The Editor:
Thank you for your participation in the electoral process during the February special election.The latest voting results show voters are approving Blaine school district’s replacement EP&O levy with a 58 percent “yes” vote. We are humbled and very grateful for our community’s local commitment to education and for helping us to ensure educational excellence for all learners.
The four-year educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy will continue to fund programs, services, and staff that are unfunded or underfunded by the state, including staff compensation, expanded curriculum, extracurricular activities, transportation, food service, utilities, technology updates and more.
Although our capital bond measure will not meet the “supermajority” needed to pass, we appreciate the support shown by a majority of local voters, with a 54.8 percent approval vote. We will begin work to reevaluate the bond proposal in hopes of increasing voter support and reaching supermajority in the near future. If you are interested in being involved in this or any of our other projects, please email me at cgranger@blainesd.org.
Our school district will continue to be excellent stewards of our community’s funds now and in the future. On behalf of all of us at Blaine school district, we thank you for your trust in our school system.
It is a pleasure to serve as your superintendent, and there is a lot to be happy and proud about in the Blaine school district. We have a tremendous staff who care deeply for the students and families of our community. We will continue to work hard every day to provide the best for everyone. I hope you will join me in appreciation of our students, staff, families and community.
Thank you Blaine, Point Roberts and Birch Bay for your continued support in making our community a great place to live, go to school and work. It is a great night to be a Borderite, and, as always, a great night to be your superintendent.
Christopher Granger
Superintendent, Blaine school district
Blaine
The Editor:
The Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) is overwhelmed with gratitude as we extend a heartfelt thank you to all the incredible individuals who have supported us throughout this campaign. Your unwavering dedication and support have made a significant impact on our community, and we are truly grateful.
From writing Letters to the Editor, to running committees, doing presentations and even waving signs, your actions have not gone unnoticed. Each and every effort has contributed to making BBBPRD2 a stronger and more vibrant community.
It is because of your unwavering support that our levy has been approved, securing our funding for the next six years. With this approval, we can continue to provide activities and programs that benefit everyone in our community. We are grateful for the trust and confidence placed in us, and we are committed to using this funding responsibly and effectively.
Together, we will continue to make a positive difference in our community and create a better future for all.
Heather Lindsay
Director, Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2
Birch Bay
The Editor:
Thank you for your informative article on the “Silencing of Blaine.” It is quite sad that the relationship between city council and the community has so deteriorated. Our mayor has chosen to react by anesthetizing opposition. Perhaps anyone who would make such a choice should instead consider the Harry Truman quote, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” How can a mayor and council that choose to react versus seeking to respond truly help Blaine?
I have witnessed that wrong, in inappropriate, and disruptive behavior that to me was appalling. This decision to mute all, however, is another wrong, and two of those don’t make a right. With each outburst there was law enforcement on hand, and they could have been asked to act. That was not requested. Now all must suffer for the actions of a few. It was also a wrong that public comments on February 12 were agenda scheduled after voting occurred.
As much as the council has a right to orderly meetings, the public has a right to orally comment. Could Blaine have the only city council in the nation not permitting and recognizing such public forum? Allowing only written submissions isn’t full freedom of speech. Are we also to really believe that all written submissions are read? Won’t those now angry become angrier by such an abrogative maneuver? Will others once quiet now become new voices of dissent?
After the first mass shooting in Canada, the first response of the government wasn’t to seek to punish. It was to question, asking, ‘What have we done as a society for this to have happened?’ Could our mayor, instead of choosing to punish, also have first asked her council to (overtly) consider why this disorder is happening? What if such found that some of all of the cause is with council and the outbursts more an effect? Could our council even ask those questions of itself? Then if so, would they listen if the answers weren’t what they wanted?
Ray Leone
Blaine
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