State deficit
Blame is going to the wrong places
The persistent efforts of Dean Jenniges and Jack Hamilton to hang the State’s devastating $6 billion revenue shortfall on Governor Gregoire is disconnected from facts. It’s obvious to the rest of us that our economic meltdown is national in scope, and deregulation of the banking industry and lack of Wall Street oversight are the major problems. Yet these two find it convenient to ignore the fact that their party has been in control for the last eight years. Much as they try, they can’t pin the failed economic policies of the other Washington on Governor Gregoire. And repeating the same tired propaganda over and over doesn’t make it true.
Gene Bullock
Poulsbo
Bellringer 2008
Community reached out to those in need
The 2008 fundraising campaign can be summed up as a total success. Our goal was to raise $35,000. We came close to that amount by raising $32,124.
At the time we established our goal we thought it was possible yet we had our doubts knowing the economy was not in the best condition. We will now be able to help more individuals and families in the new year. This is a statement to the amazing community we live and work in.
We of the North Kitsap Bellringer Fund, Raab Foundation and the Poulsbo Lions Club would like to express our sincere appreciation to the community for the financial support.
We would also like to thank (the Herald) staff for the ongoing support you have given us all these years. Without your newspaper we would not be able to accomplish our goals. We would also like to express our appreciation to Mike and Jeanne Brookes and the staff of Mike’s Car Wash for their assistance.
We have received numerous requests for assistance. Since the middle of December we have averaged five requests each day. This has been a significant increase over the last year.
The fundraising activity does not end with the holiday season. Any additional contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA, 98370.
North Kitsap Bellringer Fund
Raab Foundation
Poulsbo Lions Club
Reader feedback
Kingston doesn’t need new facility
In response to articles in the Community News:
What or who is the Kingston Community Center Foundation? Whomever or whatever it is it seeks to become a taxing body.
Absolutely not.
A tax must be of benefit to those who are taxed. An attempt to tax all property in and around Kingston, including Indianola, is of no benefit to the great majority of those to be taxed.
The survey form, placed in the Community News, is formed to produce a favorable response and is not credible. A phone survey of a selected 39 members is not representative of the population of the area.
Why a commercial kitchen? Is the foundation planning to compete with the local food establishments?
What is the need for multiple meeting rooms? How many is multiple?
Why should the taxpayer provide space for a party?
Most family reunions are held at a family home. There are existing facilities for the uncommon very large group.
Why is it necessary to provide a space for children after school? The school buildings already exist and they have required facilities. What is wrong with going home after the school day?
The Indianola community has a club house that provides the amenities touted for the Kingston facility. It is supported by voluntary club membership dues. By what reason should property owners in Indianola pay for a duplication elsewhere?
Mention is made of securing grants from some government agency. That is in itself a form of pork barrel. Plus who employs the medicant?
Earle L. Willey
Indianola
State ferries
Kingston should speak up
Tuesday and Wednesday there’ll be public hearings at Bainbridge and Kingston on a new plan for our Ferry system. As reported the proposes major cuts in ferry service, new strategies for fares, terminal modifications and a reservations system. While central and south Kitsap bear the brunt of service cuts proposal allows that we could be next. If we don’t speak up Olympia will assume that we don’t care.
The planning process has been diligently led by the Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee’s Ferry Policy Group, which is chaired Christine Rolfes and includes legislators from ferry areas. At the Policy Group’s last ’08 meeting, some other senior legislators tasked WSF to come up with a different plan than the one they’d been working on. It’s now been reported the Policy Group will be disbanded which makes a public outcry all the more important. “Plan B” which was released on Christmas Eve with proposals to: cut runs at Bainbridge and Southworth and cut night boats at Kingston and Bremerton. It also cuts service elsewhere in the system. It has some fare strategies, Level of Service standards, and terminal projects that leave us scratching our heads. Ferries didn’t consult with local officials, the Ferry Advisory Committees, or local agencies in this most recent development, nor have they assessed the impact it would have. Hearings were started up the Monday after New Year’s and the public comment period will end on the 21st only three weeks after the full plan was released. It now appears that the Transportation Commission will wait until the public hearings are over before informing the public on proposals for fare increases and taxes.
What’s happened may be legal but it’s not right or fair to ferry riders and communities. Please the come to a public hearing to speak up or hand in comments: Wednesday at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club on Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. or on Tuesday at Bainbridge Commons on starting at 6:30 p.m. You can snail mail comments in to: Washington State Ferries, Attn: Joy Goldenberg, 2901 3rd Ave, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98121-1042, or E-mail: wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov. But do so before the 21st.
Walt Elliott
Kingston Ferry Advisory Committee
