August 2022
IN THIS
ISSUE
Border traffic counts still way down, page 6.
NEXUS backlog is getting worse and worse
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Fun things to know about Point Roberts, page 7
Goodfellow’s boiler on the beach, page 8
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Summertime fun at Maple Beach!
B y P a t G r u bb Looking for a NEXUS interview appointment? It might be easier to find a Sasquatch in the woods behind Baker Field. Thirteen NEXUS enrollment centers in Canada remain closed even though the U.S. centers have been open since April 19. One reason why is because the U.S. wants officers to bear arms while on duty processing NEXUS applicants, according to CBP spokesperson Rhonda Lawson who was quoted in a July 23 Canadian Press story. The issue of legal protections for U.S. officers was raised in an April 21 story in the All Point Bulletin in which Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) senior spokesperson Rebecca Purdy was specifically asked if the issue of carrying weapons while on duty was the reason why the two governments had failed to reach an agreement to re-open the centers. Purdy avoided answering the question and merely replied that “the CBSA and the U.S. CBP are working together to mitigate the impact on members caused by the extended closures of the enrollment centers.” A U.S./Canada Preclearance agreement that went into effect in 2019 authorized U.S. officers working in Canadian airports and other ports performing immigration and customs duties in preclearance areas to carry guns wherever CBSA officers carry guns. However, as CBSA officers are not allowed to carry guns, neither are U.S. officers. The agreement also allowed U.S. officers to conduct strip searches when necessary. “It is totally ridiculous to think that U.S. officers need to carry guns while interviewing pre-approved NEXUS applicants,” said local immigration attorney Len Saunders. “It shows an absolute lack of common sense and a complete disregard of the needs of traveling citizens,” he added. Prior to the shutdown, Canada had 12 processing centers, mostly at international airports. Once an individual has submitted an application and received provisional approval for membership, that person (See NEXUS, page 2)
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WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN
s The Maple Beach Bike Parade brought out around 50 young cyclists on July 23.
Photo by Stephen Fowler
Drop in students creates district budget pressures By Ian Haupt The Blaine school board adopted a budget for the 2022-23 school year during its July 25 regular meeting that included a budget forecast for the district’s expenditures exceeding its revenues to a point, where by 2026, it will have a $14 million deficit. As state law requires a district to balance its budget before each upcoming school year, the Blaine school district will need to make adjustments this school year that could include staff reductions if enrollment is as low as projected. Blaine school district finance director Amber Porter led a public hearing on the district’s 2022-23 budget during the board meeting. Porter went through the district’s
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five funds and broke down how she laid out next year’s budget and forecasted future balances. Two community members attended the meeting. Porter used a projected enrollment of 2,085 students, based off May 2022 cohort sizes and past Kindergarten levels, to budget for the upcoming school year. She mapped out the district’s general fund expenditures being $45.3 million, while its revenue and beginning balance were $40.5 million and $8.5 million. This would have the district’s ending school year balance as $3.7 million. Along with the upcoming school year’s budget, the district is required to submit a (See Schools, page 3)
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Inside
Church ............................................. 12 Classifieds ......................................... 16 Coming Up ....................................... 15 Crossings ............................................ 3 Obituaries ......................................... 10 Opinion ............................................... 4 Sheriffs, Library ............................... 17 Tides ................................................. 17