Reporter Central Kitsap
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014 | Vol. 29, No. 22 | WWW.CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM | 50¢
Questions remain following sign code meeting BY LESLIE KELLY LKELLY@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
They came with questions and they left without many answers. About 30 business owners and residents in Silverdale attended a meeting last week where Kitsap County officials spoke about pending changes in the county’s sign code. Darren Gurnee, project manager for the sign code update, gave a 20 minute overview of the draft code that’s been underway for the past year. Gurnee said the update of the code came about because the county received questions from business owners and churches that wanted to put in electronic signs, which weren’t allowed under the current code. So, he said, a committee was formed to look at the code and provide clarity, streamline the application process and still “conserve the visual quality of Kitsap County.” “What we did was cre-
ate a document (the proposed code) that we are now getting reaction from business owners and residents,” Gurnee said. “We want to make sure that you are behind it because it’s your (sign) code.” Gurnee did not read the code, but referred those attending the meeting to go to the county’s website to review the proposed code and he said, there is a section for individuals to write comments about the code. But that didn’t seem to sit well with most who were there. They wanted more specifics. Central Kitsap Community Council (CKCC) member Mary Earl wanted to know if the code would allow signs on utility poles. “That’s not even allowed now,” said Gurnee. But he didn’t specify whether it would be in the future, either. Others wanted to know about temporary signs, such as political signs, events
signs, or for sale signs. Still others wanted to know what the proposed code would do about “human signs,” — those people who stand at intersections twirling signs — and electronic signs. Gurnee said he was “doing his best” to recall specifics of the proposed code in answering those questions. He said currently, temporary signs aren’t allowed, but under the new ordinance, one-day event signs would be allowed, but the event sponsor would need to let the county know where the sign would be posted, and leave contact information, and would be responsible for taking the sign down. As for human signs, they will continue to be allowed but only on private property, not on the right-of-way or on public property, such as sidewalks. Signs along or on roundabouts will not be allowed. A-frame signs, which have been abundant along Silverdale Way, will be allowed, but must be within
Leslie Kelly/ staff photo
A-frame or sandwich board signs like those pictured will have to be no more than 15 feet from the entrance to the business that is advertised under a proposed new county sign code. 15 feet of the main entrance of the business. Several business owners said they’d like to see the sidewalks free of them, especially in Old Town where there is more pedestrian traffic.
Richard Shattuck, another member of the community council, said those signs are popular in Old Town and under the new code that would be “too bad, so sad.” The big concern for those at the meeting was electron-
ic signs. Gurnee said currently they are allowed only for government agencies, such as schools and military. He clarified that the elec-
At the end of each class, future beekeepers take an open-book test. After passing the last exam, attendees will earn their apprentice beekeeper certificate and a patch. The certificate allows them to practice beekeeping in the state of Washington. Erik Peffer of Bainbridge Island brought his whole family to the course. Peffer said there’s a “bunch of beekeepers out there” on the island, and it was after meeting some beekeepers at farmer’s markets that he decided to give it a try himself. “I knew that it would be taught by people who are very, very excited to talk about beekeeping,” he said. Peffer brought his two children and wife to the course as a family educational experience. He and his wife recently purchased
chicks and the family also collects clams from a nearby beach. “We’re all into this selfsustaining in our household,” he said. After glancing through the book, Peffer said he was impressed by the amount of material he’ll be required to learn to become a beekeeper. Topics such as bee and hive life cycles, hive types, tools and clothing, swarm management and other concepts will be covered. For $50, an entire family can attend the course. The cost covers one book and a one-year family membership in the West Sound Beekeepers Association. Additional books may be purchased for $15 a piece. Participants may join in at any time during the
SEE SIGNS, A9
Bee-ginner beekeeper class attracts all ages BY SERAINE PAGE SPAGE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
When the West Sound Beekeepers Association decided to start a beekeeping class in 1999, members had no idea how popular the class would become. This year’s class, titled, “Bee-ginner Beekeeper” drew more than 80 participants during the first session of the five-week course on Monday, much to the surprise of members. “The classes used to be small,” said Paul Lundy, a West Sound Beekeepers Association member and course volunteer teacher. “I remember there used to be no more than 10 to 20 people in them. We thought that was great.” But times have changed. And once the buzz got out about the class, there was
Seraine Page/ staff photo
Jasmine Watson, 7, poses with beehive boxes at the Bee-ginner Beekeeper class Monday. Watson came with her parents Michael and Jennifer Watson to the course. no stopping the bee work-
ers from flying in to pick up
the skills.
SEE BEES, A9