Streetscape gets great grant
A grant application aimed at procuring state funding for the Winslow Way reconstruction project has been granted in full to the city.
The grant, from the state’s Transportation Improvement Board, is for the entire $3.5 million the city had requested.
Originally those working on the project had conservatively estimated they would receive $1 million from TIB.
“It’s great news,” said project manager Chris Wierzbicki. “What this does is completely offset our reliance on councilmanic debt. They will not have to issue any bonds to support the project.”
Utility bonds will still be needed to pay for the utility side of the project, which eill cost around $6 million.
Monies received by the city will need to be spent on roads, pavement and non-motorized transportation features, Wierzbicki said. The large monetary amount could allow for the city to incorporate more sustainable surface elements into the project, he added.
Sbsurface investigation work for the Winslow Way reconstruction is ongoing and will be finishing up next week. Results of that preconstruction survey are expected at the end of the year and will help reduce unforseen construction problems.
TIB distributes money earmarked for transportation improvement projects throughout the state. The grant is funded by the state gasoline tax.
Calendar sales kick off
The 2009 “Kids Make a Difference Calendar” will go on sale this week, with proceeds supporting charities on Bainbridge’s sister island of Ometepe, Nicaragua.
This year’s theme is “Underwater World” and features illustrations hand-drawn by Ordway students.
Boo Schneider’s third grade Ordway class will be selling the 16th edition of the calendar Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 5-7 at Ace Hardware, Bainbridge Bakers, Blackbird Bakery, Safeway, Silver Screen Video, Soul Mates, and Town and Country.
Teacher Alice Mendoza, who spearheaded the effort in the past, is overseas this year.
For more inforamtion contact Kassia Sing at 780-3420. Learn more about Bainbridge/Ometepe programs at www.bosia.org.
Clamming bans lifted
Kitsap County has lifted the closure of many county waters to mollusk harvesting due to concentrations of paralytic shellfish poison.
According to the Kitsap County Health District, shellfish samples collected last week have recorded below the state-set limit for the marine biotoxin that causes PSP.
Shellfish closures occur when toxin levels exceeds 80 micrograms per 100 grams of mollusk tissue.
As a result, the health district has cancelled its advisory for all shellfish species in Kitsap County.
However, an advisory on Bainbridge’s north and east shores remains in effect for butter clams because they filter out toxins at a slower rate than other bivalves.
Besides the shellfish closure, it was also advised that those crabbing should avoid eating “crab butter.” That warning has also been rescinded.
Tourism plans firming up
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee has produced a list of recommended tourism-related projects to be funded in 2009.
LTAC is the group that recommends the spending of tourism-generated tax dollars to the City Council. The city receives 4 percent of a hefty 10.6 percent state-imposed sales/lodging tax on island accommodations. That money must in return be spent of programs that foster tourism.
Nine of 11 applications have been recommended for funding by LTAC, a total investment of $111,452 in tourism-related materials and programs around Bainbridge.
Projects range widely and from a broad-based tourism strategy by the Bainbridge Tourism Alliance, which will include a dedicated Bainbridge Island Web site, to the printing of promo-tional materials for the Bainbridge Island Historical Society and the maintenance of flower baskets downtown..
Projects that didn’t receive recommendation were the funding of a $50,000 semi-permanent structure to cover the Farmer’s Market area and an $8,000 request by the Bainbridge Island Community Network.
The council must vote to approve the recommended funding allocations.
Shelter needs X-ray funds
Bainbridge’s West Sound Wildlife Shelter is raising funds for an X-ray machine, with the help of The Wild Bird store in Poulsbo.
For the month of December, The Wild Bird will be donating 10 percent of its sales to the shelter, to help raise money for the X-ray equipment.
Wildlife shelter Executive Director Kol Medina said the machine will cost nearly $20,000 but will allow the shelter to greatly expand its urgent care capabilities.
“We desperately need an X-ray machine,” Medina said. “Currently, we have to take our patients that need X-rays to local veterinarian offices who donate their services.”
The Wild Bird is located at 19740 7th Ave. in the Poulsbo Village shopping center. The shelter is online at www.westsoundwildlife.org.
