12-04-07 MCP&PSG COFFEE & DISCUSSION 6:30AM, MANCHESTER FAMILY INN

Attending were Bob and Mary Cathern Edwards, Peggy Warren, Nora Lyon, Duane Miller, Cpl. Bob Millard, Paul Gilligan, Richard Dillworth, Kerri Desjardin, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Joe Blazevich Sr.      A crime report from the Kitsap County Sheriff's office was passed around for review. 

Everyone had an opportunity to report on personal STORM experiences, as well as update neighborhood news.    Manchester took a pretty hard toll in a number of the low lying areas.  Main Street was a gushing dark brown and fast moving waterfall on Monday, that the stormwater pipes could not handle.  Many saying it was the worst storm in 30 years.  Lots of us were caught in the freeway and downtown Port Orchard highway closures.  This meant hours on the road from Silverdale to Manchester, as well as other areas.  Average time for the trip was 3 and a half to 5 hours or more.   Highway was bumper to bumper from Kitsap Way, where #3 was closed, the detour took traffic through to Loxie Egan exit where it was turned uphill, then over hill and dale to the exit at Gorst near Navy Metals.    No entry in to Port Orchard since downtown was blocked off from Sidney through the downtown area, heavy flooding and damage to the Marina parking lot.     Every hillside was pouring phenomenal amounts of water downhill and included a considerable amount of debris.    The shocking part was the many automobiles that were halfway or more submerged as intersections that were deeper than anticipated.  A number of emergency rescues were made on Monday.

Here in downtown, the water coming down Main Street joined the waters that were coming down Spruce, then along Denniston Lane .  This resulted in water running at a good clip North on Denniston Lane, past David Dennistons where it then detoured in to Larsen's yard on the South, quickly went around the house and across the back and in to the Ballards yard.   Fast moving and muddy.    The Ballards got the worst of it, their entire yard, and Larsen's was completely covered with water anywhere from a foot deep in the back to anywhere from 3 to 10" in the front.   Looked like our house was sitting in the middle of a big lake.   Damage cannot be determined in most places until the ground dries out a little.    Public Works inspectors noted it was a major storm water problem in our downtown area.    Other areas had power outages due to winds, and in some areas on Sunday, the heavy snow.     Bud passed around several pictures showing water levels and damage.    New construction on Denniston Lane caused considerable mud damage due to open utility trenches that filled up, and uncovered piles of dirt.  Leaving a layer of silt in some yards nearby.

Something to keep in mind in the future, in the event of another disaster of this nature.  Contact the following for listings that represent major County roads that are closed or restricted due to flooding.   http://www.kitsapgov.com/pw/roadwork.htm they attempt to list all roads, but conditions can change rapidly.  Note the following in your address list:

                The Open Line - Kitsap County Public Works  (360) 337-5777   www.kitsapgov.com/pw

Thanks to Mary Cathern for this vital information.   Another source of emergency information is of course 911, or you can reach the ham operator program by calling Station 8 Fire House to report emergency's.  Thanks to Bob Edwards for this information.     The number 1 thing we all need to think about is that this storm has been described as a forgiving WAKE-UP CALL.    We can also consider it an important reminder to all citizens that you have to first be able to take care of yourself, secondly be ready to help your neighbors if you are able to.    Our Neighborhood/Blockwatch group work towards this communication information exchange at all times and will continue to do so.   

The recent Associated Press release entitled "New Report: Runoff responsible for most Puget Sound Pollution" is excellent and the state Ecology report supports the perception that roadway pollution is the leading cause of the waterway's poor state of health.    Storm water is an important issue for Manchester, along with pollution pouring on our beaches and into the surrounding waters.  Meter readings from the storm water flow will be interesting to hear about.

The group has forwarded a letter to Chief Wayne Senter thanking him for his support of an upgraded and expanded full service Fire Station at Yukon Harbor.   Lots of considerations to make the present station meet code, and or a move to another location to meet the needs of the fast growth we are experiencing in the area is welcome news.

Guests Duane Miller of Citizens On Patrol (COP) and Cpl. Bob Millard of the Sheriff's Office  went over the list of services COPcan provide to the Community.  The list includes 15 of their responsibilities and 15 programs they participate in.  Residents using their services such as vacation house checks brings more law enforcement presence into our community and benefits every one.   The COP volunteers are a real asset to the Community.    An invitation was extended to the COP to commit themselves to traffic control for the 2008 Father's Day Annual Salmon Bake put on by the Friends of the Library.  Duane will extend the invitation at a COP meeting being held on Wednesday and will report back to us.  The COP has done this in the past and it was highly successful in many ways.

On Thursday evening, December 6th, at approximately 7:00PM, the Manchester Community Foundation will be meeting, following the MCC Executive Board Meeting.  They will be reviewing by-laws, group involvement, arrangements to date, etc.    Our representatives are Joe Blazevich Sr. and Bud Larsen.

Our meetings for December will still be held same time, same place on a more casual basis.  Everyone is welcome.    Due to everyone's busy calendars for December, we will not be scheduling any guests for the month.   

Submitted by:      Wanda Larsen

ADDENDUM 12/6/07

QUESTION?    How can one reach Ham's locally (Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)), and the answer provided was that they probably could be reached at Station 8.  There's quite probably going to be NO phone service if things reach that level of disrepair in an emergency, so calling by residents would not be an option, plus the FD is reachable by the public only via 911 CENCOM.  The entire topic of emergency preparedness is perhaps one to devote a significant portion of our resources to for a weeks or months after the recent winter storm we experienced.  Thank you Bob Edwards for the update.

Again, while we are having no formal meetings for the remainder of December we have each others telephone numbers and e-mail numbers.   The e-mail numbers are listed on the weekly meeting notes.    In the event of an emergency contact 911 CENCOM, or one another where possible.    We will not be able to attend next weeks meeting.   However, all are welcome to come to the Manchester Family Inn on Tuesday, 6:45AM for coffee and discussion.     We hope to be attend the meeting on the 18th, so see you then.

Bud and Wanda Larsen