OPINION Central Kitsap
Page A4
Question of the week
This week’s question: Do you favor a .1 cent tax increase in Kitsap County for mental health needs? Vote online at www.bremertonpatriot.com or www.centralkitsapreporter.com Last week’s question: Should Silverdale incorporate? Central Kitsap: Yes- 40% - No- 60% Bremerton Patriot: No- 66.7% - Yes- 33.4%
www.CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.com
Friday, February 1, 2013 | Central Kitsap Reporter
House bill poses danger to our trust in government IN OUR OPINION
The 2013 Legislative Session is under way, and Washington’s exemplary Open Records Act is again under attack. Citizens should take note of a proposal that poses a great threat to Washingtonians’ ability to gain access to public records — one that would dangerously undercut transparency in government. House Bill 1128 would let government agencies limit the number of hours that they devote to responding to public records requests, as long as they make other documents available to the public, such as budgets, agendas and minutes, resolutions and ordinances. Courts could also decide if fulfilling a records request is “burdensome” as a factor in rejecting a request for public documents. The bill is sponsored by 26 members of the House, including Rep. Sherry Appleton of the 23rd District and was the subject of a public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government on Jan. 25. There is no doubt that the state Open Records Act has been abused on occasion over the years by citizens who have submitted requests for voluminous amounts of documents, and that government employees must spend many hours seeking and supplying documents that are requested by the public. The Open Records Act, however, should not be amended because of the rare instances wher≠≠e someone who seemingly has an ax to grind against city hall has asked for a pile of public documents, or because of the time it takes to fulfill complex and sometimes extensive requests for records. The creation, distribution and archiving of public records is a basic responsibility of government and a cost of doing business. Our trust in government is maintained by our ability to look behind the curtain, to see the workings of government beyond agendas and meeting minutes. Maintaining that trust is more valuable than the slight savings some government agencies might see from this proposed change in the Open Records Act.
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Silverdale incorporation | What do you think? Six compelling reasons to vote “yes” Why? There are at least six compelling reasons that stand out. First … Local Control. Although the county established a vehicle (i.e. the Central Kitsap Community Council) for providing the citizens of our community a “voice” in issues pertaining to Central Kitsap, the Council has no authority except to make recommendations and offer suggestions. In addition, Silverdale is just one area, among many, that is represented on the council. Having served as the president of this council for three years, I value its role and appreciate the fine men and women who serve on it. But it’s not the same as having a locally elected council, with authority, that serves the citizens of Silverdale. Second … “Replaces” County Governance. Despite the objection that the City of Silverdale would establish “another layer” of governance, the fact is it simply replaces county governance with a locally elected council. Third … Better Police Protection. Although the county sheriff’s department is among the finest in the state, they don’t have the resources to provide Silverdale with the kind of police protection its citizens expect, and would be able to receive, if Silverdale was a city. Fourth … Financial Strength. Silverdale would come out of the blocks with substantial financial resources (property & sales tax revenue between $9 and $10 million) virtually guarantying that property taxes would not increase. Not only that, but any improvement in services, that can be expected, will not cause a tax increase. Fifth … Ability to Secure Grants. Despite a number
of county “improvements” in Silverdale, there are many significant projects that lack funds. As a city, Silverdale would qualify for literally millions of dollars for such projects that would improve roads, sidewalks, lighting, etc. And finally … A Seat at the Table. Being a city, Silverdale would have a seat at regional and county boards, thereby giving the citizens a “voice” in decisions that impact the community. Why Now? Many people and businesses within the boundaries of Silverdale already think it is a city. They are surprised when they learn it is not, even though it looks and acts like one. For years, county elected officials have assumed that Silverdale would be incorporated. In fact, they have acknowledged that since the county is primarily designed to provide rural services, not urban services, the incorporation of Silverdale is inevitable. And that’s what the Growth Management Act has always prescribed for Urban Growth Areas (UGA’s). The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be for the county to afford the incorporation of Silverdale. So, for the sake of the county, and the citizens of Silverdale, NOW is the time to incorporate. Carl Johnson Bremerton
Incorporation is the best decision The best thing that can happen for the Silverdale business community would be the incorporation of Silverdale. The closer the government, the better the management. See LETTERS, A5
Your opinion counts... We encourage letters from the community. Please do not exceed 300 words and we ask that you include your full name and phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for publication. Fax: (360) 3089363; email: gskinner@soundpublishing.com or mail to Editor, Central Kitsap Reporter, 3888 NW Randall Way, Suite 100, Silverdale WA, 98383.