October 2016
IN THIS
ISSUE
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Fire district turns down sign request, page 8
FREE
New Compass Rose chef arrives, page 19
Circle of Care gets official status, page 22
ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14 Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
Sales at Seabright off to strong start By Meg Olson
s Olé! Los Gitanos flamenco dancers were a huge crowdpleaser at the 2016 Arts and Music Festival held, for the first time, at the Point Roberts Marina on September 3 and 4. More photos, page 11. Photo by Meg Olson
County pleased with solid waste survey responses By Meg Olson The Whatcom County Health Department has received 165 responses in the first two weeks that its Point Roberts solid waste survey has been online. “The responses are comprehensive, with lots of great comments,” said Jeff Hegedus, environmental health supervisor with the county health department, which manages solid waste in the county. “When the survey is complete, all responses will be
presented by charts and bar graphs and all comments will be listed,” and presented to the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee. “We want a solid waste system up there that works well and people can be proud of,” Hegedus said. That means a system that is affordable, convenient and comprehensive, he said, with a good recycling rate, vendor stability and effective at stopping illegal dumping. The survey was developed in collabora-
The anatomy of an exclusion: How it happens By
P a t G r u bb
Engraved on the International Peace Arch are the words, “May These Gates Never Be Closed.” For a few unlucky souls, these gates are effectively closed, possibly for the rest of their lives. Recently, a number of Canadians have found themselves “excluded” by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from traveling to the U.S. after they admitted to past drug use, usually marijuana. An-
ticipating marijuana legalization in Canada and knowing that the drug is legal in Washington state, these Canadians have been made suddenly aware that marijuana is still considered illegal by the federal government and have been sent packing home. This is how it happens… Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, travelers are ineligible to enter the U.S. if they have been found guilty of, or admit to, violating any laws
of the United States or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance. Once an individual has admitted using marijuana or another controlled substance, it is tantamount to having been found guilty in a court of law. The usual suspects Driving up to the border, Canadians looking forward to shopping south of the border or going to see a Seahawks game (See Exclusions, page 18)
tion with the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee and results will be presented to the committee followed by an analysis of the system as it exists and strategies to improve it. “We want to know if we have a problem before we try and solve it,” Hegedus said. The survey can be completed online at bit.ly/2daHvFE and will be open for responses until October 16.
Church . . . . . . . . 22 Classifieds . . . . . 21 Coming Up . . . . . 15 Crossings . . . . . . 14 Obituary . . . . . . . 22 Opinion . . . . . . . . 4 Seniors, Library . 22 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 10
INSIDE
With 12 out of 58 lots sold, the Cottages at Seabright Farm development is getting off to a running start. “Since Seabright obtained final plat approval a few weeks ago, our sales team has sold over $3,300,000 worth of lots,” said developer Wayne Knowles. The project received final plat approval from Whatcom County on August 8, creating legal lots the project could officially begin selling. “The interest in Seabright is overwhelming and acknowledgement that Point Roberts is a wonderful place to live or purchase a second home.” Knowles said several building permit applications were now in progress and construction on the new homes should begin within six weeks. Knowles, also the vice president of development for the Point Roberts Marina, said they were ready to move forward with developing the marina consistent with the project’s master plan, adding another residential component. A pre-application meeting with county planning has been scheduled for October 13, after which Knowles said he “will be meeting with the community to share our development plans and obtain feedback.” Knowles has also been working with prospective buyers for the Point Roberts Golf Course and the 25-acre property across the street known as the Reno Ranch. On September 14 Knowles and representatives from the prospective buyers met with water district manager Dan Bourks to discuss reviving the stalled residential development at the golf course. Knowles said the properties are currently under contract to purchase but he cannot identify the buyer until the sale is complete. “However, I can tell you that they have no ownership interest in the Marina or Seabright,” he added. In other local development news, Steve O’Neill said the Blackfish Resort had received a six-month extension to meet the county’s request for additional information on their building permit application.
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