December 2023
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What’s your favorite holiday tradition, page 4
Local voters differ from county, page 6
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Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
Local residents History in the telling ... turn out to harness solar energy By Erin Kelly Citing motivations ranging from protecting the environment to electrical blackouts to reducing energy bills, a group of residents have been meeting during November to discuss bringing solar power to Point Roberts. Shauna Sylvester, drawing from her knowledge of solar cooperatives, decided along with her husband, Steve Work, to take the initiative to see if the Point Roberts community would be interested in starting a cooperative. She organized weekly information meetings to gauge residents’ interest in the concept of a solar cooperative. Hoping to leverage the collective negotiating power of the community, they plan to lay the groundwork during winter months to prepare for spring initiatives, notably crafting a Request for Proposals to engage potential solar installers. From the beginning, participants have expressed interest in solar power and storage that encompasses both residential and communal locations. According to Sylvester, “There’s a real interest in ensuring that as Point Roberts goes solar, our community buildings have solar and storage battery backup.” “This is growing in momentum,” Sylvester said. The number of attendees has grown from 40 to 85 people, including 10 volunteers who have facilitated the sessions. The initiative has drawn interest from the Washington State Department of Commerce, prompting discussions concerning grant applications and feasibility studies for community solar and storage across various community buildings. The next and final information session will be held at the community center on Wednesday, December 6 at 7 p.m. The meeting will feature Lauren Clemens, the climate action manager for Whatcom County. For those interested in attending or who have questions or are seeking involvement, Sylvester can be reached at Shauna. Sylvester@gmail.com. Photos, page 8.
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s Local historian Mark Swenson presented the Point Roberts Historical Society’s signage program to attendees of the chamber of commerce’s annual general meeting on November 14. He also suggested ways to improve tourist visits to the Point. Photo by Louise Mugar
District approves 1 percent hike B y P a t G r u bb The Point Roberts Hospital District board of commissioners voted in favor of taking a 1 percent hike in its annual levy at a special board meeting held November 27. Taxing districts in Washington state are allowed to take an annual 1 percent hike without seeking voter approval. The move came as the board approved the district’s 2024 budget. The projected 2024 levy totals $291,723, up $2,881 from 2023’s $288,120. Total expenses are projected to equal income (including refund of $722), or $291,723. The district’s top 5 expenses are: $192,000 – contracted annual cost of
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the district’s medical provider SuperTrack; $20,000 – Superintendent wages $19,718 – Clinic rent payable to the Point Roberts fire district $6,500 – Cleaning services $6,500 – Secretarial There are four local taxing districts in Point Roberts – the fire, parks, hospital and cemetery districts. The fire district received voter approval in this month’s general election for a levy lift from $0.69 per $1,000 valuation to $1.14 while the parks district received voter approval for a sixyear levy based on $0.215 per $1,000 valuation from 2023’s $0.135 per $1,000. The cemetery district’s taxes in 2023 totaled just $6,875.
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Inside Church ............................................. 12 Classifieds ......................................... 12 Coming Up ....................................... 13 Crossings ............................................ 6 Obituaries ......................................... 14 Opinion ............................................... 4 Sheriffs ............................................. 11 Tides ................................................. 11
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