Seems like Bainbridge is making all the right moves | IN OUR OPINION

We are entering strange and unfamiliar waters here.

This marks the second week in a row that the city of Bainbridge Island earns our praise.

Last week, we congratulated the police department for its quick work on arresting a suspect in a disturbing sexual assault against a young Bainbridge Island woman.

Also deserving recognition is the Bainbridge Island City Council, on two accounts.

Last week, council members decided how the city should spend the $2 million settlement from Washington State Ferries.

Council members agreed to put $1.85 million of the settlement toward improvements at Waterfront Park.

It was what the council did with the rest of the money that really earned our appreciation: $150,000 will go toward projects spearheaded by the city’s Road Ends Committee.

The committee is devoted to making sure public access points to the shoreline aren’t lost due to neglect, indifference or consumed by nearby private landowners. The committee’s workload is daunting, but the funding, while meager, is much needed.

The council deserves another attaboy for its acknowledgement this week that the public will get a chance to meet the set of finalists for the city manager position before the council makes its top pick.

This is an essential position in city government, and the new hire will no doubt face intense demands from the dais and the public.

So far, the city has not mentioned the applicants by name. Even so, giving Bainbridge residents the chance to give the finalists some semblance of scrutiny before the decision is made is another smart move by the council.

 

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