 | | Holiday schedules for curbside waste pickup and waste facilities | 12/14/2018 | | | | | Commissioner Gelder elected to top leadership role for Washington counties | 12/14/2018 | Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder was recently elected as First Vice-President of the Washington State Association of Counties for 2018-2019 and will step up as President in the top leadership role in 2019-2020. The Washington State Association of Counties has served as the collective voice of Washington's counties for over one hundred years and provides training, legislative advocacy and a forum to build a statewide county legislative agenda. WSAC members include county commissioners, council members and executives from all of Washington's 39 counties. "It's my great honor to serve as the First Vice-President," said Commissioner Gelder, who is 2018 chair of the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners. "As a subdivision of the state, counties play a unique role in the provision of services and programs to our local communities, often on behalf of the state. "It is vital to maintain a strong voice of advocacy in Olympia and Washington, DC for adequate funding for infrastructure (roads, fish passage barrier removal), trial court public defense, and foundational public health services," he noted. "In addition, it's important to challenge new state-mandated services that shift the burden of funding onto the backs of local residents and taxpayers." WSAC is governed by a board of directors led by the executive committee. Each year, county representatives elect officers for the following year. Join Commissioner Gelder on one of his monthly "Walk & Talk" sessions through North Kitsap communities. Upcoming walks take place January 5, 2019, beginning at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center, 370 Brien Dr SE, and February 2, 2019, beginning at the Commissioner's Kingston office, located in the back portion of the building housing the Kitsap County Sheriff's precinct office at 26076 Illinois Ave. The Walk & Talks get underway at 9:30 a.m. sharp. Visit Commissioner Gelder's website to view newsletters, Commissioner's Corner programs and an interactive map of North Kitsap communities, and to sign up for electronic news updates: https://www.kitsapgov.com/BOC_p/Pages/Dist1home.aspx . To learn more about WSAC, visit http://wsac.org. 
| | | | Film explores personal stories of Seattle homeless | 12/13/2018 | Trickle Down Town explores the personal stories of those living unsheltered in Seattle. Filmmaker Tomasz Biernacki will be on hand for discussion after the showing. The film begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 27 in Dragonfly Cinema, 822 Bay St., Port Orchard as part of Commissioner Charlotte Garrido's Sustainable Cinema film series. For more information, visit www.dragonflycinema.com. 
| | | | Local company to receives prestigious Hire-A-Vet Award | 12/13/2018 | Skookum Contract Services in Bremerton received recognition from the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) for its proven track record of hiring veterans. Workforce professional and company leaders joined Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido to present the Hire-A-Vet award last month. ESD, a partner in the state WorkSource system, created the Hire-A-Vet Award as a way to call attention to unemployed veterans in Washington and recognize employers who hire, retain and celebrate veterans in their workforce. Skookum Contract Services is a facilities management and logistics firm that employs 1,300 employees in 11 states, of which a third are veterans. In 2018, the company hired 33 veterans in Washington. Whenever they have a job opening, Skookum contacts WorkSource first to check for potential veteran candidates. The company also takes part in local hiring events and the state's YesVets program to promote the hiring of veterans. The WorkSource partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies provides employment and training services to job seekers and employers. Last year, WorkSource helped 170,000 workers and nearly 5,600 Washington employers. WorkSource Kitsap serves as a comprehensive center and is located at 1300 Sylvan Way, Bremerton with an affiliate site at Kitsap Community Resources, 3200 SE Rainshadow Court, Port Orchard. The Bremerton office has a team assisting veterans and employers who want to employ them. For more information, drop by the office locations above, visit the WorkSource Kitsap website, http://www.kitsapgov.com/hs/olympdev/jtworksource.htm, or contact the office at (360) 337-4810, wskitsap@esd.wa.gov. To learn more about Skookum Contract Services, visit www.skookum.org. Pictured below, from left to right: Aschlee Drescher, vice-chair of the Olympic Workforce Development Council; Margaret Hess, WorkSource Administrator for Kitsap, Clallam, and Jefferson counties; Adrian Allegra, WorkSource Kitsap local veteran employment representative: Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, who also serves on the Olympic Consortium Board; Skookum representatives Brenda Palomares (holding award), Sierra Hinrichsen, Ellen Reichart, Kelsey Kilen, Megan Mason-Todd, Kevin Broussard, Carolyn Day, Felix Vicino; and Nicole Brickman of the Olympic Workforce Development Executive Board. 
| | | | Volunteers needed to survey those without homes next month in all Kitsap communities | 12/12/2018 | Each year throughout the state, counties conduct surveys that inform local, state and federal funders about the scope of homelessness and resources that will be needed. The Kitsap County Point-In-Time Count takes place January 22-25, 2019 and volunteer registration is open for those who can help collect information. Citizens from all walks of life are sought to assist the Kitsap County Department of Human Services and Kitsap Continuum of Care Coalition with the survey. Positions range from finding those living without homes in many different situations and locations to surveying individuals and families who visit local service providers, food banks, shelters and community meal sites. No experience is necessary; training will be provided. To learn more about positions available and to register as a volunteer, go to http://tiny.cc/PIT2019. For more information about the Kitsap County Point-In-Time Count, please contact Cory Derenburger of the Housing and Homelessness Program of the Kitsap County Department of Human Services at cderenbu@co.kitsap.wa.us or (360) 337-7287. 
| | | | Extended closure to Olympic View Transfer Station for critical repairs | 12/10/2018 | | | | | Styrofoam Recycling Event December 29 at Kitsap County Fairgrounds | 11/27/2018 | (Port Orchard, WA) - Kitsap County's third STYRO-Roundup recycling collection event will be held on Saturday, December 29 from 9am to 3pm at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds Van Zee building located at 1200 Fairgrounds Rd. NW, Bremerton. The following types of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) will be accepted for recycling at no charge:
- Packing Peanuts
- Styrofoam Block (No tape or labels)
- Food Packaging (Clean and unstained)
- Styrofoam Trays (Separate color from white)
Styrofoam must be clean, dry and empty and please remove packing tape and labels. Limit one car load per household for Kitsap County residents only. No trailers, box trucks or commercial customers will be accepted. Material that will not be accepted include soft foam, hot tub covers, Expanded Polyethylene (EPE) and sealed or foil lined foam. For detailed printable pdf please follow this link https://spf.kitsapgov.com/pw/Documents/3091-Styrofoam%20Roundup.pdf Contact: Kitsap 1, 360.337.5777 or kitsap1@co.kitsap.wa.us
________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Eirik O'Neal | Education & Outreach Techncian | 360.337.5777 or eoneal@co.kitsap.wa.us.
| | | | Recycling options for used cooking oil | 11/19/2018 | (Port Orchard) - Fats, oils, and grease from kitchens can impact sewer systems in a big way. When poured down a drain inside the house these items can quickly damage or clog sewage pipes. Whether your house is on a septic system or connected to a public sewer system, NEVER pour these items down your kitchen sink. This holiday season residents can recycle liquid used cooking oil at no cost at locations listed below. Kitsap County Public Works contracts with a local biodiesel firm for a recycling option for residents. Whether you plan to deep fry a turkey this Thanksgiving or simply cook meats in the kitchen, take your used liquid cooking oils over to these locations (dispose of solid fats in regular garbage): - Olympic View Transfer Station
9380 SW Barney White Road, Bremerton, WA 98312 - North Kitsap Recycling and Garbage Facility (Hansville)
7791 NE Ecology Road, Kingston, WA 98346 - Central Kitsap Recycling & Garbage Facility (Silverdale)
8843 NW Dickey Road, Silverdale, WA 98383 - South Kitsap Recycling and Garbage Facility (Olalla)
2850 SE Burley – Olalla Road, Olalla, WA 98359
These facilities are closed on Thanksgiving. Visit kcowa.us/dropoff for hours and directions. How to use cooking oil recycling stations:
Stations are for residents with cooking oil from their home kitchens. Cooking oil from businesses cannot be recycled at these stations. Before bringing your cooking oil, filter it at home using a strainer, coffee filter, or cheesecloth. Throw away the food particles you filtered out. Avoid spills. Pour slowly and with care into collection tank. Take your empty container home to reuse or throw away. Do not leave it in the recycling area. Benefits of biodiesel:
Studies show that biodiesel outperforms gasoline, ethanol, and conventional diesel in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and in overall fuel-efficiency. Biodiesel has also been proven to be much less toxic than diesel fuel, and is readily biodegradable. This makes it safer for distribution, use and storage. Recycling fats into a biodiesel product helps our local economy. ________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Lisa Edge, Education and Outreach Coordinator, 360.337.5777 or ledge@co.kitsap.wa.us. | | | | Kitsap WSU Extension survey asks for public input on current programs | 11/5/2018 | Kitsap County is partnering with Washington State University (WSU) Extension to survey residents about how they use the WSU Kitsap Extension programs and services, and which are most valuable to their families and communities. The survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, asks about residents' familiarity with WSU Kitsap Extension, the frequency of their participation and suggestions for outreach and expanded programs and services. You can complete the survey online. Participation is voluntary, and responses are confidential. "We want to be sure we are focusing on the needs of the community and using Kitsap County's resources to support the programs that make the most difference for our citizens," said Commissioner Charlotte Garrido. WSU Kitsap Extension has served the county since 1917, coordinating educational and outreach programs such as the Master Gardeners, 4-H Youth Development, Strengthening Families, Noxious Weed Control, Stream and Salmon Stewards, Rain Garden Mentors, Beach Naturalists and Small Farm Resources. WSU Kitsap extension has over 550 volunteers who support these programs annually. Send questions about the survey to cmsanders@wsu.edu or for more information, contact the Kitsap County Commissioners' Office at (360) 337-7080. Learn more about programs at Kitsap WSU Extension online. | | | | Help guide county’s decision-making: Citizens needed to serve on advisory committees | 10/24/2018 | Kitsap County citizens have an opportunity to help guide county government’s decision-making, address neighborhood concerns, improve communities and connect citizens to local services and programs. Consider applying to serve on one of the many Kitsap County advisory groups. Members are appointed by county commissioners to serve as sounding boards and conduits between citizens, communities, county staff and commissioners. Members may also review grant applications, transportation and development plans or host informational events with other public agencies. Applications are currently being accepted for the following boards, committees and councils: o Board of Equalization – North, South and Central Kitsap Representatives o Commission on Children and Youth – Business, Military, Tribal, North Kitsap School District youth o Manchester Citizens Advisory Committee – California, Nebraska and At-Large Representatives o Non-Motorized Facilities Citizens Advisory Committee – North Kitsap, At-Large Representatives o Planning Commission – Central Kitsap Representative o Suquamish Citizens Advisory Committee – At-Large Representatives o Washington State Ferries Advisory Committee – Bainbridge Island Route Representative More information about the positions listed above and an online application are available at Kitsap County Volunteer Services, (360) 337-4650 or rpirtle@co.kitsap.wa.us . | | | | Commissioners approve recommendations for mental health tax funding | 10/10/2018 | The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Oct. 8, approving $4.1 million in funding as recommended by the Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Therapeutic Court Citizens Advisory Committee. The funds are generated from the 1/10th of 1 percent sales and use tax Commissioners approved Sept. 23, 2013, which are designated for mental health, chemical dependency and therapeutic court services in Kitsap County. “Most of us know someone with mental illness or drug and alcohol dependency and see that there are behavioral health service gaps in our community,” said Commissioner Charlotte Garrido. “Too often, the de facto systems of care are local jails, courts, and hospital rooms. This funding develops a coordinated approach similar to the continuum of care model from public health.” Commissioners appoint members to the citizens advisory committee to advise on funding allocations of the mental health tax. The committee voted unanimously Sept. 18 to recommend funding for 19 of the 25 proposals submitted. The awards total $4.1 million for a 12-month period. “The citizen’s advisory committee evaluated 25 submissions requesting a total of $7.4 million in funding,” said committee chair Richard Daniels, during the Commissioners' business meeting Oct. 8. “These submissions were closely reviewed. Each of the proposers went through a question-and-answer period with the committee. Committee members then considered each proposal in relation to the county’s Continuum of Care, Strategic Plan for Services, and the $4.5 million of funding available. The process was not easy. Every proposal submitted had merit.” Fourteen of the proposals approved received continuation funding for their programs that were also funded previously for the current year. These include therapeutic court programs such as behavioral health court, juvenile individualized and drug courts, and adult and veterans drug treatment courts. Support for law enforcement crisis intervention training and a program that teams behavioral health navigators with law enforcement officers was also continued. Five of the programs approved for funding are new, including re-entry coordination at the jail, substance abuse prevention services, support for the Prosecutor’s Office in operating therapeutic courts, pre-development for permanent supportive housing and mobile behavioral health services provided by Peninsula Community Health Services. A complete list of the funding recommendations and more information on the 1/10th of 1 percent sales and use tax is available here or contact Doug Washburn, director of Kitsap County Human Services, at (360) 337-4526, dwashbur@co.kitsap.wa.us for more information. | | | | Assessor's Office begins property inspections in Kingston, Hansville | 9/13/2018 | Appraisers from the Kitsap County Assessor's Office are now conducting on-site inspections throughout the greater Kingston and Hansville areas. Washington state law (RCW 84.40.025) requires inspections of all real property throughout the county at least once every six years. Current inspections should be completed by March 2019. If an appraiser from the office attempts to make contact with the resident or homeowner, please understand they are trying to verify the characteristics of the property to ensure the accuracy of data. Due to the high volume of inspections being conducted, appraisers are unable to accommodate appointments at this time. Appraisers do not drive county-issued vehicles, however their vehicles are marked with county identification on both sides. Other verification options are: request to see individual credentials; contact the Assessor's Office at (360) 337-7160; or check the inspection-area progress map at: www.kitsapgov.com/assessor. The Assessors' Office staff appreciates the public's cooperation. For more information, contact the Assessor's office at (360) 337-7160 or assessor@co.kitsap.wa.us. | | | | Walk & Talk through North Kitsap with Commissioner Rob Gelder | 8/2/2018 | Join Commissioner Rob Gelder to "Walk & Talk" as he traverses through North Kitsap communities to talk about topics that are important to residents. No reservations required! "Walk & Talk" sessions are scheduled the first Saturday of the month, beginning at 9:30 a.m. sharp at the following starting points: August 4, 2018
Port Gamble
Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park parking lot
(main lot, west side of highway 104)
September 1, 2018
Hansville
Hansgrill - 7532 NE Twin Spits Rd
No October Event
November 3, 2018
Kingston
Kingston office - 26076 Illinois Ave
December 1, 2018
Poulsbo
Coffee Oasis - 780 NE Iverson St
January 5, 2019
Bainbridge Island
BI Senior Center - 370 Brien Dr SE
February 2, 2019
Kingston
Kingston office - 26076 Illinois Ave
No March Event
April 6, 2019
Keyport
Keyport Mercantile - 15499 Washington Ave
May 4, 2019
Indianola
General Store - 9175 NE Shore Dr
June 1, 2019
Kingston
Kingston office - 26076 Illinois Ave
July 6, 2019
Suquamish
Suquamish Pier
August 3, 2019
Port Gamble
Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park parking lot
(main lot, west side of highway 104)
September 7, 2019
Hansville
Hansgrill - 7532 NE Twin Spits Rd
October 5, 2019
Kingston
Kingston office - 26076 Illinois Ave
November 2, 2019
Poulsbo
Coffee Oasis - 780 NE Iverson St
December 7, 2019
Kingston
Kingston office - 26076 Illinois Ave For more information, contact Commissioner Gelder at (360) 337-7080, rgelder@co.kitsap.wa.us. Click here for a Walk & Talk flyer. | | | | AARP awards community challenge grant to Homes for All project | 7/23/2018 | Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido is pleased to announce that Homes for All, which is planning a tiny house village in South Kitsap, is the recipient of an $11,153 AARP Livable Communities challenge grant. Funds will be used to renovate a donated 320-square-foot trailer into an ADA-compliant, shared kitchen facility to be located within the village. The trailer will provide the community with room for food storage, appliances, nutritious meal preparation, individual lockers for residents and a multi-purpose community room where they can have meals together, and participate in activities such as educational and wellness classes. "I'm thrilled Homes for All is receiving this national recognition and support from AARP," said Commissioner Garrido. "These funds will allow us to begin renovation of the trailer immediately. Having a central gathering place for the village will be vital to building a sense of community and improving the confidence, health and well-being of the residents." Homes for All is a countywide leadership coalition of government agencies, businesses, non-profit and faith-based organizations, partnering to provide affordable micro-houses that are a safe, secure and sanitary option for those who have no home. The Homes for All coalition's tiny house village in South Kitsap is a pilot "livability community" project that will provide housing, case management and care services for men, women, families and seniors. The village design incorporates 14 tiny homes as transitional, emergency or temporary housing for approximately 20 residents and will include shared open space for community activities. The Homes for All grant is one of only 129 awarded nationwide, and one of two in Washington state. AARP is distributing $1.3 million to innovative projects that inspire change and positively impact the lives of residents of all ages. The grants help communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress. "AARP has teams on the ground in communities across the country who hear from mayors, community leaders and local residents about the value of getting quick wins to create long-term change. We developed the Community Challenge Grant Program to answer that call and help build momentum for more livable communities nationwide," said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President of Community, State and National Affairs. "This year, we are proud to fund more projects in more communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico." For more information, visit the Homes for All website, call (360) 337-7287 or e-mail homesforall@co.kitsap.wa.us. To learn more about AARP and the Community Challenge grant program, visit www.aarp.org/livable. 
| | | | New story map explores North Kitsap communities | 5/24/2018 | Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder invites the public to explore the new North Kitsap Communities story map on the county's website. The story map format allows viewers to scroll through information about North Kitsap, while accompanying maps adjust to provide a close-up look at the many communities. There are links to additional maps and community resources for those who live in the area or are planning a visit. "In this day and age, we all try to find ways to explore and connect with our neighborhood. This is an interactive way to take a tour of our community, from the comfort of our home," said Commissioner Gelder. For more information on North Kitsap Commissioner District 1 and to sign up for electronic notifications, visit Commissioner Gelder's website here. | | | | Commissioner Wolfe holds monthly listening sessions in Silverdale | 3/13/2018 | Constituents of Kitsap County Commissioner Ed Wolfe now have an opportunity to meet with him in Silverdale - without an appointment - during First Friday Listening Sessions in Old Town Silverdale every month from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Monica's Waterfront Bakery & Café, 3472 NW Byron St. The first session will be April 6. The time and location allow for those in Central Kitsap to drop by over the lunch hour to share concerns and ideas or just engage in lively conversation. Other First Friday Listening Sessions are scheduled May 4 and June 1. The July session will be cancelled because of its proximity to the Fourth of July but meetings resume Aug. 3. For more information, contact Angie Silva in the Commissioners' Office at (360) 337-7080, asilva@co.kitsap.wa.us. | |
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