February 27 - March 5, 2025
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Birch Bay incorporation meeting, page 2
District discusses school merger, page 3
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Art gallery celebrates birding festival, page 4
Longtime Five Borderites earn podium spots at state Whatcom County councilor Barbara Brenner dies at 78 By Grace McCarthy
(See Brenner, page 5)
s Aidyn Hancock attempts to pin his opponent during the first day of the Mat Classic XXXVI state tournament in Tacoma on February 21. Hancock went 2-2 in the 126-pound division. Read more on pages 6 and 7. Photo by Roger Harnack
Blaine City Council roundup: Town hall, downtown revitalization, community center By Grace McCarthy The latest news from the Blaine City Council meeting on February 24. Ethics discussion City of Blaine attorney Peter Ruffatto led a study session on ethics for Blaine City Council, a training Blaine lawyers hold periodically for council to provide ethics training and guidance on how to answer questions from the public regarding ethics issues. Councilmember Sonia Hurt asked Ruffatto if there was any problem of a developer making a donation to the city, to which Ruffato said that was allowed by state law. A small group of residents had voiced concern after Skip and Katie Jansen, the developers of The Ridge at Harbor Hills,
had donated rocks to the city in December 2022, prior to city council’s approval of a zoning text amendment that allowed large manufactured home parks in east Blaine. Ruffatto pointed out the city of Ferndale has a policy that requires councilmembers to recuse themselves whenever discussing issues that benefits them personally, while Blaine’s policy is less stringent. Following the study session during the regular meeting, councilmember Eric Lewis introduced a motion calling for the city to adopt the same ethics policy by Ferndale. Councilmembers Sonia Hurt and Richard May supported the proposal to go before council for a vote (See City, page 3)
INSIDE
Former Whatcom County Councilmember Barbara Brenner, one of the longest serving councilors in recent history, died from respiratory failure on February 9. She was 78. Brenner, who did not follow political party lines, was known for her deep commitment to the Whatcom County community, whether that was standing up for environmental issues or keeping tight oversight on county spending. She served 28 consecutive years on county council, from January 1992 until January 2020. “She didn’t think of herself as a politician,” said Edward Morris, Brenner’s husband. “She thought of herself as a public servant.” Brenner was born in the Boston area on October 10, 1946, and grew up between Boston and Tampa, Florida. She traveled to Central and South America in her young adult life, studying in universities and creating portraits of people along the way. Eventually, she moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she created artwork inspired by nature for a living. It was there where she met Morris, who had posted on a travel board looking for a ride to Bellingham at a time when Brenner was driving through the area. “She later told me that she tore down my ad, which is why no one else answered,” Morris said. “She wanted someone to travel with, but she also wanted someone with mechanical knowledge. I got a kick out of that.” Morris and Brenner settled in east Ferndale, where they bought a furniture refinishing business and Brenner nurtured the family’s yard, planting large evergreen trees and lilacs. Brenner had only lived in Whatcom County for a few years and was rearing her two young children, Wesley and Collin, when her public service career began. Brenner was driving the kids to school in the late ’80s when she heard a radio announcement about a public hearing on whether the Thermal Reduction Company’s incinerator that was out of compliance should continue operating in Ferndale.
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