Port Orchard
Independent FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2013 N VOL. 122, NO. 50 N WWW.PORTORCHARDINDEPENDENT.COM N 50¢
Jesse Beals/Staff Photo
HELPING HANDS
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A Section Editorial Robert Meadows Scene & Heard Sports Legal Notices Mary Colborn Obituaries
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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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▼ Matthes, Garrido advance in SK commissioner race; Dalton, Danielson in judicial contest. By CHARLIE BERMANT 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).
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
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TIM MATTHES
BRUCE DANIELSON
South Kitsap’s Source for News & Information Since 1890
– Velma Monroe
many volunteers who have donated their time and efforts,” Monroe said. “Some donated a few hours and others the entire day or two.” Volunteers ranged from teens to senior citizens. Saints Car Club member Mac McElwain, 79, sat on a stool and was hooked up to oxygen while placing food
SEE VOLUNTEERS, A4
uring a two-day period, more than 150 volunteers spent time helping South Kitsap Helpline staff in distributing foods and gifts to needy families at the National Guard Armory. In all, 1,098 families (4,080 individuals) were helped during Helpline’s Giving Tree/Food Basket distribution on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 19 and 20, said Christina Eckley, operations coordinator for Helpline. On Dec. 17, Helpline staff and volunteers set up distribution points within the
JEANETTE DALTON
Editor
armory’s gymnasium. While people were lined up outside the armory, volunteers were inside collecting food items and helping individuals select gifts for the holiday season. The Saints Car Club had 19 volunteers on Dec. 19 and 13 on Dec. 20. Port Orchard Eagles members also were on hand volunteering their services, along with individuals from women’s groups, churches, schools and other organizations. Members of the National Guard also volunteered. Velma Monroe, seasonal volunteer coordinator for SK Helpline Giving Tree, said the volunteers’ help is important. “We couldn’t do all of this without the
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
SEE UPSETS, PAGE A2
4DIPPM EJTUSJDU MPPLT UP CBMBODF JUT CPPLT Custodians won’t be replaced, $1.72 million will be taken from reserve fund.
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
Volunteers help SK Helpline with holiday distribution event at armory
“We couldn’t do all of this without the many volunteers who have donated their time and efforts. Some donated a few hours and others the entire day or two.”
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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
Dannie Oliveaux/Staff Photo
South Kitsap residents woke up last Friday morning with snow on the ground. But the snow — the first of the year — didn’t cause problems for many area commuters during the early morning hours. City of Port Orchard public works crews placed signs to close off several steep streets above the downtown area and detour signs were set out to re-route motorists around possible icy or slick roadways. Unlike some county school districts, South Kitsap schools opened on time. Amy Miller, SKSD communications director, said there were no delays. “Because it was an early release day, if we would of had a two-hour delay, the students would have got to school, then would have to leave to go back home 30 minutes later,” Miller said. Children waiting for school buses took advantage of the snow to build snowmen and engaged in snowball fights. According to AccuWeather.com, between 1-3 inches of snow fell in Kitsap County. Three inches of snow was reported at Bangor and Seabeck. By mid-morning, most of the roadways were clear and the snow had started to melt. Temperatures reached the mid-40s later in the day.
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR
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
SEE SCHOOL, PAGE A2
Snow blankets South Kitsap
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
Dannie Oliveaux/Staff Photo
Both sides report feeling harassed in rift over home business. 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
SOUTH KITSAP’S SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION SINCE 1890
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
Editor
Earnie Chamberland, of the Saints Car Club, left, help load food items into volunteer Esther Roth’s grocery cart. More than 150 volunteers spent two days helping South Kitsap Helpline provide food, gift and clothing to needy families in the community.
Snow covers the equipment at Clayton Playground in Port Orchard last Friday morning.
Neighbor denies pellet gun shooting
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 Rotarians, Soroptimists assist local needy families A10 BUSINESS Job vacancies expected to double in the Spring A8 SPORTS 2013: A memorable year for South Kitsap scene A20