Our Lummi Island Community

Tome 1976/03

LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB

NEWSLETTER

MARCH 1976

MARCH 24 WEDNESDAY 6:45 PM ……………….GRANGE HALL

LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . POTLUCK DINNER MEETING

Attorney Ludwigson will discuss property taxes and consequences of non-payment

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APRIL 6th REDUCED LEVY ELECTION

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MARCH 25th Skating Party Sponsored By PTA Fun For Everyone Young & Old 7:30 PM ‑ 9:30 PM …… FERNDALE ROLLER RINK ……. 80¢ SHOE SKATES CAR POOLS 7:00 PM FEPM

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Guess one might say that the Community Club was saved by the “belle”, in fact 4 of them since last month’s elections produced a majority group of officers belonging to the ‘purtier gender ‑ probably the most attractive administrative cluster of any like organization. Don’t know about the elected treasurer tho ‑ ‑ guess he could be characterized as somewhat handsome ‑‑ must remember to query members of his flock in that respect tho as this scribe’s opinion tends to lean towards the Telly Savalas types – like Shanahan fer instance!! Anyhow, we wish them all a meaningful and pleasant tenure.

The officers are as follows: Lylene Johnson, President; Gerri Neuman, Vice President; Cathy Luke, Secretary; Rev. Carl Calhoun, Treasurer. The new Board members are Gary Gaines, Paul Davis, and Phyllis Lockwood with Clara Peterson as a holdover and Tim Lockwood as out-going President.

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In response to the property tax situation, an open letter to the governmental bodies responsible had its first reading at the last meeting. It was decided to try and have additional input from concerned Islanders and perhaps add a few pertinent thoughts to the letter’s general theme of emphasizing that a change in the taxing system is a necessity. There was considerable sentiment for a general, unified taxpayers revolt by withholding Paying any Property tax at all. In this respect, the Club has secured the opinion of a legal expert at this next meeting to discuss the possible ramifications of such a move.

We are also enclosing with this newsletter a studied treatise on the subject prepared by George Gerhold, a local resident and an instructor at Western Washington College which we feel that ‘you all will find interesting.

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The tentative schedule for the ferry to be off is still from May 10th to and through June 11th. However, the County is offering an incentive in their bid call of $200.00 per day bonus for every day the successful contractor finished the job before that time. Conversely, a stiff penalty will be assessed if the time of completion runs beyond the deadline.

The State Department of Fisheries’ excuse for insisting that the Department of Ecology hold up the start of the new dock is – believe it or not – that they want to study the clam population of the area. How about that? it’s positively unbelievable!

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According to the County Engineer, there will be a larger passenger boat available during the period of the ferry’s absence. It will be on the same schedule as the previous interim facility, which is weekdays from 6:50 A.M. to 10:10 A.M. and from 3:00 P.M. to 10:10 P.M. Consideration is also being given to extended service during weekends too. In the event of a dire emergency, a scow will be available, which can hold 3 cars or 2 trucks, but it must come from Anacortes and if not previously committed would take approximately 2 hours to reach the Island. The county officials have explored other possibilities; even other ferry boats as far away as Alaska, but apparently all are too expensive or impractical.

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On March 8, 1916 the Lummi Island Civic Improvement Club held its first meeting, and on March 11, 1976 members celebrated the club’s 60th birthday. Maurine Taft Melcher, long an active member and whose mother was a charter member, officiated at the tea and coffee service, and long time members Clara Dunn and Lois Peterson cut and served the decorated birthday cake. For the program Peggy Aiston told of the very active first year of the club. Biggest project was a two day fair at Lummi Bay Park attended by some 2,500 people who came over on one of the special boats which left Citizens Dock in Bellingham as there was no regular ferry service. Maurine brought some old family pictures and school records and some samples of the drawn work which won her a first prize in the boys and girls department at the fair. Hostesses for the birthday party were Edith Murphy, Elizabeth Gerritz and Peggy Aiston.

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The First Annual Bicentennial “Man of the Year” Award was given out at a recent celebration at the Clubhouse of Scenic Estates. Recipient of this now coveted trophy was Michael “Spike” Moye, truly a man for all seasons. Music, dancing and jollity were the keynotes to a marvelous evening, and kudos must be granted to the evening’s organizer, Joan Moye. ……………………….. Angus McLane

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TOLLED BY THE CHURCH BELL

Notes from our Pastor’s Desk:

The Bible study class at the Lummi Island church is reading the book of the Acts of the Apostles during the Lenten period. This group meets each Tuesday evening at 7:30 for one hour (some stay a little longer) at various homes. Everyone is welcome. Call 758‑2147 for place of meeting.

We look forward to the “Maundy Thursday” service the evening of April 15. There will be an austere fellowship supper, and our annual offering for “One Great Hour of Sharing” for the relief of troubled people around the world. This will be followed by communion and the Office of Tenebrae, or extinguishing of lights. All people are welcome.

CHURCH SERVICES AND CHURCH SCHOOL EVERY SUNDAY AT 10:30.

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The annual Island roadside pickup brigade will start operations at 9:00 A.M. sharp at the Grange Hall on Saturday, April 3rd. The following executive types will have their respective trucks at the ready‑Tim Lockwood, Ted Cooper, Jake Granger, Rick Pepperworth, Gary Gaines and this here feller. Anyone wanting to join in and who is still able to stoop over is most welcome. Come 12:00 noon, lunch will be served to the exhausted at the Grange Hall ‑ if they can make it back that is.

Guess the red trash cans have been put out round about the Island and more are in the offing. These cans are for transient trash only and should not be used by residents ‑ either permanent or temporary.

The Board of Directors has decided to sponsor aome sort of a fund raising soiree on May 29th. Some additional suggestions on this are needed so let’s get with it all you imaginative and frustrated producers. Incidentally, the officialdom of the Club would also like some ideas presented on possible, interesting, future program for the meetings.

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Rich and Lylene Johnson want it known that they are again sponsoring two more Swap Meets and Arts & Crafts Fairs on April 17th and July 3rd. Both will be on the vacant land just north of the Islander store. Anyone is welcome to set up shop, but please remember to clean up your debris afterwards. All proceeds, if any, will go to your very own personal benefit. We realize it’s a heartrending experience having to sell all those priceless heirlooms and family memorabilia for such a small pittance, and, no doubt, some enterprising raconteur could do a thriving business selling crying towels.

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Twarn’t hardly a family on this here Island that didn’t have, or now has, someone miserable with the flu and many unfortunate recipients vied with each other for top billing as being the most miserable. Seems a partial loss of the voice was one of the more prevalent complications, and we rather imagine that in a few instances, it was duly appreciated.

Floyd Tuttle is apparently recovered, he sez, enough to return to his ferry pushing job providing the Doc O.K.’s it. However, it seems tho that there medic took off on a vacation leaving Floyd somewhat undecided. So guess he figgers he will just watch the trees grow a bit while longer. Jeannie Granger’s recent setback apparently did little more than slow her down temporarily, but guess she has to soft pedal it, nevertheless, for some time.

Since Les Shanahan did himself in via an ankle injury, it would appear that one of the requirements of being a ferry crew member is personal disability. Perhaps there should be a sign on the boat that says‑‑Warning! To all ferry personnel – this may be injurious to your health or something. Guess they should get combat pay too.

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Donna Drafs and her recently acquired husband, Kurt Harryman, want to extend a special thank you to all the wonderful people that made her wedding such a happy and successful event. She extends her love to you all and peace within for being so wonderful.

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The Board has determined that this letter will no longer be sent to off Island recipients who have not paid their current yearly dues. Attached is a membership certificate for the year 1976 so if you wish to continue getting this letter, please make use of it.

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B E A C H S C H 0 0 L N E W S

…. Lots of thanks this month for many blessings. Rev. Carl Calhoun comes every Friday morning for singing with the children. They grin and wiggle all over when he sits down to the piano. Maybe we could have a concert in the Spring? Paul Davis and Si Eldred put in lots of time and knowledge and talent helping the kids with their electricity experiments. Buffy Lapof has been satisfying her maternal urge by coming one morning a week to listen to children read … she’s surprised at how good they are! Jerry Anderson gave us a huge pile of ‘used paper that will come in very handy! Leslie Moore, Jeannie Finney, Sally Hudson, and Charlotte Nesbit have done wonders with our library … all of you in the community should really stop by and look at it and perhaps borrow from it… it truly is a unique library for such a little school. Thanks to years of donations from all of you on the Island. And many, many heartfelt thanks to all of you who wrote letters and signed the cover letter we sent to the school board about closure of Beach School. I just find it very difficult to know what to say to the community about this. After Edith and the others kept things going for so many years, through good times and bad… I feel I can work hard to do no less. But it seems unfair at this time to be the one to address the community on the tax issue so I have asked other members of the community to do so.

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We are extended an invitation to the friends of Bill & Lois Thomas who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, with a reception, hosted by their children from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Twin Gables in Bellingham, April 24, 1976.

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Next Year’s Property Tax for Lummi Island

The assessor is unwilling or unable to make an estimate of the effect of reassessment on property taxes. We must have some idea to cast an informed vote on the school levy, so I have tried to estimate next year’s taxes. It was necessary to make several assumptions, but in all cases, I estimated on the high side.

This Year Next Year

State School 6.306 4.500 county wide

Library .500 .500 county wide

School Levy 5.418 3.703 district

County 1.782 1.346 county wide

Road District 2.250 1.359 district

Parks .340 .242 county wide

Port of Bellingham .642 . 485 county wide

School Bonds 2.460 1.402 district

Fire 1.326 .801 district

Cemetery .111 .067 district

21.14 14.41

or $21.14‑per thousand evaluation or $14.41 per thousand evaluation

The rates change for three reasons. First, the state adjusts the state school rate on the basis of county-wide evaluation. This affects state schools. Second, taxes to pay off bonds must raise a fixed amount of money; as assessments go up, rates go down so as to keep the total tax constant. This controls the tax rates for school bonds. Third, reassessments can raise certain taxes only 6%,in one year within a taxing district. This affects county, road, port, fire, and cemetery. I assumed that county wide assessments will rise from 57% of market value to 80% next year. That assumption was used for estimating state school, county, park bonds and port taxes. I assumed that district assessments will rise from 57% to 100% next year. That assumption was used for estimating school levy, road, school bonds, fire and cemetery.

If I use 75% for the county wide figure instead of 80%, the rate is 14.84 per thousand; if they reach 85%, it is 14.02 per thousand. My own guess is that the school, fire, road, and cemetery district reassessments have raised the total assessment more than the factor of 1.75 (57% compared to 100%) claimed by the county. If so, the tax rates for these districts will be lower.

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A school has existed on Lummi island since the closing years of the last century. Since 1919, students have studied and learned in the present building. Certainly no one would dispute the hard realities of school financing in this state; but when an institution has weathered almost ninety years of service with accountability to its community, every consideration should be given to its continued existence.

When the two million dollar school levy was rejected by the voters, the school board made a $475,000 cut in the budget and will submit a reduced levy of $1,500,000 to the voters on April 6th. This reduced budget means reduction of teaching staff by normal attrition, reduction in supplies and services by 12%, increased school lunch price, and other cuts of special programs. If the reduced levy fails, some very drastic action will be necessary because the levy supplies 30% of the operating and maintenance budget. The board has prepared a contingency list of tentative items to be cut in the event of this dire circumstance. Among the items on this tentative list are:

Closing of Beach School.

Elimination of about 40 teaching positions. Class loads will be up to about 40 students.

Laying off all teacher aides, and many other non-teaching help.

20% reduction in all materials and services.

Elimination of all extra curricular activities and sports except high school varsity.

This will mean termination of all school related activities on the Island such as Christmas program, Halloween party, picnics, box socials, square dances, volleyball & basketball, salmon Bar‑B‑Que; how many more can you think of?

Virtually all parents of Beach School kids and many other of our neighbors have been actively engaged in trying to convince the school board that (1) we will try to get the reduced levy passed on April 6; and (2) even if the levy fails, few things are as important as Beach School and the school should remain open by any means until the State legislature can find a better way to finance schools. Several Friends of Beach School have been attending school board meetings, and particularly at the last meeting on March 15, a large number of us went in with many letters from individuals which were submitted as evidence of the great concern and support that we Islanders have for our school. The school board seemed to react favorably to the presentation. But their final decisions on the tentative list mentioned above will not be made until sometime between now and April 5 ‑‑ the day before election. If you are interested in the survival of Beach School and have not yet written to the school board, you should do so now – this week at the latest. We do not know the date when their final decision will be made. We have seen evidence that your letters really do make a difference. One of the major issues that the board and we are concerned about is the ferry crossing and the hours’ bus ride each way for the 5 to 9 year old children. If you need help in communicating with the school board, contact any of the school staff or parents, or me, for hints on letter content. The names and addresses of the school board are as follows and are all Ferndale, WA. 98248, unless otherwise noted: Carl Stock (President) 5060 Pacific Hwy, Bellingham, 98225; Wayne Larson, 3096 Thornton Road; Hugh Locker, 7361 Valley View Rd.; Norman Robertson, Box 104; Mrs. Nelda Sigurdson, 5171 Ferndale Rd.; Dr. James Norris (Superintendent of Schools), Ferndale School District, Box 698. ……………….. Paul Davis

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It seems that some Islanders are considerably concerned about the manner by which the Country’s flag is occasionally displayed. They believe that the customary and long standing procedure should be observed by all. This concept is apparently of the military origin and decree that the flag should be raised at sunrise and taken down at sunset and in bad weather. We have queried assumed experts in the media on this and have generally stumped them all when it came to who actually has the final say. We did learn, however, that Congress passed a code for display of the U.S. flag in 1942, but we don’t know if it is a basis for litigation or not. Perhaps some of our legal types could answer this. The code is quite lengthy and after reading excerpts from it, we gather that there are many conditions and exceptions to the general rule. Perhaps at a later date, we might publish pertinent facts from it.

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(CONVENIENCE COUPON For those who wish to use it when paying dues)

DATE_________________ ENCLOSED $______________

To Cover: DUES $____________ OTHER $_______________

NAME _______________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________ZIP _______________

SEND TO: LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB

c/o_CARL CALHOUN, TREASURER

LUMMI ISLAND, WASHINGTON 98262

(DUES ARE ON A CALENDAR YEAR BASIS RUNNING FROM

JANUARY 1st THRU DECEAMER 31st)

(Dues are $2.00 per year for either a single person or married couple)

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