Community council, commissioners meet

Parks, roads, and the sluggishness of government bureaucracy topped the list of topics covered at a joint meeting between Kitsap County Commissioners and the Central Kitsap Community Council Wednesday.

“We always say when we’re going to do something rather than when we’re going to get it done,” said Tex Lewis, CKCC member. The Clear Creek Hike and Bike Trail, a one-mile stretch from Waaga Way to Trigger Avenue, has been stalled for the past two years.

Lewis suggested to commissioners Chris Endresen, of North Kitsap and Patty Lent of Central Kitsap a task force be formed to streamline the process of getting projects done.

SK Commissioner Jan Angel did not attend the meeting due to a family engagement.

Lent promised to work with Lewis to address his concerns and told the CKCC the bike trail should be under construction in 2004. She read a list of 12 roads projects planned for Central Kitsap including the Waaga Way extension, Newberry Road Phase two and the Tracyton traffic calming project.

The traffic calming project has raised the ire of audience members who spoke out about the project. Some said the calming devices cause havoc for the thousands of people who use the road for the sake of a few hundred who live on it. Others took a wait-and-see approach.

“I have my concerns. but I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt,” said Tracyton Boulevard resident John Taylor.

The group also discussed the community campus project status and the county’s focus to acquire parks. Kitsap, the third smallest county in the state based on land mass, is last when it comes to the number parks and open space, Endresen said.

New lighting has been installed in the Pavilion at the Fairgrounds and the parking lot improvements have come under bid by about $250,000 Lent said. The whole project is coming under budget by about $700,000, she added.

Kay Wilson, secretary for the CKCC, said she supports the county’s buying park land.

Others said it would keep land off the county’s tax rolls.

Community members voiced their concerns at the joint meeting regarding the tone of letters from county employees. Ron Ross, local businessman said he was shocked at the demanding letters he has received. Lent said she would like to see all county staff receive training in customer service.

The CKCC will host its semi-annual town meeting 7-9 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.

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