OPINION Central Kitsap
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Question of the week
This week’s question: Will you contact your state legislators by email, phone or letter regarding issues that concern you this session? Vote and see results online at www.bremertonpatriot.com or www.centralkitsapreporter.com
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Friday, January 17, 2014 | Central Kitsap Reporter
Welcome her aboard The Kitsap County Commission has a new member. Linda Streissguth has officially been sworn in as the representative for the Central Kitsap area. Streissguth was one of three nominees selected by the Kitsap Democratic Party and ultimately chosen by commissioners Rob Gelder and Charlotte Garrido to serve. As a community engagement manager for Puget Sound Energy, Streissguth has the skills to communicate, not only with the other commissioners and county staff, but also with those she represents. The decision to choose her wasn’t without some controversy. Streissguth wasn’t the Democrat who received the most votes during the nomination process. She wasn’t even the runner-up. But regardless of that, she has excellent knowledge of business and government operations. She understands the relationship between private and public partnerships. She’s experienced in budgeting and watching taxpayers’ dollars. And she is well-schooled in the issues that face Kitsap County. Streissguth has worked with community groups in the past and realizes the crucial need for public input before decisions are made by government officials. She has a track record of listening to others and taking their concerns into consideration before making decisions. As Gelder and Garrido stated, Streissguth is someone who can compromise in order to get things done. She’s willing to work within the system and be a contributor, especially for Central Kitsap. In accepting the job, she said she’s already studying what’s next for the Central Kitsap Community Center in Silverdale. We owe former commissioner John Brown a “thank you” for his dedication to Central Kitsap and his service on the Kitsap County Commission. We wish him well in his new position with the Puget Sound Regional Council. Now is the time to acknowledge Streissguth as our new county commissioner and to support her. Now is the time to let her know what’s important to Central Kitsap so that she can fulfill her job as our representative, working with the other commissioners to achieve great things for Kitsap County.
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Unplugging and recharging A few days ago I was asked by my editor to contribute to a special section on health and wellness that has to do with balancing life and family as a working professional. I was happy to submit my own personal contribution. The timing of the request was just about perfect because this week I am taking four days to unplug from just about everything. On Thursday I will turn 44. Just looking at that number does not seem like it could possibly be true. How the heck did that happen? Typically I let my birthdays pass me by as just another day. I discourage my friends and family from making any sort of fuss and most comply. It’s just another day for me that is filled with work, obligations, deadlines and chores. This year I decided to change that and will be celebrating with the attainment of the coveted resource that tends to be the most elusive for me. That would be time. Time to relax. Time to get away from seeing the obligations all around that compel me to pass up sitting in that chair to unwind, picking up that book to read, or watching that show I enjoy.
Everything Bremerton
Colleen Smidt For this short period, I’ll be taking time for myself instead of completing just one or two more chores or tasks for the comfort of my family or community before the day comes to a long and tiring close. This birthday, I am taking four days’ worth of that precious time just for me. I am going out of state to a place where I can wallow in several of the more enjoyable and relaxing pleasures that life has to offer. So, here is to engaging in my own advice to unplug, recharge and keep that balance in life that is so important. See you next week. Editor’s note: Here’s some of the advice she gives in the
Balance health section that will be published in next week’s paper: “As a working professional, wife, mom and active community member, the ability to keep all things in a functional and working balance is, at times, its own kind of job,” Smidt said. “It is a job where your courage to say ‘yes’ is challenged by your ability to also say ‘no.’ It is a constant juggle of prioritizing items, most of which can change more than once on any given day.” Smidt said she is fortunate to have a support team —her husband and her son. “Without that support I would not be able to take on as much as I do,” she said. “On the flip side, I am respectful of the sacrifices that they sometimes need to make when my professional work and/or my volunteer efforts intrude into what should be traditional family time.” Finding time for herself continues to be a struggle. Colleen Smidt is a longtime resident of Bremerton and writes a weekly column on community and political issues that matter to residents of the Central Kitsap area. To reach her email lkelly@soundpublishing.com.
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.