Independent FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013 N VOL. 122, NO. 48 N WWW.PORTORCHARDINDEPENDENT.COM N 50¢
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▼ Matthes, Garrido advance in SK commissioner race; Dalton, Danielson in judicial contest.
By CHARLIE BERMANT
BRUCE DANIELSON
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
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TIM MATTHES
JEANETTE DALTON
SEE NEIGHBORS, PAGE A2
South Kitsap’s Source for News & Information Since 1890
SEE HELPLINE, A10
SEE POWERS, A13
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
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
where their building was. That gave us more room to build City Hall.”
where they store equipment and other things. We negotiated a swap for them to take the property on Kendall and we acquired the property
Powers. “We came up with the idea of trading land with the American Legion group. The city had a public works building on Kendall Street
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
SEE YOUNG, A10
SK Helpline looking for missing cardboard box
Staff report
or the past 26 years, Carolyn Powers has been a fixture on the Port Orchard City Council. Powers has been through six elections since being appointed to the council in 1987. But on Dec. 31, she will end her time on the council and retire. Powers began her career with the city after being appointed to fill an expired term of late Councilman Bob Lloyd, who was terminally ill at the time. She was appointed to the Public Property Committee to replace Lloyd. “The one thing the committee did was plant grass and trees in the downtown parks,” said Powers, who chaired the committee until a few years ago. “I was always discouraged because there was never money to do things with the parks.” She said the committee also worked with the local Rotary Club who wanted to establish the Etta Turner Park near Westbay Center.
Councilman John Clauson hugs Councilwoman Carolyn Powers during Tuesday night’s retirement ceremony for Powers, who will leave the city council after 26 years of service.
Editor
SOUTH KITSAP’S SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION SINCE 1890
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-
Editor
A Section Editorial Robert Meadows Scene & Heard Sports Legal Notices Mary Colborn Obituaries
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.
Port Orchard
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
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
Dannie Oliveaux/Staff Photo
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
Councilwoman ends long tenure of public service for Port Orchard
South Kitsap Helpline is looking for the public’s assistance in locating a brown cardboard box from the Jingle Bell Boutique on Saturday, Dec. 14. According to SK Helpline Executive Director Jennifer Hardison, the cardboard box was left in the parking lot of the Port Orchard Pavilion while staff was loading up the van after the boutique. Hardison said the box contained literature, brochures, table cloths and a cash bag containing about $250 worth of cash, along with some checks that customers wrote to purchase poinsettias and wreaths. “They were loading their van with plants and wreaths at the end of the day and the box got left behind in the parking lot,” said Hardison. “Upon realizing it, they went
Helping with getting new city hall Powers and the Public Property Committee was responsible for getting the architect and contractors to build a new city hall. “We needed more space and the America Legion has its meeting hall near where the old city hall was,” recalled
Young is top choice as Angel’s replacement
POWERS RETIRES AFTER 26 YEARS ON COUNCIL
It took Republican precinct committee officers (PCOs) from the 26th District about three hours on Dec. 4 to select the top three candidates to replace Jan Angel in the state House of Representatives. When they finished they came up with either a technology consultant, filmmaker or attorney — all from Gig Harbor — to become her replacement. After casting ballots seven times, the PCOs came up with the three top candidates: Jesse Young, Adam Berman and Doug Cloud, who finished first, second and third, respectively. The meeting was held in the Kitsap Room Young at the Givens Community Center in Port Orchard. The candidates will face the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners and Pierce County Council, who will select the person to fill Angel’s vacancy at a joint meeting. A date has not yet been scheduled. Angel, the 26th District state representative, defeated Sen. Nathan Schlicher for the district’s state senate seat in November. Before the meeting, fliers from the Republican Liberty
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INSIDE Mayor presents more ‘Points of Light’ awards A5 BUSINESS Store offers unique and one-of-a-kind items A11 SPORTS Wrestling, swimming previews for South Kitsap A33