Washington’s water law is probably the most complicated set of statutes we have. The root is in the state’s water code enacted in 1917; and the fact that the waters of Washington State collectively belong to the public and may not be owned by any individual or organization.
Soundoff is a public forum. Articles are selected from letters to the editor or may be written specifically for this feature. Today, Port Orchard resident Anthony Johnston responds to a recent story in the Port Orchard Independent featuring a teen-aged, unwed mother and her belief that others were being unfairly critical of her.
The people who wrote our state constitution were pretty smart. They had watched other western states adopt constitutions — some better than others — and they were very savvy about how to write a constitution that protects the public interest.
I confess I was surprised — although pleasantly so — when the state Legislature rejected the idea of naming the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge after the late Sen. Bob Oke.
Adults throughout the county are taking impromptu vacations this week. In offices everywhere, phones are going unanswered, plants aren’t getting watered and keyboards are getting treated to a day without being whacked repeatedly by eagerly typing fingers.
The Seattle Sounders are looking for a new home, and Poulsbo should roll out the red carpet for them. There’s confirmed rumors floating around the community that Seattle Sounders owner Robin Waite is currently in the design stages for a stadium that would seat 5,500 to 6,000 people. Waite is eyeing a spot on Urdahl Road at the northeast corner of Finn Hill Road.
Washington voters passed I-728 in November 2000 to address serious budgeting shortfalls in the state’s public education system. The initiative…
Be aggressive or get devoured. That pretty much sums up the attitude — and the entire season thus far — for Kingston varsity girls basketball. For a first year out of the gate, that the girls boast a 13-7 overall season and a 12-4 for league play is nothing short of incredible. It’s no surprise, either.
It’s drivable but it sure isn’t enjoyable. Yet. After two years of massive traffic delays, flaring tempers and dreaming of The Promised Land, State Route 305 is nearly finished.
On Jan. 28, the infamous HOV lanes — the right-hand lanes reserved for vehicles with more than one person in times of high traffic — made their debut.
Drivers were skeptical.
That skepticism was unwarranted.
Bedwarmer. Plate cleaner. Ambassador. Teacher. Faithful companion through thick and thin. For nearly 14 years, Blaze the Fire Dog did it all at North Kitsap Fire & Rescue. He led a full life that began as an all-out fireman.
When it comes to deciding on a new location for city hall, the Poulsbo City Council has been more persnickety than a lovestruck 12-year-old. In seven years we’ve seen three different land purchases and enough red tape to stretch from Poulsbo to the moon of Endor. And still the saga continues.
How aggravating can one election be? The answer lies firmly in the one-third or so of the 9,000 presidential primary…
Brrr! North Enders have endured some really, really cold temperatures this week. On Monday morning, we awoke to our neck of the woods doing its best impression of a frozen tundra. We bundled up, huddled up and, much to school children’s delight, school was cancelled.
Homeowners in the quaint Poulsbo Place development are hot under collar, and with good reason. At neighborhood meeting Thursday night — appropriately held at the Poulsbo Fire Station — they vocalized their frustrated awe as Central Highlands Builders (CHB) unveiled plans for new Poulsbo Place II divisions. Tempers were flaring because, ironically enough, they think the expansion for Poulsbo Place II doesn’t look like it belongs in Poulsbo at all. Hence the frustration.
Everybody loves it. Nobody wants to host it. Viking Fest, an annual tradition since “Hey Jude” was at the top…
Every community needs a place where everybody knows your name. The familiarity is all the better accompanied by eggs, bacon and conversations about all things political.
There exists in Poulsbo a group of people who like their conversations as heated as their morning cup of coffee. When the tragic loss of the Kingston Inn in September 2005 shook the community, those who breakfasted there moved to Mitzel’s. Through a second, bizarre twist of fate, Mitzel’s also burned down in May 2006.
In recent years, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners has called upon the communities of Hansville and Suquamish to form citizen advisory councils to provide not only working groups to address development issues, but also a direct link for residents’ questions and concerns to be heard and acted upon. Both entities have taken off with much enthusiasm to organize and provide representation for their civic groups.
An 18-year veteran of the Poulsbo Police Department resigned on Dec. 11 amidst an internal investigation into alleged wrongdoing. A report released by the city of Poulsbo stated that Grant Romaine, who swore to protect and defend Poulsbo residents in 1989, was the subject of a months-long internal investigation headed up by the Bremerton Police Department.
Wow! We have similar, simultaneous shows ongoing in government, here in Kitsap and there in our state capitol.
