A new year dawns, and it brings with it new opportunities as well as new challenges. Welcome to 2012. Here are some pressing issues that need our attention this year.
— Connect homeless teens with necessary services: We’d like to see a census conducted of the teen homeless population in Kingston. Next, develop a system, perhaps a collaboration between existing non-profits, service clubs and Kitsap Community Resources, to connect those teens with services that can help them attain a new level of self-sufficiency: health care, housing, host families, job-search assistance, training, volunteer opportunities.
According to anecdotal information, a number of teenagers are couch surfing or, when the weather is not inclement, living in our forests. Numerous organizations make clothing and food available, and those efforts are important. As a community, we need to step up the effort and address the long-term issue of helping teens break out of homelessness so they can live productive lives in a healthy and safe place.
We can’t think of any other priority more deserving of the community’s attention than the issue of children living on the street.
— Improve the visitor experience for motorists: You’re parked in your car in a line that is almost two miles long. Children are getting restless. No restroom facilities. Nothing to do but wait or use a bush.
Washington State Ferries, Kitsap County, the Port of Kingston and the Kingston Chamber of Commerce must partner in developing public restrooms on State Route 104 enroute to the Kingston ferry landing. We add the chamber of commerce because there are a number of vacant commercial sites along 104 that could be redeveloped as public facilities, and the chamber and port could help facilitate that.
We wish there were a way to enable visitors to park their cars in Kingston instead of waiting in the ferry line on 104. If we could connect people with downtown businesses and amenities, that would be a great thing indeed for the local economy and for the ferry passenger’s experience.
Downtown parking lots won’t happen any time soon. In the meantime, the least we can do is let folks use a restroom while they wait in line.
— Traffic warning signs on Little Boston and Hansville roads: Of five fatal crashes in North Kitsap this year, three were on Little Boston or Hansville roads.
On Nov. 10, a man was killed and another airlifted to the regional trauma center after their car crashed on Little Boston Road between Hansville and Cliffside roads, about six miles north-northwest of Kingston.
On Sept. 23, a 21-year-old motorcyclist died from injuries sustained when his motorcycle collided with a Jeep Cherokee at Hansville Road and Three Berry Lane.
On Sept. 9, the driver of an SUV was killed when his vehicle left a section of Little Boston Road near Hood Canal Drive and crashed into some trees.Let 2012 be the year when there were no serious accidents on those roads. We can help by posting appropriate warning signs. Slow down. Watch your speed limit. Curves ahead. Road dangerous when speeding. The county and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe should team on this project.
The Kingston Community News wishes everyone a healthy, prosperous, and safe 2012.
