Port should be more careful with spending

In “The Port Report,” Bremerton Port Commissioners show their “2015 Budget: Maintenance and Capital Expenses by Location.” Commissioner Strakeljahn writes, “Once again I am proud to report The Port remains lean but efficient in its daily operations…” Really?

If Commissioners were really transparent with us, if not really honest, their report would also show revenue by location. Instead, Commissioners, according to their own 2015 Budget as tucked away on the Port’s website, are losing $1,423 a day for a yearly loss of $519,362 at Bremerton’s Marina; losing $1,447 a day for a yearly loss of $528,081 at Bremerton’s National Airport. Those losses occur because Marina expenses exceed Marina revenues, and Bremerton National Airport expenses exceed Airport revenues. Essentially, Port taxpayers in a limited tax area are paying $3.2 million per year for a Port, which attempts to develop economic development for the entire county.

Next, bond issues with no vote of the people are Bremerton Marina $17.7 million, and Washington Street parking lot $5 million.

All of the foregoing show lack of transparency to and lack of respect for the Taxpayer.

Citizens – step up – vote – let it be for accountability and self-sufficiency.

Gene Hart,

Bremerton.

All about the children, when politically expedient

The Bremerton School District uses the tired old phrases in regards to school funding for the children. They tug at the voters’ heartstrings and invariably state it’s for the children or it’s all about the children.

In 2012, the Bremerton School District levied for $4 million to fund a new central kitchen. Under the guise of the needy, hungry children. What’s more important that a hungry child, right? Apparently, unexplained priorities of the BSD. They tugged at the heartstrings of the voters to get your vote and your tax dollars and they knew the current kitchen facilities were more than adequate to feed our children. But they say their conscious is clear as the school district found other priorities, unstated of course.

The next levy will be passed under the guise of for the children. Then as always your tax dollars will be used for their priorities with no explanation to the voters. Their conscious will be clear because it was for the children.

Our children are currently ranked in the world at #25, even though we spend more than any other country in the world on education. Bremerton voters, wake up. They are accountable to us, not we are accountable to them. Your property taxes went up to pay for a new central kitchen. You did not get your kitchen. Do not reward the school district for misinformation.

Vern LaPrath,

Bremerton.