REVIEW BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
INSIDE: Last dash, Sports, A22
Friday, August 14, 2015 | Vol. 90, No. 33 | WWW.BAINBRIDGEREVIEW.COM | 75¢
A day at the races for Congressman Kilmer
Avalara to leave island next year
Congressman tries to connect with quick-footed ferry commuters
BY BRIAN KELLY
Bainbridge Island Review
BY BRIAN KELLY
Bainbridge Island Review
Daybreak. Time to get up and go, and go talk politics. But no, not really, not for many of the twos, tens, then hundreds passing through the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal Wednesday morning. It didn’t really phase U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, who camped out at the end of the terminal’s long pedestrian bridge a few rooster crows past 6 a.m., hoping to slowstep a few of the hurried commuters who would soon rush past on their dash to the 7:05 boat to Seattle. 6:15, 6:20. A Washington State Ferries worker raised the Old Glory up the
Brian Kelly | Bainbridge Island Review
TURN TO KILMER | A24
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer gets a hug from a constituent while visiting with commuters Wednesday at the Bainbridge ferry terminal.
Avalara has announced plans to leave Bainbridge Island. Officials at the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and city hall were notified of the company’s impending departure on Tuesday. The company, which sells sales tax-accounting software, employs more than 500 people worldwide in offices from California to North Carolina to India. Avalara started on Bainbridge 11 years ago, and moved to its current location in June 2011. A company spokeswoman said the move would affect 150 employees on Bainbridge. TURN TO AVALARA | A24
Sweet farewell for longtime Bainbridge dentist BY BRIAN KELLY
Bainbridge Island Review
Dr. Steve Schwager will wrap up his 36-year career as a dentist where he started it: on Bainbridge Island. Schwager is stepping aside for a semi-retirement, and starting Sept. 1, will turn his practice in the Port Madison Building over to Dr. Andrew Fiscus, a recent arrival from Boulder, Colorado. It’s not a full goodbye for Schwager. He’ll still work one day a week, Thursdays, while the new dentist will see patients Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
79
$
Still, there are no grandiose plans on how he’ll spend his free time now, no round-the-world trips in the offing. “I’m fortunate to have four terrific grandchildren, and I can’t wait to spend more time with them. I look forward to slowing down and enjoying life as it comes along,” he said. That might mean more time in the garden, or taking a few classes. “I still have a little gas left in the tank,” Schwager added. “I want to move on to other things before the gas runs out.”
“It was time,” he said. “I never really knew when it would be time, but I had a sense if the right thing came along, at the right moment — and it did.” The right thing was the right man: Dr. Fiscus. Fiscus has been a dentist for 14 years since his graduation from the University of Colorado Dental School. He practiced for a remote year in Alaska for the state’s Department of Public Health before returning to Boulder to set up a solo private TURN TO DENTIST | A26
Reg. Price
$119.95
Includes Complimentary Multi-point Inspection *Must present coupon at time of write up. Not valid with any other coupon, offer or special and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer expires 8/18/2015.
Gov. Jay Inslee, center, holds a proclamation honoring Dr. Steven G. Schwager, left, with Dr. Andrew Fiscus. Fiscus is taking over the retiring doctor’s dental practice.
25 OFF %
.95*
Recharge Your Air Conditioning System including checking the A/C compressor, condenser, lines & evaporator core for leaks and more!
Brian Kelly | Bainbridge Island Review
TOYOTA • SCION
360.377.1200 901 West Hills Blvd., BremertonWA 98312
www.heartlandtoyota.com
Any Service, Repair or Maintenance
Includes Complimentary Multi-point Inspection *Maximum discount up to $100.00. Must present coupon at time of write up. Not valid with any other coupon, offer or special and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer expires 8/18/2015.
TOYOTA • SCION
360.377.1200 901 West Hills Blvd., BremertonWA 98312
www.heartlandtoyota.com