February 2020
IN THIS
ISSUE
www.AllPointBulletin.com
Recycling survey results, page 13
Meals on Wheels hits the road, page 13
ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14
FREE
Circle of Care wants to be your valentine, page 8
Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
Source provides A little bit of Hawaiian splashing ... directive telling local CBP officers to detain Iranian-born travelers B y P a t G r u bb In a bulletin issued by the tactical analytical unit (TAU) in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Blaine-based Seattle Field Office, officers were instructed to conduct vetting on all individuals who met certain criteria, including being Iranian nationals or having traveled to Iran. On January 4 and 5, up to 200 Americans and permanent residents with Iranian backgrounds were subjected to enhanced vetting while attempting to return home though the Peace Arch and other Blaine area ports of entry. Travelers reported waits of up to 12 hours and underwent in-depth questioning regarding their backgrounds and examination of their personal electronic devices. The bulletin, labeled “Iranian Supreme Leader Vows Forceful Revenge After U.S. Kills Maj. General Qassim Suleimani in Baghdad – Threat Alert High,” presented updated procedures described as being “best practices learned in the last 24 hours.” Suleimani was assassinated in the early hours of Friday, January 3 by a U.S. drone strike near the airport in Baghdad, Iraq. The undated bulletin was given to the All Point Bulletin by local immigration attorney Len Saunders, who said he received it from an anonymous source. The document has been reviewed by an individual familiar with CBP communications who described it as being consistent with previous agency directives. The individual said that such directives would normally be emailed or read aloud at briefings that occur at the beginning of shift changes. The fact that it was given to someone outside CBP was “shocking,” said the individual. The directive was published following a (See CBP, page 6)
s Don’t let the blue skies fool you – the waters at Maple Beach were plenty frigid for the crazies who participated in the annual polar bear plunge on New Year’s Day 2020. Photo by Colleen Buckley
County executive to delay appointments to PRCAC By Meg Olson New county executive Satpal Sidhu has opted to delay any further appointments to the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) until he can meet with local groups and community members, which could leave the committee down to a bare quorum. The January 23 regular meeting of the committee was the last for at-large member and chair Linda Hughes. “I’ve spent
almost 30 years as a volunteer on various committees and this is my final night,” Hughes said. Point Roberts Registered Voters Association (PRRVA) representative Tessa Pinckston confirmed she would be resigning her spot on the committee in February. Local resident Pamala Sheppard netted 60 percent of votes in an email election conducted by PRCAC in December asking the community which of two applicants they would choose to fill Hughes’ seat
Race Week gets up a head of steam By
Meg Olson
Race Week is adding new levels of excitement for their inaugural year in Point Roberts. The July 13 to 17 event will host both the Corsair Nationals and the International 6-Meter North American Championships this year, in addition to other one-design and handicapped racing fleets. The Corsair Nationals at Point Roberts Race Week marks the 26th anniversary
of Corsair Marine Nationals, which were first held in Pensacola in 1994. “Our goal is to make this an event that caters equally to both racers and recreational sailors by upping the fun factor and adding educational and informational sessions, while still providing a rigorous racing schedule for hardcore racers,” said Scott Wallingford, commodore of the Northwest Multihull Association. A variety of multihued sailboats are expected to participate. Any group of five or
more boats shall race in a separate one-design class in addition to being eligible for overall awards. A multihull cruising class will also be assembled – upon demand – to host catamarans and unclassified multihulls. Based on previous National Championships, the Corsairs estimate that there will be 30-45 boats participating, according to a Point Roberts Race Week press release. Yachts from Canada and the U.S. (See Race Week, page 3)
and PRCAC forwarded these results to the county executive, who has the authority to appoint PRCAC members. However, she and opponent Craig Grossman received a letter from Sidhu’s office on January 22 saying the decision was still pending. Sidhu “would like to take some time to learn more about the Point Roberts community as a whole,” the letter stated. (See PRCAC, page 3)
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Inside
Church ............................................. 13 Classifieds ........................................ 16 Coming Up ....................................... 14 Crossings ............................................ 8 Obituaries ......................................... 17 Opinion ............................................... 4 Seniors, Tides, Library .................... 15 Travel................................................... 9