The work he does is very cool and very needed. He makes a huge difference to people with no other means of transporation. Yes, his wife and the rest of us would love to see him move the bikes out faster for many reasons. We have suggested that he train others in bike repair, thereby increasing the skills of youth and the community. He worries that doing so would compromise the quality of the repairs.

He has expressed that he, like all business owners, needs to consider liability issues. He has to be careful that any bike that leaves his shop is in perfect condition.

It is sad that businesses have to be so careful about the potential for being sued. For instance, I asked a couple local bed and breakfast owners if they would get involved in efforts to create “staycations,” vacations that keep local money in the local economy – where a stay at a bed and breakfast is combined with a comedy show or a elegant restaurant meal, etc.

They responded that their insurance companies discourage those sorts of partnerships, in the event that someone tripped coming out of the comedy club or got a case of food poisoning from the local restaurant. That’s too bad, because our economy is served when we can create creative solutions.

Your thoughts, RV.

Mary

Perhaps we’ll see the fruits of his labors in the future, but for now, all we have is more Junk Stores.

As the mayor talks about expanding the city limits to capture Bethel, he ignores what’s going on in his own back yard.

Take a drive through the intersection of Bay Street and Sidney, What a joke! Talk about Eyesores………..right in the middle of our downtown.

There’s a place on the corner that is literally stacked from floor to ceiling with throwaway bikes. It’s a major safety hazard for anybody that dares to venture in.

The mayor needs to clean up the Port Orchard Dump (aka downtown).

Indeed. One minute citizens complain about closed government, and the next, they demonise those who attempt to connect.

How many elected leaders contact their most vocal critics and offer to meet them over coffee, tea, or lunch to openly discuss issues with people who don’t even know them…only to be refused and bashed over and again in public forums? Lary has even offered to pick up persons who weren’t as mobile or had health issues.

Nothing wrong with criticism or challenging decisions and proposed actions, but at least make the effort to inform oneself and listen in the same manner expected of leaders. Effective communication is a two-way street.

I’m not a resident and don’t have an opinion on the pay raise. I guess I’m objecting to the overall derisive tone about the Mayor’s attempts at communicating and disseminating information to the citizens and the public. I would think that would be part of his job description and I appreciate it. That doesn’t mean I don’t have the ability to separate fact from fiction or decide if something is biased or self-serving.

I hope the people who don’t like the Mayor or his message understand how important it is that he speaks.

I certainly don’t want the people I disagree with to not have a forum to voice their opinions.