Patriot Bremerton
Keep it classy Expanded classifieds inside Kitsap Week
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013 | Vol. 16, No. 39 WWW.BREMERTONPATRIOT.COM | 50¢
Jail on Monday, lots of votes on Tuesday BY KEVAN MOORE
KMOORE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
After spending last weekend in jail, former Bremerton school board candidate Wendy Stevens was released from custody following a hearing in Kitsap County District Court Monday afternoon. On Tuesday night, Stevens earned 1,843 votes, or 40.7 percent, compared to the 2,634 votes, or 58.2 percent, that her opponent Alyson
Rotter garnered in the election for Bremerton School Board. Stevens appeared in Court Monday with her attorney Thomas Weaver before Judge Jeffrey J. Jahns via video conference from a holding area in the jail. Weaver, who inaccurately described Stevens as city council candidate who “formally withdrew” from the race, argued successfully for Stevens to be released upon her promise to appear for SEE STEVENS, A13
Rotter, Perkins win school races BY SERAINE PAGE
SPAGE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Alyson Rotter is the new director for position four in the Bremerton School District. She will serve a four-year term. “Victory feels great,” Rotter said after the election. “I started campaigning back in May so it has been a long process, but one that gained me great perspective while meeting with various community leaders, organizations, parents and citizens of Bremerton to hear what their concerns and priori-
ties are related to education in Bremerton.” According to Rotter’s campaign website, she is focused on quality schools “delivering efficient and effective education” which she calls the “key to healthy, strong and vibrant communities.” Rotter will replace current director Dave Boynton whose term expires at the end of this year. Out of 39 precincts, Rotter took the vote for 58.2 percent over her opponent, Wendy SEE SCHOOL BOARD, A13
Kevan Moore/staff photo
Mayor Patty Lent celebrates her re-election victory in Bremerton shortly after the results were posted online Tuesday night.
Mayor cruises to re-election BY KEVAN MOORE
KMOORE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent cruised to re-election Tuesday night by earning 2,664 votes, or 66.8 percent of the total. Challenger Todd Best, meanwhile, only garnered 1,298 votes, or 32.5 percent. Tuesday’s vote counts reflect 30 of 33 completed
precincts. Remaining ballots will be counted in the next few days, but are unlikely to make much of a difference, let alone sway the outcome. Shortly after hearing the results at an election night rally at Rice Fergus Miller, directly across the street from city hall, Lent described the election victory as a landslide. She also acknowledged that she had
been nervous ever since Best signed up as a candidate just 25 minutes before the filing deadline back in May. “Because I didn’t know why he registered,” Lent said. “But it forced me to be on my game and do even more representation. That’s where I’ve been all these last few months.” Lent went on to thank all of her supporters for sign
waving, helping with mailers and more. “With all the things we’ve done from Day One, this is more than those numbers reflect,” she said of her win. “This means we’ve got a bright future and we’ve got exciting things that you will not believe are going to happen in the next four years.” SEE MAYOR, A13
Book characters come to life at View Ridge BY SERAINE PAGE SPAGE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Instead of the usual Halloween garb, students at View Ridge Elementary brought literary characters alive for a twist to the holiday. Last Thursday, students celebrated the personalities of their favorite books on Book Character Dress Up Day in the library. Students dressed up as a variety of characters including: Fancy Nancy, Superman, Alice in Wonderland and Princess Bubblegum and min-
gled in “The Book Bistro” to chat about books they’ve recently read. The bistro served as a place where children gathered at round tables throughout the day, discussing their favorite book and answering critical thinking questions. “This is a fun event,” said teacher Katie Sprague, creator and hostess of the event. “It’s a fun way to be creative.” Sprague dressed up as Bad Kitty, a cat character from a children’s book known for wreaking havoc about in her owner’s house. As part of the literary event,
second and third graders were required to read a book, and then do a book report in order to participate. Some teachers made it mandatory, while others made it an extra credit option, Sprague said. As part of the reward for completing a book report, Sprague transformed the library into “The Book Bistro” as a fun place outside of the classroom to discuss their characters. During each session, classes filled the library round tables, book in SEE BOOK BISTRO, A13
Seraine Page/staff photo
Librarian Valerie Dawson chats about books with View Ridge students.