FREE
Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
July 8 - 14, 2021
HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Children rescued from hot car, page 3
Station 49 activities this summer, page 6
Arnett executive director of animal therapy, page 16
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Point Roberts Fourth of July lights up Blaine gets a twofer visit from Inslee and DelBene B y P a t G r u bb
(See Point Roberts, page 3)
s Blaine’s Fourth of July official celebrations were a go again this year with fireworks over Marine Park, a crowded street fair, live music and an unofficial car show. See more photos on pages 8 and 9.
Photo by Gary Tomsic
City council approves 39 lots in Montfort Park By Ian Haupt A new 39-lot housing development in the Montfort Park neighborhood is ready for lots to be turned over to buyers and construction to start now that Blaine City Council gave final approval to the Drayton Reach plat during its June 28 meeting. As part of the agreement, the city will also establish a new park in the area with a public trail and beach access to Drayton Harbor. Skyline Properties Inc. real estate broker Grant Dalgliesh said all of the lots, except for three, have been sold. “There’s a couple
people chomping at the bit,” he said, as he expects some buyers to start building toward the end of the summer. Development of the 39 lots is the second phase of the Drayton Reach project. In 2008, Whatcom-Skagit Housing, a nonprofit similar to Habitat for Humanity that offers an affordable option for families to build their own homes, built the first phase consisting of 54 lots off Runge Avenue. Developer Jim Wong acquired the parcel of land in 2015. The newly approved lots range in size from 7,000 to 18,000 square feet. Lots cost
Berm task force considers path restrictions for bikes, e-scooters By Ian Haupt The Birch Bay Berm Task Force held the first of a series of conversations June 24 to discuss and eventually come to a consensus on how the new berm path should be used. Prohibiting bikes from using the mostly limestone path has been the main focus of discussion but some community members say electric scooters and skateboards should be considered as well.
Once the task force comes to an agreement what types of vehicle restrictions should be put in place for the path, whether it will be pedestrian only or a pedestrian/ bicycle trail, it will make a recommendation to the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will then propose it to Whatcom County Public Works, which will then draft an ordinance to present to county council, Roland Middleton of public works said.
In the meeting, community members discussed ways to limit bikers from “terrorizing” pedestrians on the promenade. Some mentioned placing a speed limit on vehicles or prohibiting them altogether for adults at least, but all were in agreement that kids should be allowed to ride their bikes on the path. “We have to have a place for the little (See Berm, page 2)
from $99,000 to $399,000, with six facing the waterfront. While only three lots are available – one of which faces the waterfront – there will be new homes up for sale in the area eventually. Dalgliesh said some private builders have bought lots with plans of selling in the future. Houses can be up to 30 feet tall, allowing for two stories, and homes, driveways, walkways or other structures cannot cover (See Housing, page 3)
INSIDE
Point Roberts will get a two for one visit on Friday, July 9 by Washington state governor Jay Inslee and U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene. On June 29, Inslee announced that funds of $100,000 from the state strategic reserve fund to help provide food security for the community and avoid a food crisis would be used to support the International Marketplace, which has been operating at a loss during the pandemic. “I strongly support the reopening of the U.S./Canada border to support our border communities in Washington and British Columbia. The Point Roberts community has been isolated due to the closure throughout the pandemic, and while all Washington communities have been impacted, the situation up there is unique,” Inslee said in the announcement. “This action is a small bridge to support the entire community and retain a critical employer. I urge the U.S. and Canadian governments to take rapid and meaningful steps to reopen travel across the U.S./Canada land border, consistent with public health guidelines.” In response, the owner of the Marketplace, Ali Hayton, said she was “so grateful and relieved to hear from governor Inslee; these funds will allow us to continue serving our community,” adding, “We have been so encouraged by his outreach, especially these last few weeks, and while we know he has no control over the border, we are hopeful that his continued advocacy will spur some change in Washington, D.C. As a business owner, I have never wanted a handout; I just want my customers back. And while these funds help stop the hemorrhaging at my business, the entire business community as well as every resident of Point Roberts needs to see an exemption at Boundary Bay so that we can ‘reopen’ along with the rest of Washington state.”
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
TheNorthernLight
@TNLreporter
@TheNorthernLightNews
TheNorthernLight.com
ThisFLYER Week’s
Rite Aid