OPINION Central Kitsap
Page A4
Question of the week
This week’s question: Should Kitsap County enact a sales tax to fund mental health treatment? Vote online at www.bremertonpatriot.com or www.centralkitsapreporter.com
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Friday, February 15, 2013 | Central Kitsap Reporter
The time is now for sales tax initiative
OPINION
We believe it is time for our county commissioners to enact the one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax initiative to provide dedicated revenue needed to expand treatment capacity for Kitsap County citizens with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders, and for the Guest therapeutic courts and Column housing known to improve treatment outcomes. The World Health Organization reports four of the ten leading causes of disability worldwide are mental disorders. In the U.S., one of every five families is affected by mental illnesses. In Kitsap Joe Roszak County, mental illness and chemical dependency are the two top priorities to our Public Health Department. In Kitsap County the burden of illness was thoroughly identified in community needs assessments conducted in 2006, and again in 2009. Every penny raised on a $10 purchase in Kitsap County stays in Kitsap County, to be spent on Kitsap County citizens. We are requesting development of a community behavioral health plan that incorporates a transparent, accountable and public process, supported by funds allocated by and distributed through a Request for Proposals with a citizen engaged advisory vetting process and evaluated on performance measures and public progress reports. Because this initiative is provided by law (RCW 82.14.460), the funding must be specifically directed and cannot be diverted into unrelated services, products or administration. For every penny on a $10 purchase, we expect to accomplish some significant returns on the investment. This includes a reduction in the number of people with mental illness and/ See ROSZAK, A5
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There’s a new chief in town B
remerton has a new police the local system to be our new chief and because of this chief. I would like to welcome our a very important hurdle in moving this city forward has new Police Chief Steve Strachan to Bremerton first as an employbeen overcome. Bremerton has spent the last ee and hopefully very soon as a fellow resident. several years starvGiven the opporing and yearning Everything tunity, I would tell for a visible and Bremerton Chief Strachan communicative law about the diversity enforcement leader of our communiin the top position. ty. We are unique. As a city we have sufOur neighborfered with more than hoods are the orgaone unsolved murder nized backbone as well as continued of involvement, issues of vandalism, participation and assaults and drug assistance that crimes. We have suf- Colleen Smidt are continuing to fered as a communilook for help with ty from departmental public relations nightmares the problem drug properties. I associated with our police would tell him that our busidepartment that dominated the nesses want to do their business without the worry of crime local and regional headlines. Thankfully, the odd limbo and or vandalism by known and of limited and visibly absent documented graffiti taggers who leadership that has existed and continue to repeat their crimes. endured over these past few And I would say that our resiyears is finally over as the man- dents and their children want tle has now passed to a highly to be able to navigate the streets experienced individual who and crosswalks of the city safely was selected from the outside because of effective and routine
traffic enforcement. I would encourage the new chief to come out and get to know the residents of Bremerton. We very much want to get to know you. We look forward to hearing what your top priorities are going to be. And about your plans for communicating with the public on a regular basis. We want to know what pivotal changes you are looking to implement quickly and those that will take more time. In the coming months there will be many public, neighborhood and community opportunities for all of us to meet. There will be parades, charity events, city council district meetings and neighborhood association meetings. We encourage and welcome your attendance or participation. Congratulations on your new position Chief Strachan and congratulations to Bremerton for this excellent opportunity to turn an important corner. A strong partnership between the community and its police leadership can and should make for a better Bremerton.
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.