Enough ballots are in to show a clear win for the campaign to change Bainbridge Island’s system of government.
Out with the mayor. In with the manager. Up with a new poll: What’s the main reason voters chose the council-manager form of government?
You’ll find the poll over in the right column.
With the mayor’s powers now passing to the City Council, three upcoming council races suddenly have added importance.
But council members Debbie Vancil, Kjell Stoknes and Chris Snow are on the fence as to whether they’ll run again, and no one else has stepped up to take their places.
Read my story about this issue here.
The filing deadline to run for City Council is June 5. Sharpen your pencils.
The KidsUp! Parent Child Center has found a new home.
After closing over two years ago, the island’s parenting HQ is set to reopen in mid-July on the second floor of the Pavilion.
“We are very excited about this location being so close to the movie theater and fabulous restaurants where parents will be able to order up lunch while their children play,” said Carissa Barbee, who led the effort to revive the PCC.
Barbee said the new PCC will feature:
– Indoor play space for children up to the age of nine.
– Outdoor area with sand and water play places.
– On-site parent coaches.
– Parenting resource library.
– Lending closet.
– Car seat safety checks.
– Parent social area.
– Community room for birthday parties and classes.
A similar center – the Peacock Playtime – opened late last year in Rolling Bay.
I wrote about the effort to reestablish the PCC back in February. You can read that story here.
Mother-of-two Debbie Menagh said then that the old PCC was a life-changer.
“It was a place to go in the pouring-down rain and get a coffee and talk with other moms who are going through the hectic life you’re going through,” she said. “I met some of my best friends on the island there. My kids still play with the kids we met there.”
For more information about the PCC and KidsUp!, visit kidsup.org.
