Community
New market helps youth
The first Bainbridge Youth Market and Garden Exchange was held Sept. 13, and was a big success largely due to the generosity of Linda Brandt. Linda owns the building on Madrone Lane where Mora Ice Cream is located, and is letting us use the lot above it for our Youth Market every Saturday. She also purchased for us two large canopies. In addition, she is helping us start our own Web site. She also helped us set up early Saturday morning and even brought flowers, sign up sheets and flyers. We are very thankful for her encouragement and enthusiasm.
Seven youth vendors participated in the first Youth Market, and we hope others will join in selling their arts and crafts as well as goods they have farmed themselves. We also hope young musicians will play during our market. If you are interested in participating as a vendor or musician, or have other inquiries, please call 842-1250.
Thank you again Linda Brandt for your generosity and enthusiastic goodwill toward the young people of Bainbridge Island.
ALEX BRANLEY
MADDIE BROWN
LYNN CHAFFEE ANGELICA GUTERSON
ALI HOLMES
JOLI HOLMES and ELAINA HOLLOWAY
A big taste of success
Congratulations to all of the merchants in Lynwood Center who have created an amazing event that is sure to become an island tradition. With estimated attendance of 2,000 to 3,000, the first-ever Taste of Lynwood was a huge success, due to the creative and diligent efforts of the event team, including Edna’s Beach Cafe, Treehouse Cafe, Walt’s Market, Lynwood Theatre, Village Music, Bay Massage and Skincare, Salmon Canyon Cafe and the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce. Also special thanks to Deanne McCulloch of John L. Scott Real Estate and Steve Brady, who provided a transportation sponsorship, and volunteer coordinators Maggi Gruber and Mike Sciacca, whose indispensable efforts helped this event grow wings. The Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce was proud to be part of the event planning team and a co-sponsor of the First Annual Taste of Lynwood.
ELIZABETH GADBOIS
Event Coordinator
Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce
Protection is needed
I am writing about a problem that I’m sure is not unique to my husband and me. We have been taken advantage of by a local contractor. We hired this firm, which has been in business for more than 15 years, to remodel our home. He bid the job and it seemed to be a reasonable amount at $400,000. He stated that it would take him nine months to complete the job. Now 18 months later and $650,000 poorer, he has abandoned the job. He failed to get the needed inspections, and did not do the work in a workmanlike manner nor to code.
We are unable to get an occupancy permit because the house is a hazard, nor can we sell it for the same reason. An independent home inspector estimates that it will cost in the neighborhood of $350,000 to $450,000 to make the corrections to bring this house up to code.
What is the law on this? The contractor is liable only for his $12,000 bond. We cannot get any of his personal property – fancy homes, luxury cars or huge boat. The law in Washington is that any person over the age of 18 years with $2,000 for the fee and a $12,000 bond can be a contractor. They do not need to go to school, know the building codes or have any experience in the field.
Where is the legislature on this matter? They are firmly in the court with the building industries lobbyists. Just a simple law like making contractors build a building to code was opposed by the industry, stating that it would put the “little guy” out of business. If our drug manufacturers, transportation industry, or food industry were to have this kind of “Oh well, stuff happens” attitude the legislature would be in an uproar.
This man took our life savings and we can do nothing about it. Where is the protection for the “little guy” like us who now has no retirement and no recourse?
SID and BARBARA SPONSLER
Euclid Avenue
Thanks
Community came to aid
I was involved in a serious, near-fatal auto accident Aug. 1 here on the island. I spent one week in the hospital and five weeks recovering at home. I am feeling better now. My partner, Shauna Sheridan, and I own Salmon Canyon Cafe in the Lynwood Community Apartments and employ six people. When the accident happened the restaurant closed because I am the only chef.
There was a lot to be worried and concerned about and it was a frightening position to be in, not knowing when or if we could reopen. I moved here in 2001 because I felt it would be a great place to raise my three daughters, and it has been. We found out how special it is here when this community came to our support when the accident occurred. This community is great, and residents are concerned, compassionate and generous people. There are not words to truly express the feelings of thankfulness we have. Thank you so much, and we love you!
A special thank-you to Sativa Brown and Crystal Allers for organizing the bake sale and silent auction; Chris Kelly for her immediate concern and response to our situation; Island Quaker Friends; Bainbridge Island Fire, EMS and Police Department for their supervision of my rescue and onsite immediate care; Bill Nelson’s calls and offers of anything I needed; our landlord Marrie and Cathy Blossom, whose support made us feel like family; and thanks to all who gave so much in support.
DAVID ORTIZ SHAUNA SHERIDAN
Lynwood Center
