Now they just need to change state law to make the vote legal.

The City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution marking May 19 as the day voters may chose to eliminate the elected mayor position and replace it with a hired city manager. But moving the vote almost six months prior to the November 2009 general election runs counter to state law. That’s why the city aims to lobby Olympia to soften voting date rules.

“You’ve made your statement, and we’re going to take care of it,” council chair Bill Knobloch said to the crowd filling much of the council chamber. The council unanimously approved the request for emergency state legislation, the May 19 special election date and a plan to hire a lobbyist to bend the ears of legislators during the 2009 session, which starts in January.

State rules requiring a November general election for ballot measures aimed at changing city governments would force the next mayoral race to share a ballot with a measure to eliminate the mayor’s office.

“It’s a bad law,” said Dennis Vogt, who led efforts to gather the 1,000 signatures to put the measure on the ballot. “It’s unfair to mayoral candidates and their supporters. It’s unfair and confusing for voters.”

The shared ballot may dissuade good candidates from investing time and money to run for mayor. It could also make the city vulnerable to lawsuits from a candidate who wins the election but finds that his or her new office is simultaneously dissolved, Vogt said.

“We’re stuck with a very ludicrous situation,” said former councilman Andy Maron before joining others in urging the council and mayor to lobby hard in Olympia.

“We need to make sure (state legislators) don’t dally long,” added Vogt.

Changing the state law in time for a May vote would require that legislators grant the proposal “emergency” status, said Rep. Christine Rolfes, a Bainbridge Democrat and former Bainbridge councilwoman.

But Rolfes, who said she’s willing to sponsor a related bill, doubts the proposal will gain much traction in the capitol.

“I don’t think that the situation on Bainbridge would constitute ‘an emergency’ for the state,” she wrote in a letter to Knobloch. “I can not guarantee that the bill will get a hearing this year, given the current economic situation and other issues that we will be facing in Olympia.”

The measure will go on the November ballot if the city’s lobbying efforts fail.

Despite the challenges, petition supporter Sally Adams said Bainbridge should push forward with the law change for the benefit of Bainbridge and other cities.

“We can do it right and set the way,” she said. “We have to stand up and be the test case.”

Former councilman Norm Wooldridge doubts the measure would pass if it has to share a ballot with a mayoral election.

“If we have to do it in November ’09, it’s a sure loser,” he said, noting that simultaneous mayoral campaigns would likely rally enough support to block the elimination of the office. “We can’t get a 50 percent majority when people are running for mayor,”

Petitioners had initially targeted this month’s ballot for the measure – which would have met state requirements - but lower-than-expected support convinced them that a later date, possibly in February, would give them more time to gather signatures. The city attorney informed them last month that the vote would have to wait until November 2009 to meet state requirements.

Supporters of a manager-led government say giving the council the power to hire the city’s head will lead to more efficient and effective government.

Backers of a mayor-led government say voters should retain their right to directly decide on the city’s leader.

Faithful blotter readers may recall an assault last week in which a teenage boy punched his mom in the face for turning off the TV. Well, this week he was at it again, this time hurling a tennis ball at his mom’s head for breaking up a sibling fight over a puppy and the aforementioned tennis ball.

Also this week, a registered sex offender goes off the radar and a tow truck driver is assaulted with spit.

Nov. 14
Crash: A Volvo car driven by a Bainbridge woman struck the side of another vehicle driven by a Bainbridge woman on Valley Road, causing undisclosed injuries. The Volvo had entered the intersection of Sunrise Drive and Valley out-of-turn and collided with the other vehicle behind it’s right wheel. A tow truck was needed to separate the two vehicles.

Passed: A school bus driver reported that a bicyclist passed by her stop paddle and ignored her flashing lights along Country Club Road. A student was crossing in front of the bus during the incident.

Unregistered: A convicted sex offender and kidnapper failed to notify authorities when he left his Weaver Road residence more than two weeks ago. The suspect had been living at his mother’s home. She told police that he had moved out but that she had no idea where he’d gone. The suspect’s lawyer contacted police but refused to disclose the suspect’s location. The lawyer was notified that the suspect has a legal obligation to notify police when he moves. The lawyer said he would pass on the information.

Nov. 13
Theft: A laptop computer valued at $3,500 was stolen overnight from an unlocked vehicle on Wood Avenue.

Vandalism: An illegible letters were spray painted on one of the Bainbridge Public Library’s exterior walls, causing $100 in damage.

Assault: A Bainbridge woman suffered minor injuries when she was assaulted by her roommate at their Knechtel Way home just before 2:30 a.m. Police were greeted at the door by the victim, who was limping, out of breath and had a bloody thumb. The victim said her roommate had been verbally abuse much of the evening. The conflict escalated when the suspect pushed the victim to the floor, slapped and pushed her several times, and bit her thumb. The suspect smashed a phone when the victim said she would call 911. The suspect, who had left shortly after the assault, could not be located.

Nov. 12
Suicidal: Police were called just before 1 a.m. to assist with a 13-year-old girl who threatened to kill herself at her family’s High School Road home. The girl had told her mother the night before that she planned to kill herself today but had overslept past her planned death. “She revised her plan and decided to kill herself” later in the day. Police were shown documents the girl had obtained that detail a method of suicide that involves eating certain materials. The girl admitted to police that she was going to kill herself. She was taken to Harrison Hospital in Bremerton for mental treatment.

Vandalism: Spray-painted graffiti was found on the roof of Blakely Elementary School, including the question: “Who’s watching the watchmen?”

Nov. 11
Assault: A Bainbridge mother called police just before 1:30 p.m. to report that her 14-year-old son had struck her face with a tennis ball at their Sands Avenue home. She reminded police that her son had been arrested last week for punching her in the face. The more recent incident stemmed from her son arguing with his sister over who would play with a puppy. They then fought over who would play with the tennis ball. When the mother intervened, the boy threw the ball at her head, causing a pronounced redness on the side of her face. The boy told police he had not intended to harm his mom. A report was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.

Suicidal: A Bainbridge man called police just before 8 a.m. to report that he had attempted suicide. Upon arriving at his home, police found that he had recently cut his wrists, but that the wounds were not deep. A long serrated knife with blood on it was found in his kitchen. He was transported to Harrison Hospital for treatment.

Nov. 8
Spit: A Bainbridge woman was arrested on fourth-degree assault charges for spitting in the face of a tow truck operator as he impounded a sport utility vehicle registered to her husband. Police were initially called to the scene on Foster Road when the suspect called 911 to report her SUV was being stolen. Police learned that the tow truck driver was legally repossessing the SUV. The driver told police that the woman began yelling at him, threw the tow lights he’d put on her SUV, “body checked” him and spit in his eye. The suspect’s husband then began following the driver around his truck until the driver threatened to “Mace” him. During questioning, the woman yelled at an officer, ordering him to respect her. She also alleged that the driver was stealing her SUV, trespassing and that he had assaulted her by yelling loudly. The driver was not arrested, and allowed the owners to retrieve personal belongings from the SUV before he towed it.

Drunk driving: A Bainbridge man was arrested for drunk driving on Day Road shortly after 11:30 p.m. Police initially noticed the suspect’s Toyota Corolla weaving over lane markers on State Route 305. Once pulled over, the suspect admitted to having consumed “a couple” drinks at a Winslow bar. He also admitted to previous drunk driving arrests.

Nov. 7
Theft: Jewelry valued at over $2,300 was stolen from a Parfitt Way home that was being shown to potential buyers. The stolen items included three watches, earrings, a necklace and other items.

Snaking along Madison Avenue, the students beat on drums, smiled at motorists and lugged backpacks full of donated food.

“This feels good because I know it will make other people happy for Thanksgiving,” said third-grader Ellie Devries as she hauled cans of cranberry sauce, olives and soup along with about 400 other students from every Ordway classroom.

The procession briefly snarled traffic on Madison Avenue, but many motorists smiled as their cars idled.

“It’s wonderful,” said Sheryl Todd as she waited a few minutes to enter Madison from her driveway. “It’s community activism starting at a grade school level.”

A corps of volunteers awaited the procession at Helpline, a food bank and social service center that has recently scrambled to keep pace with rising demand.

“A bunch of elementary kids can make a huge difference,” said Helpline director Joanne Tews. Over 1,300 food items flooded into Helpline from upturned sacks and bookbags.

“I feel as if I’ve done my part, and that I can actually go and make a difference,” said fourth-grader Anisa Ashabi.

Ordway’s students have for years donated food the way many schools do around this time of year: put a box in a corner of the classroom and ask students to raid the family pantry. Last year, teachers took their lesson in giving a step further.

“We used to just have them put cans in a box,” said Kindergarten teacher Leslie Alber. “But they never see where it goes. Our kids can really learn to give by physically bringing (donations) to where they’re needed.”

A few Ordway students reap benefits beyond the school lesson.

“Some of my kids use Helpline regularly, and they weren’t afraid to say so,” Alber said. “And they brought donations, too.”

While Helpline counts on Ordway’s donation drive to help keep shelves stocked before Thanksgiving, Tews said her organization benefits even more from the enthusiasm the kids spread among the community.

“Their excitement and interest in giving is infectious for their households,” she said. “And sharing that excitement helps us all.”

Bainbridge ferry commuter Michael Diehl doesn’t take his cross Sound commute for granted.

With his camera at the ready, Diehl has focused his attention on what makes the ferry ride to and from Seattle a world-class visual experience. Sunsets rippling on waves, fog-shrouded skyscrapers, glimmering mountains.

Diehl has compiled his best shots into “Crossings,” a photo-rich book focused entirely on the Bainbridge-Seattle run.

What Diehl has captured is the what many ferry commuters forget to appreciate. I know I did when I was a ferry commuter. Too often the ride is a taken up by naps, newspaper reading (although that is a very, very worthwhile thing to do), eating, napping, coffee drinking, napping and laptop tapping. We get plenty of this at work and at home. Lost is an opportunity to become familiar with the landscape, getting to know the mountain peaks and the swaths of land that many can identify on a map, but not when it’s right before our eyes.

For more about “Crossings,” read Barbara McMichael’s review and see a sample page below.

Bookmonger: Crossings Celebrates Our Affair with Ferries
By Barbara McMichael

Born and raised locally, I have had a lifelong fondness for ferries, and I have always regarded with suspicion those ferry commuters who seem to be blasé about their daily transits across Puget Sound.

To have those mountains! Those shorelines! The wind in your face! The ever-changing scene in the shipping lanes! The possibility of an orca sighting!

Why some people prefer to huddle inside and do a crossword puzzle or nap is entirely beyond me.
Crossings: On the Ferries of Puget Sound.

Fortunately, Michael Diehl is not one of those ho-hum types. A regular commuter on the Bainbridge Island-Seattle run, Diehl carries his camera with him, and the images he’s captured over the last few years first made their appearance as an Internet posting.

Now Diehl has compiled a larger selection of more than 375 color photographs into a book called “Crossings: On the Ferries of Puget Sound.” Available in both softbound and hardcover versions, the book does not come cheap, but careful attention was paid to production values, and that counts for something.

It’s hard to take a bad photograph from the deck of a ferryboat with such great subject matter at hand. Diehl includes typically terrific shots of downtown Seattle gleaming in the morning light, and ferries passing by one another on the Sound, and the Cascades and the Olympics in varying moods and, of course, Mt. Rainier. Diehl comments that some people call the Mountain “the Big Mountain.” Have you ever heard anybody say that? I haven’t.

One of my favorite images is a two-page spread of downtown Seattle observed from the middle of Elliott Bay. It looks to be monochromatic — one of those notorious gray-weather days the Puget Sound region is famous for — except for the container ship in the foreground that has just crossed in front of the ferry. The containers it is carrying, stacked five high, present a checkerboard of muted color.

Diehl argues that every transit of the Sound aboard a ferry is unique — water, wind, and weather conditions all change, time of day and time of year have a bearing as well. While that is true, some of the images still seemed redundant.

The photos of passengers seemed to be dutiful chronicle rather than insightful portraiture. I was sorry, too, that Diehl didn’t do much to capture the details of the tasks performed by ferry workers, whose movements sometimes look choreographed.

Another criticism is that “Crossings” is pretty much limited to the Bainbridge/Seattle run. While that run is undeniably photogenic, Diehl would have been able to inject more personality of place into the book if he had included other routes.

The book contains interesting factual tidbits about our region, ferryboats, and the Washington State Ferry system. But as for the occasional written reflections, I’d advise Diehl to stick with the visuals. A picture is worth a thousand words.

There is, however, a wonderful concrete poem that is given an unassuming spot mid-book. It really deserves to be placed upfront, where it can’t be missed.

Jon Fehlman, the BIPD’s new deputy chief, was treated to a not-so-warm welcome on the online comments section of my story about his hiring.

Some comments questioned the need for his position. Others were critical of the BIPD for not hiring from within the department. One raised the issue of his California-ness.

Looks like they’ve got the internet down in Santa Rosa, and that Fehlman surfs it.

He posted a response today. Read it below.

Hello from California. I am Jon Fehlman and as you have read I will be your new Deputy Chief of Police on December 1. I appreciate all the opinions and comments. Great discussions! So you may get to know me better here are a few things about me and my background:

1) I am a perpetual optimist. I believe the best in all until proven otherwise. I believe with the challenges ahead for all of us the very best work will be accomplished.

2) My first order of business will be proving Chief Haney and the selection board made the right choice when they picked me. This will also be my mission the rest of my career (which I plan on making 10-15 years longer).

3) I strongly believe in community and police involvement with each other. To that end I will make myself available to meet with anyone, anytime, anywhere. I will meet with you over coffee, at your business, school, home or church.

4) I love horses and dogs. I have had a horse for years but have now sold him due to age (his and mine). I have two labs, one chocolate and one black. They are named George and Gracie.

5) I am married with five sons. My oldest is serving his country in the US Army, is a sergeant and stationed in Germany. The four sons who will be moving with us are 18, 16, 13 and 9. Great sons who are our pride and joy.

If any of you would like to speak with me or email me I have included my contact info below.

Take care all and I look forward to meeting you in the weeks to come. Jon

Office (707)543-3573
Cell (707)486-5599
Email jfehlman@srcity.org (active until I move)

He takes the reins from Gifford Pinchot, founder and president of the six-year-old institute, which offers master’s degrees in sustainable business. Its campus is at IslandWood, the environmental-learning center on south Bainbridge Island.

Currently, 157 students are working on their master’s in sustainable business. Another 43 are working on certifications.

“The need to create businesses, nonprofits, and governmental agencies that are socially responsible and environmentally sustainable, and that support the health and long-term needs of our global communities and our planet becomes more evident each day,” Strauss stated.

“As BGI moves through the accreditation process, I am confident that my experience in accreditation with institutions of higher learning will be of benefit.”

BGI board chairman John Eisenhauer said, “This marks a major step in BGI’s emergence as a world-class and world-renowned school and in its mission of changing business for good.”

Strauss served as president of Harvey Mudd College, the liberal arts college in Claremont, Calif., from 1997 to 2006.

He also is president emeritus of Worcester Polytechnic Institute of Massachusetts.

Strauss served as vice president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute of Maryland, the University of Southern California and the University of Pennsylvania, and served in other capacities at other universities.

He holds a doctorate in systems and communication sciences from Carnegie Institute of Technology of Pennsylvania.

Strauss was appointed to the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation, in 2004.

Lt. Jon Fehlman, a lieutenant in the Santa Rosa Police Department’s investigations bureau, will replace retiring Bainbridge Deputy Chief Mark Duncan on Dec. 1, the city announced on Thursday.

The 23-year law enforcement veteran bested about 45 other candidates from across the country, as well as Australia and Haiti.

“All the possible candidates had the technical requirements, but after that it’s about finding the right fit for our community,” said Bainbridge Chief Matt Haney. “(Fehlman) has the experience we need at this time on Bainbridge.”

Fehlman’s track record of developing and training officers “was a definite deciding factor” in his selection, Haney said.

“He has a personal commitment to mentoring people who show the interest and aptitude for advancement,” Haney said. “This will be very valuable to us as we seek to grow our police department and promote officers from within.”

Fehlman’s masters degree in emergency services administration and special training with national emergency management systems also made him a standout candidate, and a timely one. As a cost-cutting measure, the city recently announced it would eliminate its emergency services coordinator position, placing many of its duties on the deputy chief’s shoulders.

Haney also highlighted Fehlman’s work supervising neighborhood policing teams. Bainbridge police recently began bolstering officer interaction with neighborhoods and community groups, which is expected to improve crime prevention and speed up crime solving, Haney said.

As a National Alliance on Mental Illness board member, Fehlman comes equipped to help Bainbridge handle the rise in incidents involving the mentally ill, Haney said.

Fehlman’s other volunteer work includes service on a Santa Rosa chamber of commerce leadership program, United Against Sexual Assault board membership and chairmanship of a community multicultural board.

Fehlman was the unanimous choice on the department’s five member hiring panel, which included representatives from the school district, city and fire department.

Haney spent two days in Santa Rosa interviewing Fehlman, several of his fellow officers and community members.

“They were extremely sorry to see him go, but they support him as an officer and administrator,” Haney said.

Fehlman, who could not be reached for comment, leaves a department serving a population six times larger than Bainbridge.

Santa Rosa had six reported homicides, 75 rapes, 175 robberies and over 1,600 assaults in 2006.

Bainbridge, by comparison, had no homicides, six rapes, 18 robberies and 90 assaults.

It wasn’t so much Fehlman’s experience policing in a mid-size city that made him a good fit for Bainbridge,

“Santa Rosa has about 150,000 people, but he also worked for 12 years in Laguna Beach,” Haney Said.

Laguna Beach, Calif. is an expensive seaside community of about 24,000 people, which is about the same population as Bainbridge.

Fehlman is married with five sons ranging in age from nine to 20.

Taking a break on their business trip to sip coffee along Winslow Way, Ellissa Wieneke and Angie Glasser eyed the sculpture a few feet away.

“It’s fun,” said Glasser, nodding at the mosaic sphere tucking in the landscape near their table. “Public art like this adds some flavor and gives us an interpretation of who the people are here.”

On the island for a just a few hours to help with a local theater production, the Seattle-area costumers came quickly to the conclusion that Bainbridge likes to share art in a public fashion.

“Just walking around, you can tell this is an art town,” Wieneke said.

And there’s much more public art on the way.

The city early this year increased the public art program’s share of capital projects funding from 1 to 2 percent, increasing the annual average of $24,000 to about $66,000.

Now arts advocates are working on a six-year plan to direct the types, locations and styles of the new works.

The Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council will hold a meeting on Sunday afternoon to discuss public arts planning and gather input from residents.

“We’d love to hear from as many voices as possible, and put those voices into public art,” said Janice Shaw, who oversees the city public arts program.

According to Shaw, several opportunities for prominent public art works are around the corner.

The city is planning to build a shared police and courts facility and an expanded senior center. Both of which could feature indoor and outdoor installations like those found at City Hall.

The Bainbridge park district earned an annual $1.2 million levy boost from voters this month, increasing funding for new parks. Existing parks, including the Strawberry Plant, Pritchard and Waterfront, are likely to undergo revamps, which could include outdoor sculptures, Shaw said.

The city Public Arts Committee is circulating questionnaires to determine residents’ preferences for types of art: sculptural, architectural, decorative or functional, such as benches, bus shelters and bicycle racks.

The questionnaire is also aimed at finding common themes and preferred locations, including parks, public buildings, along main streets or in neighborhoods.

Building to a consensus about public art is part of an overall effort to update the city Comprehensive Plan’s public arts component, which has been delayed about a decade, according to Shaw. Also spurring the long-range look at public art is the development this year of the city’s six-year capital facilities plan. With much of the public arts program’s budget tied to capital projects, Shaw said arts advocates must move now to plan along with the city.

“We want to be holding hands and marching in step with the city’s plan,” she said.

The city’s 19-year-old public arts program has established numerous works on sidewalks and in public buildings. The pace of purchasing new works has slowed in recent years as the number of large capital projects has waned and the price of art has swelled. The last public art piece purchased through the program was installed in the aquatic center about five years ago.

The increased money for public art will be added to the total cost of future capital projects and is not taken from the actual construction dollars. The program does not apply to underground utility work, land acquisitions or grant-funded portions of capital projects.

The Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council’s meeting to discuss the public art master plan begins at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at Grace Episcopal Church, 8595 Day Road.
Visit www.artshum.org for more information.

A motorist was accosted by a moth this week as she drove along an island roadway. The motorist’s efforts at self-defense caused her to veer into an oncoming car, which was sent spinning around the center of the road. The moth is still at large and may strike again. Motorists are advised to keep their windows rolled up and to refrain from wearing wool.

Also this week: post-election night reprisals leave a wake of shredded bumper stickers and damaged auto bodies on Wood Avenue.

Nov. 9
Crash: A Bainbridge woman was driving on Madison Avenue near Beachcrest Drive when a moth flew inside her Subaru station wagon. She began swatting at the moth, causing her to swerve her car into the opposite lane. She struck a Honda Accord driven by a Bainbridge woman, causing it to spin almost 360 degrees. Police did not disclose the injuries of either party. The Subaru driver was cited for crossing the center line.

Purse snatch: An unknown person stole a purse that had been momentarily left in a study cubicle at the Bainbridge Public Library. Identification, bank cards and $80 cash were inside the purse.

Assault: A Bainbridge man with a head wound tried unsuccessfully to get help at a Bainbridge retirement home shortly after midnight. The home’s staff called police, noting that the man had repeatedly rung the doorbell, tried several entrances and had said someone was pursuing him. Police recognized the man as someone who has for years suffered from mental illness. He had a bleeding wound above an eye and said he was “probably jumped,” but could not recall the attack. The man had spread and dripped his blood over several parts of the home. The man appeared to have his wallet, bag and other possessions. Finding no evidence of an attack, police called an aid unit and reported the incident.

Nov. 7
Neglected: Police filed a report to child protective services after investigating calls of possible child neglect at a High School Road home. Police entered the home after no one responded to their knocks. They found the mother in her bed and unresponsive. “The apartment could hardly be walked in from the trash that had been left all over,” an officer reported. “One could not tell the difference from the kitchen to the bedrooms…it was so cluttered. Every room had piles of food, clothes, trash…” Police did not note in reports whether or not they found a child. Neighbors told police the child is three years old, is often the target of verbal abuse and is possibly left alone for long periods of time.

Nov. 6
Vandalized: A Wood Avenue resident reported that someone had cut political stickers on his vehicle, causing $500 worth of damage to a window and trunk hatch. Police did not disclose the stickers’ messages.

Nov. 5
Assault: A 14-year-old Bainbridge boy was arrested after he punched his mother in the face at their Sands Avenue home. The mother angered her son when she insisted he do his homework instead of watch TV. Police noted that the mother’s nose was bleeding and swollen, and that her glasses “were severely bent.” The boy told police he “really wanted to watch television.” When asked why he punched his mom, the boy responded, “Because I wanted to get rid of her.”

Vandalized: A Wood Avenue resident reported that someone had cut political stickers on his Toyota Prius, causing about $300 in damage. The stickers promoted the candidacy of Barack Obama and Chris Gregoire. Police observed that each had been slashed several times, damaging the body of the victim’s car.

Nov. 4
Passed: A van reportedly passed a school bus that had its stop signals deployed along Hidden Cove Road as children boarded. A search of the van’s records indicated that its license plate expired over four years ago, that the van had been destroyed and that it was formerly registered to a Richland, Wash. woman.

Sustainable Bainbridge co-founder Neva Welton has been named by Seattle Magazine as one of the “25 Most Influential People of the Year.”

The story appears in the November issue under the heading of “Sustainability: Pied Pipers on the Green.”

Welton and Vic Oppenheimer, co-founders of Sustainable Communities All Over Puget Sound (SCALLOPS), are lauded for their success in orchestrating a network of grassroots community-based groups, like Sustainable Bainbridge, that help Puget Sound towns and neighborhoods develop sustainable practices.

The magazine noted that in a few short years, SCALLOPS has grown to more than 50 neighborhood groups focusing on endeavors, such as Sustainable Ballard’s recent bike-rack design contest. It also issues “Undriver Licenses” for those who pledge to cut down on their driving.

An island resident for 27 years, Welton has devoted much of her time to community work. She serves on the board of Sustainable Bainbridge, where she is at work with Bainbridge Graduate Institute students to design an online community directory and networking forum designed to inventory and make assessable all of the Bainbridge-based organizations, institutions, initiatives, businesses, and community leaders working in the broad field of sustainability.

She co-authored “Global Uprising, Confronting the Tyrannies of the 21st Century,” published in 2001, and has assisted Bainbridge author and activist David Korten with his book tours and other projects.

She works as a freelance communications and organizational consultant.