News Roundup — Police bust pot grower/School board weighs costs/Sackett photo show debuts/Varga leaving island museum/Traffic studies on the agenda/Ordway art

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Police bust pot grower

More than 75 marijuana plants and a loaded firearm were seized by Bainbridge Island police Friday afternoon at a home on the island’s south end.

A tip through the Marijuana Hotline led police to a Pine Way residence where they found evidence of a medium-sized grow operation.

In addition to the plants and the semi-automatic handgun, police seized 11 ounces of dried pot.

The 41-year-old male suspect told officers that he kept the loaded gun to to protect his operation from thieves, police said.

The suspect will be charged with manufacturing a controlled substance. Other charges are pending, police said.

The case has been referred to the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office.

– Tristan Baurick

School board weighs costs

The proposed scope of work and total estimated costs of a facilities bond and technology levy for the public schools will be discussed at 5 p.m. Thursday, during a special session of the Bainbridge Island school board.

This will be sixth public meeting devoted to discussing the bond/levy proposal; a final decision on the matter is set for the following Thursday, also at 5 p.m. in the library.

The capital facilities bond is slated to renovate the high school’s classrooms in the 100 building, and its cafeteria, library, administrative offices and commons, located in the 200 building.

The installation of artificial turf fields, and the construction of a performing arts facility are also being pondered, as is the fate of the oldest portions of the Commodore building next door. The dollar amount being considered for these projects is about $40 million.

A technology levy of $10 million is also being considered, which would replace the aging computers in all of the district’s schools.

School board members are trying to get the bond and levy proposals to the voters May 17. But a master planning process could delay the election until fall.

The board is expected to set the final election date next Thursday.

– Rhonda Parks Manville

Sackett photo show debuts

Island photographer Joel Sackett opens an exhibit this weekend in the windows of Winslow Hardware & Mercantile entitled “Trailer Treasure.”

The series of environmental portraits of residents of the Islander Mobile Home Park is a departure in color from Sackett’s usual black and white portraits.

From his introduction, Sackett states: “The park contributed to my first impressions of Bainbridge Island as a place with at least some diversity. Almost in counterbalance to the island’s huge homes and long private driveways, the mobile home park said community all over it.”

The exhibit runs from Feb. 28 to March 10.

Varga leaving island museum

Erica Varga has resigned as executive director of the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, citing personal reasons, the museum board announced this week.

Varga has agreed to stay on through a transition period until a new executive director is hired, and intends to remain involved in Bainbridge Island Historical Society activities.

The board also announced that Joan Piper, a former executive director who has been on a leave of absence, is returning as education coordinator on a part-time basis.

Her role will be to design and support a long-range education plan for the society that will implement the education-related policies of the Cultural Element of the Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan.

Varga joined the museum staff as curator in the summer of 2001, and took over as executive director in August, 2003. As curator, she was responsible for overseeing activities related to the museum’s collections and exhibits.

As executive director, she established many new practices and services based on her training and experience working at other museums. She directed operations while preparing for the museum’s Winslow opening.

Traffic studies on the agenda

The City Council will take public comment tonight on a proposed measure to more narrowly define traffic assessments required for new developments.

The municipal code requires developers to provide a traffic study analyzing the impact a new building or facility will have on the area’s vehicle and non-motorized traffic.

The proposed ordinance aims to alleviate a conflict of interest that sometimes arises when developers hire their own engineers to conduct the studies.

“Sometimes a developer retains an engineer who provides a study that city staff sometimes must defend,” said Public Works director Randy Witt. “This puts us in the sometimes cumbersome position of defending something we didn’t create.”

Under proposed guidelines, the city would better define the scope of the required traffic studies and hire the engineering consultant at the applicant’s expense.

“This would allow us to work with consultants we’re comfortable with and puts us in a position to do better work more efficiently,” Witt said.

Tonight’s council meeting begins at 6 p.m. with an executive session.

– Tristan Baurick

Ordway art earns plaudits

The artwork of Ordway Elementary School students was showcased last week on the largest student art gallery on the Internet, Artsonia, and is getting raves from all over the world.

Being honored as Artsonia’s School of the Week, “just shows what wonderful artists we have here at Ordway Elementary School,” said Ordway art teacher Melissa Wokna.

“Many of my students have already received wonderful compliments (via the website) from students their own ages, in far-away countries. This is very exciting for our school.”

Artsonia features artwork from over 3,000 schools in 100 countries, with the goal of promoting student pride and self-esteem, multi-cultural understanding and parent involvement in education, according to James Meyers, CEO of the Chicago-based company.

Grace hosts lecture series

Starting tonight at 6 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church is hosting a series of evenings titled, “Going to the Desert with Jesus: A Journey Toward Wholeness.”

On three consecutive Wednes­day evenings, the Rev. Jim Friedrich – a filmmaker, liturgical innovator, storyteller and writer – will explore archetypal lenten themes using poetry, stories, film clips and the wisdom of the Christian mystics.

Tonight’s session, “Hunger and Thirst,” will look at how spiritual awareness is often tied to a sense of need. The themes of emptiness will be explored on March 2, followed by passion on March 9.

Each evening will include a simple meal, and will conclude with a creative ritual that invites a response to the that evening’s theme. Information: Grace Church at 842-9997.

Comments due on harbor

Public comments on the most recent draft of the Eagle Harbor Anchoring and Mooring Plan are due to the Harbor Commission by Monday.

The commission’s February update of the draft plan included cost estimates for long-term and liveaboard vessels anchored or buoyed in the harbor. The draft also proposed a timeline in which vessels must move to a mid-harbor zone that will form the new “open water marina.”

The commission will approve final changes to the plan March 1. Send comments to pcd@ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us