Lurid details unnecessary

To the editor:

I was astonished by the reporting in this week’s (Sept. 30) alleged child molestation case. Whether the accusations turn out to be founded, the rights and privacy of the families involved were blatantly violated by the lurid details which were unnecessarily described by this newspaper. We live in a wonderful small town. As a community, let’s let the criminal justice system sift through the atrocities of such tragic cases and protect the dignity of all the children and parents involved by avoiding destructive and slanderous chatter.

Shannon Peterson

Port Orchard

Scare tactics on fluoride

To the editor:

I have read some of the comments posted regarding the fluoridation of the Port Orchard water supply and I am concerned about the misinformation being presented.

There seems to be a few people with a real passion to avoid being imposed upon without their consent, even if it regards something beneficial for them and for the overwhelming majority of people around them.

I understand that, but optimally fluoridated water has been proven repeatedly to significantly prevent and control the amount of dental decay in populations served. This has been reviewed and studied for over sixty years. The Public Health Service, National Research Council, World Health Organization, the Institute of Medicine and others have consistently found it safe, effective and inexpensive.

Generally, the cost of fluoridation is less than one dollar per person, per year.  Compare this to the cost of restoring one tooth with a cavity and the cost efficiency is readily apparent.

Despite the scare tactics of some to misinform the general public, I believe consumers today have many resources available to them that will help them make an informed decision. You don’t have to believe just the opinions of those around you. Do the research and I’m convinced the immense body of evidence will convince you that the fluoridated water in Port Orchard is safe, beneficial and very cost effective.

Bruce Yoder, DDS

Port Orchard

Vote Matthes for mayor

To the Editor:

This letter is to encourage city of Port Orchard residents to vote for Tim Matthes for Mayor of Port Orchard. I have known Tim for several years through my professional work and know him to be an accomplished individual — organized, thoughtful, effective, ambitious, determined — a kind and considerate gentleman.

Tim is a Kitsap native, born and raised in Bremerton and a resident for over 25 years in South Kitsap and Port Orchard where he and his wife Donna raised their family. He is retired from the Puget Sound Navy Shipyard, was a member of the WA National Guard and is chair of the Port Orchard Planning Commission and chair of the Kitsap Co. Board of Equalization.

Tim believes we can make Port Orchard better but without drastic, behind the scenes changes. He believes in and will advocate for public process. He believes that when you see something wrong you need to take action to make it right. He will represent the city with integrity and honesty.

I have worked with the current mayor’s administration for nearly four years. Tim Matthes can work on behalf of the city of Port Orchard and on behalf of its residents and its businesses in just as effective and productive manner, but in a much more accepting, self-possessed, calm and unselfish manner.

Vote for the future of Port Orchard. Vote for Matthes.

Coreen Haydock

Port Orchard

Support Miller for council

To the editor:

This letter is to show my support for Amy Miller for Port Orchard City Council (Position No. 5). I know sometimes it can be hard to sift through all the information being thrown at you during election time. We all want someone who can best represent us and who wants what is best for us and our community. Amy Miller is that person.

Amy’s family and community come first to her. I first met her when we were both members of MOMS Club. She was extensively involved and continually coming up with ways to improve our chapter. In 2009 she became the President of MOMS Club Port Orchard. She has also been an advocate for improving our city’s parks and playgrounds. She truly represents families.

Though her work stands on it’s own, it should also be known that Amy is a caring, trustworthy and down-to-earth person. When I vote, I like to vote for someone who represents what we need for our town, but also I like to know that the person is reliable and ethical, and that is why Amy Miller has our family’s vote.

Patty Mausolf

Port Orchard

Pinneo best council choice

To the editor:

Why should you vote for Ben Pinneo?  In difficult financial times like this, why trust a young man in his 20s with town business? I often find myself asking the same question about people running for office today, but Ben is an exception; he can be trusted.

Our community requires so much, yet finds itself with few viable resources.  Just because the future depends on the decisions that are made today, I suggest that Ben Pinneo is the best choice at this time for City Council.  I have known him for over 10 years; as a high school student, as his English Department Chair and as a teaching colleague at South Kitsap High School.

Ben lives in Port Orchard and loves this community and wants to be part of its future.  He sees what can be done and is willing to do the work necessary to facilitate positive changes. He has dedicated himself to achieving success in many areas of his life.  Being prepared and positive describes Ben. As a resident of Port Orchard, you can count on him to follow through and complete any job he starts.

He works well with individuals and groups.  He listens to people and then finds solutions to problems using a thoughtful collaborative manner.

His enthusiasm and open approach to people and ideas will be important as Port Orchard grows and prospers.  Vote for Ben Pinneo.  He can be your voice!

Thank you,

Mary McHugh-Shuford

Port Orchard

Childs’ leadership needed

To the editor:

Ballots will arrive soon and we will have decisions to make.

Jerry Childs is running to retain his position on the Port Orchard City Council and he has my support. His background as a leader in the Seattle Fire Department and his contributions to our community while serving as a councilman cannot be ignored.

While we live in very difficult times the city has managed to meet its obligations because of strong leadership from the administration and council. Now is not the time to change that leadership or the direction the city is headed.

I had an opportunity to meet and talk with Councilman Childs’ opponent and found him to be an impressive young guy with great future potential. He is sincere and idealistic but is short on experience and accomplishments in civic endeavor. Should he spend the next few years familiarizing himself with the issues and serving on some boards or commissions he can build his credentials for 2013 and present himself as a strong candidate for the future.

For now we need experienced and committed members of city council. Jerry Childs meets that criteria and is deserving of your vote.

Dick Davis

Port Orchard

Keep Fallstrom on board

The Port of Manchester has seen exceptional improvements. A greatly expanded parking area  has made the Port far more accessible to the residents of Manchester plus the launch fee has provided funds to help support the Port’s activities and creates a fair method of reimbursement to the Port by those, both local and non local, who use the facility.

The new lighting of the Port areas is not only functional but very attractive as well. The park is in a constant state of improvement plus badly needed replacement of the piers is well on the way to success.

Cooperation between the Port and the Manchester Water District has been a plus for all of us. All of this without any increase in the tax rate. This did not just happen.  It took planning, and hard work by all the commissioners, working in complete harmony with each other.

This excellent team of which Dan Fallstrom is one, needs to be retained to continue the current road of progress.

We can not do better than the current Board. To quote an old saying, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it”. It is not broke by any means. Keep our team. Re-elect  Dan Fall-strom for Manchester Port.

Bob Lamb

Manchester

Tibbs deserves vote for commissioner

To the editor:

Monopolies are generally a bad thing — both in business and in politics.

An example is right here in Kitsap County, where a single party controls virtually every aspect of our local government.  This is particularly troubling considering that our commissioners, elected (or appointed) to conduct the people’s business, are marching in lockstep to abdicate two of their three primary responsibilities — transportation planning and land use planning.

All three believe that the Puget Sound Regional Council should be allowed to dictate these policies to the county — Vision 2040 policies that include toll roads on major arterials, smart growth policies to limit rural services, “sustainable” environmental policies that keep people from enjoying and improving their properties, and a host of other intrusive and unwanted governmental controls.

We need to elect commissioners who believe these policies are their responsibility, not something to be delegated to an ideologically-driven, quasi-governmental organization in Seattle.

Chris Tibbs is that person.  He is smart, knowledgeable, and a person of integrity — a business man who is unafraid to question the status quo.  He knows Kitsap County well and he will look out for your interests.

Please give him your vote.

Bob Benze

Silverdale, WA