B.C. residents petition for access to Point Roberts to check on boats, homes, horses
Posted July 2, 2020 10:09 pm.
Last Updated July 2, 2020 10:10 pm.
DELTA (NEWS 1130) — B.C. residents unable to spend summer months in Point Roberts because of the ongoing border closure are making a push to get temporary access to their cottages, boats and even their horses.
Kevin McIntosh started the petition because his boat is stuck in the Point Roberts marina, but he wants to make sure everyone affected by the COVID-19-related closure can pay a short visit to check on their property.
“There’s a lot of people that have cottages, some form of recreational real estate down there and there’s even people who board their horses apparently,” he says.
McIntosh wants to make it clear that the petition is not proposing an exception that would allow people to “spend recreational, leisure time” across the border.
“I propose a special dispensation allowing Canadians access to their property, boats and animals in Point Roberts, WA to perform maintenance, removal or care functions under controlled conditions, i.e. no contact with local residents for business or pleasure purposes,” it reads.
RELATED: Point Roberts residents petition to cross Canadian border
He says he knows of one unattended boat that has already sunk at the Point Roberts marina, and he worries there could be other costly and dangerous incidents.
“I’ve had lots of cottage owners telling me that they’ve got all kinds of concerns — ranging from rats and mice and vermin and stuff getting in, to people who have left hot water heaters, pilot lights going, or left water hooked up,” he explains.
The current border closure expires July 21, but B.C. officials have said they want it extended until the curve is flattened in the U.S.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases per day in the U.S. climbed to an all-time high of more than 50,000 on Thursday, with the infection curve rising in 40 out of 50 states.
