Residents pressed Port Orchard City Council on issues ranging from government transparency to traffic enforcement and neighborhood safety at its meeting Sept. 9.
During public comment, Robert McGee criticized the council for what he described as a lack of follow-up on cabaret licensing discussions he raised earlier this year.
“Does anyone on this council remember Feb. 11 of this year?” McGee asked. “That was the night I stood before you guys and spoke about cabaret licensing. You showed interest. You said you wanted to talk to me, meet me, bring the issue to the committee, involve me in the process, and since then, nothing.”
McGee said the council’s silence has eroded public trust.
“Citizens come forward with concerns, with ideas, with questions, and you don’t respond, you do nothing,” he said. “The silence has destroyed confidence and the silence has broken trust. This is a city council meeting, not a mayor’s meeting.”
Another resident, Lisa Torren, raised concerns about speeding on McCormick Woods Drive. She compared the daily problem to drivers going 120 mph on Highway 16, calling it a direct risk to pedestrians, families and seniors.
“It happens daily and it’s consistent,” Torren said. “Pedestrians, baby strollers, kids, seniors, people walking their dogs, runners, bikers, deer, golf carts are all right alongside the immediate side of McCormick Woods Drive and those speeders fly right by them without moving.”
She urged the city to install speed cameras, warning that “a tragedy is around the corner and it will sit squarely on city leadership for failing to take preemptive action.”
City staff also provided updates. Public Works director Dennis Ryan said work at Givens Park was delayed due to rejected concrete that failed to meet ADA standards, but the park is nearing completion.
“We want it to be perfect; it has to do with ADA access, it has to meet that criteria,” Ryan said. “They did not build it as designed, so that’s what’s pushed us back, but the park is looking fabulous.”
Ryan said the park restrooms have been refurbished and will reopen for daytime use only.
Police chief Matt Brown addressed traffic enforcement, noting that the department uses a data-driven approach that focuses on collision-prone areas such as the Bethel corridor and school zones.
“Over the last year, we’ve seen a 50% increase in our infractions, which has resulted in a 10% decrease in our collisions,” Brown said. “That strategy is much better than just shotgunning it.”
Brown said officers do respond to citizen complaints, including in the McCormick Woods area, and participate in weekly traffic safety emphasis with Kitsap County.
He also outlined efforts to improve emergency alerts after a tsunami advisory in July. The city is working with county emergency management and regional partners to explore installing downtown alert devices capable of delivering both tones and intelligible voice communication.
