June 2021
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Get ready for a Village Fair, page 3
A man with many ideas and solutions, page 6
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B.C. premier refuses offer of vaccines Petition to use Point for border test gets support B y P a t G r u bb A proposal to vaccinate Canadians and Americans living in B.C. similar to what has been done in Montana and North Dakota appears to be bogged down by government inertia and opposition. Point Roberts fire chief Christopher Carleton has been beating the drum trying to get the project off the ground. However, on May 18, he received a response from Premier John Horgan via deputy minister Silas Brownsey who wrote, “The Premier appreciates your offer of assistance in delivering vaccines to British Columbia residents. I am glad to let you know that all people living in British Columbia are now able to register for vaccination, and that the province has entered Phase 4 of our COVID-19 Immunization Plan. Everyone who would like a vaccine and who is eligible to receive one will be able to receive a first dose before July 1, 2021.” The letter went on to say, “I would also like to assure you that British Columbia is very aware of the challenges Point Roberts residents have faced as a result of border closures during the pandemic. As you know, management of the Canada-U.S. border is an area of federal jurisdiction, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been working closely with their U.S. counterparts to implement border measures jointly agreed to by our two countries. The situation of Point Roberts has been discussed by Premier Horgan and Governor Inslee and the Premier has also raised the issue with the Prime Minister and federal ministers.” The response on the U.S. side was similarly uninspired. Referencing requests from Canadians to be vaccinated, local vaccine providers were advised by county health department consultant Lara Welker, MPH, on May 13 that the Washington State Department of Health had advised that Ca(See Petition, page 7)
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s An early morning arrival at the Point Roberts Marina by the Lorraine-D, a world circumnavigating Israeli ketch, went awry and onto the rocks near the entrance. More photos, page 8-9. Photo by Lorne Nielson
U.S. border to open unilaterally on June 22 B y P a t G r u bb While there has been no official word, two highly placed sources in the Blaine port of entry have told local immigration attorney Len Saunders on May 25 that the U.S. intends to unilaterally open the land border without restrictions between the U.S. and Canada on June 22. Another ranking CBP officer also confirmed the news independently. Despite the lack of official confirmation from the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., a number of CBP officers have independently confirmed that they have been given word to prepare for a full opening next month. It also appears to be
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common scuttlebutt among regular line officers both in the CBP and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The current border closure order was extended on May 20 until June 21. The border was closed to non-essential traffic on March 20, 2020. At the same time, the U.S. also suspended biometrics processing at e-SAFE ports of entry for non-essential travel and has extended the suspension each month in coordination with the border closure. Biometric processing requires individuals who are submitting electronic immigration files to go to designated ports of entry for photographs and fingerprints. On Tues(See Re-opening, page 3)
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Inside
Church ............................................. 13 Classifieds ......................................... 13 Coming Up ....................................... 13 Library ............................................. 14 Obituaries ......................................... 14 Opinion ............................................... 4 Sheriffs ............................................. 14 Library ............................................. 14