May 18 - 24, 2023
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
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Blaine Oyster Festival set for May 20, page 3
Guide to summer fun inside
Blaine softball takes conference title, page 6
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Beach Cat Prints opens store, page 16
Sunset brightens Semiahmoo Bay
Restorative justice in the works for domestic, sexual violence survivors By Grace McCarthy
(See Justice, page 13)
s A fiery orange sunset brightened the sky over Semiahmoo Bay on the evening of May 15. Beach-goers at Semiahmoo Park found relief from unusually high temperatures during a heat advisory that the National Weather Service issued for areas of western Washington from May 13 through May 15. Photo by Molly Ernst
City council approves traffic impact fee exemption for early learning centers By Grace McCarthy Lil’ Sprouts and other early learning centers looking to expand or become established in Blaine will now pay fewer development fees to the city because of a state law encouraging support of childcare providers. In a 4-0 vote, Blaine City Council approved an ordinance that exempts early learning centers from paying 80 percent of regular traffic impact fees during its May 8 meeting. Councilmembers Garth Baldwin, Eric Davidson and Mike Hill were absent from the meeting. Traffic impact fees are one-time expenses developers pay local governments, such as the city of Blaine, to fund transportation improvements that would be needed as a result of the development. Early learning centers will still be responsible for other impact fees. In 2021, the Washington state legisla-
ture passed a law that allows local governments to exempt early learning centers from up to 80 percent of impact fees without the government needing to account for the lost funds. The exemption request came after the city hearing examiner approved Lil’ Sprouts’ expansion in mid-April. The childcare facility, at 1830 Peace Portal Drive, received a $300,000 state grant last spring to add a 3,000-square-foot building to its property. Lil’ Sprouts owner Jason Polverari said after the meeting that the new building will help double its enrollment to about 48 children by adding three classrooms. “Without the fees being reduced, it would have been a barrier for this project,” Polverari said. “It was a lot.” Reduced traffic impact fees decrease the amount Lil’ Sprouts will pay from just over $80,000 to $20,000, community development services director Stacie
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(See Impact fees, page 2)
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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Pratschner told councilmembers. “We’re making a policy decision that we’re making an exception, which means
INSIDE
The Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence is prioritizing a restorative justice project to help survivors who are looking to heal outside of the criminal justice system. Commission director Susan Marks presented to Blaine City Council during its May 8 meeting on the commission’s work over the past year, much of which has centered around its restorative justice pilot program. The program is still being developed but could start as soon as 2024. Whatcom County and the city of Bellingham founded the commission in 1998 with the goal of taking a systematic approach to improve support for survivors and reduce sexual and domestic violence offenses throughout Whatcom County. The commission’s work over the years has included compiling data, conducting case reviews, providing education and creating partnerships between organizations. The commission is made up of over 30 members, including therapists, nonprofits, healthcare providers, public school representatives, child protection services, and people working in different areas of the legal system. Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley serves on the commission. Restorative justice is centered around the healing of the person who experienced domestic or sexual violence, Marks explained to councilmembers, providing examples of direct interaction with an offender, a system to which they reported or a person to whom they reported. “Our goal is to support the healing and safety of the survivor,” Marks said. The commission conducted a survey last year that received about 40 responses from survivors before it started planning the restorative justice project. “We really wanted to root this process in
ON THE BORDER! Street Fair • Live Music • Kids’ Activities • Semiahmoo Resort Cooking Demos Beer Garden • Kids Picnic in Blaine Marine Park • Oysters & Seafood for purchase & MORE!
S E E D E TA I L S O N PA G E 3
Noon 6 PM Noon - 8 PM