January 24 - 30, 2019
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Downtown project expected Girls basketball team wins Talk to city officials at to conclude in April, page 3 against Lakewood, page 6 public hearings, page 8
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Lummi signature clears way for berm construction Locals lend support during government shutdown
(See Shutdown, page 7)
s The storm that impacted Puget Sound and caused damage to Birch Bay Drive on December 20 may have been a catalyst for permitting a $11.5 million beach restoration project, known as the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility project. The Lummi Indian Business Council gave a necessary approval after chairman Jeremiah Julius walked the damaged road with Whatcom County officials. Photo by Stefanie Donahue
County may complete beach berm in one season, rather than two By Oliver Lazenby After visiting Birch Bay Drive with Whatcom County officials after the destructive December 20 storm, Jeremiah
Julius, chairman of the Lummi Indian Business Council, signed off on a permit for the long-delayed Birch Bay berm project that county officials called the biggest remaining hurdle. Tribal approval fulfills the cultural resources requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act review process for the $11.5 million project, officially called the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Fa-
Governor Inslee pushes for state capital gains tax Would impose 9 percent tax on capital gains starting at $25K B y S e a n H a r d i n g WN PA O ly m p i a N e ws B u r e a u Governor Jay Inslee proposed a $54.4 billion state budget that would introduce a capital gains tax on stocks, bonds and other assets. The proposal would tax capital gains of over $25,000 for individuals and $50,000
for joint filers at a rate of 9 percent. The tax is projected to raise $975 million in revenue during the 2021 fiscal year, according to the Office of Financial Management. Homes, farms and retirement accounts would be exempt. The budget proposed by the governor will likely not be the version eventually passed by the state legislature. Although lawmakers may use it as a template, they will independently create their own proposal to create an “equitable tax situation that pays the bills,” said representative
and chair of the appropriations committee Timm Ormsby (D-Spokane). Other lawmakers see it as an attempt to circumvent voters, who have struck down ballot measures to introduce a state income tax in previous years. “Voters in this state have repeatedly said no,” said senate minority leader Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville). This has not deterred Democrats from seeking what they see as an ideal budget. (See Tax, page 2)
cility project. The project aims to restore the beach at Birch Bay, make pedestrian improvements to the road and protect the roadway from storm damage. The county added the project to its comprehensive plan for Birch Bay in 1977 and county officials began permitting it in 2016. If all else goes as planned, trucks will (See Berm, page 10)
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As the government shutdown drags into its fifth week, approximately 11,000 unpaid federal workers in Washington are struggling to make ends meet. With no end in sight, local groups in Whatcom County are stepping forward to lend a hand. Blaine Food Bank The Blaine Food Bank, located at 500 C Street, will open its doors exclusively to federal workers and their families between noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 26. “The border has always supported us,” said volunteer Sally Church of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. “So many of these people are a part of this community.” Currently, CBP administrative offices are closed and non-essential CBP functions can’t be performed. Church said the Blaine Food Bank isn’t in need of extra volunteer assistance, but is accepting donations. There is a particular need for diapers, toilet paper, paper towels and baby food, she said. “We have no idea what kind of volume we’re going to have,” she said. “We are here to meet whatever need they may have.” Guests are encouraged to bring identification, verifying federal employment. Operation Shutdown Fun Several businesses in Whatcom County are offering free or reduced-fee activities to federal workers and their families. “Being in their situation is stressful and having an hour or two of fun gives them a reprieve from that reality,” said Suzanne Westcott-England. Westcott-England is the organizer of Operation Shutdown Fun, which is a Facebook page that allows federal workers to find free or reduced-fee activities of-
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