REVIEW BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
SEE YOU LATER: New play gives a inside look at the afterlife. A22
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2013 | Vol. 113, No. 26 | WWW.BAINBRIDGEREVIEW.COM | 75¢
Water rate cut put on fast track
In the presence of royalty
Some on council question the urgency of passing proposal BY RICHARD D. OXLEY Bainbridge Island Review
A 30-percent cut in water rates was put on the fast track Wednesday after the Bainbridge Island City Council brought it one step closer to a vote. The next step may put the rate reduction into effect. Mayor Steve Bonkowski pressed the proposed cuts during this week’s council
meeting, following through with his vow to add the measure to the agenda despite bitter criticism from others on the council last week. The council approved — by a 4-2 vote — directing City Manager Doug Schulze to draft an ordinance that would cut rates by 30 percent for all customers of the city’s water utility. Schulze will present the ordinance on July 24. The mayor justified his proposed reduction with a SEE WATER, A11
Brian Kelly / Bainbridge Island Review
Malia Peato smiles after being crowned queen, and Joshua Moreno joins her on their thrones after their coronation at Saturday’s Strawberry Festival.
Filipino-American Community celebrates heritage at Strawberry Festival The Filipino-American Community of Bainbridge Island & Vicinity held its coronation ceremony for its 2013 Strawberry Festival Royal Court on Saturday, June 22. Malia Peato was crowned queen, and Joshua Moreno was made king. Other members of the court include 1st Princess Lucy Schaeffer; 1st Prince Hermy Benson IV; 2nd Princess Angel Rapada; and 2nd Prince Patelesio Peato. The coronation ceremony was held during the 2013 Strawberry Festival, and an appreciative crowd packed the seats at the Filipino-American Community Hall on High School Road for the event. Gene Tabufunda, president of the FilipinoAmerican Community of Bainbridge Island & Vicinity, welcomed the audience to the coronation, and Gina Corpuz presented an expansive history of the festival. The coronation ceremony also included Nathalia Orejudos singing the Philippine National Anthem and also a heartfelt rendition of Shania Twain’s “From this Moment.” The coronation also included performances by the Filipiniana Dance Troupe.
At right, members of the Filipiniana Dance Troupe perform a traditional dance while entertaining the newly installed court. Brian Kelly / Bainbridge Island Review
Cecilia Garza / Bainbridge Island Review
Karya Schanilec works on a frog sculpture for the Madison Avenue House using photos, letters, magazine clippings and other items of memorabilia.
Frogs hop onto the island’s art scene BY RICHARD D. OXLEY Bainbridge Island Review
One-by-one they will begin hopping onto the island, showing up at various Bainbridge locales. The frogs are coming to town. What started as a fundraiser for the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association has leaped into an island-wide art project. Thirty-six frog sculptures have been sponsored by islanders, and placed in the crafty hands of local art-
ists. They will now be on display throughout downtown Winslow, as well as at locations across the island. “I’m so happy that the frog project has reached into so many parts of our community and involves so many artists and friends of downtown,” said Karin Lehotsky, organizer of the project. “I am looking forward to seeing the excitement grow as the finished frogs arrive SEE FROGS, A11