January 2019
IN THIS
ISSUE
www.AllPointBulletin.com
Historical society gets historic donation, page 3
Malibu fires recalled by local, page 4
ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14
FREE
Rand Jack honored for lifetime achievements, page 7
Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
New curbside And a Ho! Ho! Ho! to you, too! pickup scheme begins in 2019 By Meg Olson The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) has given the go-ahead to proposed new curbside pickup rates for the Point. At a November 30 open meeting, the commissioners approved an order allowing tariff revisions to go into effect on January 1 that would see the cost of residential every-other-week garbage pickup service increase by eight percent, from $10.80 to $11.68 per month. Curbside recycling rates will drop a few cents to $5.28 per month. Their ruling found that the increase agreed to by WUTC staff and the proponent, Cando Recycling and Disposal, was “fair, just, reasonable and sufficient because the company has demonstrated the need for additional revenue.” The new rates go hand in hand with the county ordinance adopted earlier this year which eliminates household exemptions from solid waste and recycling services in Point Roberts. When the law goes into effect in January, Cando will be required to serve 1,800 customers whereas the company now has 300 customers for curbside pickup services. An additional $398,000 of revenue will be generated under the new rates. “To increase its level of service, the company has had to acquire additional resources such as trucks and containers, and will incur increased costs for additional labor,” the commission’s order stated. The commission also pointed out that the company had not asked for a review of its rates, which must be approved by the WUTC, since it took over providing garbage service in 2008. “Staff has reviewed the company’s books and records, as well the county’s proposal to collect fees for the minimum level of service through its property tax billing process. Staff determined that if the company had requested a (See Trash, page 2)
s Sandra Procter was one of a number of local crafts people selling homemade gifts at the Holiday Gift Faire held December 1 and 2 at the Gulf Road community center. The proceeds went to benefit Circle of Care. Photo by Louise Mugar
2018
year in
REVIEW
A Look Back at the Year That Just Was
A LOOK BACK
By Meg Olson January • With close to $1 million sitting in the Point Roberts gas tax fund, the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) and the county began to prioritize what projects it gets spent on. • The Point Roberts Hospital District put out a short survey to gauge what the community needed from the clinic in the
wake of a drop in users. • The driving force behind fundraising for the new library, Judy Ross, along with her late husband Ed Park, were recognized for their work by the Whatcom County Library System as construction on the new library moved forward. • Residents of a Point Roberts home got out in time with their pets thanks to smoke detectors when fire destroyed their home. February • County parks plans for new playground equipment at Lighthouse Marine
Manual recounts hand victories to incumbents By Stefanie Donahue Hand recounts for two 42nd legislative district races concluded on December 5 and resulted in victories for incumbent state senator Doug Ericksen (R) and state representative Luanne Van Werven (R). The Whatcom County Canvassing Board certified the results after election division staff began the mandatory hand recounts on November 29. In the race for state senate, Ericksen won with 45 votes over opponent Pinky Vargas
(D). Van Werven, who was running for state representative, position 1, won with 81 votes over opponent, Justin Boneau, chief deputy auditor Diana Bradrick said after the meeting. Ericksen and Van Werven will join Sharon Shewmake (D) in representing constituents in the 42nd legislative district. Shewmake won the state representative, position 2 race with 981 votes over her opponent Vincent Buys (R). She received 36,704 votes (50.68 percent), while Buys, an incumbent, received 35,723 votes
(49.32 percent). Bradrick said Ericksen received 36,338 votes (49.93 percent), while Vargas received 36,293 votes (49.87 percent) in the race for state senate. Van Werven received 36,242 votes (49.99 percent), while Boneau received 36,161 votes (49.88 percent) in the race for state representative, position 1. The percentages listed above account for write-in candidates. The legislative session begins on January 14 for the regularly scheduled 105-day season.
Park were shelved due to a budget shortfall in the boardwalk replacement project. • The Point Roberts fire department announced plans to add a community paramedic program providing medical home visits. • Both the food bank and the historical society asked the parks board for permission to use some of the space in the community center that would be freed up when the library moved to its new home. (See Year in review, page 3)
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Inside
Classifieds ......................................... 16 Coming Up ....................................... 15 Library ............................................. 14 Opinion ............................................... 4 Seniors ............................................. 14 Sheriffs ............................................. 14 Tides ................................................. 14