December 2025
IN THIS
ISSUE
www.AllPointBulletin.com
New drone for SAR, page 6
Makers Guild launched on the Point
$30 million tort suit against WCSO, page 8
ECRWSS ECRWSS PRSRT PRSRT STD STD U.S. U.S. Postage Postage PAID PAID Permit Permit No. No. 14 14
FREE
Holiday Weekend Fair coming up, page 11
Point Point Roberts, Roberts, WA WA 98281 98281 Postal Postal Patron Patron Local Local
Eyes in the sky ...
By Erin Kelly A new creative initiative is taking shape in Point Roberts as Resilient Point Roberts partners with local artist Rhys-Thorvald Hansen to launch a Makers Guild and explore a shared community studio and cooperative retail space. Residents can help shape the project at a visioning session on Friday, November 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the community center on Gulf Road. The meeting is open to everyone – artists or not. Hansen said the first session is meant to begin understanding what the community wants. “The major goal is to introduce the project to folks, what the opportunity is right now around the potential for the shared space, and then identify who wants to get involved, who wants to volunteer, who wants to participate,” they said. (Hansen uses they, them and their as personal pronouns.) They hope to understand “not just individual interests, but where there’s overlap and energy.” Hansen held summer open houses in their studio and those revealed how many makers live quietly on the Point and want more ways to connect. “I heard over and over again what a shame it was that the previous gallery had closed, and how much they missed opportunities to share their work and gather,” Hansen said. Now based in the former National Real Estate building at 1385 Gulf Road, Hansen sees a range of possibilities for the space but wants direction from residents. “I feel totally open about what it could be,” they said. “I have ideas and assumptions, but I want to hear what the need is.” A cooperative retail shop is part of the long-term vision. Hansen said the model would allow artists to staff the store themselves while keeping most of the income. “The artists themselves provide the staffing,” they said. “It’s a nonprofit endeavor, where we prioritize the majority of income going back to the artists and makers.” Organizer Kara Smith said the Makers Guild idea grew directly out of this year’s economic development sessions, where (See Makers Guild, page 5)
s Fire chief Christopher Carleton explained the capabilities of a new $15,000 drone acquisition made possible partly by a private donation and dedicated to the family of David Ho who perished in Point Roberts on November 1, 2023. Story on page 6. Photo by Louise Mugar
Election results in new faces locally, county wide B y P a t G r u bb & Grace McCarthy
There will be a slew of new faces on local boards come this January as newly elected commissioners get sworn in after of the November 4 general election. Whatcom County is also in for some big changes. The highest vote total in local Point Roberts races was 492 compared to 1,106 in last year’s presidential election. A total of 76,463 ballots out of 169,232 registered voters were received by the Whatcom County election office for a voter turnout of 45.2 percent. This compares to a state turnout of 39.1%; the highest county turnout statewide was Garfield County with 58.4% and the lowest was Yakima County
with 27.3%. County voters approved expanding the Port of Bellingham commission from three to five members with the pro-expansion vote coming in at 45,380 or 65.2%. The commission race for District 2 was also heated, with business owner Carly James beating incumbent Ken Bell with 35,951 votes or 51%. The percentages for Point Roberts voters were 75.8% and 58%, respectively. Voters took a divided look at 12 measures that were part of a decennial review of the county code from the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission with some passing while others didn’t. Following is the November 5 ballot (See Election, page 3)
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Inside
Church ............................................. 12 Classifieds ......................................... 12 Coming Up ....................................... 12 Crossings ............................................ 7 Obituary ........................................... 14 Opinion ............................................... 4 Seniors, Sheriffs ............................... 14 Tides ................................................. 11
MISSING PERSON:
David Scott Anderson, 73, has dementia and was last seen walking in Point Roberts on November 3.
He may have his AARP card with tracker attached, and contact info on back. He is a gentle person trying to get somewhere. If you see him please contact Delta Police at 604/946-4411 or Whatcom County Sheriff at 360/676-6911.
Other Contacts: Madeleine Anderson (Home) 360/945-5474 & (Cel) 360/224-2148 or Holger Michelsen (Cel) 360/224-5401.