TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2007 6:45AM COFFEE & DISCUSSION MCP&PSG MANCHESTER FAMILY INN

 

In attendance were Joe & Mary Ann Blazevich, Richard Dilworth, Ron & Joyce Rada, Joe Gueriz, Bob Parks, Ray Pardo, Bud and Wanda Larsen.  Mark Rebelowski also dropped by before going to his Kiwanis meeting.    A letter directed to the U. S. Postal Service and others regarding the proposal for a second exit/entry to the Manchester Post Office (per 2002 Manchester Urban Renewal plan statement page 32 "Post Office" ) was read and reads as follows:

 

            TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

 

            Kitsap County, Washington Dept. of Community Development prepared a Community Plan for our local area (Manchester Community Plan) that was adopted by the Commissioners in

March of 2002.

 

            In the plan, page 32 "Post Office" it states that the 685 box holders of the Manchester Post Office facility 98353, and other area users have indicated a strong preference for additional access to the facility.  Such access to provide for a drive through mail drop, as well as better access to the Post Office itself.  Safety is a key issue now, as it was in 2002, when exit and entrance to the facility has been magnified many times.  A serious congested driving and parking problem is in effect.  This creates a daily safety concern to automobiles and pedestrian traffic.  To date there have been only minor accidents that have occurred due to entrance and exit conditions, along with a great deal of user stress and frustration.

 

            We as a Community that relay on the facility, urge the U.S. Postal Service to consider making this important improvement as soon as possible.  In that the property abuts the County  right of way, it will be necessary to contact our local Kitsap County Representative, Commissioner Jan Angel for coordination with the proper County Public Works Dept. authority.  Correction of these conditions should be implemented now, before a major incident or accident occurs.  Owners of the Postal facility site are Harvey and Anne Tofte, of Oregon.

 

            This request is from the MCP&PSG (Manchester Crime Prevention & Public Safety Group).

 

Discussion's followed related to the failure of the recent School Levy for South Kitsap, Traffic flow improvements courtesy of Dusty Wiley, Manchester resident and our Kitsap County Traffic Safety officer.  It was determined that we will send a letter to the proper agency regarding what impact South Kitsap County may expect from the traffic generated at the completion of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and increased housing projects in our area.  This type of safety issue is expected to be an on-going issue in the months and years to come.  We will keep you advised.

 

We hope to have Kitsap County Assessor, Jim Avery, as a guest as soon as possible.    Our interest is in what the tax base is as relates to growth of the community, additional taxes, assessed values for Manchester Community residents, Port of Manchester residents, and Manchester Water District residents.  What valuations and increases in taxes can be expected in the Manchester area and what percentages are used to arrive at cost projections.  This is a public information issue that all of us need to be aware of.

 

Everyone was reminded of the second meeting of the Manchester Community Plan revisions committee that will be held this evening March 20th, at the County Commissioners Chambers in the Administration Building 619 Division St.  The meeting is scheduled for 6:30PM to 9:30PM.  If you have not already signed up to assist with gathering information to upgrade to 2002 plan to 2007 standards, please do so at once.  This is a plan that Manchester has the ability to bring together the many projects and plans that are in the planning stage at this time.

 

Bud announced that Ms. Linda Bentley Sr. Planner for the Kitsap County CDC (our guest last week), will be coming to Manchester tomorrow, March 21st at 3:00 PM to take part in a tour of Public facilities and a driving tour of the Manchester Boundary's as they are established at this time.  Joe Gueriz, Ron Rada Bud and others will accompany Ms. Bentley.   Anyone interested may meet the group at the Manchester Library between 2:45PM and 3:00PM.

 

Pete Ball, Deputy Resources Officer of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Dept. was expected at today's meeting, if possible.  Unfortunately he was not in attendance.  In that we have a number of important projects to review with him, it is hoped that he will be able to join us in the near future.  Our questions pertain to expansion of several Neighborhood/Blockwatch areas, information on locations and who represents current signed areas, how can we assist the Sheriff's Dept. in gathering resource information for use in out efforts to expand the Blockwatch programs.  In addition we have recently learned that the National Night Out program that has been held so successfully in the Bremerton area in past years, has been disbanded due to a loss of sponsorship.  We have been very interested in this program and are anxious to learn more about it, as well as if it could become a future Manchester event.  The event is held Nationwide in the month of August.

 

Respectfully Submitted:      Wanda Larsen