A community is a reflection of its residents — their vision of community life, their level of involvement, how well they support that which is good for the whole.
Kingston’s Village Green — a community center, library, park, and apartments for older residents — is becoming a reality because of the vision and involvement of residents, businesses and local elected representatives. Ditto for Bremerton’s downtown and waterfront revitalization, Port Orchard’s downtown market, Poulsbo’s parks, the Suquamish Tribe’s cultural district, Silverdale’s future library and Silverdale’s community development plan — called a Sub-Area Plan — now under consideration.
Simply put: get involved and you can make a difference. And not just in community life, but perhaps in the life of an individual.
Kitsap County offers volunteer opportunities in 17 programs that, among other things, maintain our beaches, parks, roads, shores and streams; assist the sheriff’s department; help children who’ve strayed get back on the right track; and mentor veterans going through Veterans Court.
In addition, there are openings on 14 county boards, council and commissions. Appointees will help direct how the county responds to needs regarding the arts, human rights, ferry transportation, older residents and children. Go to www.kitsapgov.com/volunteer/current.htm or call Rebecca Pirtle, 360-337-4650 for more information.
In Poulsbo, four boards and commissions advise the City Council on issues related to civil service, parks and recreation, planning, and trees. In addition, Parks and Recreation Department volunteers help maintain and improve the city’s parks and trails; Police Department volunteers help the department with routine tasks so officers can spend more time on law enforcement. Go to www.cityofpoulsbo.com/council/council_boards.htm or call the City Clerk’s office, 360-394-9711, for information about applications and opportunities to serve.
You don’t have to be an appointed or elected official to make a difference. Speak out on local issues. When you do so, you contribute to the development of ideas, foster community dialogue, and help appointed and elected officials make decisions.
The Kitsap County Board of County Commissioners meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month, 5:30 p.m., in the Commissioner Chambers, 619 Division St., Port Orchard.
The Poulsbo City Council meets on the first, second and third Wednesdays of the month, 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 NE Moe St., Poulsbo. Go to www.cityofpoulsbo.com/council/calendar.htm to see when city board, commissions and committees meet.
The Kingston Citizens Advisory Council meets on the first Tuesday of most months, 7-9 p.m., at the North Kitsap Fire and Rescue headquarters fire station, 26642 Miller Bay Road NE, Kingston. (There’s a vacancy on the committee; contact Pirtle or visit the county website to apply.)
The Suquamish Citizens Advisory Committee meets the first Thursday of every month, 6-8 p.m., in the Suquamish Elementary School Library, 18950 Park Ave. NE, Suquamish. (There are vacancies on the committee; go to www.kitsapgov.com/boards/CAC/suquamish/scac.htm or contact Pirtle to apply.)
Other boards and commissions to be aware of: Ports of Eglon, Indianola, Keyport, Poulsbo; and, in Kingston, the Port of Kingston and the Village Green Metropolitan Park District.
And, of course, we welcome your presence at another public forum — our letters to the editor page.
