Al used his three minutes at the monthly meeting of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce to ask: Why does Blaine dislike us? That started a discussion that lasted 10 minutes. Some of the comments:
> They see people coming across the border, driving through Blaine and stopping at Birch Bay;
> They resent having railroad tracks that cut off their beach;
> They envy that Birch Bay has development, one reason given is Blaine's high cost of municipal personnel to residents ratios -– that is a turnoff for developers.
But some other comments agreed that the two communities have more in common than differences. Gary Tomsic was named as one who has encouraged cooperation.
At the Fire District meeting 6.18
In the public comments period at the start of the meeting Al read from the Blaine proposal to the County Council that included, “Blaine does not have adequate police and fire protection.” His question to the commissioners was: Isn't Birch Bay an equal member of the fire district? They were quick to agree that North Whatcom Fire and Rescue belongs as much to Birch Bay as Blaine. And Chief Tom Fields added that in his opinion the Blaine police department is, “understaffed and grossly underfunded.”
Asked about relative valuations and tax revenue, the Chief Fields estimated that Blaine and Birch Bay represent about 60 percent of the district. He said he thinks the two communities are about equal and is asking the county auditor for a breakdown.
Despite being the only citizens there, we found this an interesting meeting. The five commissioners are good old boys, in the best sense of the term, and seem to enjoy working together. For us it was better that watching TV.
In an agenda section devoted to UGA proposals, Chief Fields, who prefaced his comments with, “I may get tarred and feathered,” said he found favor with the Blaine proposal regarding Birch Bay's weaknesses, that it would be easier to serve an incorporated city.
In these discussions we've acknowledged that we are “fanning the flames of contention,” and explained that our intent is to “burn the fires out” by confronting people in both communities to recognize there is greater value in cooperation.
The Elder's View
“You should have been here 20 years ago,“ said Patrick Alesse who came by the Chamber's visitor information office Friday afternoon. Mr. Alesse explains that relations between Birch Bay and Blaine are much better now than when the Blaine mayor threatened to shut of Birch Bay's water. Mr. Alesse, a longtime Blaine water and sewer commissioner, says that commissioners of the two systems are now working well together. By way of example he explains that Birch Bay is supporting the Blaine system in adding new wells and cooperating on service areas.
About the size of Birch Bay's UGA
On Friday, the Herald published a report by Jared Paben that listed the population and acreage allocations in the proposed Urban Growth Act allocations. He repeated the previous information that Birch Bay is allocated 4,329 new residents-- growing 82 percent of the present estimated population -- by 2031 and keeping the present size of the UGA.
But Kate Koch, the county planner, who has facilitated the public meetings sponsored by the Birch Bay Steering committee, said in a phone conversation that the acreage allotment is likely to be reduced before the planning department's recommendations to the County Council, expected by July 31.
The aerial photo below shows the areas likely to be subject to reduction outlined in red.
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