Complaints against BITV dropped

Both the Washington State Human Rights Commission and the Public Disclosure Commission have dismissed complaints against Bainbridge Island Television.

The complaints were filed in November by Bainbridge couple, Mary Dombrowski and Jim Olsen.

They had claimed that Dombrowski, who was a part-time employee at the station, was fired from her position due to her husband’s criticism of BITV.

Olsen had criticized a police blotter segment on a BNews broadcast and had filed a complaint that a documentary about the Grand Forest made by islander Cameron Snow was an in-kind contribution to a parks district levy measure.

The Human Rights Commission concluded that the issue did not fall under their jurisdiction, while a PDC letter on the issue said there was no evidence that Dombrowski was discriminated against due to her support of a political issue.

The PDC also concluded the airing of the documentary on the Grand Forest was not an in-kind contribution.

The letter did state there were inconsistencies on the reasons for Dombrowski’s termination, and that there was a dispute between the couple and BITV.

Dombrowski and Olsen have since had their memberships at the station revoked.

Nikkei Memorial phase 2 to begin

The city has approved a contract with Drury Construction for phase two of the Nikkei Japanese-American Memorial in Eagledale.

Part two of the project includes an interpretive wall made of granite and wood that roughly follows the history of Bainbridge Japanese Americans, and the path they traveled as they walked to the old Eagledale ferry dock to begin their forced internment during World War II.

Drury has estimated that the memorial will cost $473,496 – the lowest of seven responsive bids the city had received.

The city also accepted a $120,000 donation from the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community on Wednesday. That money will go toward the project.

Proponents expect the construction of the rememberance wall to begin this spring.

Ferry ramp back online after repairs

The ferry terminal passenger ramp is back in operation after being down for three days for repairs early this week.

A hydraulic component on the overhead ramp broke Sunday morning, according to Washington State Ferries spokesperson Susan Harris. Harris said it took maintenance personnel some time to diagnose the problem and the hydraulic part had to be special ordered.

Repairs were originally expected to be done Tuesday afternoon but were delayed until Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile the malfunction caused some service delays as passengers were loaded via the car deck.