FRIDAY, April 26, 2013 n Vol. 122, No. 16 n www.portorchardindependent.com n 50¢
Independent A4 A4 A5 A6 A7 A7 A8
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
TIM MATTHES
JEANETTE DALTON
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
BRUCE DANIELSON
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).
SEE UPSETS, PAGE A2
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SEE SCHOOL, PAGE A2
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.
Neighbor denies pellet gun shooting
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By JUSTINE FREDERIKSEN
Staff Writer
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
Editor
See council, A31
See SISTERS, A35
outh Colby second- and fourthgrade students gathered in music teacher Lisa Mills’ classroom, confident that they were there to honor her as the elementary school’s masonic educator of the year.
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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.
Inside
A Section Editorial Robert Meadows Scene & Heard Sports Legal Notices Mary Colborn Obituaries Inserts: Fred Meyer, RiteAid, Office Depot, Best Buy, Staples, Wal-Mart, Valassis
Printed with recycled paper and environmentally friendly soybean oil-based ink.
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
Senior Reporter
That is where the surprise came in. About 20 minutes into the Tuesday afternoon class, Jesse Chapman, who has been stationed on the USS John C. Stennis since it left Bremerton in August for the Middle East, walked through the door. “Holy cow,” said his daughter, 9-year-old
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
South Colby sisters receive surprising visit from dad
Editor
nesses except bail bonds and similar uses above the first floor of buildings that abut Bay Street. Acting Development Director Tom Bonsell said staff believes the City’s Municipal Code should be reviewed and amendments considered, and that Council be specific regarding its vision and permit uses for the DOD. City Attorney Greg Jacoby told the Council there is two issues that need clarification under the City Code — definition of general business services and language concerning retail sales.
The City Council took a closer look at permits for its Central Downtown Overlay District (DOD) during its April 16 work session. In December 2012, the City Council approved an ordinance that allows tattoo parlors, single and multifamily dwellings, health services, patient clinics, medical/ dental labs and general busi-
See library, A11
Council reviews business ordinance for downtown
Definition of general business services are ‘over-exclusive’ Dannie Oliveaux/Staff Photo
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
See MARTI, A31
Port Orchard has a new police chief. On April 23, City Council confirmed the appointment of Commander Geoffrey Marti as the city’s top cop — which was effective April 24. Marti is under a one-year contract agreement that is renewable at the end of the year. Marti’s annual salary will be around $117,000. Marti thanked the mayor for selecting him up as police chief and the City Council for their support and confirmation. “This means a lot to me,” Marti said.
The Port Orchard Library will get a minor facelift — inside only. At the April 16 City Council work session, Library Manager Kathleen Wilson presented drawings of the current and refurbishment front portion of the library, which previously served as the city’s Post Office building. “We are hoping to create a much more open feeling when you walk into the door,” Wilson said. “When you walk in the door, you see our staff mailboxes, staff checking in books and working on things you don’t necessarily need to see when visiting the library.” The library has few places inside for adults to work on laptop computers or read periodicals, Wilson noted. Plans include moving the magazine section from the back into the front of the building and charging the configuration of the computer terminals upfront. The magazine section will be where the checking out counter is now. Wilson said a hexagon table, which includes a power post currently in the teen section, will be moved to the front. Wilson said a wall, separating the library’s circulation area, will be removed to open up the front. “With the wall removed it
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Port Orchard
Marti replaces Alan Townsend, who was sworn in April 19 as Poulsbo’s new police chief. Townsend was selected in March to assume his new position. Townsend’s contract with the city was scheduled to end May 6, but negotiation with the City allowed him to start his new post heading a Marti 16-officer department. His salary is less than he was making as police
Editor
Nine-year-old Kylie, right, and Rhiannon, 7, greet their father, Jesse Chapman, who was stationed on the USS John C. Stennis since September in the Middle East, during a surprise visit Tuesday at South Colby Elementary School.
Commander moves up as City’s top cop Library getting minor facelift
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
SPORTS Wolves crush Yelm to cap league play A32 Inside SCHOOLS New restaurant in old Tulley’s location A8 INSIDE Hobo Stew Cook-off raise funds for Fisher House A7
Veterans Life Inside