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I hope you are using the warmer weather to get outside and explore our beautiful area. I’ve been spending the nicer weekends and evenings out on the water in my kayak or hiking local trails. Thanks for taking a few minutes out of your day to read my newsletter.
Remember, I work for you so please feel free to contact me at ewolfe@co.kitsap.wa.us or (360) 337-7080 if I can be of assistance.
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the 40th reunion of my law school. The reunion was held in the U.S. Supreme Court building. It was thrilling to be in a place with such significance to our democracy. Law school was a special time in my life, and I was pleased to celebrate with some former classmates and my wife, Wendy Miles. My legal background has been a valuable foundation for my role as your county commissioner.
On May 15, I was humbled attending the Kitsap County Law Enforcement Memorial at Miller-Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bremerton. The annual event is a poignant reminder of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty – and of the dangers law enforcement officers face every day. Kitsap County has had seven officer deaths in the line of duty from 1931 to the present. Officers from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office attended, along with those from each of Kitsap County’s four cities and the Washington State Patrol.
As the drier weather moves in, construction season kicks into high gear throughout the county. Below are updates on a couple of the major projects underway in Silverdale.
 Bay Shore Drive
We had planned for breaking ground this fall on improvements to Bay Shore Drive, Washington Avenue and Byron Street in Silverdale. The Bay Shore project will replace out-of-date sewer and stormwater infrastructure that frequently requires costly repairs. It will also add a sidewalk on the west side of Bay Shore, improving walkability and pedestrian safety.
However, due to the complexity of the project, the County received only one bid that greatly exceeded our estimated cost. As a result of the high bid, the project is delayed while we reevaluate it. This includes our Public Works Department discussing next steps with design consultants. Stay tuned for updates as we chart a new course forward. For more information on this project, visit http://Kcowa.us/BayWash or contact Kitsap1 at (360) 337-5777 or help@kitsap1.com.
Central Kitsap High & Middle School Campus
Recently, Central Kitsap Superintendent David McVicker invited me and key county staff to tour the high school and middle school campus.
The middle school opened to students after spring break. It has all the security systems and technology a modern school should have, as well as a state-of-the-art career and technical education wing. For more information and construction updates, visit the District's Construction Updates webpage.
CKSD Assistant Director of Finance & Support Doug Newell, Director of Capital Projects Robin Shoemaker, Superintendent David McVicker, Kitsap County Engineer Jon Brand and Department of Community Development Director Jeff Rimack joined me on my tour of the new CK campus.
The Suquamish Foundation held its annual “A Time to Gather” event at Kiana Lodge. My wife and I joined friends for the dinner and auction, which raised over $75,000. The money will be used to fund Legacy Park, a new community gathering place in Suquamish. The park will offer trails and a culturally themed playground featuring traditional tribal stories. I’m excited to see the finished park!
The latest episode of my Commissioner’s Corner program highlights a day in the life of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office – from observing corrections officer training on how to respond to inmates with mental health and substance abuse issues to a ridealong with Sheriff Gary Simpson, that includes a DUI arrest and booking in the County jail.
Although law-and-justice program costs take up nearly 76 percent of the County’s property and sales tax revenue (which includes salaries for staff, Sheriff’s Office, jail officers, court staff and judges), additional funding is needed to replace outdated, rundown facilities. There is also a need for more personnel, both in our communities and in the jail. This informative episode, produced by and aired on Bremerton-Kitsap Access Television Comcast Channel 12 and Wave Channel 3. It can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/327178857.
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 On April 9, your Kitsap County Commissioners hosted our wonderful and valued volunteers at the County Administration Building for our annual reception to thank them for their service. The County has nearly 4,000 volunteers who last year contributed 186,528 hours to Kitsap County departments. That is equivalent to $5.92 million in support of county services! These are conservative estimates too, as many volunteers don’t report their hours. Thank you volunteers!
If you are interested in volunteering for one of our departments or serving on a citizen advisory committee, visit the Volunteer Services Webpage to check for available opportunities.
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Bremerton Rotary was founded 77 years ago and has been going strong ever since. I have been a member of this fantastic organization for 20 years. Its mission of community and international service is guided through the motto, “Service Above Self.
I was honored when they asked me to speak at their meeting April 15 on the “State of the County.” For more information about the Bremerton Rotary, visit their webpage or email secretary@bremertonrotary.org. |
The YWCA Women of Achievement Awards luncheon is something I look forward to every year. Since 1989, Kitsap residents have nominated and honored over 300 women. Commissioner Garrido (a past Woman of Acheivement) and I hosted a table of fabulous women who work for Kitsap County. Seated (l to r) are Stella Vakarcs, Eva Crim, Jessica Cookson, Hope Beyl, and Barbara Bricker. Joining me, standing, are Commissioner Garrido, Theresa Smith, and Alexandra Hardy. To learn more about the great work that the YWCA is doing in Kitsap County to eliminate racism and empower women, visit http://ywcakitsap.org/.
Kitsap County sponsors two Veterans' Stand Down events each year. The spring event April 27 at the Sheridan Park Community Center in Bremerton provided over 100 veterans and their families complimentary meals, dental services, groceries, legal services and employment referrals and assistance. Forty-five vets received free haircuts, and enough clothing and household goods to fill a 16-foot box truck. This is one small way we can take care of those who served in the military. The next Stand Down takes place in October. To learn more about resources available to local veterans, visit our Kitsap County Veterans Assistance Program website here or contact coordinator Andrew Sargent at (360) 337-4811 or asargent@co.kitsap.wa.us.
Thank you to The Coffee Oasis for hosting the Celebration of Achievement May 16 in the Marvin Williams Center in Bremerton. The Coffee Oasis, founded by Dave and Cindy Frederick, started with "Teen Nights" at their Bremerton location in 1997. They now have locations in Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Kingston, and have served thousands of teens, providing them with basic needs (food, clothing, shelter), job training, opportunities and hope.
The event paid tribute to the accomplishments of youth that The Coffee Oasis serves. Awards were given for sobriety milestones, gaining and maintaining employment, completing internships, and consistent attendance at Oasis programs. Many of these youth have troubled backgrounds and overcame obstacles – such as addiction and homelessness – with the support of The Coffee Oasis. It is important that we celebrate their accomplishments. For more information on the fantastic work The Coffee Oasis does in Kitsap County and how you can get involved, visit https://thecoffeeoasis.com/. Thank you The Coffee Oasis for inviting me to be a part of this celebration.
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 Great Peninsula Conservancy’s (GPC) Spring Dinner was a celebration of conservation partners and the great work they achieve. The GPC is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting the natural habitats, rural landscapes and open spaces of the Kitsap Peninsula region. To date, they have preserved over 10,000 acres, keeping them undeveloped for future generations.Thanks to GPC members and sponsors, nearly $125,000 was raised to help conserve salmon streams, evergreen forests, shorelines, and green spaces. The evening also celebrated the leadership of GPC’s Executive Director, Sandra Staples-Bortner, who retired in May.
To find out more about the great work the Great Peninsula Conservancy does, visit https://greatpeninsula.org/.
KettleFish co-owners Dave Montoure and Paddy O’Brien celebrated the grand opening of their KettleFish, a new casual seafood restaurant on Byron Street in Old Town Silverdale. I was happy to join in the ribbon cutting and try their delicious food. Stop by Old Town and taste it yourself. Visit their website to see their menu and hours at www.kettlefish.com.
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