Rockefeller for boating safety

State Sen. Phil Rockefeller helped navigate a boater safety education bill through the state Senate Wednesday.

“We have faster boats and more crowded waterways,” the Bainbridge Democrat said. “People need to learn the rules of the water.”

Under current law, the state Parks and Recreation Commission enforces recreational boating safety rules consistent with U.S. Coast Guard regulations but does not mandate a boating safety program.

Senate Bill 5145 would require the commission to establish a program providing a compulsory boating safety education program with examinations and accreditation from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons.

Motor-boaters would need to obtain a boater education card by 2016.

The bill would also require a minimum age of 12-years old to operate a boat of 15 horsepower or greater or that the young boater be supervised by someone at least 16-years old with a valid boater education card.

There would be exceptions to the rule, including some nonresident boat operators, boat renters and anyone born before Jan. 1, 1955.

While the number of boating accidents has decreased in Washington, the number of fatalities has risen.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the state suffered almost 169 accidents in 1997 and 117 in 2001, for a total of 675 over the four-year period.

Fatalities caused by boating accidents rose from 30 in 1997 to 33 in 2001. Washington’s 2001 fatality rate ranked fifth in the nation, with Florida’s 52 deaths taking the top spot.

David Kutz, president of Washington’s Recreational Boating Association said improved boater education and stricter rules have led to safer waterways in other jurisdictions.

“The Senate today threw us a life ring to keep our boater safety education alive,” he said. “Boating education in other states has proven to reduce accidents and fatalities over time. This is a great day for boaters.”

SB 5145 was approved by a 30-18 vote and will now go to the state House of Representatives for approval.

– Tristan Baurick

City to offer memorials

After a tragic year on the island’s roads, the City Council last week approved a memorial sign project to honor traffic accident victims.

“It’s a sad day on the island when we approve a policy of memorial signs to people killed in traffic accidents,” Councilman Bob Scales said. “It points to the fact that we have a serious traffic problem on the island.”

The city Department of Public Works proposed the measure after receiving citizen inquiries about erecting roadside memorials to loved ones.

City Engineer Roger Mustain said the signs’ intent is to also increase pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle safety awareness. The city presently has no policy on memorials – such as candles and flowers – placed on city property, unless it blocks the right-of-way.

The new $350 signs can be purchased by the deceased’s next of kin, the driver of a vehicle involved, or the community where the fatality occurred.

Sign sponsors must submit an application within a year of the incident. A sponsor can have the victim’s name imprinted on two 24×36-inch signs placed near the site of the incident for up to three years.

The signs may also include a choice of five messages, including “Please Don’t Drink and Drive” and “Please Watch for Bicyclists.”

– Tristan Baurick

Social Security on the table

In response to strong public interest, on Sunday, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee hosts a town hall meeting on President Bush’s Social Security plan at 7-8:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge High School LGI Room.

Inslee hopes to hear the opinions of constituents and those interested in the president’s plan to change Social Security by introducing partial privatization, which would let workers put a portion of their Social Security contributions into private accounts.

The meeting will cover the problems currently faced by the program, examine the president’s proposal and consider the best options for preserving its long-term vitality.

Kenneth Buffin, a professional actuary and economist who has dealt with Social Security reform issues with the American Academy of Actuaries will be the guest speaker.

Talk with your reps today

State Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge Island) and Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo) hold a 23rd Legislative District town hall meeting with citizens this morning, 9:30 a.m. at the Phelps Road fire hall, to talk about legislative and other state-government issues of interest.

If you miss this meeting, there will be a second one at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Poulsbo library, at 700 NE Lincoln Road in Poulsbo.

Locals rally for peace today

The West Sound Progressive Rally is holding peace rallies today in six West Sound communities, including Bainbridge Island, and cities around the world to protest two years of war in Iraq.

Community groups will rally at 10 a.m. in Suquamish, and walk from the parking lot of Eagle Harbor Congregational Church at 11 a.m. to the dock to take the 11:30 a.m. ferry and join a regional rally at Seattle Center.

The group encourages people to carpool, and join any portion of the rally, bringing signs, noisemakers and drums.

The rally is endorsed by Bainbridge Island Women in Black, Sound Peace and Justice, Port Townsend Peace Movement, North Kitsap Neighbors for Peace, Kitsap-Bainbridge Democracy for America Meetup and others.

For information, call 842-0223.