INDEPENDENT FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015 ✮ VOL. 124, NO. 1 ✮ WWW.PORTORCHARDINDEPENDENT.COM ✮ 50¢
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A Section Editorial Robert Meadows Scene & Heard Sports Legal Notices Mary Colborn Obituaries A4 A4 A5 A6 A7 A7 A8
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SKSD adds propane-powered buses to fleet shot in three of her home’s windows. Cronan, who lives on the 200 block of Flower Meadows Street in Port Orchard, said she believed the attack was part of an ongoing dispute with Keehn, whom she alleges has been running a hair salon out of her home without a business license and in defiance of a city “stop-work” order. Keehn, 30, said she filed for permission from the city of Port Orchard to operate a hair salon out of her home on the 2300 block of Flower Avenue soon after pur-
during Tuesday night’s primary election, as the perceived front-runners came in third and were disqualified in their respective races. Republican Tim Matthes drew the most votes in the South Kitsap commissioner’s race, followed by Democrat Charlotte Garrido. Monty Mahan, who was the first to declare for the seat and earned the endorsement of local mayors, came in third (See related story, page A3). TIM MATTHES
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
and pension rates along with inflation as issues. In addition to the money saved on custodians, Patton said the district will dip into its reserve fund for $1.72 million. She said that’s not all bad because the district saved more than it anticipated in its last fiscal year, which ends Aug. 31. Patton said they also will save through not filling other vacant positions in the district, and through cutting expenses on supplies. The board unanimously adopted the budget. Patton warned in previous meetings that the “hard decisions” likely won’t end
SEE SCHOOL, PAGE A2
activities she reported as stemming from Keehn’s attempts to operate a business out of her home. Weaver said following an April 11 hearing with the city’s Hearing Examiner, certain conditions were placed on Keehn’s permit to mitigate Cronan’s concerns before she would be allowed to operate her business. “(Keehn) has addressed all but one of those conditions, with the last being the letter from the (Kitsap County) Health Department,” Weaver said, explaining that Keehn’s current sewer facilities are
SEE NEIGHBORS, PAGE A2
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BRUCE DANIELSON
SEE BUSES, A31
There is the famous new-car smell. And then there are four new Blue Bird Corporation buses the South Kitsap School District added to its fleet after winter break that extend that scent. Or lessen it. Jay Rosapepe, SKSD director of transportation, said district officials elected to eschew traditional diesel engines for propane-powered buses with their latest purchase. He said the change came for a variety of reasons. During the 2013-14 school year, several people who lived near the transportation facility complained about bus traffic and noise. In an effort to mitigate those concerns, SKSD gained approval to park in the city’s commercial zones in May. The district also chasing it last spring. City Development Director James Weaver confirmed that Keehn received a conditional-use permit to operate a onechair hair salon out of her home, which he described as “pretty innocuous” and something that doesn’t typically reach “the level of intensive use,” as far as impacts on the neighborhood are concerned. However, since November of 2007, Cronan has filed multiple complaints with the city regarding traffic, noise and other
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JEANETTE DALTON
In addition to the quieter ride and safety features that come with the new buses, environmentalists will appreciate that they do not emit black exhaust. Also, Rosapepe expects to save money even though propane buses cost $20,000-$25,000 more and average a couple of miles less per gallon than diesels. That is because propane costs less than diesel. According to the U.S. Energy Information
▼ Custodians won’t be replaced, $1.72 million will be taken from reserve fund.
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR Staff Writer
The South Kitsap School District is a little closer to closing its $2.9 million deficit for the upcoming school year. Terri Patton, assistant superintendent for business and support services, said at Wednesday’s school board meeting that the district won’t replace five full-time custodians who left the district after the last school year. She said that will save the district $250,000. Patton said the deficit stems from unforeseen circumstances when the district presented its last levy to voters in 2004. She cited escalating teacher salaries
Four new vehicles are designed to be more efficient than diesel counterparts
Both sides report feeling harassed in rift over home business.
By JUSTINE FREDERIKSEN Staff Writer
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The Red Dog Saloon, located on Mile Hill Drive, shows their support of the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.
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South Kitsap School District added four propane-powered buses to its fleet after the winter break. Jay Rosapepe, SKSD’s director of transportation, said the new vehicles will be cheaper to fuel and quieter than diesel buses.
Neighbor denies pellet gun shooting
Dannie Oliveaux / Staff Photo
Cody Wright from Milford, Utah, got a mouth full of mud and a zero score after falling off Strawberry Delight in the Saddle Bronc Riding competition Wednesday night at the Kitsap County Stampede. The fair runs through Sunday.
Local Seahawk faithful predict Super Bowl win
Tensions between two Port Orchard neighbors that erupted after one attempted to open a home business last year led both women to head down to the Kitsap County Courthouse Monday and file restraining orders against each other. Shelia Cronan, 49, said she filed a restraining order against Amber Keehn after returning home from a camping trip Aug. 17 and discovering pellets had been
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COMMUNIT Y DELIV ERED
SEE SUPER BOWL, A31
s the Seattle prepares for their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance, many of the South Kitsap faithful Seahawk fans expect a win on Sunday. Throughout South Kitsap, Seahawk decals, flags and banners are displayed at
Risky trees coming down at South Kitsap park A4
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR
LOUD & PROUD
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Editor
SK bowlers win league tournament, advance to district A27
moved the start time for buses from 4-5 a.m. Rosapepe said the new propane buses, which are 5 decibels quieter than contemporary diesel models, will further resolve those noise concerns. “It’s significant,” he said. “As we switch out some of the older buses, our noise profile is going lower.”
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GO HAWKS! PORT ORCHARD