Council lauds Rep. Appleton
Rep. Sherry Appleton was received like a homecoming champ at City Hall last week.
Citizens, the City Council and city staffers applauded the Poulsbo Democrat Wednesday for her recent work in Olympia to give Bainbridge more control over population density levels in areas with limited groundwater.
Recently signed into law, the measure was custom-tailored for the island.
“Hopefully, this will help you put density in places where you don’t have water resource problems,” she said to the council.
Appleton also delivered to Mayor Darlene Kordonowy the pen used by Gov. Chris Gregoire to sign the bill into law this earlier this month.
The island shows some signs of declining aquifers and resulting saltwater seepage. Some fear that Bainbridge’s water supply, which comes entirely from groundwater, may not be enough to match population growth or increasing consumption.
Appleton pledged to continue working on issues affecting Bainbridge during the next legislative session.
“I’m going to work on ferries, ferries, ferries,” she said, stressing the need for more stable funding for Washington State Ferries and a bigger cut of the state gas tax to offset passenger fares.
“We have to make people know that the ferry system is part of the highway system,” she said. “It’s a highway system and it’s broken.”
– Tristan Baurick
City looking for volunteers
The city is seeking citizen volunteers for two new 90-day mayoral task forces and the Planning Commission.
The new transportation task force will evaluate the potential for a new citizen’s committee to provide a broad perspective on all aspects of transportation, including non-motorized, vehicular and public transportation, parking and roadside management.
“Many citizens are interested in preserving the character of the island (and discussing) how we move people to work, to social engagements, to school – and to do so without spending millions and millions on things that end up changing the character of the island,” said Mayor Darlene Kordonowy.
The task force will include members of the general public and current Parking, Community Forestry and Non-Motorized Transportation Committee members.
“It should be an exciting, challenging committee that makes a big difference,” she said.
The new farmland task force will evaluate and advise managing publicly-owned farms and to promote opportunities for farmers. Experience or interest in income-producing farming activities is desired.
The two temporary task forces are part of a new city reliance on short-term committees that can “set frameworks,” and then disband until they are needed again, Kordonowy said.
The long-standing Planning Commission, also in need of members, serves as stewards of the city Comprehensive Plan. The commission reviews and revises ordinances and regulations and advises the city planning director through public meetings on site plan applications. Planning Commissioners serve a four year term.
For more information, see “Island Government” at www.ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us.
Send a letter of interest and a resume to: City of Bainbridge Island, 280 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, attention Mayor’s office.
Applications are due Friday.
– Tristan Baurick
Two new parks to debut soon
Two new parks will be feted with coming-out parties in the coming weeks.
Hidden Cove Park (formerly known as the Spargur property) and Hawley Cove Park on Eagle Harbor (nee the Hall property) will be dedicated with ribbon-cuttings, refreshments and some old fashioned speechifyin’ by local dignitaries.
Hidden Cove Park, on Hidden Cove Road near Spargur Loop, will be dedicated at 4 p.m. May 24. The 6-acre parcel boasts 330 feet of waterfront with an upland forested canopy, an open lawn area and public dock. A park host is stationed on site for the summer months.
Parking for the dedication is limited; park at the nearby Hidden Cove ball fields to catch a shuttle to the event.
The 12-acre Hawley Cove Park, bounded by Winslow’s Hawley and Wing Point neighborhoods, will be dedicated at 1 p.m. June 2.
The park offers 600 feet of waterfront, with an upland forest and wetland, a trail network and a new boardwalk. The trailhead is off Wing Point Way near Azalea Avenue.
The properties were purchased by the city under the auspices of the Open Space Commission, and turned over to the management of the Bainbridge Metropolitan Park and Recreation District.
