Year in Review: Point Roberts Taxpayers Association

For most of the past year PRTA met virtually, both for its regular board meetings and for its annual general meeting (AGM). However, in December, we did meet in person – at a Tsawwassen venue for the first time ever – to facilitate participation by our Canadian members.

The 2021 AGM resulted in a full board consisting of nine regular directors and four alternate directors.

Our meetings provide an open forum for public discussion of issues of concern to the Point Roberts community, including full-time and part-time/seasonal residents, regardless of nationality, reflecting our inclusive membership.

During the past year, PRTA championed proposals by members that Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) in turn approved and forwarded to the county for consideration: an off-leash dogs enclosure at Lighthouse Marine Park and a one-time “garbage amnesty” to provide free disposal of large items and green waste that might especially be associated with returning Canadian property owners. Both proposals are pending: while country parks and recreation has not so far embraced the off-leash facility; Whatcom Public Works responded very positively to the refuse proposal and hopefully will work with CANDO to make it happen.

PRTA continued to lobby federal officials to re-open the border to Canadian property owners and to reduce restrictions on direct transit by Point Roberts residents to and from the rest of Washington. These changes were finally realized but clearly not at the pace we had hoped and requested.

PRTA was pleased to participate in the meeting in Point Roberts with governor Jay Inslee on July 9. On October 15, PRTA hosted (via Zoom) the eighth annual town hall meeting with our congresswoman, Suzan DelBene.

Work in progress, together with PRCAC and the Point Roberts Registered Voters Association, includes continued efforts to command a stream of earmarked county revenue for infrastructure and other needs identified by the community.

– Mark Robbins