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INDEPENDENT
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PORT ORCHARD
125 YEA
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015 ✮ VOL. 124, NO. 47 ✮ WWW.PORTORCHARDINDEPENDENT.COM ✮ 50¢
So far: One candidate applies for City Council Position 3 seat
Have a peaceful Christmas
City’s oath-of-office ceremony for newly elected officials Tuesday Staff report While candidates aren’t lining up outside City Hall to apply for Mayor-elect Rob Putaansuu’s old Position 3 seat on the Port Orchard City Council, it’s still early. As of Dec. 21, just one candidate has filed for the seat: Port Orchard resident Jaqulynne Ford, according to City Clerk Brandy Rinearson. The City Council has set a Jan. 4 deadline for individuals who are interested in the seat to submit a letter of interest and a personal resume. Candidates also must answer a list of supplemental questions concerning their experience, community involvement and view of city issues. On Tuesday, City Council members elected to a new term in office last month will take their oath of office. The ceremony is set for 5 p.m. in City Hall’s Robert G. Geiger Council Chambers, 216 Prospect St. Shawn Cucciardi, also elected to the City Council Nov. 3, was sworn in to immediately replace Jeff Cartwright, Position 1 council member. Under council rules, Cartwright, who had been appointed to the position, was required to vacate that seat after election results were made official.
Redux 2015:
A year of celebration, remembrance and spirit in Port Orchard
P
ort Orchard’s 125th city anniversary. A freewheeling civic political campaign. Two high-school sports state championships. A summertime full of Fathoms O’ Fun festivals. It can’t be said Port Orchard is a boring little outpost in Kitsap County. As usual, politics and having fun at the Waterfront seem to top just about every yearly event wrap-up list. Ours is no different for 2015. As chronicled by the Port Orchard Independent, here are the highlights:
January: Harper Pier in South Colby re-opened for use Jan. 16, following removal of the old wooden structure and construction of a steel structure.
IN THE INDEPENDENT
The Port of Bremerton project cost $1.4 million.
March:
February:
Charlotte Whitten was crowned Royal Court Queen at the close of the 2015 Fathoms O’ Fun Festival scholarship pageant March 7. Cheyenne Werbelo and Tamara Medal were selected as princesses for the senior court.
South Kitsap High School coach Eric Canton resigned after three years as the Wolves’ football coach. Canton said he was given a choice: resign or not be asked to return. Former 26th District state representative Larry Seaquist’s libel suit, which he filed against his Republican opponent Michelle Caldier, was dismissed in Kitsap County Superior Court. Seaquist filed suit against Caldier after he said she included comments in a television advertisement and on a website that made him look “lecherous.” Caldier earlier filed a report with Bremerton Police alleging Seaquist had taken photos of her as she got into her car after a campaign event.
KITSAP WEEK
Celebrate!
April: Two Port Orchard police officers, involved in a 2014 shooting death of Thomas Daniel Rogers, were cleared of wrongdoing by Kitsap County Prosecutor Tina Robinson. Rogers was shot during an altercation at the Rendezvous Tavern.
IN THE INDEPENDENT NEXT WEEK:
2016:
Eight community leaders share their outlook for South Kitsap in the coming year.
2015, SEE A2
INSIDE
Second-graders send gifts with love. A10
The Independent: 2015 General Excellence award winner, Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspapers Contest