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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
September 19 - 25, 2019
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Peace Portal Community Trail extended, page 8
Climate rally to be held at Peace Arch, page 9
Burn ban lifted in parts of Whatcom County, page 13
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
City council candidate allegedly obstructed Blaine officers By Jami Makan
(See Tojek, page 2)
s Large American and Canadian flags were suspended from fire truck ladders at the 18th annual 9/11 memorial service at Peace Arch State Park. The service featured an honor guard parade, a pipe band, the singing of the American and Canadian national anthems, a minute of silence and other ceremonies intended to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Photo by Kira Erickson
Blaine reaches Gateway property deal with White-Leasure By Jami Makan The city of Blaine and the White-Leasure Development Company have reached an agreement for the purchase of about five acres of the Gateway property, formerly the site of the Blaine Municipal Airport. The five-acre parcel is the last piece of the Gateway property that the city owns, so the proposed deal, if it proceeds, would represent a milestone in the city’s history. At a special city council meeting on September 12, Blaine city manager Michael Jones presented a draft purchase and sale agreement to councilmembers, who voted 5-0 (Alicia Rule and Steve Lawrenson were excused) to authorize Jones to enter into the agreement with White-Leasure, which is based in Boise, Idaho and specializes in the development of retail shopping centers, hotels and other projects. The buyer intends to develop a commer-
cial center on the property, with an undetermined mix of tenants. The site is adjacent to a 2.5-acre plot of land that Family Care Network (FCN) recently agreed to purchase for the development of a new medical center. If FCN chooses not to develop, White-Leasure would be required to purchase the entire 7.5-acre site, which is bordered by H Street to the north, the truck route to the west and Grant Avenue to the east. “I’m excited that potentially the last piece of the airport property is getting sold, that we can get this on the tax rolls, and I’m excited about the jobs that it’s going to potentially generate, and adding services for the citizens,” said councilmember Eric Davidson. Councilmember Jaime Arnett agreed, adding that “the added retail and services are just going to add value and attract buyers for the new neighborhood that
we’re building in east Blaine as well.” According to the terms of the deal, price has been established at $5.50 per square foot. The agreement allows for a 180-day (See Gateway, page 3)
INSIDE
A candidate for Blaine City Council is charged with obstructing Blaine police officers during a late-night traffic stop in 2017, after the officers impounded his vehicle, which was being driven 111 m.p.h. by an intoxicated driver before it was pulled over. Steven Tojek, a border patrol agent who is currently running for the Blaine city council ward 2 seat, allegedly became angry and confrontational with Blaine police officers after they proceeded to impound his new Ford Mustang, in which he was the passenger. “You touch my vehicle and I am suing your f---ing a--,” Tojek told the officers. The confrontation allegedly delayed their investigation of the driver, who was later found guilty of reckless driving and driving under the influence. Tojek is charged with one count of obstructing under RCW 9A.76.020, which states that a person “is guilty of obstructing a law enforcement officer if the person willfully hinders, delays or obstructs any law enforcement officer in the discharge of his or her official powers or duties.” He is facing a trial in Whatcom County District Court on Monday, September 23. A call to the prosecutor’s office about potential penalties was not returned. On December 2, 2017 at about 2:39 a.m., Tojek, then 46, was a passenger in his own vehicle, which was being driven northbound on I-5 by Shah Khan, Tojek’s 24-year-old tenant at the time. The pair had gone to a nightclub together and were on their way home. As the Mustang approached the exit 274 off-ramp, nearby police officers activated their radar and observed the vehicle traveling 111 m.p.h. in a 70 m.p.h. zone. Officers followed the Mustang off I-5 onto Peace Portal Drive, where they pulled it over. Khan was told that he was doing 111 m.p.h. on the freeway. He was asked to step out of the vehicle before being placed in handcuffs, placed in the back seat of a patrol vehicle, notified that he was under arrest for reckless driving and read his constitutional rights. An officer then walked back to the
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