Letters: July 30 edition

Congrats to local youths
In June, three boys and six girls (all completing their Jr. year) from Mt. Baker High School, were selected for Boys/Girls State sponsored by the American Legion.
Girls who went to Evergreen Girls State at Central Washington State University in Ellensburg, during the week 13 – 19 June, were Maddie Brown, Jasmine Frueh and Kris Pilat, sponsored by Mt. Shuksan Post 224 of Acme; Andrea Ferrell and Realyn Stratton, sponsored by Post 7 Auxiliary, Bellingham; and Alyson Potter, sponsored by Post 212, Sumas.
Boys who went to Boys State at the same university during the week 20 – 26 June were A.J. Howard, McHenry Pattison and Zach Magee. The boys were sponsored by Mt. Shuksan Post 224 of Acme.
To assist Post 224, the selection process was initiated at MBHS by school counselors Kris Stopperan and Toby Marston. The juniors all had to complete applications and go through an interview selection process, which consisted of questions concerning leadership, willingness to cooperate, interest in government, scholarship and community service, etc. These students are exemplary representatives of their high school.
Evergreen Boys/Girls State focuses on city, county and state government. During the week, they had the opportunity to participate in the legislative, executive and judicial branch of government, learn how bills are written and the process each bill takes in becoming a law, plus many other interactive activities.
–Bob Baisden
Boys/Girls State Chairman
Post 224, American Legion

Take action for high speed internet access
For those still feeling trapped outside the world of high speed internet, here is the latest news. Forces are moving in our favor.  The federal government sees the importance of high speed internet and hopes to get all communities such as ours connected to broadband – over the course of the next 10 years. Clearly, 10 years is too long to wait if we want a viable local community with economic and educational opportunities.
We need more action now and it starts with us.
Take a speed test. The State of Washington has finally released its internet access speed test.   Even if you have already taken the federal speed test, it is important to take this one as well.   Go to www.broadband.dis.wa.gov/   In the lower left hand corner of the webpage is a round red button inviting you to “test your speed”.  It is a fairly painless test and provides your results immediately. This is especially important to do if you have poor service.
Make some noise. Government officials tend to forget that we are underserved and don’t know how this is impacting us. Politely and factually tell county, state and federal representatives your story.They are generally interested and they need the information we can give them. Tell them why our need is important enough that tax dollars should be spent to upgrade our service.
Keep me updated. I am trying to represent all of us. I need to be well informed to be effective. Please send me copies of any correspondence you submit or just send me an email to let me know your situation. Linda@envisionconsulting.biz
We are still in the running for a federal stimulus grant that will bring service to the Foothills – but even if we get it, many of our rural areas in Whatcom County will continue to be unserved. I am trying to find funding for a coordinator position. We need someone to lead a very organized and focused effort to plan an overall strategy and bring in more grant money to make it happen. Any ideas for funding that position will be gratefully accepted.
Now is a good time to take action because new funding opportunities for installing broadband are starting to emerge and the organized communities will be able to take advantage of them.
—Linda Dorsett
Foothills Communication Task Force, Chair, (360) 599-2900

Leash laws apply in county
I am feeling very frustrated, my wife and I were trying to take our dogs out for a walk. We are trying to be responsible and we have our dogs on leash. We were unable to go out due to some other people who were out with their dogs, but they did not have their animals on leash. This happens to us frequently, it appears that quite a few people who live in this area believe that the county leash law does not apply to them.
In my opinion this is not fair, certainly to those of us who do try to be responsible and follow the laws and rules. I do not let my dogs run free, for two reasons. Their safety, and the safety of others.
—Robery Cary, Maple Falls

Appeal to local parents
On a recent Sunday night a “bored” teenager or more blew up my mailbox with whatever flammable items they found in their parents’ medicine cabinet.
Officials told me that there are many kids without parental guidance and the kids blow up mailboxes for fun.
This is NOT mischief – this is a FEDERAL OFFENSE and it could become very costly to the parents and kids.
So, I appeal to the parents – keep your kids busy this Summer with some activity. Send them to a camp, send them to the Library, give them chores to do, there are places listed in the phone book, whatever you can do – keep them away from other people’s property and out of trouble.
Thank you.
—I. Wikstrom, Paradise Lakes

Do the speed limit
It seems every high season, we have more and more drivers on Mount Baker Highway who are unfamiliar with the area. They are either speeding so fast I can’t see the color of their car or driving so slow a turtle could beat them to Bellingham. Just so we’re all clear here, the speed limit is 55 with small pockets of 40 in a few communities along the way to the mountain.
Please respect the road, and more importantly, your fellow drivers.
–Cath Mahoney, Kendall