REPORTER
KITSAP WEEK: KNOW YOUR NORSE: TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF POULSBO
CENTRAL KITSAP
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 | Vol. 30, No. 31 | WWW.CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM | 50¢
Rail link, low costs boost Port’s appeal to Taiwan businesses
ON THE MARCH
IN THIS EDITION
BY PETER O’CAIN AND CHRIS TUCKER POCAIN@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
NEWS NASA Ambassador gives tour of Galaxy
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NEWS Kindergarten returns to Sylvan Way
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OPINION A walk through 1950s Kitsap
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SPORTS Central Kitsap Cougars shine at Invitational
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Chris Tucker / staff photo
George Hanson, center, pushes Ryun Hanson in a stroller while crossing the March for Babies finish line May 2. Behind him from left is Gina Mejia, Alexa Mejia and Christine Hanson.
$60,000 raised at March for Babies BY CHRIS TUCKER
CTUCKER@CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM
SILVERDALE – Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration” and LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” blasted from a DJ’s speakers as walkers crossed the finish line at the March for Babies fundraiser for premature babies at the Haselwood Family YMCA on May 2. Wearing purple March for Babies T-shirts, the walkers went past dual columns of purple and white balloons that
“There were about 400 walkers in attendance and we brought in $60,000 to help moms and babies in Kitsap County.” – Jackie Koopman, March of Dimes marked the end of their sunny round-Silverdale journey. Nearby, children happily hopped up and down inside a bounce house as other people checked out a monster truck parked nearby.
“We had beautiful weather and an excellent turnout,” wrote March of Dimes Community Director Jackie Koopman. “There were about 400 walkers in attenSEE MARCH, A12
$1.14 million raised for 230 nonprofits in Great Give BREMERTON – More than 5,700 donations totaling more than $1,017,000 were made on May 5 to 230 nonprofits in the Kitsap Great Give, a day of giving organized by the Kitsap Community Foundation and its presenting sponsor, United Way of Kitsap County. “When we add in the funds donated by the event sponsors ($129,000), the total amount of money going to these 230 nonprofits is over $1.14 million,” the
organizers reported on the Kitsap Great Give website. The Village Green Foundation, which is leading the fundraising effort for the development of a community center, library, senior center and Boys & Girls Club in Kingston, had the most donor support – 70 gifts totaling $100,598. Rounding out the top five: Kitsap Humane Society, 303 donors, $37,380; Kitsap Regional Library Foundation, 208
donors, $37,299; Children of the Nations, 75 donors, $32,725; and Island Time Activities, 86 donors, $30,770. “The spirit of philanthropy is strong in our communities. In addition to raising this phenomenal sum of money, we have increased awareness of many important causes in the region.” Awards will be announced by May 11 and checks mailed to nonprofits by June 15, according to the website.
Taiwanese businesses might one day ship Washington products from Bremerton’s industrial park via railroad to waiting cargo ships at the Grays Harbor deep-water port. The products would then be distributed to Asian markets. Bremerton port commissioners hosted a delegation of nine officials from Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, for a discussion of economic development opportunities April 30 at Bremerton National Airport. “You have to build those relationships,” said Bremerton Port Commissioner Roger Zabinski, who coordinated the meeting. “A lot of business is about who knows who and who can put in a good word for you.” Chin “Andy” Hsing, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, was among the delegates who toured port facilities. Chin sees Kitsap as a perfect opportunity because it’s close to Seattle and has an airport, Zabinski said. “He really wanted to bring these business people over,” Zabinksi said of Chin. “He said these people have the means to really invest and they know other people who do.” The meeting served as a way for local officials to show the potential of the Puget Sound Industrial Center (PSIC), formerly known as the South Kitsap Industrial Area. “We mentioned the 1,700 port-owned acres, the 11 padready sites, the access to rail that can ship to deep-water ports, and the airport with a 6,000-foot runway with hangar space available for conSEE TAIWAN, A9
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