Eglon speaks
Just to clarify
It is apparent further clarification is needed to the letter by Pat and Gene DuVall printed in the Herald April 30. Their letter states, “One person alone does not speak for the diverse neighborhood of Eglon.” The DuValls refer to me as that one person. Having spoken to a large segment of Eglon residents, they expressed their opinions to me regarding the Greater Hansville Area designation for Eglon and plans for a sign being placed by the Hansville advisory group on the Eglon corner stating “Welcome to the Greater Hansville Area.” I, in turn, summarized their opinions and sent them to (Kitsap County) Commissioner (Steve) Bauer and to the Herald in my April 12 letter.
The DuVall letter also states the Eglon Community Club meetings inform Eglon residents of current decisions by the Hansville advisory group. These Eglon meetings are attended by an average of 10-12 people — hardly a fair representation of the approximately 200 Eglon addresses.
In the DuVall letter, I am accused by them to be remiss in not attending Eglon Community Club meetings. During my 30 years as an Eglon resident, I have attended many Eglon community club meetings.
As stated earlier in my letters to Commissioner Bauer and my April 12 letter to the Herald, there is a serious need for improved methods of outreach and obtaining input from local residents regarding community decisions that affect them.
Marion Kling
Eglon
Kling is right
This concerns Marion Kling’s letter of April 12. She certainly is not alone when speaking out about Eglon being labeled part of the Greater Hansville Area. I have talked to several people here in Eglon who were quite upset about this idea, and especially about the plan to put up a sign at the Eglon-Hansville corner stating “This is the Greater Hansville Area.” If they need a sign, it should be placed at Eglon’s northern border, NE 360th Street.
We here in Eglon are a separate community and always have been. Others here in the community feel the same and we want no part of being included in Greater Hansville.
Hopefully more people will attend the monthly club meetings so they can be informed of what is going on in our little world.
Alice Savage,
Eglon
PSRC
Role of organization misunderstood
Kitsap newspapers have published many letters opposing Kitsap’s involvement in the Puget Sound Regional Council and few supporting it. As a result, a lot of misinformation is going unanswered. Unfortunately, the role of PSRC is poorly understood.
The federal government requires transportation planning on a regional basis to qualify for federal transportation funding. Kitsap County’s most critical transportation links are with King County (the ferries) and Pierce County (the Narrows Bridge). Most of our jobs, travel and commerce outside the county depend on those links. It’s essential that we have a voice in the Puget Sound regional planning process. PSRC is the designated agency that fills that requirement. We share those planning resources with King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.
If we “go it alone,” as some are suggesting, our administrative costs will go up and we will lose access to those sophisticated planning resources. More important, we will lose our voice in the regional planning process, as well as the advantage of drawing from a larger pool of federal funding. According to DOT estimates, Kitsap County received $30 million more in transportation funding over the last 10 years than it would have if it had not partnered with PSRC.
Gene Bullock,
Poulsbo
Mr. Eddie
We’re a salad bowl
The Herald’s headline on May 7 heralds Mr. Eddie Labandelo as joining our “melting pot” in a heartwarming story. Hopefully the headline got it wrong. Many of us work to respect, understand and appreciate the uniqueness of each person and the gifts we each bring. Think salad bowl (a preferred term which has been around a long time) where we work together to enrich our mix by bringing our own individual flavors. No, I do not want Mr. Eddie to “melt” into our community. He brings his own special self and how valuable that is. As a member of North Kitsap’s Common Threads networking group I affirm with the group the incredible value of diversity in our community.
Port Gamble dock
Trade off is fishy
I understand Gwenn Thomas’ angst about the OPG dock being approved in spite of having scientific evidence that is an unwise decision. I am beginning to think that trade offs are part of the American political culture and that sometimes can be frustrating.
We have a governor who has given a lot publicity to saving Puget Sound. We have interesting articles from Kitsap commissioners that sound thoughtful and intelligent. And then we have what is called ‘trade off.’
When WDWF says the dock should not be built in Port Gamble Bay because the area was considered a herring (spawning) or spanning area, the truthful trade off was less herring equals less salmon being fed. Truthfully Port Gamble Bay may become an at-risk shoreline and habitat area in years to come. but it simply is because it is a trade off.
Laurie Yamamura,
West Hansville
