Elections

NKF&R levy a good deal for residents

We’ve done all we can to inform the public about our current ballot measure — attended public gatherings, placed articles, sent mailers. We’ve encouraged anyone with questions to contact us. Although we hadn’t heard from Mr. Amos until his letter appeared in the Oct. 23 paper, we’re happy to provide a response now.

Mr. Amos quotes accurate but incomplete figures. Ninety-percent of NKF&R’s funding comes from two property taxes: the fire protection levy and the emergency medical services (EMS) levy. I-747 caps the annual increase to both at well below the rate of inflation. EMS revenues provide about 20 percent of our budget.

Mr. Amos correctly states that approval of the levy will boost 2008 revenue by about $625,000 but the actual increase to our total budget will only be about 12 percent — or 2.4 percent for each of the five years since the last EMS renewal.

NKF&R provides exceptional service. Four well positioned, staffed stations allow us to respond in an average of six minutes. Our firefighters are medical responders, and our medics are firefighters. Fast responses mean better outcomes. Staffed stations keep fire insurance low; the property taxes paid to NKF&R by a homeowner are far less than fire insurance premiums they might pay if we didn’t provide this level of service.

Mr. Amos states that he is not aware of an “existing crisis.” Our small administrative staff is constantly working to fit increasing costs into revenues that don’t keep up with inflation while maintaining the top-notch services that we, in partnership with taxpayers, have built.

It is an ongoing challenge. If voters don’t reauthorize, the entire EMS levy goes away in 2009.

If you need additional information to make your decision on this measure, please contact us. We welcome your inquiries and input; they’re vital to our continued partnership.

Patrick M. Pearson

Fire Commissioner

North Kitsap Fire & Rescue

Berry-Maraist and Erickson for council

I cheer your paper’s endorsements of Becky Erickson and Linda Berry-Maraist for Poulsbo City Council. They are ready for the challenges Poulsbo will face, particularly with unprecedented growth coming our way.

The current council will benefit from some change considering how they handled a recent land use issue. When Verizon appealed the Hearing Examiner’s decision against it to place a 120-foot tall tower in our neighborhood, the Vinland neighborhood needed the council’s support to at least find a compromise. This is the way public process well-done should work, and there were plenty of possibilities. Instead, Mike Regis and Jim Henry along with Ed Stern and Jeff McGinty gave Verizon the full win, shutting the door on over 40 Vinland Neighbors who had worked hard to find workable solutions, and 160 petitioners. Both Henry and Regis showed themselves to be uninformed about this issue and unconcerned about its impact on a Poulsbo neighborhood.

Voters have a better choice. Erickson and Berry-Maraist are forward-thinking and they care deeply about Poulsbo’s neighborhoods, small town character and unique beauty. They are the right people to usher in Poulsbo’s future without forgetting what makes Poulsbo special. I hope you support them.

Amy Hoffman

Poulsbo

Dan Delaney should stay in NKSD seat

I am writing to encourage your support for incumbent North Kitsap School Board candidate Dan Delaney. Dan has devoted the better part of the past four years to the North Kitsap School Board. He has been present (both physically and mentally) for probably one of the most tumultuous times in the history of the North Kitsap School District —the building and opening of Kingston High School. 

Dan has provided a consistency to the board over the past two years as new members have joined and that consistency will undoubtedly be just as important going forward.

Contrary to the concerns expressed by some, those of us who regularly attend North Kitsap School Board meetings know that Dan brings a well-informed, well-reasoned perspective to discussions. Like most drawn to public service, there are subjects about which he is passionate. All our board members bring their personal history and experiences with them. However, Dan has consistently shown his care and concern for the welfare and benefit of all of North Kitsap School District’s students.

Over the past four years we have seen great change in North Kitsap schools, but certainly with the opening of Kingston High School and the renaissance at North Kitsap High School it seems that things are finally moving firmly in the right direction.  The sense of welcome and inclusion at our secondary schools is refreshing and indicative of an expectation of such behavior from the top down. Let’s not return to the times of special and divisive interests. Let’s keep building North Kitsap Schools — together. Dan will help us do that. Thank you!

Carmen Gale

Port Gamble

Arcement offering hope to the NKSD

Renee Arcement gives me hope. She gives me hope that the questions that need to be asked are asked. She gives me hope that perhaps my children can stay in NKSD, graduate from KHS, and not be among the 300+ students who have transferred to neighboring school districts (taking state money with them).

I am amazed at how many families are transferring to neighboring high schools. These high schools are not experiencing the exodus of highly capable students that NK is.

Are you aware that CKSD tried the “embedded honors program” years ago and realized how ineffectual it was?

Renee gives me hope because I have seen her listen to needs, and then take action. She walks the talk. Renee met with a team of NK students last spring. She listened to what they had to say. Based on the input of these students she advocated and obtained changes to the statewide curriculum on youth suicide prevention. Renee’s dedication to our district’s youth is unwavering.

She has earned my respect and my vote.

Karen Fick

Kingston

Delaney deserving of NKSD position

Four years ago, I met Dan Delaney when I enrolled my son in the children’s class at Kitsap Aikido where Dan is the chief instructor. Since then I have seen Dan teach youth classes, adult classes, I have been his student, and participated in meetings he lead.

Dan continually impresses me with his devotion to his students and the organization. He leads the Kitsap Aikido dojo with a blend of practicality, compassion, honesty, and intelligence. Dan has used these qualities to inspire us to work together to create an organization that works towards the improvement of each individual through collective effort.

I have been an elementary school teacher for 23 years (in Los Angeles and CKSD), and I understand why the North Kitsap Education Association has backed Dan in this election; teachers expect their school board members to operate with students’ learning and welfare as their paramount duties. In all my dealings with Dan, he has exceeded those expectations.

Dan’s combination of these qualities and his experience make him the best choice for the school board. I urge every voter to support Dan Delaney in the upcoming election for Position 2 on the North Kitsap School Board.

Peter Horton

Seabeck

Arcement’s support of students notable

As a parent active in the North Kitsap School District, I have several reasons for supporting Renee Arcement for school board. When I first met Renee, our school district and community were in shock due to a spate of student deaths, many by suicide. Renee took action by spearheading a suicide prevention group called LIV (Life is Valuable), which she still chairs today.

I was impressed by her compassion for students and families, and by her determination to educate the community about the crisis in our midst.

Later on, I got to know Renee as a fellow parent who shares many of my concerns about our schools, especially the need to adequately prepare students for the future, with curriculum that is challenging to each student’s ability. She will be a diligent advocate for all NK students.

While our current school board has been focused on a building program for the past several years, it has seemed to many parents that our current students have been left to weather the construction with promises of how wonderful it will be when it is all done. I trust Renee to focus on our current, as well as future students, by doing her homework and asking tough questions when needed. She will be an advocate for taxpayers by pushing to have community members included in the budget process, ensuring that our dwindling dollars are spent in ways that really improve education.

Lastly, I believe that Renee will be a good board member, that is, one who will respect the opinions of other board members, even when she may disagree on an issue. I strongly encourage you to join me is supporting Renee Arcement for school board.

Janice Yee

Poulsbo

Vinland

Berry-Mariast will serve Poulsbo well

When I get ready to cast my ballot for Poulsbo City Council Position 1 and have to choose between Mike Regis and Linda Berry-Maraist, I am going to vote for Linda.

Why? It’s simply a matter of firmly believing that Linda has the stronger background and qualifications for the position. Our city council is facing real challenges handling the increasingly complex job of governing our city. This, coupled with the ongoing growth of Poulsbo, requires thoughtful and talented management.

Linda Berry-Maraist has the professional training for this position with degrees in urban studies (planning) and architecture. She has a 20 year track record in Kitsap County of volunteering in community service, including serving on the Poulsbo Planning Commission and as Chair of the Kitsap Public Facilities District. She will bring a fresh perspective to the Council and is noted for her ability to work well with supporters of differing sides of an issue.

In short, Linda has the impressive credentials that establish her as a great candidate for our city Council. I urge you to vote for Linda Berry-Maraist.

Don Sarles

Poulsbo