Like Maron
To the editor:
Our parks offer a unique lens to view, understand and honor Bainbridge’s history and culture. As a historian, educator, outdoor enthusiast and deeply rooted resident of the island, David Maron appreciates the importance of safeguarding our natural habitats and recognizes that our island is ever-changing. Maron has my support for the Bainbridge Island Metro District Board of Commissioners because he knows how to balance the island’s growth and concerns for climate change, but most importantly because he knows his community.
David is a connector. He is dedicated to our youth, amplifying their voices and inspiring them to be stewards of the island and our earth. His enthusiasm is contagious and authentic. Through his service on the Parks’ Trails Advisory Committee, he has demonstrated his innate abilities to infuse new ideas with the wisdom of his predecessors. He cares deeply about representing everyone’s interests. His inclusive nature and integrity are two of the cornerstones of his character.
The outdoors, as David has often remarked, are the lifeblood of the island, holding our connection to the planet and one another. I couldn’t agree more. David is the truest choice for this role; please join me in supporting his candidacy.
Kimberley Gorman Trick
Bainbridge Island
Roundabouts bad
To the editor:
Roundabouts do not achieve BI Climate Change goals.
Joe Deets, Bainbridge Island’s representative to the SR-305 Working Group, voted to approve the proposed roundabouts at Port Madison and Adas Will. These roundabouts will slow down and de-gap traffic while increasing non-fatal crashes.
The WSDOT Intersection Control Evaluation Report shows the first-year increase in traffic delay of 98 minutes. Fifteen years later the projected peak period delay is 409 minutes. Roundabouts remove gaps making it almost impossible for vehicles on the east side of SR-305 to find a gap at either Port Madison or Agatewood during ferry surges and afternoon peak period.
Adaptive Control Traffic Signal Software is used on the East Sound to improve traffic flow while reducing greenhouse gases. This option has not been considered for SR-305. Roundabouts design prevents first responders from using Opticon technology to control intersection flow and safe pedestrian crosswalks.
The ICE Report monitored 10 crosswalks for a three-hour period including peak period traffic. Not one pedestrian used any of the 10 crosswalks in 2019. The projection for 2036 shows not one pedestrian using any of the 10 crosswalks. Why are we building 10 foot wide non-porous sidewalks no one uses or is expected to use? Why didn’t BI get porous sidewalks to help recharge our sole source aquifer? From 2017-20 there were six fatal crashes in WA roundabouts. Three of those involved crashes into the roundabout infrastructure.
Doug Rauh
Bainbridge Island
He’s a bully
To the editor:
Killing time before a movie, I saw Clarence Moriwaki sitting with his campaign sign in Winslow. I had recently heard his position on the police-court facility, and having done extensive research on the project myself, I sat down.
He began by presenting a belabored analogy between the old and new police station that involved a used and new Buick. The analogy itself isn’t important, but his response is. When I critiqued his analogy as a false equivalency, Clarence responded with, “Do you even know what an analogy is?”
Then, the conversation took a hostile turn and continued as such. He frequently interrupted me, raised his voice, and consistently told me that I “do not understand” a topic that I have spent months researching. I walked away feeling unheard and verbally assaulted.
When Clarence mentioned me by my full name at the 10/11 debate, he twisted my words to attack his opponent, Rasham Nassar, and I felt exposed and verbally assaulted again.
Moriwaki is a bully. If he cannot respectfully tolerate dissent on a park bench, I doubt he will be able to do so on the dais. His tactics are those of an uninformed pawn willing to slander and insult his opponents to come out on top (sound familiar?) and come November, I hope that Bainbridge Island has the strength to vote in favor of the voices of many over the ego of one.
Olivia Hall
Bainbridge Island
Pick Goodlin
To the editor:
I enthusiastically support Tom Goodlin for commissioner for the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park District.
I worked with Tom while both of us were directors on the board of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust. We served on several committees together for the land trust. Tom was diligent thoughtful, respectful and productive in completing our tasks.
For over 30 years I have been a frequent user of the excellent trail systems on the island. I have seen the number of miles of trails steadily increase. I know that Tom will continue to ensure that we will add new trails and equally important, new connections to established trails and park parcels. I also know that he will advocate for more new park land when available and appropriate, which is important to me.
As a member of Bainbridge Aquatic Masters, I see the need to look to the future for solutions to replace an aging pool and to have a more-efficient facility where all aquatic user groups will have enough space and time to practice and compete. Tom has taken an active role in planning for improvements for the Aquatic Center.
I know that Tom will represent all park district sports, facilities and user groups because he values a strong and healthy community for all who live and recreate here. He will be a good steward of the natural habitat. He is a good listener, a strong leader and will do the work that needs to get done.
Connie Waddington
Bainbridge Island
Vote Scott
To the editor:
I am writing in support of Kent Scott for Bainbridge Island City Council. I met Kent 11 years ago when he was working for the Bainbridge Island Park District. At that time, I was the president of the BI Football Club. The club had just finalized all the funding for building the two FieldTurf fields at Battle Point.
Kent and I met when construction commenced. I asked Kent lots of questions. I didn’t know anything about construction but as president of the club, I felt it was important that I understand what was going on.
The thing I remember most was how patient Kent was, even though for every question he answered I had five more.
Kent and I were players on a very big team that enabled the FieldTurf project to be a success and as many of you know the fields were built and are being enjoyed by thousands of our friends and neighbors.
Kent and I became friends, and we have maintained our friendship. We often meet to discuss our families, the island and, naturally, politics.
Kent and I don’t always agree on politics, but I will be voting for him for the following reasons:
• He will listen to all sides of an issue before he makes a decision.
• He will dig deeply to try and understand an issue.
• Kent is kind and courteous, and I think we need more of that today.
John F Sloat Jr.
Bainbridge Island
Re-elect Rasham
To the editor:
Once in a while, someone comes along who is in a league of her own. Brilliant mind, ability to connect the dots, quick study and with the ability to extrapolate to other subject matters. Add to that a keen sense of justice and a profound unwillingness to participate in personal attacks when her opponents consistently resort to such because they are incapable of debating the merits of a case.
Rasham Nassar is that woman, and it would be a terrible loss to not have her on the City Council. Please re-elect Rasham.
Sarah Rosia
Bainbridge Island
Police solution
To the editor:
Watching the Candidate Debates inspired an idea on the Police Station. All candidates agree a new facility is needed. They do not agree on next steps.
The Police Station became a hot potato when irregularities surfaced on the “Harrison” project. A few of us investigated and discovered that City Council was given grossly incorrect financial information on which council made its decision in January, 2019. Harrison was promised by city staff as a $20 million project and the alternative, Yaquina, at $28 million. If that were true council made a sound financial decision.
The problem is that the information provided by city staff was incorrect. Correct financial information, as confirmed by professionals, should have been Harrison remodel promised at $20 million and ground-up Yaquina project at
$12 million. That is not a misprint. That is how far off the numbers are. The financial workup is shown on documents that come from city slides and are “on the city record.”
The candidates have different opinions ranging from “let’s just move forward” to “we need to find out if this is true.” The sitting City Council is in the same boat.
We, meaning a group of 141 island residents, are asking all candidates to take an hour to inspect the city staff slides. Candidates all claim to listen to the people and do right by them. This is a real issue deserving a real response. We ask that
you make a determination and respond via an email sent directly to each councilmember.
Dick Haugan
Bainbridge Island
Choose Moriwaki
To the editor:
During my time on the board of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, Clarence Moriwaki was a dedicated champion of the organization’s efforts to create the memorial, which is treasured by the island.
Clarence was always prepared, committed and thoughtful in his work. He effectively communicated with political leaders and delivered presentations throughout the state. He organized countless public events.
Clarence is a skilled leader but also a tireless worker who can work with others and establish and achieve goals. With his extensive experience in government agencies and nonprofit organizations, Clarence would be an outstanding councilmember for Bainbridge Island.
Cindy Harrison
Bainbridge Island
Select Deets
To the editor:
I believe integrity and authenticity are fundamental for local elected officials. Joe Deets has both.
Joe has a direct and long history of promoting equity and diversity. Joe and I met over 15 years ago when he reached out to the Suquamish Tribe to open a dialogue around key environmental issues. Joe’s commitment to the tribe continues through the present. He has been key to Bainbridge Island reaching out to build relationships with the tribe, and he advocated for the re-establishment of an intergovernmental committee with tribal leadership.
Joe’s commitment to the environment is also fundamental to his work on the Bainbridge City Council. He has spent a significant part of his career in the solar industry. He pioneered work in innovative and emerging technologies in solar. And most recently, he was appointed to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Advisory Council, where he will represent Bainbridge and other cities throughout Kitsap County.
One area of great importance to the economic diversity and strength of our island is affordable housing, which has been a platform issue for Joe since his first election to the council. Listening to Joe, I know he wants to maintain the small-town character of Bainbridge Island while at the same time expanding the thoughtful growth of affordable housing, with maximum impact for working families and minimal environmental impact.
Michael Felts
Bainbridge Island
Vote Chymiy
To the editor:
I support Andrea Chymiy for Bainbridge Island Fire Commissioner Position No. 3 because of her outstanding leadership skills, intelligence and commitment to the community. I witnessed Dr. Chymiy’s leadership skills when she recruited me for the BI Medical Reserve Corps, which she founded with Dr. Cowan to medically serve the community in disaster situations.
Shortly after the organization was formed, the pandemic hit. Chymiy showed her creativity by pivoting the organization to recruit over 200 medical volunteers and worked with other organizations to create COVID-19 testing sites and then later vaccination clinics. Bainbridge Fire Department does so much more than just fight fires. As a doctor, she has perspective on what the community needs from the fire department and medic system and the leadership skills to implement her ideas. Please join me in supporting her for BI fire commissioner.
Laura Sachs
Bainbridge Island
Choose Goodlin
To the editor:
We are fortunate on Bainbridge Island to have a healthy share of civic-minded residents who step up to lead our numerous organizations as volunteers. We are particularly fortunate to have someone like Tom Goodlin who wants to join the BI Parks District Board of Commissioners. As a professional hydrogeologist, Tom understands land use issues. As a long-serving Land Trust board member Tom understands how to navigate competing agendas to maximize the public benefit.
As an avid hiker and swimmer Tom personally values and uses the public facilities, parks and open space resources of our community. As a person, Tom is a great listener who gets things done. He is community-minded and passionate about equity. When looking at his 23-year history of community involvement on Bainbridge Island, together with his professional experience, it is clear our island would benefit with Tom’s steady leadership helping to shape the future of our park system.
Bill Walker and Julie Kriegh
Bainbridge Island
Pick Scott
To the editor:
Bainbridge is blessed with many people who devote themselves to improving the lives of those who live here and strive to make the island more receptive to those in need. Kent Scott is in the top tier of that group. For many years, he has tirelessly promoted multi-family mixed-use projects. Another focus has been to assure our government gets it right when developing programs to best maintain our rural character against the demands of development and an increasing population.
Many of us care about these issues but Kent is one of the few committed to digging deeply into the competing forces at play to forge policies that really make sense. Fair or not, many of us believe the council too often makes ill-considered decisions. I happen to think our representatives mostly get it right. But what I know for sure is that Kent will carefully analyze the issues at hand and doggedly work to assure his vote reflects the considered views of his constituents.
Dave Danielson
Bainbridge Island
Pick Nassar
To the editor:
We are voting for Rasham Nassar so she can continue to protect the island environment, our quality of life and our fiscal resources. We have noticed attacks by candidate Moriwaki over the police budget percentage. First, this seems to be an attempt on his part to avoid the obvious conclusion that he is supported by developers. A “change the topic” tactic. Developers and other monied interests have repeatedly attacked Nassar over her term, even attempting to invalidate her vote for aquifer protections based on the fact that she owns property.
Second, I took the time to look at the budget. The 2022 budget for policing is $6,044,647. The 2022 budget for the General Fund is $16,747,883. We spend over 36% of our budget on policing. One arguably should add the $500,000 bond service for the new Harrison building to the policing budget, taking the total over 39%.
Do not be distracted, and do not be fooled. If you care about rural Bainbridge, our quality of life, the environment, trees, our aquifers and our money, your vote should be to re-elect Rasham Nassar.
Lisa Neal
Bainbridge Island
Like Moriwaki
To the editor:
I am a shoreline owner, and I have a number of concerns about the Shoreline Master Plan and the proposed modifications to come before the City Council in upcoming months.
I support Clarence Moriwaki for City Council because I know he will come to this issue, like many others he will face, with an open mind and a desire to learn all sides of the problem before he makes up his mind and decides his vote.
We need Clarence because he is a thoughtful problem solver who truly seeks the best decisions for Bainbridge. He will work to bring us, and the City Council, together as we move forward.
Delight Willing
Bainbridge Island
Choose Peltier
To the editor:
Mark Twain wrote, “A lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots.”
The list of falsehoods coming out of the Deets campaign is long and disappointing. In their latest attack on his opponent, Ron Peltier, a former South Ward councilmember claims that Ron was guilty of multiple Code of Ethics violations while serving on the City Council.
Like so much of what’s coming out of the Deets campaign, this is not true. Ironically, that same former South Ward councilmember voted on July 2, 2019, to dismiss all of the Code of Ethics violations filed against councilmember Peltier. Has the former councilmember selectively forgotten his own voting record?
I believe that truth matters, and that’s why I support Ron Peltier for City Council. Vote for Ron. He stands for the truth.
Bruce Kerwin
Bainbridge Island
More Maron
To the editor:
I’m writing to ask my fellow islanders to vote for David Maron as their next park commissioner.
David’s work as a volunteer in recent years exemplifies his willingness to take an active role in shaping a parks system that meets the needs of all users. He has been an involved member of the Trails Committee for several years, and he has been integral in helping advance a vision for parks that meets the diverse needs of island residents. Moreover, as a parent of young children, a middle school teacher at Hyla, and a lifelong islander, he is well-equipped to provide a much-needed voice on the board representing the perspective of parents with school-age children.
Since July I have had the privilege to serve as an interim commissioner in the seat David is seeking. The added insight I’ve gained in this position reinforces to me how well-suited David would be for the park board. His thoughtfulness and commitment to his community are a perfect match for the role a commissioner plays.
I believe that David would be the perfect addition to the board. He is knowledgeable about the issues facing the board, thoughtful in his decision-making and a strong communicator willing to authentically engage with differing perspectives.
Asaph Glosser
Bainbridge Island
Deets best
To the editor:
I had the pleasure of serving on the Bainbridge Island City Council for eight years alongside 16 different councilmembers. Two of those are opponents for a North Ward seat: incumbent Joe Deets and former councilmember Ron Peltier. Based on my experience working with both candidates I wholeheartedly support Joe Deets.
Joe is willing to set politics aside and solve problems. This is in stark contrast to Ron, who tends to dig in his heels and grandstand, unwilling to discuss, let alone compromise to find solutions. Joe keeps an open mind and has demonstrated time and again that the voices of all his constituents have a place in the decision-making process. Compare that to Ron, who only lends his ear to a small, select group of loyal supporters.
Joe treats his colleagues, city staff and community members with respect. Ron resorts to bullying and disparagement in the face of opposition. This behavior was even called out by a former city manager. Ron’s behavior, resulting ethics (code of conduct) complaints, and subsequent reprimand by the City Council in 2019, was widely reported. When recommending Joe Deets, the Bainbridge Island Progressive Voters Guide made a strong statement when it pronounced that Ron had “no place in public service again.”
Please cast your vote for Joe Deets.
Sarah Blossom
Bainbridge Island
Pick Peltier
To the editor:
I have known Ron Peltier for about 30 years. In that time, I have seen him take on very complex issues in an honest and compassionate way. Ron became motivated to become more involved in Bainbridge Island issues because of the Visconsi development project on High School Road and corresponding effect on clearcutting, lumberyard traffic, and failure of the city Planning Department to take the recommendations of the volunteer planning commission.
Ron has long championed protections for island resources such as the natural environment, water and other critical infrastructure. Water resources are a critical issue on the Bainbridge Island environment similar to Vashon Island where there is a groundwater management plan in place. Ron has fully supported the development of a Bainbridge groundwater management plan for use when considering the future of development on our island.
Bill Chamberlain
Bainbridge Island
Write to help
To the editor:
During World War II 276 Japanese and Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island were exiled from their homes and placed in concentration camps, which has had a profound and lasting impact on former incarcerees and their families. BI Japanese spent three years at Minidoka near Twin Falls, ID, which is now a National Park Service Historic Site. The BI Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is a satellite of the Minidoka NHS, and, like the Bainbridge Memorial, Minidoka serves as a place of healing and learning.
Just north of Minidoka, LS Power, a New York private equity firm is seeking approval, to build an industrial wind farm with over 400 wind towers as high as 740 feet. The project will permanently alter the experience of this sacred site. The NPS has stated that the towers “will fundamentally change the psychological and physical feelings of remoteness and isolation one experiences when visiting Minidoka NHS.”
The BI Japanese American Community is voicing strong opposition to the Lava Ridge Wind project and requests your help. Public comments are being accepted until Oct. 20 for an environmental impact statement. If you want to help, go to www.minidoka.org/blog/
Karen Matsumoto
Bainbridge Island
