Our Lummi Island Community

Tome 1978/02

LUMMI ISLAND COMMMUNITY CLUB

NEWSLETTER

February 16, 1978

****LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB NEWS LETTER****

MEETING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1978

POTLUCK DINNER ‑‑ 6:30 PM GENERAL MEETING ‑‑ 7:30 PM

PROGRAM: SCHOOL LEVY & OFFICER ELECTIONS

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SCHOOL LEVY & SCHOOL BOND INFORMATION AT NEXT LICC MEETING

On March 14, we voters will be asked to approve a school special levy of $1,156,302 and a school bond proposal of $4,714,036 for construction and major maintenance. These figures were agreed upon by two Citizen Advisory Committees and school administration. The Ferndale School Administration has adopted the policy of trying to fully inform all citizens about these tax levies so that we can vote intelligently. At the next Wednesday Potluck Dinner Meeting, a representative(s) of either school administration or the advisory committees (not yet selected at this writing) will present a 20 minute program with some ‑excellent charts and graphs. A question and answer period will follow. If you figure you can serve a better meal at home than our superb potluck cuisine, then ‘at least come to this public information session which will start promptly at 7:30 PM.

The regular business meeting for club members will start after the school program with nominations and election of 1978 officers and board members. As a result of nominations at the last meeting, those thus running are Vice President ‑ Gerri Neuman; Secretary ‑Carole Hammond; Treasurer ‑ Paul Davis; One-Year board members ‑ Will Roehl, Jerry Anderson, Bill Moye and Dick Holland; Two-Year board member ‑ Phyllis Lockwood. Additional nominations will be made from the floor at Wednesday’s meeting, and hopefully these will include candidates for President. Membership is open to any Island resident 18 years of age and over, and everyone is urged to join this community organization. P. Davis

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED THE WHATCOM COUNTY FREEHOLDERS:

What is a Board of Freeholders? The Whatcom County Board of Freeholders is a group of 21 citizens, elected from throughout the county, to study county government and write a “home rule” charter.

What is a Home Rule Charter? A Charter written by the Board of Freeholders would provide for home rule, or self‑determination by the voters of the county of their own form of government. Our present form of government is dictated by the State constitution and legislation of the state level. We will continue to operate under this state regulated form until a charter is ratified by the voters.

What changes can be made by a Home Rule Charter? The 21st amendment to the State constitution authorized the Board of Freeholders to change the form of government and any county departments except the prosecuting attorney, the district superintendent of schools, and the judges of justice courts and of the superior court. Changes in form of government does not necessarily mean the present structure would change,, i.e. the 3 commissioner form could very well remain the same in the Home Rule Charter. The most basic change that would occur if the voters ratified the Charter is more local control in our government. Any changes we citizens might want under the present form of government would have to be changed at the state level through state legislation. Home Rule is just that: control of bur local government right here at home instead of in Olympia.

All of the Freeholder meetings are open to the public. We are encouraging input from the citizens of the county. I’d like to urge your attendance at the meetings, and if ‘you would like a ride to or from the meetings, let me know. Upcoming meetings are as follows:

Date Subject Place

February 21 County Elected Officials Courthouse Annex 1000 Forest Street

February 23 City Mayors & Former County Officials Courthouse Annex 1000 Forest Street

February ~7 John Spellman, King County Executive Courthouse, County Hearing Room

Please feel free to call Will Roehl (758‑7205) or Cathy Luke (758‑2688) for questions, Information or opinions you’d like to express so we may pass the public input on to our fellow freeholders. In a future Newsletter, I plan to include a questionnaire and/or survey for additional public input, and keep you posted to our progress. – – C. Luke

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FROM THE PRESCHOOLERS

We have been having fun making valentines and plans are afoot for a Valentines party. We have sure been happy to see the nice weather. It’s fun to get outside – jogging is our new sport! Wish you could see those little tikes running laps around the Church. Come join us if you would like, and remember that visitors are always welcome. – – S. Tyler

OPINIONS OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS NEWSLETTER DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, OR MEMBERS OF THE LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB. – – GERRI NEUMAN, EDITOR

LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB WITHOUT A PRESIDENT

The LICC’s year without an elected president has yielded an interesting and beneficial dividend. With officers and board members functioning as a group and taking turns as chairman of the meetings, we were made aware that responsibilities shared made the commitment of three holiday’s activities less burdensome to one Individual.

The Memorial Weekend Auction, July Fourth Weekend, Pancake Breakfast and the Labor Day Weekend Salmon Barbecue all have become traditional on Lummi Island.

Previously the President was expected to function as host at all activities. These events in 1977 were handled by a chairman and appointed committee members, plus an appointed host, thus treeing the President for pursuit of his own plans and commitments for the holidays.

With elections again on the agenda for the February meeting, several board members have received a similar response when mentioning the presidency to individuals: “With our own desires and commitments to consider, it is asking too much of an individual to dedicate time to LICC events the only three holidays of the summer.”

Because the LICC Is functioning without a president and the holiday events are being ably covered by a volunteer chairman and committee; and because it is too much of a time responsibility for one person to give up summer holidays.” I propose..that we continue to operate on this basis, with a president and strong board support

The president would:

1 Preside over business meetings.

2. Act as a liaison or coordinator between special interest groups on the Island.

3. Each activity should have a separate chairman.

I believe that it is important for Lummi Island to have a central organization – the Community Club – to deal effectively with issues which concern us all. – – Phyllis Lockwood, LICC Board Member

A LITTLE ABOUT THE VOTING MACHINE

Just before the 1ast General Election when Pete Griffin of the county courthouse election office was setting up the voting machine, he reviewed a few things about the four wheeled.(only two on wheels) metal monster. It weighs about 975 lbs, has 26,000 parts, with approximately 4,000 moving parts and is entirely mechanical except for the electric cord and bulb for light. 227 turns of a crank raises the mechanism on its cradle to working position (takes a little muscle too – I tried it!)

Four keys are used to open the various sections that form the booth and make it possible to change the ballot strips, block out sections not to be used, and reset the voting and public counters. A special tool speeds rolling back the voter counter rolls (I had the opportunity to roll some back by hand). Another tool is used to lock the levers not to be used. The election board needs only two of the keys to put the machine in readiness for voting and complete instructions are provided with election materials which must be followed in exact order (or problems arise) so that the machine can be set up and voting can take place in half an hour’s time after the board starts to work.

Pete says the machine is constructed so that nothing can possibly go wrong with it. And it is true. Every seeming problem of which there have been just a few, have been easily solved.

See you at the polls March 14th! – – Florence Konecke, Inspector

LUMMI FERRY CREW SALARY TALKS BEGIN (From Bellingham Herald.. February 11, 1978)

Negotiations on salaries for the seven crewmen on the Lummi Island ferry are beginning between the Whatcom County Commissioners and the Inland Boatman’s Union of the Pacific

Although specific salary increases would vary among the county ferry crew members, the average requested by the union in a new labor contract would be 22.61 percent, according to county Engineer, Ed Henken. The county is offering a 7.6 percent raise – the same it is offering the 400 county employees represented by Teamsters Union Local 231.

The Inland Boatman’s Union also is asking for three crewmen to be aboard the ferry instead of two-member crews presently used. Hank Hood, representing the union, said state law mandates that there must be three crew members on board when there are at least 50 passengers, a situation which occurs often in the summer on the Lummi Island run.

“Since they have to have a third member along much of the time, they might as well do it all the time,” Hood said. County officials have said they are opposed to the change.

The pay increase asked by the union would raise total salaries of the ferry crew from $106,428 in this contract year to $213,052, Henken said.

NUTS & BOLDTS

The following was received from Roger W. Gryder, a college student over on the Continent: P.O. Box 3112, Billings, MT 59107.

“I may need a fish net. My homestead garden is 872’ around the perimeter. The deer eat my vegetables, thus, I need a 10’ fence. Please send me any information that will help me compare prices and choose the right net or nets, new or used, for my purpose. I’ve never even seen a fish net so any information will be appreciated. Thank you very much for your time and have a happy day.”

If anybody is interested., please contact our correspondent directly.

BEACH SCHOOL NEWS, FEBRUARY 1978

…..March 4, 8:00 PM, Flamenco in Concert by Teo &‑Isabel Morca (Admission & Please Bring Pillows To Sit On)

…. March 14, Ferndale Schools Levy Bond Issue. Don’t Forget to Vote.

….March 14, P.T.A., Dr. Steve Rubey, Child Psychiatrist, 8:00,PM.

…. March 20‑24 …. SPRING VACATION!

…..April 7 … Family Night at the Movies …. Everyone Welcome!

….The square dance last Saturday night couldn’t have been better! First a Mexican Pot Luck that was unbelievably delicious ‑ then Jack Miller began to put us thru our paces. Everyone danced ‘til they ached The next day all the Island joggers could be seen hobbling about -.even the kids. Many thanks for a great evening go to June Wilcox and her helpers Patty Johnson, Paul Davis, Jim Hanrahan, Buffy Lapof, Shelley Sherman, Ellen Kuykendal and Duffie. Jack’s voice lasted thanks to the sound system loaned by “The Local Band” and set up by Angus McLane, and that Jack…he was still willing to go a few more while we were all rolling on the floor in agony! He even came for the two weeks previous and taught all the kids the dances before the big night! That’s a REAL FRIEND OF BEACH SCHOOL! … Thanks this month go to many…to Floyd & Grace Tuttle for the Encyclopedia Britannica…to Mrs. Jennie Klineman who saw to it that many of the discarded books from Bellingham School Libraries came our way just in time for the Read‑A‑Thon too!. to Mac & Edith Granger for the subscription to ALASKA magazine. .It is a beautiful mag!… to the Reb Boykins for the Road Atlases. .the Dr. Reedy and his physiotherapist who were featured speakers at our last Standing Room Only P.T.A. meeting when they gave an excellent program on running and nutrition….never saw so many people taking notes since the last class at the Firehall I attended! …. to Jeanne Finney and her group who keep planning and meeting with the National Guard to firm up the action on the play area to be built next at the school….she and Rick and Tyke Stanovich, Sr. spent a real cold Sunday recently hauling telephone poles out of ditches and up to the school yard so they’ll be ready when the time comes this summer…and to each and every Islander who has been generous enough to sponsor one of our kids in the MULTIPLE SCLER081S READ‑A‑THON! Each child can ask as many sponsors to pledge any amount that sponsor chooses for each book the child reads….then the child reads books on their own level during the month of Feb. During March, they collect on their pledges and turn the money over to the County M.S. people. The teachers and parents keep track of the books read and that they are on the child’s reading level and the sponsor signs when the money turned in. Last year Beach School was in Second Place in the whole of Whatcom County! I don’t care where we come in, but I do care that our children (who are real readers anyway, become super dedicated readers during the month of Feb.! What better way, to show you care about what happens to others during the month of love?

A last reminder too about the upcoming levy and bond issue. For the exact facts and figures, and to give representatives your own opinions, I urge you to attend and question the speaker at the next Community Club meeting on Feb. 22. I would like to say that the recommendation to go to the voters on both issues came from committees made up of citizens within the school district and both groups were not heavily weighted with school personnel. People came to our school and looked very carefully over the whole building to see what we needed as opposed to what we wanted. I know they did the same throughout the district. I honestly believe that everything is being done that can be done to use the money you each give the schools wisely. We certainly have realized many badly needed repairs due to your support in the last few years, such as a new burner for the furnace, replacement of a side porch, additional wiring and lighting, paint for the inside of the building and many minor items. It is difficult to go again to the voters, especially when legislation has been passed to “phase out” these levies..but as the old poem goes “The wheels of the Gods grind slowly…” … so again, all we can ask is that you do what you can do and thank each of you for all that you have done for the schools and children in the past One last item if any of you have access to any used paper (such as is used in offices on one side only, we could certainly put it to good use at the school. Most of our ditto work is done on used paper people give us and it certainly saves a great deal of money. Oh, yes, thanks for watching out for our little joggers.

– – Patty Gregory

ISLAND CHURCH NEWS

A concerted effort is being made by the Church Board to secure someone to serve as a full‑time leader and minister. As part of the process for searching for new leadership, the congregation met last Sunday (Feb. 12) to discuss community and church trends and needs, and make an assessment of what the group wants to accomplish in the next three years. The study group will meet at 9:30 AM Sunday, Feb. 19 in the Sunday School room to continue discussion of “The Christian Agnostic”. Everyone interested Is invited to join us. Call Beth Hudson at 758‑2442 for more information. – – B. Hudson

NAMES STILL BEING ACCEPTED FOR ISLAND PARK

Just a reminder that all Is1anders have the opportunity to submit names for our dock park to Roger DeSpain, W.C. Parks, 3373 Mt. Baker Hwy, Bellingham. Also, don’t forget the copy of the planned improvements to create our Dock Park, which Is located in the Post Office for inspection.

DID YOU KNOW?????

Lummi Island has 5,647 acres or 8.8 sq. miles with the southern half being 2,911 acres or 4.5 sq. miles (boundary line between northern & southern halves generally follows the line between sections 15 & 22); and the northern half has 2,736 acres or 4.3 sq. miles.

There are 230 acres platted land with 543 lots on the southern half all within Lummi Island Scenic Estates (86 of these lots are developed with 18 permanent dwellings and 68 seasonal dwellings). Of the unplatted public land in the southern half, 19 acres are Federally owned and 682 are State owned. Of the private land, there are 1,946 acres (6 owners), 7.5 acres (4 owners) and 26.6 acres owned by the Salvation Army.

The northern half has 546 acres platted land with 627 lots on 23 subdivisions and 8 short plats. Approximately one-fourth (166),,of these lots are developed. 92 dwellings are permanent and 66 are ‘ seasonal. Of the unplatted land, 2,157 acres are private; 320 parcels. 211.parcels have dwellings on them, of which 127 are permanent and 76 seasonal. Other land is: 33 acres for church, school, Grange, fire district, cemetery, county ferry dock.

Of the residential dwellings: 231 are permanent; 210 are seasonal; 17 are vacant and 4 are under construction. Of these figures, 8 permanent mobile homes are on Lummi plus 46 seasonal; l vacant and 8 apartment units.

Since 1964, houses have increased from 228 to 405, mobile homes from 3 to 55 and apartment units from 0 to 8. The growth rate for the period 1964 to 1978 was just over 5% annually. The number of dwellings has doubled. As a result of a census taken at the Dec. meeting of the. Land Use Committee and completed in Jan., 506 are’ permanent residents, 546 seasonal (estimate) and We have.???? visitors.

“DOGS” ON THE PROWL

The’ Lummi Isle: 2/15/78: It is a calm and starry night. The moon is out. And the “Dogs” will howl.

For tonight they wander back to the Island victorious in first round tournament play. Yes, Sports Fans! It is tournament time. And the well-loved Island basketball team is off to an impressive start.

Remember that the regular seven has ended with “the Lummi Island Dogs” firmly leashed to a fourth place tie. Out of a Bellingham League with twelve teams, “the Dogs” are 4th. Among such powerful sponsors as Georgia Pacific Tissue, Fairhaven Realty, Bornsteins Seafood, and UnIon Printing, Lummi Island has placed a successful entry in a City Basketball League. What? Now! A first round tournament victory …. Hail the Rock!

And it is so nice to see such a team spirit about these boys. There is a wondradery(?) which is decidedly peculiar to people from the same island. You know…that little spark which sprigs up inside when you’re in town and see someone from Lummi? Well, just imagine that little glow burning brightly between eight guys trying to be a team. And like wise amongst their friends who delight in the excitement of watching such action. And yes boys, we’re behind you! Go Lummi Dogs, Go. Go Go! Woddy Woody Woody

UPCOMING NEWSLE’TTER_EDITIONS,

It Is hoped that the next. issue of the Newsletter will see a series of articles beginning, under the guidance of Beth Hudson and Peggy Alston on Lummi Island History accompanied by photos They both have been doing extensive research on the fascinating history of our Isle, and the Editor is trying to secure their sharing some of the highlights, both f act and legend, dating, back into the 1800’s. With so many new residents on Lummi it would be nice to share some of her grand past’

Also, everyone is urged to contribute to‑”your” newsletter with news of upcoming Island functions, club meeting, group .interests, tidbits, whatever you’d like to see in print. The LICC Board has adopted the policy, however that all material must be signed if the writer wishes. it to be published. Just get your material to the Beach Store or Gerri Neuman or any LICC Board member. – – Gerri Neuman, Editor

LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB’

LUMMI IS.AND, WA. 98262 BULK RATE .

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LUMMI IS WA. 98262

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