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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
March 14 - 20, 2019
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Students present Cain Creek findings, page 2
Japanese band making final Blaine visit, page 7
New Birch Bay Chamber executive director, page 13
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
City entered into severance agreement with Schubert By Jami Makan
s In January 2019, 519,410 people crossed the border into Blaine from British Columbia at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings, according to data from Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute. That number hardly changed from January 2018, when 595,915 crossed the border southbound into Blaine.
Graph by Oliver Lazenby
Wings Over Water festival takes flight this weekend By Jami Makan In just a matter of three days, you can become a skilled bird watcher. The 17th annual Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival is slated to take place from Friday through Sunday, March 15-17, in Blaine and will offer a look at the migratory birds that pass through Blaine and Birch Bay on the Pacific Flyway, which extends from Alaska to Patagonia. The festival will feature a variety of activities, exhibitions, speakers and more. Local bird watcher, writer and photographer Joe Meche said, “the rich tapestry of bird life in this area attracts birdwatchers from all over the country to experience a variety of birds close at hand.” The event kicks off by giving guests the chance to join an all-day field trip to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C. on Friday. The trip costs $45
and includes the bus charter, entrance fee and bird seed. Guests will get to see many types of birds, including sandhill cranes. In the evening, there will be a Wings Over Water opening and featured artist reception at The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Because it will be St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the event will feature a traditional Irish meal. Guests will have the chance to participate in a silent auction, view art, meet featured artist Dona Reed and listen to a “Backyard Flora and Fauna” presentation by Emily Hirsch from the Whatcom Conservation District and Pam Borso from North Cascades Audubon Wildlife. The event continues on Saturday with a hearty pancake breakfast at the Blaine community center, 763 G Street, from 8 to 11 a.m. Guests are asked to pay $6 for adults and $4 for children to attend. From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, the public is invited to take part in an open
water birding cruise by San Juan Cruises, running through Boundary and Semiahmoo Bay for $50 per person. A trained naturalist will be onboard to help guests spot nearby birds and wildlife. (See Festival, page 3)
INSIDE
The city of Blaine entered into a severance agreement with former police chief Allen Schubert, whereby Schubert was paid 90 days’ salary in exchange for releasing all claims, known and unknown, against the city. The agreement was signed in order to end the employment relationship “in an orderly and fair manner,” according to a copy of the agreement provided to The Northern Light in response to a public records request. “You [Allen Schubert] hereby fully and forever release and discharge the city … from any and all claims arising out of your employment with the city or your separation from employment with the city,” the severance agreement reads in part. According to the severance agreement, Schubert had no known claims against the city at the time of his departure. The agreement was signed on February 4 by Schubert and city manager Michael Jones. Schubert’s salary as police chief was $9,417 monthly. Of the approximately $28,000 in severance that was paid to Schubert upon his departure, 50 percent was paid by the city’s risk management provider, Clear Risk Solutions. Notably, the agreement provided a standard response to be provided “in response to any queries regarding Schubert’s separation from employment.” That statement, Exhibit A in the agreement, reads as follows: “Allen Schubert has decided to return to the Los Angeles Police Department and resign from his position as the Police Chief for the City of Blaine. During his tenure with Blaine, he ... contributed to building a positive police/community relationship. We wish to thank him for that service and wish him the best.” When contacted by The Northern Light, Schubert declined to comment any further. “I really enjoyed working for the city and working for the citizens of Blaine,” he said. “But I will not comment on this matter any further, and the city is not allowed to comment on it any further.” Reached by The Northern Light, city manager Michael Jones also declined to offer any further details on Schubert’s resignation. “The severance agreement limits my comments to those which you already have,” he said.
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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17th Annual Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival THIS D KEN E E W
MARCH 15-17
DETAILS AT:
All Day Birding Expo Sat. March 16 Blaine Middle School • 9AM - 5PM
www.WingsOverWaterBirdingFestival.com
RE ENTI E H T FOR I LY ! N U F F AM