It was a grueling and frustrating battle, but somehow they came out victorious - for now.
Ever since getting wind of the disconcerting plan almost 18 months ago, a group of Tsawwassen and Point Roberts residents has worked diligently to fight the proposal to erect an array of radio transmission towers in the American peninsula.
This October, as it looked like locals were going to have to make one last stand at a public hearing in Bellingham, the unexpected happened - the hearing examiner ruled in their favour.
Having come together as the Cross Border Coalition Against the Towers, residents on both sides of the line are quick to point out that with an appeal to be heard next month in Whatcom County, and a possible court challenge after that, the battle is far from over.
But as 2014 draws to a close, a year in which blanketing interference became part of the local vernacular, it's time to look back on what a small but committed group was able to accomplish.
Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington said it's another example of how the community won't take something unwanted lying down. "It is so typical of us, even after all the disappointments over the years. But you either fight for what is right, or give up and simply let the bullies or the system win without a fight," said the outspoken independent MLA.
"The incredible thing about Delta's struggles is the sheer amount of work and expertise the community applies to these issues. The knowledge and
homework and teamwork and educating and fundraising are remarkable. And we should be very proud each time the community prevails."
Nancy Beaton, a Tsawwassenite and key member of the cross-border coalition, said group organizers were frustrated that more residents on the Canadian side of the border didn't get involved. Most of the effort came from a small number of people, she noted.
"There was a group of us, originally a handful of us, that fought for the life of Tsawwassen," said Beaton. "Come spring 2014 after our town hall meeting, we picked up another handful of coalition members who were committed to beating the towers and worked hundreds of hours organizing fundraising/donations and gathering petition signatures."
She said the coalition did get support from volunteers who knocked on doors and collected signatures, but it was concerned by apathy in the face of an issue that could significantly impact quality of life in the area.
BBC Broadcasting Inc. wants to erect five 45-metre (150-foot) steel towers at an undeveloped lot on McKenzie Way just south of the border. The towers would transmit South Asian radio station KRPI, AM 1550, which broadcasts from studios in Richmond to a Lower Mainland audience.
Also known as Sher-EPunjab AM 1550, the station currently uses antenna in Ferndale, Wash., but wants to relocate them for a stronger signal.
The Federal Communications Commission granted a construction permit but a zoning permit was required from Whatcom County, where planning staff recommended approval.
Just days before a county public hearing on the proposal was scheduled to begin, the hearing examiner announced he had denied the application because the towers exceeded the height limit in Point Roberts.
The coalition, which held several town hall meetings and gathered a petition of more than 3,000 names that was sent to Ottawa, was primarily concerned with radio waves wreaking havoc with household electronic devices like has been the case in Ferndale.
