Growth vs No Growth for Kitsap County
October 19th, 2009 by Cary BozemanWarning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/psblogs/public_html/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821
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It is a fine line between attracting more jobs and thus more people while at the same time maintaining the quality of life that all of us who live in Kitsap County experience everyday. I would maintain that without a good paying job, there is no quality of life unless you are retired with a good pension and adaquate health insurance.
I have never believed in the idea of the status quo, or let’s just keep it the way it is because we like it this way. Communities are either in a position of social and economic decay, or they are getting better through good jobs, improving schools and transportation, and people stepping forward to provide leadership for various activities in their communities. The key word is change, postive change that creates opportunties for people in Kitsap County to enjoy the good life.
So yes, I am a pro-growth advocate as long as the growth is done in a quality way, with good design, sensitivity to the environment, and protects our quality of life. Bottom line is most people need a good job and good jobs come from economic growth. I believe in the next ten years Kitsap County will experience moderate growth in jobs and population.
Because of our location and the transportation challenges we have, our growth will always be slow-to-moderate and that’s a good thing. But growth there must be, otherwise we will become a county in economic and social decay and that is not good for anyone.
We must work to become less dependent on the military for our economy, and work to attract companies that pay family wage jobs, which will help to keep our best and brightest children in our community, who then will become the future leaders of Kitsap County.
This blog is written and moderated by Port of Bremerton CEO Cary Bozeman.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
October 19th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Cary;
I like your definition of growth – “done in a quality way, with good design, sensitivity to the environment, and protects our quality of life”.
Kitsap County is in better shape to move forward in growth because of the stable economic base provided by our military presence. My sense is that we getted lulled to complacency because of it.
So, rather than become less dependent, I suggest “we leverage our stable military presence with it’s positive economic impact as we seek growth in other sectors”.
Great job Cary!
PS – Your post on Dr. Mitchell was spot on.
Guy