Around The Island | June 12

No recount for school bond vote

No requests have been made for a recount of ballots that narrowly rejected Bainbridge Island School District’s $42 million capital bond proposal, Kitsap County Elections Supervisor Dolores Gilmore confirmed Monday.

The official tally from the May 19 special election showed the bond receiving 59.8 percent approval, 48 votes shy of the 60 percent it needed for passage. A total of 9,579 votes were counted.

Results of the May 19 special election were certified June 3, but three business days were allowed for a recount to be requested.

Kitsap County has no provision for automatic recounts. A party that requests a recount must pay $0.25 per ballot for a hand recount or $0.15 per ballot for a machine recount.

Clif McKenzie, co-president of the capital bond campaign, said his committee felt the chance of swaying the result was far too slim to make a recount worthwhile.

“As close as it was, it was still too far away,” he said.

‘Citizen of the Year’ nominees needed

The Kiwanis Club of Bainbridge Island is seeking nominations for the 2009 Bainbridge Island Citizen of the Year.

Nominees must be island residents, not be members of Kiwanis and be major contributors to the community.

The Kiwanis Board of Directors will select the recipient of the award and will honor the person at its annual installation dinner on Sept. 20 at IslandWood.

Applications are being sent to service organizations, religious institutions and other charitable groups, However, anyone can submit a nomination.

Additional forms can be obtained from Jane Sutherland at (206) 842-3253 or (206) 719-7448 or by e-mail at janers@qwest.net. Completed nominations must be received by July 22. Please mail to Kiwanis of Bainbridge Island, PO Box 10602, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.

St. Cecilia project ready to begin

St. Cecilia Catholic Church will begin the construction of a new $5.7 million education center Saturday with a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony at the northeast corner of High School Road and Madison Avenue, beginning at 6:15 p.m.

The Faith Education Center, which will include the church’s school, parish offices and various other ministries, will replace Esterman Hall. The old building, which will be razed beginning next week, was consecrated as the original church in 1949. The new building is expected to be completed in fall of 2010.

On Saturday, The Rev. Father Emmett Carroll will do a blessing ceremony, followed by the groundbreaking of Esterman Hall’s demolition, and a barbecue.