Tonight there’s likely to be a dandy city council meeting in Poulsbo, one well worth your time and attendance.

Newly re-elected Mayor Donna Jean Bruce campaigned on a platform of making sure that the Olympic College Poulsbo branch campus would become a reality. Tonight is her first public opportunity to make good on that pledge.

The city representatives and Olympic College officials have worked together to draft a letter that was sent to Olhava and First Western developers. The letter covers specific work to be done by the city, college and the developers, with clear timetables and specific deadlines.

The council is expecting First Western and Olhava to respond to this letter at tonight’s meeting. We are most hopeful that First Western and Olhava will use this meeting as a time to move this too-long delayed project forward.

If they are unable or unwilling to meet their obligations, they need to ‘fess up to the council and ask for help. Too much is at stake from a funding and community development standpoint to allow this project to sit any longer.

The City of Poulsbo and Olympic College, our legislators and the State of Washington have all done their parts––now the entire $13 million of funds and a college campus hinge on the ability of two groups, Olhava and First Western, to be honest and ethical and honor their pledges to our community.

It’s time, it’s past time, it’s way past time for this project to move forward. We hope to see you at the city council meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Poulsbo City Hall.