Dems back ferry measure
Local Democrats have thrown their support behind a proposal to increase passenger ferry services linking Kitsap County and Seattle.
In separate meetings, both the Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee and the 23rd Legislative District Democrats voted unanimously to endorse Kitsap Transit’s plan to boost sales tax by three-tenths of a cent to fund small, high speed ferries servicing Port Orchard, Southworth, Bremerton and Kingston.
The votes were taken following presentations by Kitsap Transit Director Richard Hayes.
Approval of the proposed ferry funding measure will be decided by county voters on Feb. 6.
The two Democratic groups also voted to contribute $100 each for Kitsap Transit’s related promotional campaign.
Rockefeller bill on adoption
Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Bainbridge Island, has proposed a bill that would help reunite unadopted children with their birth parents.
“I want to ensure that the voices of our children are heard and to allow for the preservation of parent-child relationships,” Rockefeller said in a statement. “In cases where a child is no longer at risk of abuse or neglect and the child wants to reunite with his or her parent, our laws should not stand as barriers but should be pillars of support.”
Rockefeller is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5452, which would provide for the reunification of a child with his or her parent after the termination of parental rights when the circumstances of a parents’ situation has changed. The bill would allow a child who has not been adopted after three years in the state’s care to petition the court for reinstatement of the former parent’s parental rights.
“When there is no risk to the child’s health, welfare or safety, a child should be allowed to be with his or her parent,” Rockefeller said.
The bill awaits a hearing before the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee.
Brown lawsuit to proceed
A visiting judge on Wednesday denied Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown’s procedural motion to dismiss a legal challenge to his residency and election.
Brown argued that the challenge was filed too long after the election, but the judge found that the statute was ambiguous.
Brown, a Democrat, is being sued by Central Kitsap resident Robert Ross, who maintains Brown is not a legal resident of the district he was elected to represent.
Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Craddock Verser said the law on the timing of challenges was unspecific, and that Ross should not be penalized for its ambiguity.
Morgan said prior to the hearing that Brown has proof of residence in the apartment he first occupied on July 13, but chose to attempt to strike down the suit on the procedural grounds.
Brown may have to present that evidence, said to include a driver’s license, utility receipts and a voter registration card. The next court date is Feb. 5.
Morgan said after the hearing that “the burden of proof is still on them to prove that Josh doesn’t live where he says.”
Brown, who spent his teenage years in Poulsbo, moved to Kitsap County last year with the intention of running for the District 3 commissioner’s seat.
Ross challenged this residency, while another motion challenging Brown’s voter registration was filed last week by Bainbridge Island resident James W. Olsen.
Brown described the suit as “harassment.”
Ross’ father, Silverdale developer Ron Ross, gave Brown’s Republican opponent Jack Hamilton more than $20,000.
“This is a great example of sour grapes and dirty politics,” Brown said. “And this type of treatment is one reason why more citizens don’t run for public office.”
