The Editor:
The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce (BBCC) was contacted in early 2022 regarding the sign located at Bell Road and Peace Portal Drive. There was interest in who owned it and how it could be acquired.
Not knowing, the BBCC reached out to the city of Blaine, and received vague information on the ownership and process for acquisition. The Birch Bay chamber does not have any documentation proving or claiming ownership of the sign in its possession; we later learned that this sign was originally purchased by the resort association that later created the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. No one from the BBCC has had any communication regarding this sign since early 2022.
Derek Jones, chamber president
Birch Bay
The Editor:
Why in the world wouldn’t Birch Bay want the representation that would come with becoming a ‘real’ Whatcom County city? Everyone agrees that Birch Bay is a popular visitor destination as well as a unique year-round community. Family-oriented for over 100 years, visitors and residents alike love it for the beaches, the activities and memories of its past.
Now with a population over 10,000 and growing, we can’t continue to live in the past. As a community, we need to develop strong goals and concepts for future development. Decisions are being made by Whatcom County planners, along with out-of-town developers, that have proven detrimental to our community’s wellbeing.
Where are the public bathrooms and parking spaces that were planned to be completed long before this year? Money for this project mysteriously disappeared and, if not for a few alert members of the Birch Bay chamber, it would not even be back on the funding agenda for 2025. It seems that ‘unincorporated’ Birch Bay is an underrepresented afterthought for funds and plans.
I couldn’t believe that Whatcom County Public Works scheduled July to tear up our main tourist artery, Birch Bay Drive, in the middle of our busy tourist season. Luckily, construction was rescheduled as Issaquah-based Lakeside Industries didn’t understand the complexity of digging up areas of Birch Bay, and had not filed the required critical project application.
We need to have a Birch Bay voice. As a city, we would have an elected city council that could analyze the needs and concerns of our citizens and visitors and speak with authority for Birch Bay. There would be town meetings where you could voice your opinion.
In fact, they would probably be publicized in The Northern Light, not in the Bellingham Herald to which only 224 Birch Bay residents subscribe. The well-known stop sign issue at Birch Bay Drive and Birch Point Road could have been averted had people known to attend this critical decision-making meeting.
Understanding the pros and cons of incorporating Birch Bay should be everybody’s goal, so one day we can all make an intelligent decision either way. Incorporatebirchbay.com.
Sharman Burnam
Birch Bay
The Editor:
As a child in my growing years, I spent every summer traveling from Seattle on Aurora Avenue by old Highway 99 for summers in Birch Bay. The long, tenuous trip that ended by seeing the arrow sign pointing to Birch Bay – shouting, “We are here, yahoo!”
A historical arrow sign that points the way to Birch Bay. The sign now has been moved and placed at a bar in Birch Bay. Let’s get together and replace our Birch Bay sign back to its original place for Birch Bay visitors and families to see “we are here” in Birch Bay.
A resident for the past 30 years and business owner, I was so dismayed to see it gone.
Sheryl Hull Cline
Birch Bay
The Editor:
As a person who grew up on the shores of Birch Bay playing on its sandy beaches, when not working at my father’s resort, I am greatly saddened by the mysterious removal of the aging yellow arrow with its slightly faded red lettering at the corner of Peace Portal and Bell roads.
My father and mother had a tavern and Olympic-sized public swimming pool at Birch Bay. The Workshop Tavern was actually my father’s workshop when I was a kid. So many fascinating things were built in that shop. (Oddly enough I grew up in the building that now sports the sign off its side).
As a child, I would see the Birch Bay sign twice a day riding the school bus back and forth from the Blaine school campus. Obviously, I hold many dear warm memories of my childhood in Birch Bay, which include proudly acknowledging my parents’ contribution to the fun and attractions of Birch Bay.
I honestly feel the sign should be restored to its accustomed position. I recall as a kid my mother and father discussing the sign and that it was in need of fresh paint probably in the mid-60s. I feel the former resort owners who formed the previous Birch Bay Resort Owner Association would roll over in their graves if they knew of the sign’s new place. They too would hold the same strong allegiance to that sign as I hold today.
I ask that the person now in the possession of the iconic sign to please offer up proof of ownership. To include what he paid for our piece of history which now is a mere conversation piece at his resort. Thank you.
Catherine Goff
Birch Bay
The Editor:
Thanks for the great job you’re doing on The Northern Light.
I would love to see a weekly column on disposing of “stuff” such as used batteries, light bulbs, expired food items, expired meds, etc.
Nancy Kaye
Birch Bay
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