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January 26 - February 1, 2017 Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
School district begins budget planning, page 3
Arts and Jazz returns for 20th year
Blaine high school girls How to contact your talk wrestling, page 6 elected officials, page 10
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Inauguration sparks weekend demonstrations
B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
s Demonstrators across the US marched following the presidential inauguration of Donald J. Trump on January 20. Pictured above is the Photo by Stefanie Donahue Women’s March on Bellingham, which took place on January 21. See more photos on page 15.
Locals join coast-to-coast demonstrations following presidential inauguration B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e The swearing in of Donald J. Trump as the 45th president of the United States spurred a flurry of demonstrations through the weekend in locations around the globe. As early as noon on Inauguration Day, January 20, individuals advocating for a variety of causes, including those against
the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), flocked to Peace Arch Park, banners in tow. The Bellingham NoDAPL Coalition organized a three-hour demonstration to advocate for the protection of treaty rights and freedom of religion, among other things. “We are standing up today for the Dakota Access Pipeline water protectors,”
Blaine City Council votes to form Transportation Benefit District B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Blaine is one step closer to getting a sales tax measure on the ballot after the city council voted in favor of forming a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) on January 23. In the weeks ahead, they’ll vote whether or not to preside as the district’s board and will eventually consider placing a sales tax measure on the ballot as early as the April 2017 special election.
City staff is recommending an increase in Blaine’s sales tax by .2 percent – an increase from 8.5 to 8.7 percent – to fund transportation projects for streets, sidewalks and trails. If placed on the ballot and approved by a simple majority of voters, city staff estimate the tax funding would generate about $200,000 per year, for the next ten years. In Washington, TBD’s can leverage transportation project funding through a variety of methods, including a vehicle
licensing fee, fuel tax or bonds. However, city staff remain enthusiastic about a hike in the sales tax because it doesn’t place the sole burden on Blaine residents. Additionally, cities in neighboring Bellingham, Lynden and Ferndale have already approved increases to the sales tax leveraged through a TBD. “Our area is very attractive to visitors,” said public works director Ravyn White-
said Ronna Loerch, who helped hoist a banner with the orange-lettered script “Honor the Treaty.” Loerch learned about the demonstration through a group called Occupy Bellingham and joined several others, including those representing Coast Salish tribes, she said. (See March, page 15)
INSIDE
The event of the year for art and jazz buffs in Blaine is just days away. Presented by the Blaine Fine Arts Association (BFAA), the 20th annual Arts and Jazz event is slated to kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 4 at the Blaine middle school cafeteria. The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for BFAA and features a live and silent auction with items from local businesses and private donors. This year, eventgoers will have the chance to bid on tickets, passes and certificates to a museum exhibition, restaurants, events and more. Last year, the event raised $10,488 for BFAA, said Dorita Gray on behalf of the organization. BFAA is responsible for providing arts scholarships that help cover expenses for students eager to take part in arts-based courses within the Blaine school district. This school year alone, BFAA has committed to provide more than $10,000 in assistance to the art, band, choir and drama departments in the district, Gray said. Blaine’s high school wind ensemble is on deck to rouse the Arts and Jazz audience with a send-off performance prior to its departure to the Funabashi Music Festival in Japan on February 8. After months of fundraising, Gray said the 44-student ensemble was happy to announce they achieved their fundraising goal. “The BFAA is grateful for the support of our community and for the success Arts and Jazz has provided to our arts programs in the Blaine school district,” Gray said in an email. The nonprofit organization is steered by a number of volunteers from around the community.
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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