10-9-07 MCP&PSG
MEETING NOTES 6:45AM MANCHESTER FAMILY INN
In attendance were Ron and
Joyce Rada, Rudy and Louise Renteria, Mary Cathern
and Bob Edwards, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Peggy Warren and special guest Deputy
Chief Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Dan Olson. A news
release from the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office was passed around regarding
"Tip-A-Cop a public appreciation evident during the Special Olympics"
fundraiser. A total of $6,502 was raised through customer TIPS from sales
of Special Olympics memorabilia and from outright donations from the general
public. This wonderful program is to be commended, the vision of
Special Olympics is to help bring all persons with mental retardation or
closely related development disability into larger society under conditions
where they are accepted, respected and given a chance to become useful and
productive citizens.
In keeping
with the necessary requirements for law enforcement coverage of the Manchester Port facilities. A proposed signage text was passed around and
discussed. This is an on-going effort that appears to be
nearing fruition. The Port has asked Bud to submit suggested copy to the
Port Commissioners prior to the next Commissioners meeting on the !5th. It was suggested that when
it comes to the final ordering of the main sign on a 2'X3' metal sign (similar
to all Park signs) that the finish be adaptable to cleaning in the event of
graffiti. In addition to the metal sign we are recommending
two 8 1/2 X 11" laminated framed signs, one for the park area and
one for the launch area, that would also be treated for graffiti
cleanup. A corrected copy will be forwarded to all
attending today's meeting, and the recommended text be forwarded to the
Commissioners this week. It was also recommended that at the
bottom of the page the RCW related to the rules and regulations of the facility
be added to the text. You are encouraged to attend these important Port of Manchester meetings. The next meeting
is Monday Oct-15th at 7:00PM.
CORRECTION.......In the
original notice about this Saturday's MEET THE CANDIDATES meeting at the
Manchester Library, when addressing coverage for the fire commissioners it
should not read Manchester, rather South Kitsap Fire Rescue which
includes Olalla to Rocky Point, Manchester to Tri-Lakes (Tiger, Mission, and
Panther Lakes) City of Port Orchard, Navy Yard City, and outlying areas of
South Kitsap. Thanks to Dusty Wiley for bringing this to our
attention. Other candidates who have been invited include Port of Manchester and Manchester Water
District.
To date we have received
four acceptances to the invitation to attend Saturday's meeting 3:00PM to
5:00PM at the Library. Ron Rada
has planned this special meeting to allow the public to meet and talk with as
many candidates as possible. Refreshments will be served. No formal
program is planned, this is an open event to include
all interested candidates and Manchester
residents. Plan to attend. The welfare of our community depends on
the people we elect to office.
The Seattle Times published
an interesting article about Manchester
September 29th, if you missed it, is worth your time to bring it up on search
through your computer. Bob Parks, Debby Trudeau and John WInslow were quoted and what they have to say is
worthwhile.
Special guest, Dan Olson,
did a superb job today (as always). His positive approach and information
updates is something that outlines the importance of our South Kitsap Fire
& Rescue staff and encourages us to do everything we can to support this
fine group of people. Of special interest was the latest on
the proposed merger between Bremerton, Central
Kitsap, South Kitsap and
possibly others. We have had several speakers on this
subject, which is progressing rapidly but in keeping
with fire authority law. The Fire Commissioners are taking it
slow to determine all aspects, determine what for or against involves, identify
deficiencies versus efficiencies. A "look see" approach if you
will. This is encouraging. The main concerns at this point are
annexation issues, levels of service, what are the high points as well as the
low points.
At the present time there
are 3 chiefs when one could suffice, 3 assistant chiefs when that could be too
many, the same with supporting officers. Training is the key need,
along with expansion needs. What is best, for South
Kitsap and it's 154 square mile service
area? They need to analyze and look at all issues, take a "let's
see" approach. Determine the best interests of the people, as well
as the public servants. It's a big job and we are fortunate to have
really good departmental staff and Commissioners working on
it. It is necessary in watching the human factor power
outcome, orientation, how to measure specific services,
take a hard look at the risks. Labor Unions will have an impact
on the entire merger plan. Prioritize how to measure the services
of today and project ahead to 5 years and 10 years, or more.
Look at other models of a
similar plan or plans that are known to be basically working. The wheel
is already there. The question that has
been asked "what will happen if Silverdale annexes?”
It is estimated there will be a 25% tax loss, what would that do to service
values? The communities as a whole must work towards a powerful and
positive position. A vital consideration is the possible
annexation of McCormick Woods, Gorst, etc. to Bremerton. The
feeling was that Port Orchard needs to aggressively step forward for retention
of McCormack Woods and other areas. Lots to
think about and watch closely.
Dan's next topic was
Disaster Preparedness. Mary Cathern
Edwards has gone through the training classes for
Kitsap Dept. of Emergency Management and is
the designated representative for Manchester.
She provided us with copy's of their excellent
information sheets. They address first of all Family plan, next comes
EARTHQUAKES, followed by SEVERE
STORMS. Contact http://www.kitsapdem.org/default.asp?ID=92
for copy's of this vital information. We all know we WILL have winter
storms and power outages, there WILL be an earthquake......and......we need to
be prepared NOW and not when it happens. Be sure you have the
right information for CONTACTS for the next disaster. What is
your family contact plan, Community Neighborhood help one another plan, and your in case of FIRE plan.
A good example that Dan
pointed out is do you know where to turn off your water and
power? Do you know how to do it? What
SAFETY issues relate to your home and family, your
vehicles driving down the road in a disaster situation?
Do you have the necessities worked out for weather emergencies? We
have scheduled
Mary Cathern Edwards to bring a WILDERNESS SURVIVAL
video to us in January.
Somehow each of us MUST overcome complacency, get involved, get our own
emergency plan going and be ready to work with out neighbors when the BIG one
comes. It was brought up that each NEIGHBORHOOD needs to work
together. The National Night Out program is one possibility. We can look
for the National rulings and aim towards finding sponsors. OR.......each
WATCH area can make arrangements to have get-togethers one or more times a year
in their neighborhood. Either a potluck, a
barbecue or a picnic in each area. If it's FREE, people will come, this
also gives the group an opportunity to get the SAFETY word out to everyone.
A giant REMINDER from Dan,
the HOLIDAYS are coming and the TWO major home fire causes are:
1)` CANDLES-------whether a holiday or ANY day, use candles only in a
designated location that is supervised at all times. This is the biggest
DANGER and
the result is DEATH if not watched.
2) COOKING--------please
NEVER leave the stove while cooking. Cooking fires are the result
of plain old INATTENTION and cause many deaths.
3) SMOKE ALARMS........change your batteries, this
is the time of year to do it.....When you FALL BACK one hour on your
clocks Nov 4th.
The Manchester Port Ramp
Extension is almost completed. Just a final fitting and
grouting which is expected to happen on October 26th when the tides are right
for the equipment. A few unexpected problems were encountered
but it went well on the whole. It will be a tremendous improvement.
Submitted:
Wanda Larsen