PATRIOT BREMERTON
KEEP ON TRUCKIN’: From Kitsap to Alaska, locals go off-road for TV IN THIS EDITION
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 | Vol. 17, No. 44 | WWW.BREMERTONPATRIOT.COM | 50¢
NAD Cabin lease up for debate
Middle school students give veterans a reason to smile Mountain View Middle School student band performs slew of holiday songs
BY ILY GOYANES
Repair cost for 1934 structure estimated to be a hefty $145,000
SPECIAL TO SOUND PUBLISHING
BY PETER O’CAIN POCAIN@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
A small, log cabin in Naval Artillery Depot (NAD) Park was the subject of a contentious hour-long discussion at a study session of the Bremerton City Council last Wednesday. The nonprofit council explored two options: tear it down or lease the cabin to a group and allow them to pay for repairs. The cabin, built in 1934, is in a state of disrepair. Several of the logs show significant signs of rot and the roof has water damage and is covered with moss and sword ferns. In November, the NAD Guardhouse Cabin Foundation proposed to make restorations in exchange for use of the building for events and recreational activities. The foundation would allow community groups to rent the cabin. “When the public comes forward and they are ready to donate labor and time and risk their own reputations, which we all do when we step out like this and try to get something done, show leadership – more power to ‘em,” said Greg Wheeler, council president. “Personally, I look for ways to see if we can help them get that done.” Tearing it down would cost the city $8,000-10,000, officials said, while restoring it would be quite a bit more expensive. At least 11 times more expensive, actually. Engineering firm Art Anderson Associates filed a report with the city last March and estimated repair costs at $110,000-145,000. Not included in the cost estimate is floor and foundation repair. A section of flooring has a slope but couldn’t be adequately observed without pulling up flooring, according to Art Anderson Associates engineers. The 80-year-old foundation doesn’t meet SEE NAD CABIN, A9
Luke Wesson / staff photo
Reacting to incidents of police violence against young black men, local leaders in the African American community rallied in Bremerton last week.
More than 100 march to bring attention to police violence BY LESLIE KELLY LKELLY@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Religious and community leaders in Bremerton staged a rally Sunday to bring attention to incidents of police violence across America. And, while most who attended agreed that black youth in Bremerton have a good relationship with the city’s police officers, there were warnings about how to act. Cards were handed out telling young people that when they are stopped by police they need to not run, not argue, and keep their hands out of their pockets and visible to law enforcement officials. “This is simple, polite stuff that could keep situations from becom-
“We have to teach our children how to live and survive. And we have to teach them how to respect authority because the police have a job to do.” – Vicki Collins ing deadly,” said Richmond Johnson, pastor of the Mount Zion Missionary Church in Bremerton, one of the churches that sponsored the event. More than 100 people participated in the rally which began at the EbeneSEE MARCH, A9
Students from Mountain View Middle School in Bremerton are paying it forward this holiday season by honoring the past. PTA president, Sue Ferguson, and Mountain View’s principal, Michaeleen Donlan-Gelhaus, came up with the idea to present war veterans with a special gift this holiday season – the gift of music. Fifty-one 7th and 8th grade students, all members of the school’s student band, performed a slew of holiday songs and patriotic marches for residents of the Washington Veterans Home near Port Orchard Dec. 12. Ferguson’s father, George J. Gott, served in the Navy during the Korean and second world wars and is a resident at the home in Retsil. She said the idea to give something back to men and women like her father gave her goosebumps. “It’s nice to do something for them,” she said. “This may be the only gift some of them get this Christmas.” Students also distributed Christmas presents and greeting cards to the veterans on Dec. 18, during the home’s Christmas party. Eighth grader Alexander Mejia felt that it was more important for the students to play music than hand out gifts. “This gives them a chance to hear music that reminds them that they did the right thing,” said Mejia, referring to songs like “March of the Armed Forces,” which the band played to a full house that morning. Other students seemed to connect with the veterans on a more personal level. Hannah Chichester and Payton Urrutia, both in 7th grade, lingered as their fellow students headed back to the waiting school bus. Entertaining the girls with their colorful stories were Marion John Stanley, who served as a Fleet Chaplain in the Navy during World War II; John Cockerill, a Navy man who fought at Normandy; and Wayne Arnold, who served in the Army during WWII. The three veterans were grateful to be on the receiving end of someone
Photos by Ily Goyanes
Students Payton Urrutia and Hannah Chichester with Marion J. Stanley.
Mountain View Middle School band members play holiday tunes.
Veterans John Cockrill and Wayne Arnold enjoy the music and the visit.
else’s generosity. “It’s wonderful, very nice,” said Arnold of the students’ visit. “I’d like to see more of it.” Arnold’s wife, Helen, who resides at the home with her husband, also appreciated the students performance. “I loved it and so did my husband,” she said. “He loves music. He has Alzheimer’s, but he hasn’t forgotten music,” she added with a smile. Tami Reuter, the home’s recreational therapy manager, helped the school organize the event as part of her ongoing mission to create “a nursing home without walls.” “That is what we are trying to build here,” she said. “We have 243 residents; it’s impossible to get all of them out to see the world. This way, the world comes to them.”
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