October 8 - 14, 2015
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Active seniors special section, pages 9-12
Public pier fix moves forward
Coverage of Birch Bay candidates forum, pages 6-7
Guide to charter amendments, pages 16-17
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Edaleen has a cow
By Ian Ferguson A permanent fix to the Blaine public fishing pier is in the works, and four possible alternatives will be made public in the coming weeks. The pier at the end of Marine Drive has been closed to vehicle traffic since April 2014, when the heavy equipment used to replace pilings damaged the road leading out to the pier, and revealed how structurally unsound the road is. The pier is still open to pedestrians and bicycles, although Blaine residents and city staff have complained about signage and fencing that make the area appear closed to visitors. The Port of Bellingham has entered an inter-local agreement with Blaine Public Works to fix the pier. The two parties hired design consultant Reid Middleton to come up with four alternatives. The drawings are complete, and will be made publicly available in the coming weeks, according to public works director Ravyn Whitewolf. “I’m excited about a public unveiling of these plans, and I anticipate that we’ll have some sort of public process this month,” Whitewolf said. “There will probably be a public hearing or two, with the drawings available to view at city hall.” The plans show four alternatives of varying complexity and anticipated cost. All four alternatives are the same east of where the road narrows near the Star Fish, Inc. building, Whitewolf said. West from that point, the plans vary in terms of road width and access. One alternative is for a standard, twolane road leading out to the pier, with the new road well outside the footprint of the current road. A second alternative is for a narrower road that is closer to the current footprint. The third alternative is for a single-lane road with access only for pedestrians, bicycles and disabled/handicap drivers. The fourth alternative is a public promenade for pedestrians and cyclists, (See Pier, page 2)
s Edaleen Dairy’s entry in the annual scarecrow contest chills outside their store on Peace Portal Drive. Edaleen will be celebrating their one-year anniversary in Blaine this weekend with special sales and free hot dogs.
Photo by Steve Guntli
Celebrate fall at the Bountiful Harvest festival By Steve Guntli Celebrate the changing of the seasons with the Bountiful Harvest festival on Saturday, October 10. The city of Blaine and the Blaine Chamber of Commerce are hosting the festival, as well as a tour of the town’s scarecrow displays. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gardener’s Market in H Street Plaza. In addition to the usual
Gardener’s Market offerings of fresh local produce and crafts, the festival will feature pumpkin carving, prize drawings, crafts, snacks and live music. Edaleen Dairy will also be getting in on the fun, as the store celebrates its one-year anniversary in Blaine. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Edaleen will offer free hot dogs, special demonstrations and limited-time sales on their products. During the festival, take a tour of the town to check out scarecrow displays in
Playground ribbon cutting set for Monday By Steve Guntli At long last, Blaine’s new Marine Park playground will open on Monday, October 12. The project has been in the works for more than a year, and has endured several setbacks that caused the city to delay the opening from to mid-October. Now, the pieces are in place, the construction is done and the city is ready to cut the ribbon.
Alex Wenger, deputy community developer, said the city plans to commemorate the opening with a special ceremony on the evening of October 12. At 5 p.m., city officials will cut the ribbon and allow kids to play on the nautical-themed play set for the first time. Refreshments will be available. The opening will also feature a speech from Blaine Birch Bay Parks and Recreation District 2 director Jeff Carrington and a performance from the Blaine High
School band. The city is still seeking donations to add other amenities to the playground in the future, such as picnic tables, benches, trashcans and free Wi-Fi access. Donors who have already contributed to the playground will be honored with bronze plaques in the shape of local marine life on a concrete wall in the playground. For more information on how to donate, visit ci.blaine.wa.us.
front of several Blaine homes and businesses. The chamber will provide maps to the displays at the visitor information center. After taking in the sights, visit blainechamber.com to vote for the best display. The business with the most votes will win a free advertisement in The Northern Light. Voting will run from October 10 to November 7. For more information, visit blainechamber.com.
Online
thenorthernlight.com facebook.com/thenorthernlight
Inside
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Coming Up . . . . . . . . . . 17 Tides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17