Letter to the Editor: Concerns about Point Roberts Independent Business Council

The Editor:

I am concerned by the effort of the Point Roberts Independent Business Council (PRIBC) to eliminate WCC 20.72 (Point Roberts Special District) and surprised by the level of support PRIBC claims to have received.

WCC 20.72 is far from perfect, arguably out of date, but probably not a serious detriment to economic development in Point Roberts. In any case, there is a major effort going on right now by PRCAC to thoroughly review and revise 20.72 to better serve today’s needs and preferences in Point Roberts, including reducing any undue restrictions hindering economic growth.

Why in the world would we want to eliminate an existing mechanism that allows us to have “special” Point Roberts-specific restrictions and regulations of our choosing, and instead fall exclusively under general cookie-cutter county-wide regulations over which we have little control? We will probably never be in place to incorporate Point Roberts. Instead, I favor at least keeping and strengthening any mechanisms and special provisions we can in order to enhance our own self-determination and local options.

Fix 20.72 as needed; don’t repeal it.

Mark Robbins

Point Roberts