November 1 - 7, 2018
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Return your ballot by Blaine Library celebrates November 6, page 4 30-year milestone, page 10
Don’t forget to turn DON’T FORGET... back clocks Nov. 4 Turn back your clocks this weekend!
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Have a question for Blaine police? Department to host open house on November 7 B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e The public can get an inside look at the Blaine Police Department next week. An open house is scheduled for 5–8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7 at the department, located at 322 H Street. Police personnel will be on the scene to offer tours, answer questions and serve up a barbeque dinner. “It’s all a part of the department’s community policing effort,” said police chief Allen Schubert. “We care about the [citizens’] needs and what their concerns are.” Schubert took the helm as chief of the Blaine Police Department in August. At the time he was hired, he said he aspired to be collaborative, transparent and approachable to residents living in Blaine. “A true community is one in which every Blaine citizen feels vested – that in some way their presence is contributing positively to the city’s overall welfare,” he said to Blaine City Council during a presentation in August. “That kind of relationship building doesn’t happen overnight. That is why I am expected to be a tireless, committed professional who is always looking forward and never complacent with the status quo.” During the open house, residents are encouraged to share questions and concerns with police personnel as well as other first responders and various social service agencies. Schubert said representatives with the Whatcom Community Emergency Response Team, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, Auxiliary Communications Services and the Healthy Youth Coalition are planning to attend. Tours of the newly-renovated department will also be offered to the public.
s Kids painted pumpkins and trick-or-treated at the Pizza Factory all while listening to live music from the JP Falcon Band during the Rocktoberfest fall festival on October 27 in downtown Blaine. More photos on page 10. Photo by Chuck Kinzer
City considers relocating 4th Street skate park Marine, Lincoln parks are options B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e City officials are considering relocating Blaine Skate Park on 4th Street to make way for a possible redevelopment of the site. To weigh in, the public can attend a meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6 at the Blaine Library, located at 610 3rd Street.
Tucked behind the Blaine Library, Blaine Skate Park is frequented by young skaters, often after school is out for the day. It has received several upgrades since it opened in 2004 – including new rails, ledges, quarter-pipes and other ramps, which the city purchased back in 2016. “Since then, usage has increased and the park has been hosting a number of events,” read an October 25 statement from the city. City manager Michael Jones is looking into options to redevelop city-owned prop-
erties, including the skate park, the former city hall building and the Blaine Library. In September, Blaine City Council approved the formation of a six-member Downtown Residential Jumpstart Committee to create plans to redevelop the downtown properties. Three city councilmembers, including Bonnie Onyon, Steve Lawrenson and Eric Davidson, were appointed along with three (See Skate, page 3)
INSIDE
(See Police, page 2)
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4
Classifieds . . . . . 11
Coming Up . . . . . 14
Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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