June 20 - 26, 2019
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Blaine Kite Day takes place Saturday, page 5
School board candidates interviewed, page 11
Puppy Rescue Mission fundraiser June 29, page 12
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
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Some charges dropped against Smuggler’s Inn owner By Jami Makan Crown prosecutors have decided not to pursue several of the charges against Bob Boule, owner of the Smuggler’s Inn Bed and Breakfast in Blaine who is alleged to have helped people enter Canada illegally. During a B.C. court appearance on June 11, Crown prosecutors revealed their decision to “stay” nine of the charges against Boule. When charges are stayed, it “basically means that the prosecution has determined not to pursue those charges at this point in time,” said a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC). The dropped charges alleged that, from April 2016 to September 2017, Boule “did knowingly organize, induce, aid or abet the coming into Canada” of nine different individuals “knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, their coming into Canada is or would be in contravention of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.” However, Boule still faces 21 charges. The remaining charges include allegations that Boule, despite being on prior notice, failed to keep the peace and be of good behavior, and assisted people in the U.S. with attempting to enter Canada in contravention of Canadian law. The remaining charges are set for trial from January 13 to February 5, 2020. Between now and then, Boule will appear in court on Friday, July 5 seeking public (See Boule, page 5)
s Fresh seafood can now be purchased in downtown Blaine at Kaisacole, a division of Ferndale-based Barlean’s Fishery. Located at 685 Peace Portal Drive adjacent to Drayton Harbor Oyster Co., Kaisacole is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The store, owned by Mark Riedesel, above, offers a wide selection of products including crab, oysters, clams, salmon, halibut, scallops, lobster tails, octopus and prawns.
Photo by Louise Mugar
City of Blaine receives award from governor’s office By Jami Makan The city of Blaine has received a 2019 Smart Community Award from governor Jay Inslee’s office. Now in its 14th year, the award program “recognizes achievements by local leaders who promote smart growth planning and projects that contribute to thriving communities, a prosperous economy and sustainable infrastructure in Washington,” said a June 14 press release from the state department of commerce. Blaine received a Smart Choices Award
for its Strategic Economic Initiative (SEI). “This strategic process demonstrated innovative, thorough and meaningful public participation. This was a smart use of household surveys for targeted community outreach,” noted one judge. According to the state’s press release, Blaine’s SEI “identified six strategic objectives, including 43 specific action tasks, lead participants, schedules and performance measures. Thanks to excellent community outreach during this strategic process, Blaine voters overwhelmingly approved a Transportation Benefit District,
opened a new downtown welcome center and adopted proposals to create supportable, effective and holistic, action-oriented capital facilities programs.” Awards are given in a number of categories, which include Smart Vision Awards that recognize outstanding comprehensive plan, sub-area plan or county-wide planning policies; Smart Choices Awards that recognize excellence in the implementation of comprehensive plans; and Smart Projects Awards that recognize outstanding projects in the implementation of comprehensive plans.
What rising home values mean for Blaine, Birch Bay By Zoe Deal Whatcom County home values have increased by about 10 percent since March last year, according to a national report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency. This is the most recent addition to years of double-digit growth, which have brought the five-year home value increase in the area to more than 50 percent. While Bellingham residents may not be surprised by these statistics, Blaine real estate agents say they don’t tell the whole
story about north Whatcom County. The county’s housing market as a whole is strong, ranking sixth in the state with 281 closings at a median price of $387,500 in April 2019, according to a report from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Hiding behind these generalizations are cities and towns with significantly different markets. Though Blaine and Birch Bay are growing, the area is seeing a less dramatic increase and a more modest median home value. Peach Arch Real Estate owner Steve
Mullenix cautions residents to be wary about all-encompassing statistics. Just because home values have increased in the double digits for a few years doesn’t mean that the value of an individual home has increased over 30 percent. Higher-priced homes rise at a different rate than lower-priced homes, which are feasible to more buyers, Mullenix said. Many connect Whatcom County’s population growth, and its resulting rise in
INSIDE
(See Award, page 6)
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Classifieds . . . . . 14 Coming Up . . . . . 17 Sheriff . . . . . . . . . 17 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 17
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