December 2019
IN THIS
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www.AllPointBulletin.com
Get ready for the Holiday Faire, page 3
Cando expands recycling options, page 7
ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14
FREE
Floral studio opens up in time for holidays, page 12
Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
Group presses The annual migration returns... council review of trash system By Meg Olson Critics of the current garbage collection system are pressuring Whatcom County Council to review the ordinance establishing mandatory garbage collection for all properties, and they have the support of at least two council members. “Point Roberts, you heard it a year ago when we said we would bring it back and look at the impacts and reassess,” Tyler Byrd told half a dozen Point Roberts residents attending the November 19 county council meeting. “Did it happen? No.” Allison Calder, president of the Point Roberts Voters’ Association whose board has voted unanimously to request the review, said she was looking forward to further discussion of the matter when the council, public works and health committee meets on Tuesday, December 3, chaired by Barbara Brenner who has voiced her support for revisiting the mandatory collection ordinance. Several other speakers echoed a wish to see the minimum service level reduced from 26 pickups of a 32-gallon can to 12 pickups of a 20-gallon can. “There is no incentive to reduce waste,” said Ken Calder. He said customers in the rest of the county, where curbside collection is not mandatory, have the option to choose a service level as low as one 20-gallon can per month. Both the Washington Utilities and Transportation (WUTC) and staff with the county health department, which oversees solid waste collection, have recently completed their reviews of the curbside collection system, which was established as a mandatory service for all property owners in Point Roberts by county council action in June 2018 and went into effect January 2019. The WUTC does not propose any changes in the tariff for Cando Recycling and Disposal (Cando), which operated the curbside collection system and the transfer (See Garbage, page 6)
s Making their autumnal return to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, clouds of Sandhill Cranes provide a splendid sight to behold as they descend to feed before continuing their journey. Photo by Tara Nelson
Sidhu declares victory in the county exec race By Jami Makan Following a switch from election night vote totals, Satpal Sidhu is now ahead and has declared victory against opponent Tony Larson in the race to become Whatcom County executive. When initial election results were released shortly after 8 p.m. on election day, Sidhu trailed Larson by 61 votes. On November 6, the following day, Sidhu pulled
ahead of Larson by 163 votes. Sidhu has since increased his lead, according to the latest counts released by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. As of the last count on November 14, Sidhu had received 41,104 votes (51.1%), 1,835 more than Larson’s 39,269 votes (48.8%). At that time, the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office had three ballots left to count, although this figure did not include ballots that had not yet been received. “Ballot sig-
Water district to prepare sewer system checklist By Meg Olson Point Roberts water district commissioners have approved funds to put together a checklist for potential sewer system proponents. “We have been contacted by some local folks with properties here in the commercial district who, in the last year, have become aware of a new technology for a sewer treatment system” that could make such a system feasible in that area, chair Scott
Hackleman told fellow commissioners at their November 12 meeting. “It’s kind of a chicken and an egg thing. Money has to be spent for feasibility studies, and it is not water system dollars that should be spent, but they need to go through us for grants.” The water district is officially a water and sewer district, explained district manager Dan Bourks. The district manages the marina community sewer system and would be responsible for operating any other sewer system. “We are required by
law to provide the service if we receive a sufficient petition,” he said. However, funds from the water system cannot be used to plan or build sewer systems. Proponents need to come up with funds for feasibility studies, engineering and the eventual establishment of a local improvement district through which property owners served by the system pay to have it built and operated. “It is no easy (See Sewer, page 2)
nature cures and overseas ballots are not included and can be received up until the day before certification,” according to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office website. Certification of the election will take place on November 26. On November 8, Sidhu declared victory over Larson. “It is a great honor and privilege to have earned the trust of the voters (See Election, page 13
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Church ............................................. 10 Classifieds ......................................... 16 Coming Up ....................................... 17 Obituaries ......................................... 18 Opinion ............................................... 4 Seniors ............................................. 14 Sheriffs, Library................................ 15 Tides ................................................. 14