INSIDE Looking back at Port Orchard’s past. A7
OPINION Good folks can wipe away the bad. A6
INSIDE New scoreboards for South Kitsap. A20
INDEPENDENT PORT ORCHARD
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015 ✮ VOL. 124, NO. 29 ✮ WWW.PORTORCHARDINDEPENDENT.COM ✮ 50¢
By chance or was it by fate?
School celebration moves to Marcus Whitman
Fire chief Wright’s path guided by his will to improve, serve By BOB SMITH
rsmith@portorchardindependent.com
What were the chances an association with a “little old teacher” at Washington State University would lead Steven Wright on a road decades later to become fire chief of South Kitsap Fire and Rescue? Excellent, actually. Wright was a University Place, Wash., resident, graduate of Curtis High School and WSU student when, not knowing what he wanted to do for a career, he turned to a “little old lady who taught a career studies class,” he said. After he took a battery of tests during the class, the teacher shared with Wright her prophetic opinion: “You should be a firefighter.” Based on his past as a Boy Scout, competitive swimmer and with a personality attuned to serving others, it seems today quite reasonable the now-52-year-old Wright’s 29-year career as a firefighter was fait accompli. But according to Wright, his future career — and elevation to fire chief — was never
written in the cards: “It was never my ambition to become fire chief,” Wright said. “I just always wanted to improve my talents and skills and become as good as I could during my career.” His teacher’s recommendation intrigued him, however. He jumped at the chance and attended a resident firefighting program in Pierce County and at the Bates Technical College. After taking 17 exams with many fire departments in Western Washington, Wright was successful on his 18th — at South Kitsap. “I didn’t know where [South Kitsap) was,” he said of what was then a mostly rural area primarily staffed by a volunteer team of firefighters and a few career firefighters. Wright quickly made a home at South Kitsap and continued to learn. He earned a fire command administration degree at Olympic College and completed his bachelor’s degree through Sub Base Bangor. After many years as a lieutenant, Wright was SEE SOUTH KITSAP, A11
179
$
Starting at
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
*
Per Month Lease
Welcome-back event features changes beyond new venue
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR
cchancellor@soundpublishing.com
Bob Smith / Independent
South Kitsap Fire and Rescue firefighters conduct a routine training exercise at their Orchard Heights firehouse headquarters.
South Kitsap Fire bond issue looming for voters in November PORT ORCHARD — South Kitsap Fire and Rescue is planning to ask voters to approve a $4.9 million bond measure that will enable the agency to address outdated and inadequate fleet, facilities and equipment issues. According to Steven T.
Wright, South Kitsap Fire and Rescue fire chief, the bond measure is critical in taking the department out of a deficit revenue status that undercuts its ability to sustain current service levels. He calls the revenue issue the agency’s greatest challenge.
The tax limitations initiated by Initiative 747 in 2001 and the replacement 1-percent cap on property tax increases approved in 2007, Wright said, “puts us at deficit spending levels. SEE BOND, A22
FREE Oil Changes
South Kitsap School District’s Back to School Celebration returns for an 11th year in a new location. Because Kitsap Bank Stadium at South Kitsap High School is closed during the summer as construction crews install artificial turf and resurface the track at the facility, the Back to School Celebration has moved to Marcus Whitman Junior High. Michelle Reid, SKSD superintendent, said the school, which will host the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 15, was selected after a committee she assembled felt it provided “the most centralized location.” She said Marcus Whitman also was selected based on its parking availability, access to storage and restrooms. The event will be structured similar to previous years. One SEE SCHOOL, A22
Peninsula Mitsubishi
For Life
3550 Hwy 16, Port Orchard | www.peninsulamitsubishi.com *Lease starting at $179 per month for 36 months with $3,378 due at siging with 12,000 limited mileage all O.A.C.
CLOSED SUNDAYS FOR FAMILY DAY
360-917-0088
LOWER TAXES IN KITSAP COUNTY