(Ed. note: The ferry began running two days per week on September 8.)

 

The Editor:

More than ever it is urgent that we re-elect Sharon Shewmake to represent us in Whatcom County’s 42nd Legislative District. This is not the time for legislative novices. If we are going to successfully restart our economy, we need someone with her experience and background who can hit the ground running next January.

As a member of the state’s Business Recovery Legislative Task Force, Sharon is working to find solutions that will really work for families and businesses in Whatcom County. In response to the loss of 700 jobs due to the Intalco closure this spring, Sharon has been convening virtual meetings bringing together workers, Alcoa representatives, local leaders, congressional leaders and economists to explore all possible solutions to preserve family-wage jobs. As an economist, she gets it. She understands how economies work.

For the past two years in the state house she has served on the Transportation and Environment and Energy committees. As we tackle climate change we can count on Sharon to help find realistic solutions that also support family-wage jobs. She has spent her academic career studying how to grow the economy while reducing carbon pollution.

Sharon has worked across the aisle, sponsored and supported legislation benefiting Whatcom County families, businesses, farmers and fishermen. She has found common sense solutions to problems.

As vice chair of the Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, she has worked to develop long-term incentives so our businesses and families know they have secure access to future water supplies.

And she has worked to improve access to childcare for rural families and students.There is much work still to be done and now with the pandemic, we really need Sharon at the table.

This November, join me and vote for Democrat Sharon Shewmake for Whatcom County 42nd Legislative District representative. Let’s send her back to Olympia to continue her vital work for all of Whatcom County’s citizens.

Meredith Moench

Lummi Island

 

The Editor:

The USPS postcard you received has it wrong for Washington state: If you are a registered Washington state voter, you don’t need to request an absentee ballot. It will be sent to you.

Go online now to votewa.gov to register or make sure your information is current. Notice how your name is listed in the voter rolls; that’s how you’ll sign your ballot envelope.

Ballots will be mailed October 14. If yours hasn’t arrived by October 21, call our county auditor at 360/778-5100 or print a replacement ballot at votewa.gov.

Vote your ballot all the way down. Our crucial local races can be decided by just a few votes.

Complete and return your ballot promptly. Don’t contribute to the last-minute rush.

Mail your ballot early; no postage stamp required. Or use a ballot drop box (see whatcomcounty.us/1863/ballot-drop-box-locations).

Don’t waste your vote. Remember to sign your ballot envelope correctly and don’t be late.

You can make sure your ballot was received and accepted. A week after you return your ballot, go online to votewa.gov to check your ballot status. Any problem, call the county auditor.

Remember, election night returns will be preliminary. With so many mail-in ballots, prepare for election week. Or longer. Be patient and wait for complete and accurate results.

Myra Ramos

Lummi Island

 

The Editor:

Washington state has a crisis in mental healthcare. We rank 45th in the nation right now, according to the Mental Health America 2020 report, and that means people can’t get the care they need – sometimes even if they have the money.

As a retired nurse practitioner, I have seen this happen time and again. We have people sleeping in the streets or sitting in jails and ERs when what they really need is help. The pandemic and wildfire disasters have only added to the problem. So we need to build a mental healthcare system that treats people better and costs less. It can be done, but it’s going to be a hard job that needs someone who knows the system inside and out.

Alicia Rule is that person. Alicia is a Democrat running for the District 42 position 1 seat in the Washington House of Representatives. Currently a Blaine City Council member, she was a key player and past president of the very successful Blaine Downtown Development Association that revitalized the city center. Alicia is a social worker and small business owner whose family has lived in Whatcom County for five generations. She knows Whatcom families and their concerns, values community, and works effectively with team members of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints.

Fixing our mental health system is something that cuts across party lines. Whether you, a family member or friend have struggled, you know our current approach isn’t working and it’s hurting our community. Vote Alicia Rule on November 3.

Mary Boire

Lummi Island

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