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★★★★★
Cerina Murphy, State Committeewoman
We had a good turnout for our showing of “The House” documentary in Bremerton. The Q&A portion of the meeting is available for viewing online here: https://rumble.com/v6ydmqg-the-house-exposes-the-issue-of-housing-sexually-violent-predators-in-small-.html
★★★★★
Alice Tawresey, Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge City Council actions subvert established Comp Plan/Zoning process and defy the will of the people
The Bainbridge Island City Council continues to grapple with the GMA (Growth Management Act) and affordable housing. Their current kerfuffle is their proposal for an affordable 70-90 unit building at the corner of Winslow Way and SR 305.
The 625 Project has become very controversial for several reasons.
- First and most concerning, the city is subverting its own laws (zoning process) by up-zoning the land for the project before completing the revisions to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, in spite of the fact that several residential projects proposed by private property owners have been turned away or denied until that plan is finished.
- Next, the project’s density and bulk is a matter of concern, as the location is one of the first things that can be seen for people and autos coming off the ferry.
- The city originally proposed 90 units with only 50% provided with parking spaces (on the theory that residents will use transit). Transit on Bainbridge is pretty much only oriented to ferry commuters, thus it would not be helpful to residents of the project.
- The city contends that this is “workforce housing” to be occupied by firefighters, police, and teachers. However, the subsidies are based on 50% of the BMI, which is significantly less than those groups' salaries. Therefore, the housing qualifications will favor the unemployed and underemployed.
- LIHI Developers has a spotty reputation with respect to bringing projects in on time and on budget.
Upwards of 50 comments from the public at City Council and Planning Commission meetings brought up issues such as auto traffic, SR 305 pollution, the likelihood that residents will be commuting to Seattle rather than working on the island, the need for more parking, and more. After most of the public had left, the city council attacked the public as just a group of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) activists or elitists. The council did not even address its process problems.
There are 2 incumbent city council members running for office in November. Each one has a challenger.
- Joe Deets is complicit in subverting the city process in favor of the 625 Project while discriminating against private property owners with residential development projects that were turned down. His opponent is Lara Lant, who IS bringing up concerns about the process.
- Clarence Moriwaki dismisses all negative comments about the 625 Project because he thinks the end (affordable housing) justifies the means.
- The third race is between a sitting member of the City Planning Commission, who, despite her reservations about the process, voted to recommend the changes to the zoning ordinance that will allow the project to go forward. Her opponent is Mike Nelson, who wants the city to comply with their own ordinances and is skeptical about various aspects of the project.
All residents of the island will get to vote for each of these offices in November. More information and possibly a recommendation about these candidates will be submitted for the October newsletter.
★★★★★
Christie Schultz, Bremerton
City of Bremerton
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Right now the Navy is proposing a project to tear down one of their older buildings at the Naval shipyards and build a "dry dock" for the aircraft carriers. This project is predicted to take 12 or 14 years. It will cause major disruption in the area, dust and noise, and may require dredging as the carriers are deep draft. A parking garage is also to be built. www.bremertonwaterfrontImprovementEIS.com
- Many details were outlined over all the meetings regarding Homelessness with a lot of money going to various NGOs around town. Most public comment referred to this. Ms. Mockler discussed a day tent for the homeless with water and outreach contacts, but it didn't get much traction.
- The area to the northwest of Gorst is a freeway corridor and needs rezoning, there are environmental concerns with Red Creek wetlands and in the Pendergast Park zone. Discussion of adopting Critical Areas Ordinances from the county.
- A beer festival to be held in conjunction with FIFA in Bremerton rather than Seattle, on Father's Day 2026. Site to be Quincy Square.
- The 6th Street restoration is completed. There are still no bike lanes.
- New position, Community Engagement Officer was introduced. "Inclusive lens" and "culture competence" possibly are the new code words for "DEI". It sounds like this officer will be writing their own job description. "Protected class" was invoked and internships mentioned. It is a confusing portion of the meeting. I think they wanted someone to take care of all equity issues, provide conflict resolution, and cover them legally, since they can't have a DEI component anymore as per Federal Executive Order. The lady hired for this seems nice. Hopefully she will be a positive influence on the new Hybrid Shelter situation.
- Bremerton Municipal Code Chapter 3.78, Multifamily Tax Exemption (amendment). The exemption was alleged to be an incentive to build in Bremerton. A moratorium was suggested. Some buildings are high end but still getting this exemption. Listing of condos getting exemptions. They seem to be coming around in recognizing this is tax abuse on the rest of us and are apparently dealing with unhappy constituents.
Bremerton School District
- The district has a new superintendent, Dr. Slade McSheehy. He came from Vashon and will be running Bremerton for now. He has a Linked account.
https://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/opinion/commentary-its-been-a-privilege-to-serve-vashon-students
- Crownhill has a new Principal! Carre Potis (has been a teacher in the Bremerton SD for a few years, and knows her stuff).
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Allyson West Joins Armin Jahr and View Ridge: Thrilled to join the Armin Jahr and View Ridge community, Mrs. West brings 13 years of dedicated experience in education—most recently serving in the South Kitsap School District. [We do not know her job description. It was not mentioned.]
- One important fact was buried in the Bremerton School Board Agenda for August 7: Korsmo Construction has a job description listed as "DEI" representative as part of their payroll budget. They are making $110/hour, which is pretty good pay. See Executive Order 14151. By retaining this DEI office in the company, Korsmo is setting themselves up for all federal funding to be taken away from their projects at Armin Jahr and Viewridge Elementary sites.
★★★★★
Rosemary Schuessler, Central Kitsap
SPOTLIGHT: HearMeWA – The Alarming Reality Behind This Washington Program by Julie Barrett, Founder, Conservative Ladies Of America (and Conservative Ladies of Washington): https://conservativeladiesofwa.com/the-alarming-reality-behind-washingtons-hearmewa-program/
Central Kitsap Community Council
About:
Regular Meeting, August 5, 2025: (Agenda)
Upcoming Meeting, September 3, 2025:
- Guest Presentation: Heather Cleveland, Kitsap County Department of Community Development, will update the CKCC and community members about the County Year of the Rural initiative.
Central Kitsap School Board Meetings
Special Meeting, August 12, 2025: (Agenda)
Regular Meeting, August 27, 2025: (Agenda)
About:
Home Schooling
Group Links:
★★★★★
Linda Popp, North Kitsap
We had a good response to our booth at the Crosby Days Booth. It was a very fun event!
The North Kitsap School Board had just one meeting in August.
During the Poulsbo City Council meeting in August they discussed the purchase of U.S. Flags and starting to charge for parking in Poulsbo.
Several people have suggested we host a “fun” fundraiser for KCRP in the fall. One idea is to hold a barn dance fundraiser. Does anyone have a good barn we could use?
★★★★★
Sean Murphy, South Kitsap
There was a very good turnout at the last Kitsap County Commissioners Meeting. Many people commented on the need to reopen the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club. It seems like, after over 11 years, things are starting to move to reopen KRRC. Please contact all of the Kitsap County Commissioners and urge them to reopen KRRC.
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