Perhaps at the time Congress decided to subsidize the production of corn for ethanol fuel, it seemed like a good idea. But it doesn't make sense any longer.
  The demand for corn, and in turn the pressure on other grains, is driving up the price of these agricultural commodities. What should be available primarily to be made into food staples for human consumption or feed for animals is instead going into what is really a fairly inefficient means of production of fuel.

  Cooperation, locally or federally, is a great approach that will strengthen public agencies in Whatcom County. Such cooperation was seen in action last week and again on Tuesday.
  A national multi-level disaster response drill Tuesday brought U.S. military personnel and equipment to Whatcom County -- including Lynden’s Northwest Washington Fairgrounds -- to work with local police, fire and disaster response agencies.

LHS teachers
are wonderful

EDITOR, The Tribune:
  In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, I would like to give accolades to the wonderful teachers in our school district. I have been so blessed to be able to interact with teachers from each school and I have consistently been met with courtesy, enthusiasm and kindness. I believe our teachers have played a vital role in influencing our community and have had an incredible effect on their students.

Wednesday, May 7
  Lynden Municipal Airport Advisory Board, City Hall Annex, 205 Fourth St., 10 a.m.
  Lynden City Council Public Works Committee, second-floor conference room, City Hall, 323 Front St., 4:35 p.m.
  Berthusen Park Advisory Committee, Berthusen Park, 8837 Berthusen Rd., 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 8
  Whatcom County Planning Commission, Northwest Annex conference room, 5280 Northwest Dr., 6:30 p.m. This is a work sesssion on three topics for ordinances or zoning amendment: 1) limiting the size of large commercial retail establishments; 2) removing the lot clustering provision from Whatcom County's Rural Forestry District; 3) preventing garage-dominated streetscapes.

  Youth and teens within our local area have reached achievements recently that make us all proud of them, and we hope that the community responds with its praise and its financial support as well, if that is needed.
  This is a review of some of those achievements that have been reported in the Lynden Tribune:
  • The Ebenezer Christian School archery team, formed only last fall, won first place in the middle school competition of the state of Washington April 12 in East Wenatchee. Three individual or team records for points in archery were set along the way.

What is the deal with fire districts?

EDITOR, The Tribune:
  Help, help, help, I keep saying to the gods above, but I don’t know which God is in charge of the North Whatcom Fire Department.
  Am I the only one down here who doesn’t understand this overgrown bureaucracy? Could I be the only doofus in the crowd?
  First, they say a merger is the only solution to their problems, which they never made clear. Then it’s we need more money for personnel. I thought this was a volunteer operation. Now the need is more stations.

Wednesday, April 30
  Lynden Municipal Court, main chambers, City Hall Annex, 205 Fourth St., 9 a.m.
  Lynden School Board of Directors, special meeting in executive session (closed to the public), Moles Family Funeral Home, 1907 Front St., Lynden 5 p.m. The purpose is to review information related to confidential personnel issues. The meeting is expected to take one hour and will immediately adjourn without any action by the board.

  A special meeting of the Lynden School Board last week Monday wasn't pleasant for anyone there. The evening involved a presentation of the final report of The Veritas Project, which had been commissioned by the board to the Alston-Kline consulting company last fall. This project took a full and honest look at the state of communication, personnel relationships, goal setting, trust and the overall workplace atmosphere in the Lynden School District across all levels and schools.

  Sometimes a newspaper is covering crime as it happens or as the police report it to us shortly afterwards. These are the events that our law enforcement agencies are spending their time and resources on, using tax dollars, but judging that there is some threatening situation or breach of the public security that needs their attention and intervention.
  Of course, all the facts of a case and even the applicable law don't get sorted out until the matter goes to a court with a judge or jury. Anyone named in a police action, in the American system, is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court. On the other hand, in our country, would we want the actions of police, the names of those arrested, the nature of the accusations, etc., shielded from the public awareness? That would be the epitome of the term "police state."

Islam is serious threat

EDITOR, The Tribune:
  Islam has been a challenge to Western civilization for 1,400 years and is now knocking on our “open door.”
  Why haven’t we heard from any of our politicians how they intend to address this very real menace? Many Muslims are peaceful, but our leaders must comprehend and publicly affirm that Islam is not a peaceful religion. It has enslaved billions by very peaceful means.