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★★★★★
Cerina Murphy, State Committeewoman
I have been working with the new KCRP intern. He is currently attending college in Pullman so he will be working remotely. He is extremely excited to get involved in politics.
The State Committee Meeting was in Ellensburg last month. WAGOP has submitted a couple of lawsuits that are still ongoing. The one I found most interesting was the co-sponsorship of Jonathon Choe on an injunction to WA state for removing childcare data from their website.
They gave an update on Pete Serrano. If you weren’t aware, the Trump administration appointed him as U.S. Attorney for Eastern WA. Patty Murray would not confirm him—using the blue slip veto. His appointment expired after 120 days. The White House DOJ hired him as Chief Assistant to the U.S. Attorney and, as there is no U.S. Attorney, he effectively is doing the job. It is a clever work around.
I am still looking for any prospects to start a Young Republicans Chapter in our county. Please contact me if you are under 41 and are interested in being involved!
★★★★★
Alice Tawresey, Bainbridge Island
625 Winslow Way Government Subsidized, Government Owned Low-Income Housing Apartment
A multi-day hearing is in process regarding the 625 Winslow Way project (a 60-90 unit government subsidized, government owned apartment house). This appeal process involves time spent by the city attorney, the city manager, numerous planning staff, not to mention clerical time, advertisements, etc.
Upon review of the SEPA Checklist and Declaration of Non-Significance, both created by the City of Bainbridge Island, it is apparent that the SEPA Checklist was created after the Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) was issued. A clear violation of the regs for SEPA and logically, a city-created deceit.
The following statement is from the appellant, Dawn Janow “This appeal has never been about affordable housing, it is about accountability, transparency, and following the proper rules and procedures that every project, affordable or not, City owned or not, must undergo. It is about not allowing the City to make up the rules as it goes along.”
The dishonest, maybe illegal procedure was undertaken entirely by the city planning staff (Patricia Charnas and Jennifer Sutton) under the direction of the city manager, Blair King. The city manager submitted his resignation a month ago. He was able to testify at the hearing, mostly denying any knowledge or responsibility for this behavior, and after notifying the hearing examiner that he was no longer a city employee after 3:00pm, left the hearing and declined to answer any more questions.
This dishonest behavior would never be tolerated by a private individual seeking a permit. We will wait to see if any disciplinary measures are applied. The two new council members, critical of the 625 Project have been sworn in and it is hoped that they will make the city take an honest look at city process and lack of transparency. The other 5 sitting council members need to be held accountable and act to improve the situation.
State Transportation Decisions (or indecisions)
A roundabout planned for SR 305 and High School Road (3/4 mile from the ferry dock) has come under significant citizen scrutiny. The state’s statistics of collisions (16 in 21 years) are supposedly the state’s reason for the intersection construction. Recently the state constructed two other roundabouts on SR305 that demonstrably slow the unloading ferry traffic. One more this close to the dock will be a significant point of congestion. Student pedestrians crossing to get to MacDonald’s and other stores (especially during the hour when school is dismissed) are a major factors of concern. The state’s solution is to hold a “design charette” led by a Dutch consulting firm.
Bainbridge High School Principal Arrested
Bainbridge High School Principal Kristina Rodgers was arrested in Poulsbo January 12 for allegedly driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol with a minor in the car, who is believed to be her child, after being stopped for speeding (53 MPH in a 35 MPH zone), per a Poulsbo Police Department incident report. She is facing charges of DUI, driving with a suspended license, and reckless endangerment.
The PPD report says Rodgers was initially pulled over for speeding, going 53 mph in a 35 mph zone. Upon contacting her, the officer noticed signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. Rodgers allegedly denied that she was drinking and refused to conduct any field sobriety tests, per the report.
Rodgers was then arrested and taken to the Poulsbo police station to conduct a breathalyzer test. She blew a 0.07 BAC, which is below the state’s legal limit of 0.08. The officer in the report said that if the test had been performed at the time of the traffic stop, which was over an hour earlier, it likely would have been over the legal limit.
“Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) both stated the average person dissipates alcohol at an average rate of 0.015 an hour,” per the report. This year’s legislative session is considering bills to reduce the BAC.05.
Rodgers has been placed on administrative leave and there has been no further information since the January 12 incident.
★★★★★
Christie Schultz, Bremerton
Bremerton City Council Meetings
Meeting on January 12, 2026
They are looking for community advisors (biking and non-motorized mobility vehicles) to serve on the ATP workshops (Active Transportation Plan). Check the application at https://bremertonwa.gov/1423/Active-Transportation-Plan-Update.
They are also hiring Parametrix to engineer their storm water system for lower Manette around 9th Street and are focused on revamping the sewer system and storm water outfall in the Lion's Park/Tracyton region. They are tapping grants for much of it.
Meeting on January 21, 2026
It was a short meeting. There was a packet to accompany the meeting with a lot in there from our current Sheriff Mr. Gese. The Council has discussed this and wants to have public input, but there is no controlling the disruptors. There still is no Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Goodnow had a PPT of many holidays and street events around the town for the entire year, many looked fun. The feel (and temperature) in the room seems to have come down with the new members, and with the departure of the old president. The packet had much on the new "safe street" for Almira and View Ridge Elementary to be built in the coming year, hopefully this will slow the speeders between Sylvan Way and Fred Meyer.
Meeting on January 28, 2026
There was much ado over revamping the sewer systems in the Lion's Park coastal region—a very detailed packet is available online. Bremerton will be waiving sewer hookup fees (pg 83, Jan. 12 packet) as a "break" for developments in the region. Still no Pledge, no open meetings, and no open forum—citizens were protesting this. The key to successful politics is to quit looking for personal validation and stick to the subject under scrutiny. Chaos is a poor replacement for debate.
Meeting on February 4, 2026
Still no Pledge and no open mike with free speech. Council claims open mike is not required. They put forth a new website as a "hub" for all civic infrastructure projects currently in work (quite impressive). https://bremertonwa.gov/404/Projects
Bremerton School District
School Board Meeting on January 22, 2026
The first half hour was filled with student recognition (only in sports) and some 3rd grade kids from Navel Elementary demonstrating their gardening skills with pans of mud and rocks. Push for levy is on—again no academics mention, but ASB, sports were touted.
Karen Bolton brought up HB 2047 to reducing the costs of assessment and reduce assessments required for graduation. (In other words, lowering the bar even further for a HS diploma.) More money spent for lower expectations in other words. Her top interests are transportation and special education.
Another member discussed girl's wrestling. Two BHS principals got up and discussed accreditation. BHS is not accredited. The gist was "how nice everyone in Bremerton is, what a good special ed program they have." Marketing phrases like "meet our goals" were tossed about.
Remember all parents with children in the Bremerton Schools can apply for a "Parent Square" account. Contact your local school, the administration can set you up, never miss a notice from BSD.
School Update on January 28, 2026
Those of us who teach in Bremerton know we have a lot of English Language Learner kids (ELL). This from Bremerton School Superintendent (Dr. Slade McSheehy) on January 28, 2026: ...We do not collect or share information about a student’s or family’s immigration status: We do not assist with immigration enforcement actions: ICE agents are not permitted on school private property or allowed to contact students without presenting a valid judicial warrant. If that occurs, the request will be referred to district leadership and legal counsel before any action is taken. We do not tolerate threats, discrimination, or harassment, including language or behavior that targets others based on immigration status or national origin. We do have resources available for students and families who need emotional support or connection to legal and community services.
The Bremerton School District has adopted Policy 4300: Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Schools. School and District staff have received training on this policy.
https://bremertonschools.community.diligentoneplatform.com/home/policies/policydoc/c7ddb398-d652-4e0c-9600-5904b3e62cc2
★★★★★
Rosemary Schuessler, Central Kitsap
SPOTLIGHT: “Initiatives Update”
Three initiatives are a key focus of our work this year. Below is a summary of each initiative and the most current information available.
IL26‑638 — Protecting Fairness in Girls’ Sports
- This initiative prohibits transgender girls from participating on girls’ sports teams and requires students to provide a physical examination form verifying biological sex.
- Over 445,187 signatures were submitted. It has been certified by the Washington Secretary of State.
- IL26‑001 has been transmitted to the 2026 Legislature for consideration. Legislative leaders have publicly stated they do not plan to hold hearings on IL26‑638, which makes it highly likely it will be on the ballot in November for voters to decide.
IL26‑001 — Parents’ Bill of Rights
- This initiative centralizes and expands parental rights in K–12 schools, including access to student records and required notifications.
- Over 416,201signatures were submitted. It has been certified by the Washington Secretary of State.
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IL26‑001 has been transmitted to the 2026 Legislature for consideration. Legislative leaders have publicly stated they do not plan to hold hearings on IL26‑001 which makes it highly likely it will be on the ballot in November for voters to decide.
Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration (formerly IL26‑126)
- This initiative requires voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register and remain registered to vote.
- This initiative did not gather enough signatures last year to be sent to the Legislature, so it was resubmitted as an Initiative to the People to collect the additional signatures needed.
Central Kitsap Community Council:
About:
Central Kitsap School Board Meetings
About:
Home Schooling
Group Links:
What to become a candidate, Precinct Officer or KCRP volunteer?
★★★★★
Linda Popp, North Kitsap
Lincoln Day Dinner Update: Our guest speakers will be Brian Heywood and Sheriff Keith Swank!! Save the date—Saturday, June 13th. The theme: is a quote from Abraham Lincoln, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
The campaign season has started! Both Katy Cornell and Rick Kuss have held campaign kickoffs—so it’s getting real! David Olson’s campaign kickoff is on 2/26/26 from 5-8pm. He also has Brian Heywood as a speaker and Glen Morgan is the master of ceremonies. So check your emails! Here’s David’s website: https://electdavidolson.com
If you’re in North Kitsap, you probably saw the Vote NO on NK Levy signs. I’m did something different this year—I voted at a “vote center”! I went to the Poulsbo Fire Station on election day and voted on an Accessible Voting Unit (AVU). I wanted to be able to explain to voters how those machines work. It certainly does take longer, but it allows those with hearing, vision, or mobility issues an opportunity to vote by themselves.
I interviewed Paul Andrews, our Kitsap County Auditor on January 22nd. The full-length video is out, but I’m still working on putting out short clips on Facebook and for X. The goal is to give folks confidence in the process that’s being used by his office to count our votes.
A couple of things I can tell you that surprised me—of the 86,960 ballots that were returned for the General Election in November, approximately 63,000 were returned by Dropbox. WOW! The turnout in November was 86,960 voters (a 43.25% turnout rate).
The Auditor’s office paid $39,560 for postage. The state paid a portion because there was the senate race with Michele Valdez (Caldier). It saves the auditor’s office postage cost if ballots don't go through the Post Office—so save our county some money (so they can fund our Sheriff’s department) by returning your ballot using a drop box.
Poulsbo City Council
Mayor Ed Stern is not in favor of paid parking in the downtown area. As Mayor he doesn’t have a vote on the Council anymore, so he told me has to convince others to vote for holding off on that plan. The problem is that when they had decided to charge for parking, it was with the idea that the money they got on tickets would fund the parking enforcement company that they now employ. So we’ll see how this goes.
Mayor Stern also stated that city/state laws do not “Trump” federal laws in regard to ICE removing illegals. But he is not going to work with them just the same.
Councilman Rick Eckert suggested that we should cooperate with the Federal government by at least turning over those with ICE detainers who are in our jails/prisons.
I was asked to speak at the NK Fans of TPUSA meeting at the Western Red Brewing in January. I spoke about elections and voting. There’s a video out there if you follow Dana Cruz on Rumble. If you’re in North Kitsap and want information about attending these informative meetings, please contact me and I’ll get you connected.
We had our 2026 KCRP Kickstart on January 24—amazing training from Rose Schuessler that very clearly explained where KCRP fits into the scheme of politics in the state and in our county. Many accolades to Rose for the wonderful training she created—even State Rep. Travis Couture, our guest speaker, said it was the best explanation he had ever seen! No worries if you missed it, I believe it’s going to be incorporated into our regular training.
Hope to see you soon on the campaign trails with our candidates. The door knocking season has already arrived. They’re hard at work!!
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