The Editor:
Did you know Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) Paratransit is now serving all of Blaine?
This means if you are unable to drive, but have appointments or would like to shop in Ferndale, Bellingham, Lynden, etc. you can request door-to-door service for $1 per ride. To apply and get more information see below:
Paratransit reservations: 360/733-1144
Reservation hours:
Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Holidays: Leave a message
To cancel a ride, call any time during customer service hours.
Customer service hours:
Monday to Friday: 5:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Laura Lucas
Blaine
Editor’s note: WTA’s Route 75 provides service to centrally located areas in Blaine and Birch Bay Monday through Saturday. WTA offers paratransit service to Semiahmoo and east Blaine on Mondays and Thursdays and service to south Birch Bay on Tuesdays and Fridays by reservation.
The Editor:
Noticing the new sign on the former Wild Bird thrift store saying future home of Christ the King church, I wondered why a nonretail use is allowed in the heart of the tourism retail area between the plazas. After years of special downtown recovery committees and consultants working with the Blaine Community Development Services (CDS) office, it is astounding that no one ever recommended making zoning consistent with Blaine’s goals and investments.
The block between the plazas was intended to be the economic generator. The zoning oversight by CDS that allowed an incompatible use there thwarts years of planning.
Jay Taber
Blaine
The Editor:
This month, on Drayton Harbor Road near Semiahmoo, a baby fawn was killed and flattened by a vehicle. The doe mother remained traumatized in jeopardy and panic, pacing nervously, trying to somehow save her dead fawn. I called 911 and eventually the dead fawn was cleared. It was horrific and unforgettable.
Shockingly, within a week, in the other direction, there was another baby fawn severely wounded by a hit-and-run driver. Its legs were fractured, and it was suffering, crawling around the road, not able to get under the railing. The mother doe was also there traumatized and panicking. We called authorities, and after about 30 minutes, euthanasia was the required resolution.
Meanwhile, a bald eagle, our national bird, was also recently mortally wounded and slowly suffered to death there. It must be the same eagle currently missing from its usual perch.
All incidents occurred on the same stretch of Drayton Harbor Road where a safer 25 mph speed limit suddenly and inconsistently ramps to 35 mph, not making sense. This results in drivers travelling 40 mph and even faster. Deer or wildlife crossing signs are also missing.
This has resulted in threats and death to other wildlife, including but not limited to bunnies, squirrels, birds and parenting geese navigating newly hatched goslings to safety. Human walkers, joggers and drivers are at risk too. Long metal railing stretches are difficult for baby fawns to navigate around with their mothers. They can’t maneuver under and panic seeing fast approaching vehicles. They just lie on the road and don’t have a chance.
We must take action before populations become decimated, and we ruin our ecosystem. These animals are our neighbors, and we’re not protecting them or us enough. Loss of life has been excessive. We need appropriate and consistent speed limits, self-monitoring speed signs, and installation of multiple wildlife crossing signs on the road(s) approaching Semiahmoo Spit.
If you support this action, please share your views with the Blaine City Council and other community associations to protect all local lives, regardless of their number of legs, or wing feathers.
Michael Givot
Semiahmoo
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