Anyone who has ever sat through a heated Port of Poulsbo meeting on a stormy day has likely noticed a few things about the proceedings: a) It takes quite a bit to ruffle Commissioner Mike Winters’ feathers and b) trying to stay focused at a session which sways with the motion of Liberty Bay isn’t an easy task.

Even so, it’s a task that Mike has performed dutifully since 1998. Before that, he took a more stable seat at the Poulsbo City Council. In between the two, he has served the greater Poulsbo area in numerous capacities.

Mike was on the ground floor when Community Event Productions elevated Little Norway’s Fourth of July celebration to new heights. Working diligently with Mary Graves and John Mathisen, he helped create what has become one of Poulsbo’s premiere annual gatherings — Fireworks on the Fjord. The event has flourished over time but would have never attained such great heights without folks like Mike to guide it along.

His announced retirement from the Port of Poulsbo, effective Dec. 25, will mark an end to some two decades of community work here. (Although chances are he’ll probably get “the itch” to serve North Kitsap residents in some other capacity in the future.)

About as soft spoken as they come, Mike seemed to balance his tones with hard work. He had his detractors — all politicians do. Despite this, we think it will be the way he served that folks will remember most: he didn’t ask for credit and accepted it humbly.

Thanks for getting involved Mike. Thanks for caring enough to change things for the better.