Seeking Silverdale and Central Kitsap

Posts Tagged ‘incorporation’

Community Conversation — With Ron Ross

Monday, February 16th, 2009

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This is the fifth in a series of posts in which leaders of Silverdale/Central Kitsap have an opportunity to answer some questions about the area and their thoughts about building a sense of community here. You can read the posts in this series by clicking on the “community conversation” link in the list of tags displayed in the right-hand column on this page.

Hi all, Ron Ross here. My family came to Kitsap in 1945 at the end of WW II from the east coast. I attended Tracyton Grade School and am a ’51 grad from CK. Two years in the Army in Alaska was enough for me. I worked for Arcair Co. in Bremerton for 11 years before getting into the real estate brokerage business. I have developed residential properties since 1957 and in ’63 got involved with commercial and brought to the area the Merritt Mart (long since gone) at the corner of Wheaton Way and Riddell in East Bremerton. I have been the broker of my own company, Silverdale Realty, since the mid 1960s. My wife Nadean and I have raised 3 children on a farm in the Central Valley area and we no doubt will remain in this area as permanent residents. I am very concerned with the growth of our community.

Q: How do you see your role as it relates to the Silverdale/CK community?

A: I don’t believe that I have a role. I have just wanted to see Silverdale area prosper and be a good place to raise a family.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Silverdale/CK?

A: My office is close to home and the fact that much of my family is located in the area. The fact that we don’t have to drive to Tacoma, Seattle or out of the area to fulfill our shopping needs.

Q: If you were “mayor” of Silverdale, what’s the first new policy you would implement?

(more…)

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Tags: Community building, Community conversation, incorporation
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Community Conversation — with Carl Johnson

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

This is the third in a series of posts in which leaders of Silverdale/Central Kitsap have an opportunity to answer some questions about the area and their thoughts about building a sense of community here. You can read the posts in this series by clicking on the “community conversation” link in the list of tags displayed in the right-hand column on this page.

Today’s guest is Carl Johnson, who has served on the Central Kitsap School Board for 14 years and served 8 years on the Central Kitsap Community Council. After being semi-retired for several years, three years ago Carl accepted an invitation to become community relations director of Abiding HomeCare. Hecoordinates marketing, advertising and public relations for the company. He is also earned the designation of Certified Senior Advisor and is writing a monthly column on aging for the Central Kitsap Reporter. He is also on the board of elders of Peninsula Bible Fellowship and conducts a marketplace ministry, known as Marketplace Crosstalk, for business people who want to discuss marketplace issues from a biblical perspective. He has lived in the Loretta Heights neighborhood of Silverdale since 1985.

Q: How do you see your role as it relates to the Silverdale/CK community?

A: To serve. To be active in community development and building relationships that will strengthen the bond that defines a healthy community. Silverdale has a great future, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the heritage and foundation that has already been laid by dedicated men and women over the years.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Silverdale/CK?

A: Its natural beauty, and the opportunity to enjoy all of its venues. I especially enjoy my runs on the Clear Creek Trail.

Q: If you were “mayor” of Silverdale, what’s the first new policy you would implement?

A: Clearly identify the distinctive characteristics … the ”face” … that defines a community. Establish well-defined building guidelines and a “plan” for growth that encompasses transportation, population density, and infrastructure, as well as maintaining the integrity of the environment. I would also make it a first priority the completion of a Community Center … a hub for the social, cultural, education, and recreational activities that contribute to a healthy community.

Q: What place do you consider the public gathering place of Silverdale, and what do you think that says about us?

A: Today … that “place” is the Kitsap Mall. Unfortunately, it says that we truly don’t have a ”hub” for the social, cultural, education, and recreational activities that gives a community its identity. As a result, Silverdale continues to drift along as a “cash cow” for the county, lacking a well-defined purpose, and yet attracting substantial business investment. What I think this says about us is that we’re conflicted and confused, and in need of some clear direction.

Q: What things do you think stand in the way of building a better sense of community in Silverdale/CK, and what would you do about them if you could?

A: 1. Incorporation … support the effort to bring this issue to a vote by the citizens living within the boundaries of the Silverdale UGA.

2. Develop a Community Center (i.e. Library, recreational facility, performing arts, etc.) … support the efforts already in progress to raise capital (private and public), and identify stakeholders that will make such efforts a reality.

Thanks to Carl for his thoughtful answers and for being willing to accept the e-mail interview challenge. I am working from a growing list of people who I hope to interview for the blog to discuss building a sense of community in Silverdale and Central Kitsap. If there’s someone you think should be interviewed for the blog, please send your suggestion to me at seekingsilverdale@gmail.com.

— Jeff

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Tags: community campus, Community conversation, incorporation
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Community Conversation — with Darla Murker

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

This is the first in a series of e-mail interviews with people who play a role in building our community.

Darla Murker is executive director of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce, a job she’s held for more than two years, after first joining the chamber in 2001 as communications coordinator. While her job brings her to Silverdale, she’s a resident of South Kitsap, where she lives on 2.5 acres. She says she and her family tend to 2 miniature horses, a Collie, and a cat and “raise” strawberries, herbs, and rocks.

Q: How do you see your role as it relates to the Silverdale/CK community?
A: I am the keeper of the keys for the organization that is the welcome mat for Silverdale and Central Kitsap. The Chamber’s role in the community, and mine in extension, is three-fold:

1. Serving the member businesses by providing them benefits and services that they as individuals might not be able to access, assisting member and non-member businesses with reaching out to business assistance services and partnerships in hopes of improving their chances for success and working on projects and issues that enhance the economic vitality of the community

2. Providing information about the community to individuals looking to relocate to Kitsap and specifically Central Kitsap. Whether they are looking for a new place to live or locate their business, or are transferred here the Chamber is very very often the first point of contact an individual has with Silverdale and Central Kitsap. We strive to be a first class community concierge.

3. Serving individuals looking for a place to visit, whether for a day, weekend, or longer the Chamber is the “goto” place for information on lodging, restaurants, attractions, events, shopping. We also are looking to enhance our ability to reach out to potential visitors and draw them to the area through partnerships and special events and promotions.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Silverdale/CK?
A: I’ve been struck by the exuberance of the group of people dedicated to building the community and being its stewards. These would include but aren’t limited to the members of the CK Community Council, the people who served on the UGA defining committee, the Clear Creak Task Force.

Q: If you were “mayor” of Silverdale, what’s the first new policy you would implement?
A: If I were Mayor (more…)

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Tags: Community conversation, incorporation
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Seeking Silverdale and Central Kitsap

Posts Tagged ‘incorporation’

Community Conversation — With Ron Ross

Community Conversation — with Carl Johnson

Community Conversation — with Darla Murker

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