Point Roberts Year in Review

January 

• After Point Roberts Park and Recreation District chair Mitch Friedman stated that the community center was not large enough for events and storage needed for our growing community, the board discussed building a new community center at Baker Field on Benson Road. Commissioners suggested that they get approval and suggestions from the public before they move forward with any plans. 

• Proposition 5, the Whatcom County Children’s Initiative levy lid lift, barely passed by 20 votes. The proposition authorized the county to increase property taxes to fund early learning programs, childcare and support for homeless and other vulnerable children.  

• Blaine school district extended superintendent Christopher Granger’s contract in a 3-0 vote. The contract will run through June 30, 2026.

• Point Roberts water district rates for commercial and residential users were set to increase 4.8 percent in 2023 and another 4.9 percent in 2024. 

February 

• After receipt of a letter from the Maple Beach Association, the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) decided to seek funding for the Maple Beach seawall. During storms and high waters, the wall is often breached by water and debris subjecting low lying streets and homes to flooding. Chair Allison Calder stated that there were federal and state grants to replace vertical bulkheads with soft shoreline protection. 

• Blaine school district announced that Point Roberts Elementary School will likely lose its third-grade class.  

• Blaine school district appointed its fifth board member, Kimberly Akre. 

• PointNet partnered with Whatcom County Public Utility District No. 1 to apply for a grant from the Washington State Broadband Office. The grant would bring fiber optic internet to the areas of the Point that have not been covered in previous grants to Whidbey Telecom. 

March 

• The parks district board discussed possible future improvements to the community center, including seismic upgrades, additional storage space, and septic system improvements. 

• The Whatcom Transit Authority decided against reestablishing a shuttle service to the Point.  

• A Blaine auto brokerage, BidBuy Auctions, LLC, agreed to pay $430,000 to resolve claims that it purchased vehicles in Canada but understated their value when importing them into the U.S. in order to avoid customs duties.  

• Circle of Care conducted a market feasibility study to determine the feasibility of building one or more adult family homes in Point Roberts. A problem identified by the study was the lack of long-term affordable housing for staff.  

April 

• Concerns were raised over Point Roberts Park and Recreation District’s procedures on spending after $800 was spent on a community dance without budget approval from the board.  

• Canadian and U.S. government officials announced that NEXUS enrollment centers will reopen in eight Canadian airports.  

• Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu appointed Elizabeth Kosa, former assistant public works director, as the new director of the department.  

May 

• After lower-than-projected student enrollment and reduced income from state and federal sources, Blaine school board voted 4-0 to approve administration’s plans to reduce costs (Resolution 2223-08 Reduced Education Plan 2023-24). 

• During a presentation by Point Roberts fire chief Christopher Carleton, district attorney Brian Snure, and bond consultant Jim Nelson, fire commissioners and about 20 members of the public were briefed on the fire district’s deteriorating fiscal situation and the steps that would be required to place it on a sound financial basis. 

• Point Roberts Park and Recreation District released a survey to gather ideas and feedback from the public on park facilities and programs the park provides for residents. 

June 

• Point Roberts Fire District #5 commissioners held two special meetings to consider financing options to pay for its newly adopted capital facilities plan. From 2023-2036, the district has anticipated capital expenditures on new and updated infrastructure of $4.2 million.• Whatcom Council on Aging hired a new senior lunch cook, Rhonda Granger, for the senior’s lunch program at the Gulf Road community center.  

• There was a 50th anniversary celebration of Lighthouse Marine Park. On June 16, 1973, both Monument and Lighthouse Marine Park were officially transferred to Whatcom County.  

• PointNet and Whatcom Public Utilities District No. 1 together were granted $3.1 million from the Washington State Broadband Office.  

July 

• During a Whatcom County Park and Recreation (WCPR) regular monthly meeting at Lighthouse Marine Park, Bennett Knox, WCPR director, stated that due to project delays and a backlog of work, any improvements to the park, including an off-leash dog run, will be put off until 2025 when a master plan will be developed.  

• The Blaine school district planned to reduce its employee count by 50 FTEs through layoffs, attritions and unfilled positions as it prepared for an expected drop in federal and state funding in 2023/24. 

• The Circle of Care bus went back into service for trips to medical appointments in Bellingham on Thursdays.  

August 

• The children of Gail Amundsen and Murray Church filed a lawsuit against Whatcom County and several companies alleging negligence resulting in the wrongful deaths of the couple due to carbon monoxide poisoning. 

• The primary election race began with five people challenging incumbent Satpal Sidhu for the position of Whatcom County Executive.  

September 

• Whatcom County Executive incumbent Satpal Sidhu and Dan Purdy were the top two finishers in the August primary election and moved on to the November 7 election. 

• After a sizable number of invasive European green crabs were found in Drayton Harbor, scientists decided to step up monitoring activities. 

• The library celebrated its fifth anniversary. 

• A Point Roberts Park and Recreation District special meeting was held to discuss the results of the community survey to gather opinions and information about the usage of facilities and programs. The district will use the results to guide them in future decision making. 

October 

• November voters were asked to approve increased levies for parks and fire districts. 

• Circle of Care held their annual Apple Harvest Festival. 

• Due to the timeline of the installation of fiber optic broadband being pushed to 2025, Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee board members searched for more immediate and cost-effective solutions. 

November 

• Voters were asked to approve a sales tax increase from 8.8 to 9 percent to fund the building of a new jail in Whatcom County. 

• After paying back taxes, construction on the Blackfish Resort got underway. 

• The Whatcom Million Trees Project informed Point Roberts of the dangers English Ivy poses to the native tree population. 

• Whidbey Telecom chief operating officer Donna Hilty attended the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee meeting on November 26 to discuss the stalled progress on the company’s broadband

• Meet the Candidates night was held at the community center. The event was attended by nine candidates including those running for Whatcom County Executive, sheriff, council, council at-large, and school board positions. 

• Bob Hillman applied for a non-profit license for a local FM broadcast station in Point Roberts.  

December 

• Going Solar, a group formed to consider creating a solar cooperative in Point Roberts, attracted nearly 100 individuals to their weekly meetings and mailing list.   

• The Point Roberts Hospital District board of commissioners voted in favor of taking a one–percent hike in its levy. 

• Point Roberts Historical Society neared completion of its Point Roberts History trail. The trail is a series of interpretive signs which explain local history where it happened.