Independent FRIDAY, April 12, 2013 n Vol. 122, No. 14 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
Printed with recycled paper and environmentally friendly soybean oil-based ink.
Jesse Beals/Staff Photo
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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
Both sides report feeling harassed in rift over home business. 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-
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TIM MATTHES
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
BRUCE DANIELSON
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
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).
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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
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
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JEANETTE DALTON
Editor
Custodians won’t be replaced, $1.72 million will be taken from reserve fund.
SEE UPSETS, PAGE A2
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
See BOND, A31
Port Orchard has found a new development director, pending on accepting the city’s offer and City Council approval. Mayor Tim Matthes made the announcement April 5 in a press release. Matthes said Nick Bond, a planner for the Town of Eatonville, was the top candidate recommended by the interview committee. Bond, 32, has been a planner for seven years and manages the town’s Building and Planning Department. Dannie Oliveaux/Staff photo
Eatonville planner tabbed for vacant post
Neighbor denies pellet gun shooting
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By JUSTINE FREDERIKSEN
Staff Writer
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
The wooden structure is gone and only the rebar remains intact to a feature added to the new skate park that Kitsap County officials ordered to come down — at least temporarily.
He has worked extensively on development regulations, including the creation and adoption of design guidelines for the town, shoreline and critical area regulations, and numerous other municipal code updates. In addition, he has written several grant applications with a success rate greater than 90 percent — bringing in more than $5 million in funding. “I am pleased with Nick’s knowledge he is bringing to the City and is confident in his ability to lead the department,” Matthes said. Matthes said Bond could assume the position in midMay. His pay for the first six months is $40.63 per hour, then increases to $42.07 after six months. He was born in St. Louis
A woman examines some plants during the opening day of the 35th annual Port Orchard Farmers’ Market on April 6. After a brief period of sunshine at the opening of the market, vendors and patrons endured rain throughout the day.
City selects Bond to fill develpment director’s post rain welcomes farmers’ markeT
SOUTH KITSAP’S SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION SINCE 1890
Editor
Port Orchard police will ask Kitsap County prosecutors to reduce charges for a 25-year-old man who was involved in an April 8 assault incident at a local sports bar. Commander Geoffrey said Wednesday that the
See ASSAULT, A31
as parties seek remedy for full pipe addition
Editor
continuing investigation lead to the discovery of a relationship between the suspect, white male, and the 56-year-old victim — a black male. “It a more clear motive other than race-related,” Marti said. “There seems to be an issue involed in the
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
The County and the but the wooden mold skate park contractor for the concrete fitting reached an “agreement “This is a very delicate had to be removed until for a solution” last week project. We just want to officials can go through concerning a “beehivethe proper permitting like” feature attached to make sure things like process to decide on the the full pipe portion of that don’t happen.” additional structure. the projects. It would require an Parks Director Jim – Jim Dunwiddie engineering report and Dunwiddie said the building permit. County and Grindline “If we cut the Skate Park, Inc., the project’s contractor, rebar out, we may have to do it again,” reached an agreement on April 5 that the metal rebar frame could remain, See park, A31
Police investigation reveals County, contractor working on skate park solution more details in assault case Rebar frame remains
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
Port Orchard
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.
SPORTS SK tennis INSIDE City approves SCHOOLS Quest 3-year agreement students place at team cruises to with Police Guild A3 state science fair A9 league win at CK A34