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SPORTS Upset win helps grapplers topple CK A21
Both sides report feeling harassed in rift over home business.
Neighbor denies pellet gun shooting
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By JUSTINE FREDERIKSEN
Staff Writer
Independent
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
See details for contest on A2
Port Orchard
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014 N VOL. 122, NO. 52 N WWW.PORTORCHARDINDEPENDENT.COM N 50¢
Jesse Beals/Staff Photo
Baldwin: Hero, crown jewel, healing force in community
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-
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
BRUCE DANIELSON
Editor
MoonDogs, Too owner Darryl Baldwin sits and listens as Mayor Tim Matthes proclaimed Jan 1-7 as “Darryl Baldwin Appreciation Week” in Port Orchard.
“He has a staff he calls family and customers he calls friends. He is a man of distinguished courage and abilities, with lofty principles, high integrity and morals, a man who has made a selfless dedication of himself to us — the community. A man who commands our attention. A hero.” – Capt. Sherry Barnhart
Also, Matthes presented a proclamation that cited Jan. 1-7 as “Darryl Baldwin Appreciation Week.” South Kitsap Helpline Executive Director Jennifer Hardison thanked Baldwin and his staff for their contributions. “You guys are amazing for what you’ve done with your generosity,” Hardison said. “Nobody compares and we are truly blessed to know you and the MoonDogs staff. We love you and think you are the best.” Captain Sherry Barnhart also praised SEE BALDWIN, A20
SEE SHOOTING, A20
Council to vote on Comprehensive Plan By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
Dannie Oliveaux/Staff Photo
WSP detectives stated KCSO deputies had information that the 44-year-old suspect had a history of violence toward the protected female victim and was possibly armed with a gun. Once on scene, deputies approached the residence and were confronted by the suspect who had come out of the residence and was armed with a revolver style handgun. Two of the deputies verbally challenged Mathes to drop the handgun. Mathes
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TIM MATTHES
JEANETTE DALTON
The Washington State Patrol and Kitsap County Sheriff ’s Office released more information — including the the name of the suspect and deputies — involved in the Dec. 31 shooting in South Kitsap. Deputies responded to a residence on Bethel Burley Road SE after 1 p.m. after they were contacted about a possible protection order violation on the suspect — James C. Mathes. In a Jan. 3 press release,
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Staff Report
▼ Matthes, Garrido advance in SK commissioner race; Dalton, Danielson in judicial contest.
By CHARLIE BERMANT
Staff Writer
Suspect, deputies’ names released in Dec. 31 shooting
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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Custodians won’t be replaced, $1.72 million will be taken from reserve fund.
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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
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
uring the past seven years, MoonDogs, Too owner Darryl Baldwin has been involved in various events, sponsorships and serving hundreds of free meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas. But for the past four years, the 57-yearold North Dakota native has been battling stage 4 Merkel cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Doctors found three new tumors in December and informed Baldwin, who was undergoing chemotherapy, they were inoperable. Before cancer can claim Baldwin, community View members came togethslideshow on er Jan. 2 to pay tribute to a father, friend and website business owner for his dedication to the community he fell in love with in 2007. Amy’s On The Bay, which hosted the gathering, was packed wall-to-wall with more than 250 people who came to say thanks for Baldwin’s time and service in Port Orchard. After his entrance with girlfriend Sheila Cline and family, hugs and handshakes awaited the ever-smiling Baldwin as he walked slowly through his friends and supporters. Several members of MoonDogs’ staff also attended the event. As Baldwin sat with Cline and his family, master of ceremony “The Great Cris” Larsen, a comedian from Bremerton, opened up the formalities reading a brief biography on Baldwin. Then Mayor Tim Matthes was handed the microphone. The mayor presented him with a photograph of Baldwin’s daughter accepting one of Matthes’ Points of Light awards in the summer. “The picture now resides where it should be,” said Matthes, who has had the photo on his mayor’s desk for the past six months. “Darryl truly is the reason for Points of Light. He lives the Points of Light Award.”
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR
D
Editor
Staff Writer
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
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
More than 250 people gather to express their appreciation, admiration for downtown businessman battling cancer
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
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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.
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INSIDE Accident victim improving at home A5
INSIDE Trio promoted within ranks of SKFR A3
At the Port Orchard city council’s first meeting of the year, councilmembers will discuss and vote on the city’s Comprehensive Plan. At the Dec. 10 meeting, Development Director Nick Bond said the council could not take action on the Comprehensive Plan because it is under a 60-day review by the Department of Commerce. City Attorney Greg Jacoby said he reviewed state law and that the Department of Commerce also advised him that the council can take action in January on the plan. “The key is the council’s consideration and that it has received public testimony, its changes and
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everything associated with the Comprehensive Plan amendments other than voting to adopt the ordinance has to had happen in 2013,” Jacoby explained. “If the only action taken in 2014 is to adopt the ordinance — and that is what we are proposing — it is considered to rate back to the 2013 calendar year.” He said the city would not be in violation of state law. Jacoby said once the recommendation comes from the Planning Commission, it must be submitted to the Department of Commerce for a 60-day review and approval. “The 60-day period did not expire until the last week of December,” Jacoby added. SEE COUNCIL, A20