SKFR firefighters head to stair climb event
New-look Wolves focus on setting standard Page A4
Port Orchard
Independent FRIDAY, March 8, 2013 n Vol. 122, No. 9 n www.portorchardindependent.com n 50¢
Inside A4 A4 A5 A6 A7 A7 A8
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A Section Editorial Robert Meadows Scene & Heard Sports Legal Notices Mary Colborn Obituaries
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TIM MATTHES
BRUCE DANIELSON
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
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JEANETTE DALTON
SEE SCHOOL, PAGE A2
SEE NEIGHBORS, PAGE A2
“Aaron definitely had his unveiling on pageant night,” King said. “He’ll make a great king and will represent Port Orchard very well.” King said she is proud of all the contestants. “It is always exciting to see them start out and watch
See KING, A5
first competition. “I’m not a dancer, I just wanted to get out there and try something new,” he said. “I’m all for being the person to do the new thing and get as far as I can, and strive for the best.” Sharron King, FOF Board chair, said she looking forward to having a king.
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▼ Matthes, Garrido advance in SK commissioner race; Dalton, Danielson in judicial contest. By CHARLIE BERMANT
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). SEE UPSETS, PAGE A2
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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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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
Both sides report feeling harassed in rift over home business. By JUSTINE FREDERIKSEN
Staff Writer
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-
SOUTH KITSAP’S SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION SINCE 1890
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
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
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.
Jesse Beals/Staff Photo
Thomas makes history as first king over FOF
of the 2013 Royal Court “It is so amazing. It took a lot of hard work,” said Thomas after the pageant. “I tried so hard in everything I did. I didn’t win everything, but it goes to show you don’t have to win everything to succeed in what you want to do.” Thomas said this was his
See COURT, A31
In 45 years of the Fathoms o’Fun pageants, queens have reigned supreme on the Royal Courts. But Aaron Thomas ended the long reign of queens and became the first-ever ‘king’ of Fathoms o’Fun. Thomas, a 17-year-old Peninsula High School junior who resides in South Kitsap, will reign over the 2013 Royal Court. He was crowned during the Fathoms o’Fun Festival Scholarship Pageant March 2 at the Christian Life Center. See CITY, A31
A local property owner and the City reached an easement agreement for the Bay Street Pedestrian Pathway project. During its final February meeting, Council and Westbay Center owner Bob Hampton approved development and pedestrian access easement agreements that gives the City easement on Hampton’s shoreline property. In exchange for the 20-foot-wide waterfront parcel, Hampton received certain development rights vested under the City’s development guidelines and regulations.
Aaron Thomas, being crowned by 2012 Queen Tamika Tiller, was chosen as the first-ever king of Fathoms o’Fun during the March 2 scholarship pageant.
Dannie Oliveaux/Staff Photo
The lone male contestant has serious competition against five female contestants. Thomas said during the presentation of pageant awards, he thought there was a chance to become a prince on the Royal Court. “I was kind of ‘iffy’ on the king thing, because I knew there were a few people who out did me,” Thomas said. When the announcement was made, the crowd of about 200 people gave a loud ovation to the first-ever king
Port of Manchester Commissioner James R. Strode was scheduled to appeal in Kitsap County District Court on March 11, but the court date was rescheduled, according to the Prosecutor’s Office on March 6. Strode is set to appear in court on April 8. The 62-year-old Strode, who has been commissioner since 1986 and current board president, allegedly performed work on a hydraulic project without approval under state law.
Editor
Editor
– Sharron King, FOF Board chair
An investigation by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife had led to the Prosecutor’s Office to file criminal charge against Strode for his involvement of unlawful hydraulic project activity (HPA) at the Port of Manchester. According to court documents, WDFW Police Officer Jason Czebotar investigated the incident after receiving a complaint from Manchester resident David Kimble, who sent an email and photographs to WDFW officials. In his email, Kimble alleges the Editor
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
City Attorney Greg Jacoby said in the two easements were part of the development agreement, but that the pedestrian pathway was separate from the development agreement. “It made sense to separate the two because of the purpose of state and federal funding, that the pedestrian easement stand on its own,” Jacoby said. He said the development agreement specifies development conditions and terms that will govern the property for the term of the agreement. By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
SPORTS Daylight Saving Times Begins 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10
“Aaron definitely had his unveiling on pageant night. He’ll make a great king and will represent Port Orchard very well.”
Court date reset for POM commissioner
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
KING AARON REIGNS! City, Westbay Center reaches agreement
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