News Roundup – Olson deal nearly done/Rolfes bill becomes law

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Olson deal nearly done

The Bainbridge Island Land Trust is on the cusp of a deal that would expand Ted Olson Nature Preserve, on North Madison Avenue.

The City Council will vote tonight on whether to allocate $125,000 of open space money to the project, which would add five acres owned by the Olson family – whose descendants homesteaded the area in the late 1800s – to the already 10-acre park. Following approval of those funds, the Land Trust would be just $15,000 short of the $375,000 sale price.

“We’ve almost done it,” said Land Trust Executive Director Karen Molinari. “People just came out of the woodwork to help bring the whole thing together.”

The trust has in recent months received several private contributions, including a $100,000 anonymous donation.

Eileen Olson, Ted’s niece, agreed to sell the property for $120,000 less than the current market price as long as the property is preserved as open space. Both Olson and the Land Trust have been working on the deal for several years.

The option expires March 31, and Molinari is hoping that a recent mailing to 3,800 north-end homes will help bring in the rest of the needed money.

The land, which would be protected from development, would be transferred to the park district.

Planned additions include a trail connection from North Madison to Kallgren Road and a bench honoring Ted Olson.

Rolfes bill becomes law

Rep. Christine Rolfes had her first bill signed into law Monday, while three of her other bills on regional transportation and scientific research passed the state House last week.

The Bainbridge Democrat’s effort to fund 19 public works projects was signed into law by Gov. Chris Gregoire Monday afternoon. The legislation earmarks $71 million for projects around the state and could create 4,223 new construction jobs, according to the state Public Works Board.

Four of the approved projects are located in Kitsap County, including funds for the Salmonberry Reservoir and the Anderson Cove Sewage Station.

During the weekend, legislators rushed to pass many other bills, including three other measures Rolfes sponsored.

The first, House Bill 2358, “provides a road map for long-term planning to correct the course” of Washington State Ferries, according to the first-term legislator. The measure also lays down a system to keep rider fares from steeply rising.

“This legislation represents the beginning of some very major changes for the ferry system as a whole,” said Rolfes.

The measure targets unnecessary capital costs and pushes increased transparency in the system’s capital budget and stops the development of oversized terminal projects. HB 2358 also attempts to increase system revenues by creating a comprehensive off-peak ridership program and requires WSF to develop plans to better meet future system needs.

Also passing the House on Saturday was a bill that creates the Puget Sound Science Research Account. Part of the larger effort by the Legislature and Governor to organize Puget Sound clean-up efforts, the account would provide funding to help finance scientific research deemed necessary by the newly created Puget Sound Partnership.

“There are many factors in determining the health of the Puget Sound and we need to make sure we have the best information available in deciding how to proceed in restoration efforts,” Rolfes said.

Rolfes’ third bill would add Bainbridge Island, Lakewood, Edmonds and Lynnwood to the Puget Sound Regional Council, which assists in regional transportation planning.

– Tristan Baurick

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Sound off

Rep. Christine Rolfes and her 23rd Legislative District colleague Rep. Sherry Appleton want to hear from you.

The duo will host a pair of town hall meetings Saturday in Kingston and Silverdale.

With a month left of the 2007 legislative session, Rolfes and Appleton want to touch base with constituents about state and regional issues.

The first meeting will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Kingston Fire Hall, 26612 Miller Bay Road NE.

The second meeting will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Silverdale Community Center, 9729 Silverdale Way.