Independent FRIDAY, October 12, 2012 n Vol. 121, No. 40 n www.portorchardindependent.com n 50¢
Inside
A Section Editorial Robert Meadows Scene & Heard Sports Legal Notices Mary Colborn Obituaries A4 A4 A5 A6 A7 A7 A8
Inserts: Fred Meyer, RiteAid, Office Depot, Best Buy, Staples, Wal-Mart, Valassis
Jesse Beals/Staff Photo
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▼ Matthes, Garrido advance in SK commissioner race; Dalton, Danielson in judicial contest.
By CHARLIE BERMANT
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By CHRIS CHANCELLOR Staff Writer
Both sides report feeling harassed in rift over home business. By JUSTINE FREDERIKSEN
Staff Writer
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TIM MATTHES
JEANETTE DALTON
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
BRUCE DANIELSON
SEE SCHOOL, PAGE A2
SEE NEIGHBORS, 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
Neighbor denies pellet gun shooting
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
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
Custodians won’t be replaced, $1.72 million will be taken from reserve fund.
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SEE UPSETS, PAGE A2
Senior Reporter
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
South Kitsap’s Source for News & Information Since 1890
Staff Writer
Expectations were turned on their head in two Kitsap County political contests 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).
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR
See SCHOOLS, A7
South Kitsap School District officials are busy planning for a maintenanceand-operation levy, but a capital improvement bond might not be too far behind. School-board president Kathryn Simpson said the board of directors has had some preliminary discussions about the district’s facilities. Last month, SKSD had a building condition assessment completed by the Education Service District 112 Construction Services Group, which is required every six years by the state. The district’s average building score was 58.74. According to the assessment paperwork, a new building rated excellent receives a score of 100. A rating of 60 is regarded as fair, while 30 or less is poor. Tom O’Brien, the district’s director
Chris Watson, top, spent some evening time Monday at the beach near the Hi-Tide Bar & Grill trying to bring in a salmon like the one jumping. Parker Van Riper, 11, from Port Orchard does some exploring as the sun sets.
South Kitsap officials planning for a maintenance-and-operation levy and considering options for a capital levy
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-
See LIFE, A5
of facilities and operations, said schools are evaluated in several areas with the condition of some aspects, such as the roof, weighted more than the building’s carpet. East Port Orchard Elementary School, which reopened in 1991, is the newest building in SKSD. It also had the highest rating at 69.41. Cedar Heights Junior High (41.33) was the lowest ranked among the 16 facilities evaluated. The 56-yearold South Colby Elementary (47.4) was the next lowest ranked. It is the third-oldest school in the district behind Orchard Heights (1945) and Olalla (1954) elementary schools. School-board member Greg Wall said his focus is on the upcoming replacement levy, which the board plans to place on the ballot in Dennis Box/Staff Photos
Wyn Abbott enjoys the quiet and serene atmosphere at the Port Orchard Marina.
William Lewis photo
he Port Orchard Marina is a wonderful place for people to live and recreate after they’ve retired. There are approximately 20 boat households on the Port Orchard Marina and 25 residents who choose to live on the Marina dock. They all love the gardens with beautiful plants that include sunflowers, petunias, lilies,
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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
By WILLIAM LEWIS
Wolves capitalize on early lead to dominate Yelm ‘Refreshovation’ gives library a new feeling
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.
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School district looks at aging buildings Gone Fishing
crocus, crocosmias, daisies and various annuals and perennials that surround the marina grounds. The live-aboards love the freedom to leave when they want since their homes are not tied to any fixed geographical location. Port Orchard Marina Operations Director Brian Sauer said one of the main reasons this population chooses to live on the water as opposed to in their homes is that they aren’t burdened with the typical entrapments of household, suburbanized living quarters, including maintenance, property taxes and even large utility bills. “It’s a freer lifestyle,” Sauer said. “Some people look at it as an adventure. People in the city limits have new taxes. If you don’t want those services and you live in a house, you
A beautiful life at the Port Orchard Marina
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