A community is a reflection of its residents – their vision of community life, their level of involvement, how well they support that which is good for the whole.
Bremerton could not have achieved its downtown and waterfront revitalization without the vision and involvement of residents, businesses and local elected representatives. Ditto for Port Orchard’s downtown market, Kingston’s Village Green, Poulsbo’s parks, the Suquamish Tribe’s cultural district, Silverdale’s future library and the community development plan — called a Sub-Area Plan — now under consideration.
Simply put: get involved and you can make a difference. And not just in community life, but perhaps in the life of an individual.
Kitsap County offers volunteer opportunities in 17 programs that, among other things, maintain our beaches, parks, roads, shores and streams; assist the sheriff’s department; help children who’ve strayed get back on the right track; and mentor veterans going through Veterans Court.
In addition, there are openings on 14 county boards, council and commissions. Appointees will help direct how the county responds to needs regarding the arts, human rights, ferry transportation, older residents and children. Go to www.kitsapgov.com/volunteer/current.htm or call Rebecca Pirtle, 360-337-4650 for more information.
In Bremerton, six committees and commissions advise the City Council on issues related to the arts, audits, civil service, parks and recreation, planning, and trees. Go to www.ci.bremerton.wa.us/228/Boards-Commissions or call the City Clerk’s office, 360-473-5290, for information about applications and opportunities to serve.
You don’t have to be an appointed or elected official to make a difference. Speak out on local issues. When you do so, you contribute to the development of ideas, foster community dialogue, and help appointed and elected officials make decisions.
The Kitsap County Board of County Commissioners meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month,5:30 p.m., in the Commissioner Chambers, 619 Division St., Port Orchard.
The Bremerton City Council meets on Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m., in the Council Conference Room, Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 6th St., Bremerton. Go to www.ci.bremerton.wa.us and click on Public Meetings to see when city commissions and committees meet.
The Central Kitsap Community Council meets on the third Thursday of each month, 7-9 p.m., at the water district office at Dickey and Newberry Hill roads.
Commissioners of the Bremerton Port District, which includes downtown Port Orchard, Seabeck and portions of East Kitsap, meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 6 p.m., at Bremerton National Airport. Go to www.portofbremerton.org.
And, of course, we welcome your presence at another public forum — our letters to the editor page.
