Independent FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014 N VOL. 123, NO. 8 N WWW.PORTORCHARDINDEPENDENT.COM N 50¢
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▼ Matthes, Garrido advance in SK commissioner race; Dalton, Danielson in judicial contest.
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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CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
BRUCE DANIELSON
SEE NEIGHBORS, PAGE A2
South Kitsap’s Source for News & Information Since 1890
By CHARLIE BERMANT
TIM MATTHES
JEANETTE DALTON
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 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.
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
Neighbor denies pellet gun shooting
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By JUSTINE FREDERIKSEN
Staff Writer
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-
Bill strengthens open government laws
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 COUNCIL, A24 Dannie Oliveaux/Staff Photo
Editor
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SEE UPSETS, PAGE A2
SEE BILL, A24
Two newly elected officials favor a bill that was passed to strengthen the state’s open government laws by requiring training for most public officials. The “Open Government Trainings Act” or Engrossed Senate Bill 5964 by Attorney General Bob Ferguson was passed March 7 by the legislature. Ferguson worked with Sen. Joe Fain (R-Auburn) and Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-Seattle) to secure approval of the bill.
“Open government is vital to a free and informed society,” Ferguson said. “This new law will enhance government transparency and ensure that public officials know and understand our state’s public disclosure laws which were overwhelmingly approved by the voters.” First-term Port Orchard city councilwoman Bek Ashby attended an Association of Washington Cities (AWC) training class for newly elected officials in December. “Education and continuing education are important in any professional environment,”
Despite delaying action next month on a resolution that would increase some Department of Community Development and Public Works fees, the council heard from home building association officials during a March 11 public hearing. The resolution would change some DCD and Public Works fees from $50 to more than $1,300. Teresa Osinski, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County, said HBA mem- “Port Orchard is unique. bers are effected It is its own autonomous and understand government. You have the rate changes, but asked the your own expenses, your council to look at own staffing levels, and the magnitude of how you pay your staff the fee increases. “It’s been many may have nothing to years since they do with how another changed [the jurisdiction does.” fees], but some of the increases are [between] 100 – Teresa Osinski, executive and 500 percent,” vice president of the HBA she said. Osinski noted that some of the fees are going from $200 to more than a $1,000. “Oftentimes in a project, there are multiple fees that need to be paid throughout the course of the project,” said Osinski. “You need to be aware that any single rate doesn’t effect one project at one time.” Osinski cautioned the council to “look carefully” at the proposed fee increases and needs of the city. “Be careful on how much you increase them and how rapidly you do it,” said Osinski.
Will Morgan, a member of the Silverdale Celtic Players, plays a mandolin during the “Celtic Music on St. Patrick’s Day” at the Port Orchard Library on March 17.
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
The Pierce County medical examiner’s office is awaiting results from an autopsy to determine what caused the death of a South Kitsap woman. The Kitsap County Sheriff ’s Office reported that Lovette P. Parrish, 61, was pronounced dead at a Tacoma hospital after she suffered fatal injuries in a fall involving a horse on March 12. Deputy Scott Wilson, KCSO spokesman, said the accident, which happened about 1:55 p.m., occurred in the 14000 block of Horseshoe Avenue SW in South Kitsap. Wilson said Parrish, who was living at a home on Horseshoe Avenue SW, was riding an Arabian male horse. Investigators reported that witnesses said they heard noises from the horse and saw the horse rear up with the woman on its back before it landed on top of her. She suffered severe injuries and was transported to Tacoma General Hospital by a South Kitsap Fire and Rescue medic unit. Wilson said she died at the hospital. Wilson said Parrish was an “experienced” horse rider. “We took a look at everything — the saddle, blanket, bridle and other horse tack,” Wilson said. SOUTH KITSAP’S SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION SINCE 1890
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
Editor
Osinski tells council to adjust fees to city’s need, not because of neighboring jurisdictions
Horse’s fall fatal to SK woman
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
HBA official cautions city council about fee increases CELTIC MANDOLIN
Emily Wilkins eager to accept new role A8
INSIDE New $5 car INSIDE Popular Port SPORTS Fastpitch tabs to save millions Orchard landmark team aims for on new ferry A3 on the market A5 loftier goals A8