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★★★★★
Alice Tawresey, Bainbridge Island
Two new Bremerton City Council members were elected in November and the city manager has retired. The new members seem to be much more open to hearing community feedback about the proposed “affordable” housing project, aka 625 Project, near the ferry dock.
★★★★★
Christie Schultz, Bremerton
Bremerton City Council Meetings
Meeting on December 17, 2025
The meeting mixed light‑hearted farewells with sharp conflict over process and development.
Meeting Packet: https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/brem-pubu/MEET-Packet-7b40f85ff288412ba9533f496f92817c.pdf&n=AgendaPacket-City Council Meeting-December 17, 2025 5.00 PM.pdf
It was the last meeting of the year and the final one for longtime member Eric Younger, with a festive tone (a clerk in a pink bunny suit, a councilmember in a Mrs. Claus dress, and retirement‑party snacks). The meeting opened with a dense, hard‑to‑follow budget report, then public comment zeroed in on the Code of Conduct and the dropped Pledge of Allegiance, prompting one attendee to bring out the flag and another to lead the Pledge. The Council handled recognitions, appointments, and pay issues, and discussed Ordinance 5531 on the parks (PROS) plan, with two young homeless women praising parks as essential daytime refuge.
Ordinance 5532, amending BMC 15.03.040, sparked the most contention, as the observer felt the attorney’s rewrite was vague and weakened protections around annexation liability, particularly in the Enetai dispute over a dense 200‑unit development on unstable, environmentally sensitive land. The Council approved the ordinance; Ms. Rebelowski said they do not do “hopscotch annexation,” while Anne Mockler abstained, and public testimony was raucous and unfocused. Judge Weaver then reported on youth in the court system, stormwater and pet‑waste outreach and homeless public‑defense funding appeared in the packet, and the meeting closed with warm farewells, a poem by Mockler about not crossing a “line in the sand,” and Younger’s Douglas Adams quote: “So long, and thanks for all the fish.”
Meeting on January 7, 2026
This meeting was remarkably calm, and two new members seemed to be doing just fine. Janet Rebelowski was elected as new committee chairwoman. Public recognition was allowed so long as it was "on topic" for the subject at hand. One "habitual offender" of the open mike got up three times and always came back to saying “I resent authority and wealth." Funding was solicited by several NGOs in the shelter business. A new homeless shelter is being put together in Gorst.
Anna Mockler Townhall on January 12, 2026
She talked about tree canopy implications (planting, removal, clear cutting, invasive species used by landscapers, etc.). There is pressure from the state to build more affordable housing in our county. Mockler mentioned requirements for the developer to take care of storm water planning and preserving the tree canopy. 200' buffers on streams can now be cut back to 35' buffers based on "reasonable use" this seems to have happened in Royal Valley, as well as in the UGA to the west of Bremerton (near Pendergast Park) where Raytheon has put in a big facility. This was apparently done by the director of Community Development. Ms. Mockler said that Bremerton has a lot of turnover in population, so these are not always people who live here for a long time, they come and go quickly in terms of civic planning.
Working Session on January 14, 2026
Pretty mellow meeting at first. Common Streets spoke about the homeless and pets. Discussions of "safe street" set ups for the kids to get to school and back for Crownhill school and View Ridge. The footprint of Viewridge has changed by moving further south, and a walking path is being put in. Everyone loved this. Construction and collective bargaining were discussed (housekeeping).
Presentation: The hybrid shelter again came up (for people in crisis and homeless). The proposed property is where the hospital "Life-Flight" used to land, to the south of Legion Field off Sheridan. It's a good idea, but some on the council want that property for development. There are zoning codes to change with much discussion. (This was after their break for those looking for it in the video.) Money for the shelter would come from many agencies and the need is high. Right now, the feds might be cutting funds to "blue" states like Washington State. Salvation Army is losing funds apparently. Supposedly ICE has been spotted outside Bremerton schools with a high level of "illegal" children. A councilor brought this up, as their funds are dropping. There was discussion about schools sheltering illegal families by protecting information (lots of laws around this).
Non-profits are tax free. Too much construction has happened in town (as incentive to build here) that paid no taxes. This revenue is lost. Where is the oversight and accountability? Bremerton is paying a lot to deal with the homeless. It all sounded very disorganized. After second break, they had a lawyer speak to the "public recognition" portion of their meetings, which has become unwieldy with habitual offenders and those who berate the council members over and over.
Bremerton PD's Facebook turns out to be good reading. As a group we Bremertonians have a very unusual sense of humor. Sometimes you have to laugh or you'd die screaming. For a full update on how their days go or to report "hit and run": https://www.facebook.com/BremertonPD
December 19, 2025: BHS staff & families: This morning, a Bremerton High School student was struck by a vehicle near the intersection of High Avenue & 11th Street near campus. Thankfully, the student was not injured but was taken to the hospital to be evaluated. (BPD) is actively investigating this incident. We want to remind our entire community of the importance of roadway safety around our schools. Please slow down, stay alert, and watch carefully for pedestrians.
On January 6, 2026: A very naughty citizen was found in West Bremerton, hoarding (in both his car and home) ghost guns, parts of guns, ammo, coke, and the 3D printers to make a lot more. The bust was posted on BPDs Facebook. We are grateful to BPD for getting this guy off the streets!
Later on January 6, 2026 at around 4:45 pm: On the way to the County planning meeting, your reporter just missed an accident on 6th in Bremerton. It looked like someone was doing quite a bit over the 25 mph speed limit and ran a light. One young male driver with airbag deployed, and one woman in a new Mustang (yellow) which was intact but wheels askew. People need to follow the speed limits in Bremerton! We have people on bikes, in wheelchairs, pedestrians, and 6th is a main street for the non-motorized. All were alive and ok, but they were shaken up with car parts everywhere. The city needs to invest in traffic cameras on streets like 6th.
Bremerton School District
The principals of both BHS and MVMS will both be retiring at the end of the year, along with the assistant superintendent.
School Levy Townhall Meetings will be held on January 28 at 6 pm at Sylvan Way Library Community Room, on January 29 at 6 pm (hybrid with zoom) at the district office, and on February 3 at 6pm (Zoom only). Check BHS website for Zoom information.
In Bremerton, local levy funds provide approximately 15% of the district's overall operating budget. Right now the average homeowner pays $126.67/mn, with the new levy this will increase to $130.83/mn. Levy usage rolled out as such: School certified teachers are 83% paid for from state funds, the rest comes from levy funds. Ratio for school counselors is 70% state, the rest levy. Custodians, maintenance and grounds is about 50/50 funding. Paraeducators are 21% funded by the state and 79% funded by levy. Security officers are 11% funded by the state and the rest comes out of levy funding. Coaches and club advisors are 100% funded by levies. Percentages do not reflect actual pay rates nor number of people employed in these categories, so it is difficult to see actual expenditures from these figures.
Arman Jahr is apparently built on a site which needs reinforcement for stability; pilings have been put in for support 17 to 21 feet deep. Most civil engineers would question the usage of the site for an elementary school with this sort of structural need (is it wetlands?). However, we do things differently in Bremerton. The UGA/GMA in Kitsap is notorious for failure to incorporate wetlands, critical areas, and unstable sites into their maps and documents.
Engineers have been busy in the Bremerton UGA, in Precinct 067, a slope stabilization was done on Bahia Vista. The cliff was sliding and several shoreline homes were endangered. The county is congratulating themselves on a job well done. Pessimists who live on the slope above and in the adjoining Precinct 065 are wondering how long it will be until more slope slides.
The Port of Illahee has completed their dock upgrade, which has involved dredging and installing a parking lot. The sediment was overwhelming any potential for using the dock, so this is a long term useful fix for the region. Jim Aho is the outgoing Port Commissioner (retiring) is to be thanked profusely by the community for his long-term management of the region. The Illahee-Enetai-Manette region remains in a consolidation and zoning limbo; it is in the Seattle Fault-zone. There are failing culverts, unfiltered outfalls, and the county is neglecting the region.
★★★★★
Rosemary Schuessler, Central Kitsap
SPOTLIGHT: “Focus on the critical path. Everything else is noise.”
This is my personal inspiration quote for 2026, and I hope it becomes yours as well.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term critical path, it refers to the essential sequence of dependent steps that determine the minimum time required to complete a project. These are the tasks that truly matter—the ones that must stay on track to reach the finish line.
In an election cycle, the critical path is extremely consistent. First, you must build numbers: volunteers, PCOs, and candidates. Then you must develop, refine, and deploy effective strategies: marketing, resource allocation, fundraising, and voter outreach. And through every phase, one truth remains constant: the critical path to win elections runs on grassroots activism. It’s people—engaged, committed, and organized—who move the work forward.
We’ve already shifted gears, updating training material for PCOs and volunteers as well as improving our onboarding experience. If you’ve been inactive, please consider reengaging with KCRP. If you’re a new potential PCO or volunteer, this is a great time to get involved. KCRP has experienced PCOs and volunteers ready to support you. Expect to hear about upcoming opportunities designed to educate, recruit, and connect with Kitsap community members who want to contribute their time and talents. If you have questions, input, or want to help, please reach out to me at rschues@outlook.com.
🎉Happy New Year. Let’s unite around the goals and values we share, stay focused on the tasks that matter, and keep our attention on the 2026 election critical path. With enough people working together, meaningful change becomes possible. This can be a great year!
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
North Kitsap School District is asking voters to consider two levy’s that you’ll have the opportunity to vote on for the February 10, 2026, ballot.
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A Replacement Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy (Proposition 1) It funds day to day school operations, classroom staffing, programs, transportation, safety, basic operations, and student supports. Local levies help cover the gap between what the state funds and the actual cost of operating schools. The EP&O Levy provides about 16% of the district’s operating budget.
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AND a Replacement Facilities and Technology Capital Projects Levy (Proposition 2) funds major facility needs such as safety improvements, technology infrastructure, and the replacement of Pearson Elementary. They serve completely different purposes and cannot be used interchangeably.
State funding does not fully cover either operational costs or large capital needs, so districts often run two levies at the same time to support both the people and the places where students learn.
Both measures on the February 10 ballot are replacement levies, not new taxes. They are intended to maintain current programs and services and continue funding at rates similar to today. Changes in individual tax bills are driven largely by property values, not by expanded district spending.
Without levy funding, the district would need to reduce programs, staffing, or services that directly support students.
The School District is holding three meetings to explain more about the needs, and to take questions.
At the Poulsbo City Council, they announced that Representative Greg Nance (D) will be holding townhalls to discuss “Restoring reliable ferry service” Townhall. They stated that he most likely will be speaking on the ferry system. Pete Braden had some great information about the costs of the new ferries.
The Poulsbo City Council approved adjusting the Parks & Recreation Fees and Charges Schedule to align with current market rates while retaining affordability for resident usage. Their fees had not been updated since 2014.
Waterfront Park Update: If you haven’t been on the waterfront, all the big trees on the waterfront have basically all been removed—due to some of them being a danger. They feel it’s quite a blessing, as the view is stunning now. Lots of new areas have been created, which is making it much more usable for lots of people.
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