In an e-mail statement made earlier today by Board of Directors President, Chris Koebelin, Silverdale Chamber Executive Director, Michael Broome, is no longer at the helm of the Chamber:

From the Board of Directors

“Thank you to all of our members for your continued support of the growth and positive change in the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce.  The Board of Directors is continuing to look for ways to improve our organization and continue the momentum we have enjoyed over the past year.  We have recently parted ways with our Executive Director Michael Broome.  Mr. Broome was an important part of our positive changes over the past 9 months and we wish him well in his future endeavors.  The direction that the Silverdale Chamber will head is one that is consistent with what we have been doing”….

Lynsi Burton, a staff writer with the Central Kitsap Reporter, submitted the following story on September 8th:

“After nine months on the job, Michael Broome, executive director of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce, is no longer with the chamber.

An office administrator at the chamber confirmed Broome’s departure Wednesday afternoon. When Broome was contacted, he declined to comment on the nature of his exit and said the Board of Directors is still discussing details on the decision.

Chris Koebelin, president of the chamber’s Board of Directors, has not returned requests for comment.”

As an active member of the Silverdale Chamber, I’m anxious to know why Mr. Broome would leave at a time when so much positive momentum was taking place? His enthusiasm, humor, creative energy will be sorely missed!

This past week’s Silverdale Chamber of Commerce President’s Luncheon was yet another huge success. Even amidst the current economic challenges, local area businesses are finding great value in joining the Chamber and attending its various functions.

Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of the Chamber’s activities is recognizing and honored local educators within the Central Kitsap School District and bestowing their ‘Excellence in Education’ awards. Such was the case this past Wednesday.

Longtime Central Kitsap School District Educator, Robin Campbell, was the honored recipient this month.

With over 30 years of service to CKSD, Robin Campbell has functioned in a number of capacities, including: elementary teacher, learning specialist, district testing coordinator, high school math teacher, online teacher, athletic director and baseball coach.

Currently, Robin serves as coordinator of the Eastside Alternative High School Program, where he demonstrates tremendous energy and innovation in the classroom, infusing his students with tremendous motivation and instilling in them a desire for the joys of learning.

“Robin aids without reprimand, corrects without disparagement, and teaches by example,” said Richard Arena, alternative programs principal. “He is excellent in accessing student needs and implementing effective approaches to lessons. In fact, I have often suggested that teachers new to the profession, as well as tenured faculty members, observe his ability to connect students to learning. Overall, Robin is a leader, an inspiring teacher, a motivating colleague, and an extraordinary asset to our district.”

Robin received a heartfelt standing ovation by the Chamber members in attendance.

Central Kitsap School District is proud of its long-standing reputation for extraordinary staff and is pleased to congratulate Robin Campbell for this much-deserved award.

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.

Well, it was a week for a couple of major upsetting defeats…

My beloved No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks were sent packing after falling in their second game of the NCAA Tournament to 9th seeded Northern Iowa.

And, after some serious arm-twisting and back room pay-offs, President Obama’s National Healthcare Bill was passed and signed into law.

Well, at least for the Jayhawks, there’s always next year!

On a more positive note, I had the pleasure of attending the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce President’s Luncheon this past Wednesday. As the Vice-President of CSTOCK’s Board of Directors, I’ve recently started attending our Chamber events to network with local businesses.

I have to say that newly hired Executive Director Michael Broome is doing an outstanding job of generating positive buzz and organizing meaningful Chamber events. The future of Silverdale’s Chamber is looking very bright!

During the luncheon, the Chamber bestowed an “Excellence in Education” award to one of our local educators within the Central Kitsap School District – well-known and well-loved teacher, Bruce Larson.

For 36 years, Bruce has been a teacher and basketball coach at Central Kitsap Junior High. He had been commended the night before by the CKSD Board of Directors for his devotion to his students’ academic and athletic success.

Throughout his teaching and coaching career, Bruce Larson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic success in the classroom as well as good sportsmanship on the court. His fellow teachers describe him as a positive role model who connects with his students through humor. He understands that lessons taught in the classroom and in competition are tools for future success and works closely with parents to motivate and monitor students progress.

I can personally vouch for Coach Larson’s abilities and valued service to our students. As a Father of 3 boys who passed through the hallowed halls of CK Junior High, I observed first-hand the respect and rapport he engendered with students.  He also coached my son, Elliot, in basketball during 8th grade.

Central Kitsap Schools and our community-at-large is fortunate to have so many gifted educators like Bruce Larson who provide such valued role models and equip our students to excel.