September 2017
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New WDFW rules for salmon fishing in B.C. page 6
ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14
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Mandatory trash idea picks up steam, page 18
District considers break for golf course, page 9
Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
DelBene receives warm welcome from the Point By Meg Olson In her regular visit to Point Roberts, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene spoke of her frustration with a hamstrung legislative branch and an erratic executive in Washington, D.C. Housekeeping matters such as raising the debt ceiling to pay the bills and passing a budget remained unresolved with only 12 days left in the legislative session, DelBene told a crowd of over 50 people at an August 12 town hall meeting sponsored by the local taxpayers association. “We need to be making sure we keep things running,” she said. “That’s not to mention important things we need to do to protect the fundamental foundation of our democracy – things like fixing a broken immigration system and ensuring voter rights.” The inability to create bipartisan legislation is handicapping congress, DelBene said. “Republicans don’t even agree with Republicans,” she said. “We don’t get a chance to work together to develop bipartisan legislation and healthcare is a good example of that. Wouldn’t it be great if we sat down and worked together? A lot of people would like to see us get there.” On the international stage, DelBene said the nation was facing growing problems due to President Donald Trump’s style of diplomacy, “or lack of diplomacy.” Asked from the audience what her position was on President Trump’s immigration bill, DelBene said, “To be clear, he hasn’t put forward a bill. He’s talked about it a lot and separately there’s a lot he can do through executive action. I’m very concerned about his proposals going forward. We need to pass legislation in Congress.” She also dismissed the idea of a wall along the southern border. “It’s a terrible use of money. What do people say? Build a taller wall, get a taller ladder?” On the issue of voter fraud, some (See DelBene, page 8)
s Shay McVickers, along with many others, enjoyed the eclipse party sponsored by the Point Roberts parks district and held at the community center on Monday, August 21. Photo by Idelette McVickers
PRCAC considers going beyond character plan By Meg Olson Members of the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) are taking aim at a sheaf of planning requirements as they move beyond revising the former character plan guidelines. “Do we want to look at all of Title 20.72, which includes recreational vehicles, trailers, tree retention, et cetera?” PRCAC chair Joel Lantz asked at a July 15 special meeting. “To my mind, the architectural
design guidelines are not that important with what we’re doing overall here. Do we want to go back and look at the subarea plan?” The goal, he said, should be to improve the economic climate on the Point. Committeemember David Gellatly said the county zoning code that pertains specifically to the Point, Title 20.72, needed to be considered in the context of the 2001 subarea plan (part of the county comprehensive plan) and a 1999 economic development plan commissioned by the Port
Park district and dog owners look for solution By
Meg Olson
Dog owners were out in force at the last parks board meeting to defend their ability to let their dogs off the leash at Baker Field. Current and former primary school employees brought up the issue at the July parks district meeting, complaining of increasing amounts of dog waste and safety concerns with kids and bikes mixing with off-leash dogs. At the August 14 meeting,
commissioners told a dozen dog owners in attendance that they had no intention of unilaterally ending the off-leash program at the park, but wanted to work collaboratively so the concerns and needs of all users were addressed. “Some dog owners have neglected their responsibility, but not all dog owners,” said chair Linda Hughes. “Many of you are very responsible. The issue is with the other 1 percent is causing a huge problem.” Commissioner Bennett Blaustein added
that commissioners “… very much want to hear from all parties.” Dog owners attending the meeting were mostly members of an informal “dog park” group that meets at the park in the afternoons. “We’re only there for one hour a day and we are all very diligent to pick up our poop,” said one. Commissioner Stephen Falk wondered why this had become an issue now (See Dogs, page 3)
of Bellingham. “If we don’t do something with those plans as well, we’re wasting our time, spinning our wheels,” he said. A primary area of concern for committeemembers was the appropriateness of the Gulf Road corridor as the community’s commercial core, given existing building restrictions such as lot (See PRCAC, page 2)
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Inside
Church ............................................... 7 Classifieds ......................................... 20 Coming Up ....................................... 16 Crossings ............................................ 7 Obituary ........................................... 18 Opinion ............................................... 4 Seniors, Sheriffs, Library ................ 19 Tides ................................................. 17