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New for 2024, the Bainbridge Chamber has launched an affiliated 501(c)(3) Foundation dedicated to initiatives intended to engage and enrich our entire community, like the weekly Chamber News.

If you read this newsletter and are not a current Chamber member, we would delighted to have your support of our new Education Foundation via a tax-deductible donation.

WA Ferry System Officially Down To 15 Boats

The state's Bremerton-Seattle ferry run has been without a second vessel since since fall 2021, and it appears that it will be some time, at least 4 years, before Washington State Ferries will fully bring back that service to pre-pandemic levels.

In a new report released Thursday, the agency pointed to crew and vessel availability as barriers to additional service. "Until both new vessels and sufficient crew are available, WSF can reliably operate 15 vessels in service as a baseline," the report said.

Under that fleet configuration, Bainbridge will retain it's current 2-boat service, while the Bremerton-Seattle, Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth, Port Townsend-Coupeville and Anacortes-Sidney routes will remain at below pre-pandemic levels through at least 2027.

Sunday Bus Service Delayed for Bainbridge Island

At the most recent meeting of the Kitsap Transit Board of Commissioners, Executive Director John Clauson shared some bad news - that even though the company had exceeded it's 2023 hiring goal of 25 new bus drivers, there still was not enough capacity to add more stages of Sunday Service for Silverdale/Port Orchard/Poulsbo or Bainbridge Island.

While service is now anticipated to be added for Poulsbo in March, no date is confirmed for Bainbridge only that it would be 'hopefully before the end of the year', based on availability of operators.

Task Force to Streamline Local Housing Permit Process

To combat the housing shortage issue statewide, the legislature passed laws to streamline the housing permit process, last session.

On Bainbridge, that means the process involving the Design Review Board will change (it currently can revisit projects multiple times), and overall speed of processing must increase.

The council voted on Dec 12 to set up a task force to come up with a plan consist of two members of the previous DRB, two Planning Commission members, two people from the development community and one at-large resident.

Legislative Session Preview

Washington’s short legislative session begins Monday, and it’s looking to be a busy couple of months, with efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions remaining center stage alongside plans to improve recycling rates, protect aquatic and pollinator habitats and even declare a state clam.

As he heads toward the door, Governor Inslee, who has been in office since 2013, is taking a last big swing at state policy. He is pushing for $2.5 billion more in state spending to address some of Washington’s most challenging issues, including the gap in mental health treatment and the fentanyl crisis.

He wants to make another push to address homelessness, in particular, using state money to get people out of encampments along Washington’s roads and highways and into housing.

1st Council Meeting of 2024

Tue Jan 9, 6pm

The Bainbridge Island City Council agenda for Jan. 9 is extremely light and largely ceremonial.

In its first meeting of the new year, newcomer Ashley Mathews and the returning council members will be sworn in, a new mayor and deputy mayor will be elected by the council, and the City Manager will make a report.

Members of the public should note that, after changes made at the last council meeting, currently public comment is strictly limited to items on the agenda (though that may be changed before the end of the month).

7 Spots Left for January After Hours at HomeStreet Bank

Thur Jan 25, 5:30-7:30pm

The Chamber is excited to announce that the first After Hours of the new year will help HomeStreet Bank's celebrate it's 10th anniversary on Bainbridge on Thursday January 25.

As our 2024 After Hours Wine Sponsor; wine will be graciously provided by Eleven Winery.

After Hours tickets are always free for Chamber members and invited guests, with a very limited number available to non-members for $20 each.

Taber Studios

Taber Studios create refined jewelry collections reflecting simple sophistication and elegance, while promoting the most sustainable, and ethical, jewelry making practices currently available.

Using 18k Fairmined gold, recycled silver, recycled diamonds, Fairtrade sapphires, lab grown Moissanite diamonds, and 14k gold-filled wire, each one of our pieces is carefully designed and hand-crafted so that you can be proud to support the development of cleaner studio practices and the most ethically sourceable materials on the planet.

With a combined 70 years of jewelry making experience, their artisan craftsmen combine their sculptural knowledge with a careful understanding of the human form to give you a piece that will optimize and enhance your natural beauty.

Paula Weissinger Opens 2nd Location in Poulsbo

The Poulsbo, Kingston, & Bainbridge Chamber met up with Paula and her team to celebrate her newest State Farm office location at 19045 State Hwy 305 suite 240.

Stop by and say hi - and maybe even check out her Barbie Pink bathroom!

Kitsap Great Give Registration is Open

Your Kitsap Great Give 2024 campaign is on its way!

Registration closes for nonprofit participation at midnight on Wednesday, January 31.

Once you have completed all the requirements and submitted your registration form, the Kitsap Community Foundation team will review your organization's registration.

New Clients Get 10% off at Vitality Bodywork

It's that time of year again: time to assess what worked and what wasn't so productive this past year.

Vitality Bodywork wants to make it easy for you to choose a healthy path with a regular dose of massage.