November 14 - 20, 2019
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Christmas toy drive starts on November 15, page 5
Bay Medical Clinic to close permanently
WTA proposes changes to bus fares, page 13
Pizza joint has new name and lower prices, page 16
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Veterans honored at Blaine memorial service
By Jami Makan Bay Medical Clinic will close permanently at the end of this year, after multiple attempts to secure a replacement provider were unsuccessful. Bay Medical Clinic was opened by doctors Marta Kazymyra and husband David Allan 39 years ago in Blaine. Its closure will leave the city of Blaine without any family doctors. Family Care Network recently agreed to purchase city-owned land for a new medical center, but construction has not yet started and the facility is not expected to open for at least two years. “It is with heavy hearts that after 39 years in Blaine, we are announcing our retirement and closure of Bay Medical Clinic,” read a letter that was recently sent to the clinic’s 2,500 patients. “We have spent over two years looking for a replacement and have unfortunately been unsuccessful. Family medicine is a very difficult specialty and small, personal practices are becoming a thing of the past.” Indeed, a recent report published by the Washington State Medical Association noted the numerous challenges faced by independent medical practices, ranging from burdensome documentation, lower reimbursements and recruitment shortages to rent increases, state fees and taxes. Bay Medical Clinic’s last day will be Friday, December 27, and its staff will not be available to provide health care after that date. Its patients are urged to make an appointment in November or December for an exit visit, when they can receive prescriptions to ensure they have enough medication for several months until making arrangements with a new provider. Dr. Kazymyra has made arrangements with Dr. Jamie Kendall-Weed of Bellingham to accept many of her patients. “She’s a family physician with a similar philosophy and a small, independent clinic,” said Dr. Kazymyra. “My patients might find her to be a good fit.” In their letter to patients, Dr. Allan and Dr. Kazymyra suggested several other options including the Center for Senior (See Clinic, page 2)
s Veterans, U.S Naval Sea Cadets, Blaine city leaders and members of the public gathered for a Veteran’s Day memorial service in Blaine on November 11. The event featured a prayer, speeches, a rifle salute and a wreath ceremony. The names of soldiers from Blaine who were killed in World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam were also read aloud, each one followed by the ringing of a bell. Photo by Jami Makan
Sidhu declares victory in county executive election race By Jami Makan Following a switch in lead, Satpal Sidhu is now ahead in the race for Whatcom County executive and is expected to win the election against opponent Tony Larson. When initial election results were released shortly after 8 p.m. on election day, Sidhu trailed Larson by 61 votes. The following day, November 6, a dramatic development saw Sidhu pull ahead of Larson by 163 votes. Sidhu has since expanded his lead, according to the latest counts released by the
Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. As of November 8 at 4:24 p.m., Sidhu had received 40,507 votes (51.1%), 1,850 more votes than Larson’s 38,657 votes (48.76%). At that time, the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office had an estimated 616 ballots in their office left to count, although this figure did not include ballots that had not yet been received. “Ballot signature cures and overseas ballots are not included and can be received up until the day before certification,” read the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office website. In a November 8 press release, Sidhu
declared victory over Larson. “It is a great honor and privilege to have earned the trust of the voters of Whatcom County,” he said. “During this campaign, I had the opportunity to speak with thousands of people from all corners of the county and listen to their concerns. It was a valuable learning experience and I will bring that with me to this office.” Sidhu, whose four-year term as executive will begin in January, stated that he has already been in touch with outgoing executive Jack Louws. “Mr. Louws has already reached out to me, and we will be
Community Thanksgiving Meal returns to Blaine By Jami Makan Blaine’s Community Thanksgiving Meal is back with new organizers, after the annual dinner – a fixture of the community for nearly two decades – was unexpectedly cancelled last year. The Blaine United Church of Christ, the Healthy Youth Coalition and the American Legion Riders have come together to bring back the Community Thanksgiving Meal. Members of the public are invited to enjoy a free turkey dinner prepared by
community volunteers. The event will take place on Saturday, November 23 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. The annual Thanksgiving meal was previously organized by Sons of the American Legion Squadron 86, a program of Blaine American Legion Post 86 that began hosting the dinner in 2000. The meal was unexpectedly cancelled last year due to a lack of volunteers and resources. In 2017, the year before it was cancelled, more than 800 people were served at the dinner.
In the past, the meals traditionally took place on Thanksgiving Day. This year, however, the Thanksgiving meal is being held on November 23, which is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, also known as Survivor Day. “Families and community members impacted by suicide are encouraged to attend,” said Healthy Youth Coalition co-founder Jesse Creydt. “It’s our way of carrying on the tradition of the Sons of
INSIDE
(See Election, page 10)
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14 Sheriff . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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