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Monthly Archives: May 2010

This blog is a Kitsap Sun reader blog. The Kitsap Sun neither edits nor previews reader blog posts. Their content is the sole creation and responsibility of the readers who produce them. Reader bloggers are asked to adhere to our reader blog agreement. If you have a concern or would like to start a reader blog of your own, please contact sunnews@kitsapsun.com.

Commissioner Josh Brown Caught Red-Handed!

Back when I began my career in middle management, I remember reading the book “The One Minute Manager.’ Many of the principles contained in that little 100-page paperback have stayed with me down through the years, one in particular:

“Catch People Doing Something Right and Praise Them”

Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce President’s Luncheon at The Silverdale Beach Hotel. Chamber Executive Director Michael Broome and his capable staff have been doing an amazing job lately of generating tremendous excitement, support, and success for the Chamber organization.

Kitsap County Commissioner, Josh Brown, was the keynote speaker, and he provided a brief overview of some of the projects he has personally been involved in that directly impact Central Kitsap.

So many times our elected officials are in a rather thankless situation and bear the brunt of endless criticism. Just for a change, I thought I would ‘catch’ Josh Brown red-handed, and praise him for doing something right!

As an avid crabbing enthusiast and boater, I am deeply indebted to Josh Brown’s dogged determination and efforts in saving the Olympic View Marina (formerly Seabeck) project from a near deathly demise. All of the environmental hoop-jumping is finally over, permits issued, and work is underway. The Kitsap County side of Hood Canal will at long last have a first-class protected harbor and full-service marina facility with mooring.

As a Silverdale WA resident living on the west side of Hwy 3, the newly opened Greaves Way offers much needed relief to the congestion along Anderson Hill Road and allows easier access to North Silverdale, Kitsap Mall, and Waaga Way. Additionally, it opens up access to 400+ acres of prime commercial development area. Josh Brown played in integral part in getting this project funded and successfully completed, one of the first major road expansions for Central Kitsap in over a decade.

Lastly, Josh Brown has been instrumental in making the long-delayed vision of a Central Kitsap Community Campus a reality by partnering with the YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties, and along with the very generous contributions of the Ross and Hasslewood Families.

In the upcoming election, Josh Brown deserves our support and our vote for another term of leadership to ensure the continued course of valued progress for the residents of Central Kitsap.

CKSD Needs Finance Committee Volunteer

If you follow my blog here on the Kitsap Sun, you know I’ve written several articles and commented on many others regarding the recent School Levy renewal in Central Kitsap and the difficult challenges facing our local school district administrators and education professionals.

Some of the other comments I’ve encountered were less than constructive and simply vented misplaced criticism.

Well, here is your opportunity to actively participate in the process and make a positive contribution!

The Central Kitsap School District is currently seeking a volunteer to serve as a community member on its Community Finance Committee.

This committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, is a vital link between the district and the community at large. Studying the financial affairs of the district and advising the school board is one of the best ways to learn firsthand about the challenges facing our school administrators and having a positive impact on the priorities of the school district.

“As we look ahead, our challenge is to focus our resources in the right places,” said David McVicker, executive director of business and operations. “The willingness of valued volunteers to participate and provide feedback is appreciated as we shape the future of our schools and advance our mission of All Students Learning Well.”

For anyone interested in this volunteer position, please contact the CKSD Business Office at (360) 662-1650 for application materials, which includes a copy of Board Policy 1240 that details a full understanding of the guiding principles, responsibilities, and operating procedures of the committee.

The first meeting of the 2010-11 Community Finance Committee will be held in September.

Rotary Silverdale Honors CK Students

I had the privilege of attending a luncheon today (courtesy of my good friend Jason Mayer) at Silverdale Beach Hotel for the Silverdale Rotary Club.

Before Jason invited me, I was absolutely clueless as to what the Rotary was all about. It all began in Chicago back in 1905. A local attorney started a service club that would ‘rotate’ their meetings from office to office, hence the name ‘Rotary.’ Today, 1.2 million Rotarians belong to over 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries, and pool their resources and talents to help serve communities in need. The organization’s dedication to this ideal is best expressed in its motto:  “Service Above Self.”

I was more concerned about being subjected to some kind of secret initiation rites involving black hooded robes and wooden paddles. Jason assured me it was safe.

What made this particular luncheon so enjoyable was that it was the Rotary’s monthly habit of honoring local high school students.  There were 8 students from Central Kitsap High and Klahowya Secondary School being recognized for school leadership,  academic excellence, and community involvement.

Greg Lynch, Superintendent of Central Kitsap School District, was on hand to offer words of praise and appreciation to both students and their parents in attendance.

We are fortunate to have local organizations like the Rotary who invest back into our community and make a global impact by partnering with organizations like Children of the Nations.

We are additionally blessed to live in a community that has one of the finest school districts in the State, and is comprised of such talented and committed educators!

Three Buck Chuck Comes to Kitsap County WA

Well, it used to be Two Buck Chuck, but with the recent economic downturn and Wall Street debacle, prices had to be adjusted accordingly.

But yes, Virginia, Trader Joe’s, the quirky specialty retail grocery chain with stores in nine states, is FINALLY coming to Silverdale WA!

Rumor has it that the recently vacated Circuit City location will be the home for Kitsap County’s long-awaited Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe’s is the exclusive retailer of Charles Shaw wine, lovingly referred to as Two Buck Chuck because of its $1.99 price tag in California. In other States, it sells for around $3 a bottle due to varying state liquor taxes and transportation costs.

In a recent blog post, Kitsap Sun reporter Brynn Grimley stated that her sources denied any pending plans for a Trader Joes in Kitsap County and projected at least a couple years before any possibility of a store here would occur.

I guess the Facebook group that was formed “Citizens of Kitsap County WA Beg for a Trader Joes” can finally stop begging and soon start ‘shopping!’

UPDATE: Brynn Grimley kindly provided a link below to a more recent blog post where TJ officials were recently observed evaluating potential sites here in Silverdale.