February 19 - 25, 2015 HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Local business owner denied visa, page 3
Council considers future of retail sales, train stop in Blaine
Pet Care special section, page 8
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Active Seniors special section, page 9
Marathon at Birch Bay
By Steve Guntli Given a choice between studying retail development or the feasibility of an Amtrak stop, Blaine City Council chose the retail option, hands-down. Blaine City Council approved a study on retail development in the area, but the future of an Amtrak stop was a hot topic as well. At council’s regular meeting on February 9, city manager Dave Wilbrecht reported that the Port of Bellingham offers annual grants to small cities to fund economic development. Blaine is eligible for up to $20,000, which Wilbrecht said the city was likely to receive if they could offer matching funds. Wilbrecht suggested putting the grant money towards one of two projects: either a retail recruitment study or a feasibility study for a new Amtrak stop in Blaine. The retail recruitment study would include an analysis of the Blaine market demographics as a way of attracting new businesses to the city and offer potential new businesses an idea of what kinds of retailers would appeal to local and visiting shoppers. The study would cost between $50,000 and $60,000.Wilbrecht, who has been acting as the interim chair of the economic development advisory committee, supported the recruitment study. “My recommendation is to do the recruitment study,” Wilbrecht said. “It’s short-term and can be completed by the end of the year. The port is looking to fund projects that have defined start and end points, and this is something we could do within a calendar year that would show them exactly where their money went.” Community development director Michael Jones said the recruitment study would differ from a similar analysis published by Hebert Research in 2013. The (See Council, page 15)
s Graham Breen charges across the finish line to win the Birch Bay Marathon on February 15. Breen, a sales manager from the United Kingdom, finished the 26.2 mile course in 2:44:55. See more photos on page 7.
Photo by Steve Guntli
Voters support schools in special election By Steve Guntli There was a lot of “yes” coming from the voters of Whatcom County in the February 10 special election. Voters approved all eight of the local school and fire district measures by healthy margins. After almost a decade of trying, Blaine school district voters passed
a $45 million bond issue to improve school buildings and infrastructure. The bond will pay for upgrades to the high school and primary school in Blaine and the Point Roberts Primary School. The latest ballot count from February 12 shows the bond passing 70 percent to 30 percent. The bond measure earned support in every precinct in Blaine, Birch Bay and
Point Roberts. The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office estimates a 33 percent voter turnout for the 2015 special election, down from 44 percent in 2014. The state will certify the election results February 24.
Online
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New NEXUS center dramatically reduces wait times By Steve Guntli The new NEXUS enrollment center in Birch Bay Square has been open for less than a month, but it’s already shown significant results. The NEXUS frequent traveler program of-
fers cardholders expedited crossing through the U.S. and Canadian borders. Since its start in 2002, the overcrowded office at the Pacific Highway border crossing has been plagued with lengthy enrollment times due to lack of staff and procession capacity. Len Saunders, an attorney for the Immi-
gration Law Firm in Blaine, frequently helps clients obtain NEXUS passes. He said he’s seen a remarkable improvement in the wait times since the new office opened. Saunders said on average it used to take his clients (See NEXUS, page 2)
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Coming Up . . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
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