The Editor:
This is in response to the lady who complained about Canadians, drivers and shoppers, and also to Michael Fitzgerald’s letter. Michael, you are right about the speeding on Bay Road. There is no 25 mph speed limit between Jackson Road and Blaine Road; it is 35 mph. Regardless, many Washington drivers go well over 35 in that area and and they also drive very fast further down Bay Road past Kickerville all the way to Grandview even with several 20 and 30 slow down signs.
I don’t know the size of her sample the lady took when she complained about the Canadians. After a letter complaining about Canadian drivers was published some time ago, I have been observing more closely driving the habits of all drivers. I shop at Walmart and all area supermarkets and have never seen a rude Canadian. She claims Canadians drove fast, ran stop signs and tailgate. Not knowing where she has seen all of this, I can only state from my personal observations, Washington drivers speed, run stop signs and tailgate much, much more often than Canadian drivers.
For example, yesterday as I exited off I5 to access Grandview, there was a car in front of me waiting to turn left onto Grandview. Suddenly a car driving east on Grandview flew pass us and never came close to slowing down at all. The driver ahead of me pulled into the Arco station so I pulled next to him and asked him if he saw what I saw and he said he saw this lady fly by with kids in the car paying no attention to the stop sign.
Today, I went to Best Buy and in leaving, the woman pulled out of the parking area ahead of me and turned left and flew down the street without slowing down and ignored the stop sign altogether.
Washington drivers, be more careful and safety conscious and don’t worry about the Canadian drivers who are driving better than you.
Michele Masdeo
Birch Bay
The Editor:
As a relative newcomer to the area I am always amazed and fascinated by this area’s history. Blaine and northern Whatcom County have something in the past that can appeal to everyone. Settlers, Native Americans, original families, commercial fishing, the timber industry, as well as farming, immigration, the struggle to establish the 49 latitude as the boundary, and the list can go on and on.
As a newcomer I would love to learn more and see pictures. If The Northern Light would occasionally (or regularly) include an article about our region’s past I would be your biggest fan.
Patty Makowski
Blaine
The Editor:
This letter is to offer information and to express gratitude for all The Northern Light has done to help us promote art and artists in Blaine.
Six years ago several artist friends gathered to discuss how art might be promoted in Blaine. Recognizing the value of a strong art presence in a community, they hoped to nurture the artistic climate and provide venues for creative people in North Whatcom County.
Although there had been sporadic art shows and live art events, no group represented local artists. The notion of an online gallery, combined with two live shows a year was born, and in 2012, using personal funds, the group launched The Blaine Harbor Art Gallery. For just $25 per year, artists could show their work online, and buyers could contact them directly. No commissions were ever charged. The gallery’s mission was to provide ongoing opportunities for marketing works of art and developing Blaine as a community of artistic excellence.
Over 3,000 visitors attended the art shows. Over the years, artists realized over $110,000 in show sales. Over the past several years, BHAG has proudly represented 80 artists, produced seven shows and promoted Blaine as a tourist destination. Our work together has been joyful and gratifying. We are truly grateful for the generous support received from the city of Blaine, BTAC, Blaine Chamber of Commerce, and many businesses, particularly Semiahmoo Resort and Jacaranda Corporation.
After Springfest, we did the usual post-event calculations and although attendance was pretty consistent, there was a considerable decrease in overall sales, which leads us to the conclusion that we likely have saturated our market. Due to this and personal commitments of board members, we have made the decision to close the online gallery and will no longer produce art events.
We live in a community of creative people. We know artists will continue to create, and it is our hope that the community of Blaine will continue to support those artists’ efforts and find ways to showcase their talent. We all remain committed to making Blaine a community of artistic excellence, and look forward to watching the momentum we created continue to grow.
Georgia Donovan on behalf of
Blaine Harbor Art Gallery
The Editor:
Congress and corporations have engineered a system that makes many citizens feel like losers.
Businesses building stock portfolios insist that stocks take precedence over workers. Good business practice forces them to cut costs (employment) and use computerized robotics and mergers “for efficiency.”
Congress lifted the ban on American crude oil export. For 40 years, citizens were told U.S. production was for security from foreign market control. Now petroleum companies want to export “fracked” crude to China to be refined and shipped back for additives at increased prices. (Seattle Times 5/26 D1) Their stock value is more important than protecting most West Coast petroleum worker jobs. Their “innovation” will cost good paying jobs, tax base and community support.
Large real estate corporations buy up housing for investment. Average home buyers cannot afford the competitive prices, causing cuts in consumer buying of furnishings and goods; affecting jobs in manufacturing and sales. They purchase large tracks of land for dubious projects to cover their investment regardless of water usage that limits house building site water wells due to minimum flow issues. Will the Goldman Sachs’ water purchase limit our wells further? Railroads have put in infrastructure for nonexistent projects and want their investments assured.
Could it be that the “Preserve Cherry Point and Jobs” signs were paid for by big money which does not have our interests at heart?
Donna Starr
Blaine
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