10-30-07 MCP&PSG COFFEE & DISCUSSION 6:45AM MANCHESTER FAMILY INN

Those attending included, Ron and Joyce Rada, Joe Guariz, Paul Gilligan, Joe Blazevich, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Bob and Mary Cathern Edwards, Rudy and Louise Renteria, and Aaron Burkhalter Port Orchard Independent reporter.

Recent news releases from the office of Sheriff Boyer were passed around.    These releases are most important in keeping advised on what criminal activity might be underway in Manchester as well as in South Kitsap as a whole.    We also discussed a recent dangerous email that is being sent around , a new type of virus that has been discovered and classified by Microsoft.  To obtain detailed information here is the link to the snopes page......http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/

postcard.asp.   By opening an email entitled "You've received a Post Card from a Family member", when the card is opened the computer freezes so that the user has to reboot.  When the ctrl+alt+del keys or the reset button are pressed, the virus destroys sector Zero, thus permanently destroying the hard disk.  CAUTION, if you receive one of these, as soon as you get the mail DELETE IT!! Even if you know the sender!

Aaron Burkhalter's purpose in visiting us today was to determine what our special group is all about.  How and when did we start?   We started originally with a group of folks having coffee (or breakfast for some) together to chat about what was going on in the Community at that particular time.   The group consisted of John WInslow, Bud Larsen, Bob Parks, Ron Rada and Paul Gilligan at the beginning.    They communicated back and forth with neighbors, local business owners, Kitsap County public officials, State and Government officials, etc.   The feeling was they wanted to have a closer knowledge of how issues are addressed and acted on by public officials.   It took some of us awhile to adapt to that 6:45AM meeting time frame, but over the years it has become something you look forward too.   Meetings were very casual for about two years, then as more and more agency's responded to our invitations it was determined that we should start keeping track of any historical information, goals, ideas, etc.   In 2004 Bud talked Wanda in to attending and keeping notes.  This means that by now we have quite a collection of very important Manchester Community information, on a number of topics.   Neighborhood Watch (Blockwatch) is still the main impetus for keeping neighborhoods aware of potential danger, community activities, safety procedures, etc.   At this time the Watch areas are working on updated maps for each specific area.  Paul Gilligan has volunteered to talk to the County about the best method for obtaining map information for distribution to individual property residents.  The update is something we do each year.

Mary Cathern Edwards who is the official volunteer for Manchester provided us with the "Map Your Neighborhood - MYN" materials for building and strengthening disaster readiness among neighbors.  It is provided by Emergency Management  Public Education, State of Washington and Washington Citizen's Council Corps..  They review the 9 steps to take immediately following a disaster, neighborhood gathering site and care center, neighborhood skills and equipment inventory, Guide-  lines for neighborhood mapping, your neighborhood map and contact list, HELP/OK cards, etc.   

We discussed our efforts in bringing more law enforcement presence to Manchester, through communication and being interested in helping law enforcement where we can.    We have worked long and hard with the Port of Manchester, then Kitsap All Ports, and the Kitsap County Sheriff's office, to develop a workable plan for law enforcement on Port property through the Sheriff's office.    Presently the Port is considered private land and not in the Sheriff's jurisdiction.  Through letters of agreement this issue is being resolved and signs should be posted in the near future. 

Why do we come to the meetings?     Answers included "it's fun", "keeps us up to date on local information", "the ability to interact with public officials in discussions that are open and productive",  "a chance to know our neighbors and look out for each other", "a way to learn who to contact on certain matters and how to follow    through for answers.

We talked about our efforts to slow down speeders in the business center of the Community.  Dusty Wiley has been very helpful with this and by the simple act of moving a few signs, or adding caution information, we have been able to effect a control factor.    With all the building going on there is a constant increase of passenger cars, construction workers  and heavy truck traffic through downtown.  We watch, we report, we contact 911 as needed, and the result is a calming pattern we are very proud of.

The group has been very fortunate with the Manchester Family Inn allowing us to hold our Tuesday morning 6:45AM meetings at the restaurant with no charge for using the room.  This is a key factor to our success, especially when we do not maintain a membership roster or charge dues.  We come to the meetings, pay for our coffee and a gratuity for the staff, it is truly appreciated by one and all.

We talked about Citizens On Patrol (COP) and how we have worked with them through their neighborhood watch program.   Their duties include handicapped parking services, vacation watch (if you haven't tried this safety program, it is terrific), and abandoned cars, etc.   They work under the direction of Deputy Pete Ball of the Sheriff's office and do a fantastic job for all of us.

We are here to help with preventing crime, reporting incidents, checking out all safety issues relating to response and prevention.   Aaron will be doing an outline on our activities for the Port Orchard Independent, look for it!

Remember, everyone is welcome to attend our meetings, the more interest we have for Community action, the more effective we can be for everyone.

Submitted by:    Wanda Larsen