2006, part II: second quarter begins, ends with docks

Published 5:00 am Saturday, December 23, 2006

APRIL

At nearly the exact moment that islanders of Japanese descent began their wartime exodus 64 years earlier, the Japanese American Internment Memorial is consecrated in a morning ceremony that draws several hundred islanders. Work then gets under way on the memorial, which is slated to include a recreation of the point of departure: a dock. No one objects to the idea.

The city takes Washington State Ferries to court over environmental review of the Eagle Harbor maintenance facility expansion. Planning for the larger terminal zone continues apace, with a dedicated transit lane and new pedestrian walkway considered. Those plans are in turn coincident with WSF’s draft long-range plan, which includes expanded capacity for walk-on passengers on the Bainbridge run. Cross-sound vessels would see new enclosed areas on the roof, adding about 400 seats per boat under the plan.

After five years with the Bainbridge Island Fire Depart­ment, Chief Jim Walkowski bolts for a post in Lewis County. Former fire commissioner and state trooper Glen Tyrrell is named interim chief.

Development du jour: The Vineyard Lane project in Winlsow touts its environmentally friendly construction. Others agree: the 45-unit condominium earns an Earth Day Award from Kitsap County in the “Green Building” category.

With trendy comes spendy: Island home prices climb as the median sales price hits $551,000 – an increase of $68,000 from a year earlier. “Like it or not, Bainbridge Island has become a western suburb of Seattle,” says one real estate broker, citing the popularity of new condos.

Helpline House restyles its food bank into a “mini-mart” setting.

Former Bainbridge councilwoman Christine Rolfes declares her candidacy for the state Legislature, challenging incumbent Republican Bev Woods of Poulsbo. Also jumping into the ring is fire commissioner Earl Johnson, taking on incumbent Democrat Sherry Appleton in the 23rd district’s other seat.

The five-year saga of the Waterfront Park restroom drags on, as the City Council approves yet another new design, but not enough money to actually build the bathroom. Meanwhile, the county Public Facilities District announces plans for a $29 million sports facility in Poulsbo. Which project will be completed first?

Kitsap Transit has high hopes for a low-wake ferry. The transit agency tests a prototype vessel through Rich Passage, in hopes of avoiding wake damage to shorelines.

The city unveils a plan to put sidewalks along Grow Avenue, where neighbors have complained for years of poor pedestrian access, parking problems and rampant speeding by motorists. “There’s a real lack of credibility with the city,” one neighbor says. “They’ve been talking about doing something for three years.” The project would be funded by a $460,000 grant – good news until neighbors sour on the plan, saying it doesn’t include sufficient traffic-calming measures.

Citing incidents of “suspected surveillance” by suspicious riders, a federal report identifies Washington State Ferries as “most likely targets of marine terrorism” and makes headlines in the Seattle media. The FBI and other security agencies immediately downplay the report, calling the news coverage incomplete and overblown. “We’re as safe today as we were the year before and in past years,” a Coast Guard spokesman says.

After nearly putting out a “For Sale” sign at T’Chookwap Park, the City Council decides to give it to the park district instead.

MAY

What goes up, keeps going up: Motorists are stung by a sudden surge in gasoline prices nationwide. Regular unleaded hits $3.09 per gallon at the island’s three stations – $3.29 for premium.

A day-long summit on affordable housing fills the council chambers. Local activist Wini Jones proposes putting subsidized units for public employees on land she owns near New Brooklyn and Sportsman Club roads.

Kitsap Republicans look ahead to a successful November, holding a day-long strategy session on Bainbridge Island. “You may live in Tree Hug City, but don’t be ashamed,” a national GOP campaign consultant tells the local party faithful.

McDonald’s plans an extreme McMakeover at its Winslow eatery, with a facade that includes huge, retro-futurist golden arch. Those super-sized plans are soon scaled back to a more modest, (and arguably tasteful) facade.

Meghan McKnight is tapped as the city’s new code enforcement officer. “It’s not about dropping the hammer, and more about doing the outreach and educating people about what the regulations are,” she says.

JUNE

His Excellency Kessai Note, president of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific, visits Bainbridge, and global warming may bring him back. “When the greenhouse gasses make the sea level rise, we’ll paddle over here to your island,” one member of the delegation quips.

Citing ongoing disregard by the City Council, Finance Director Elray Konkel entertains job offers from other cities. After council members pledge to be more respectful, he agrees to stay on Bainbridge Island.

A decade-long battle over public access at Fletcher Landing road end concludes, when the state Supreme Court refuses to hear an appeal from neighbors who claim the strip as their private domain. With the non-ruling, a gate barring the public from the road end must come down.

Volunteers seed Eagle Harbor with juvenile oysters along marine moorings and private docks. It’s hoped that beds of mature oysters – nature’s perfect little filter – will help cleanse the harbor of toxins from chemical fertilizers and leaky septic systems. Meanwhile, citing speed and safety concerns, the City Council ban water skiing in Eagle Harbor’s inner harbor.

After a series of chronically late afternoon departures, Washington State Ferries blames commuters for showing up at the last minute. WSF says ferry crews will begin enforcing the “two minute rule,” under which walk-on passengers must cross the gangplank in a timely manner.

Plans to expand the Harbour Public House are waylaid by a Superior Court judge, who agrees with neighbors’ fears that the new building would exacerbate noise and parking problems.

Robert Lewis of North Carolina is named principal of Ordway Elementary School, replacing the retiring Glen Robbins. Winslow attorney Kate Carruthers is named Bainbridge Municipal Court judge, succeeding Steve Holman.

The WASL results are in, and Bainbridge High School sophomores clean up on readin’ and writin’ – nearly all of the 394 students who take the exam pass in those areas. ‘Rithamatic is a different story, as only 86 percent pass – still far better than statewide returns, as barely half of Washington sophomores show math proficiency.

Thieves go on a nighttime spree through Bainbridge neighborhoods, looting stereos, phones and cash from unlocked – repeat, unlocked – vehicles. One more time: from unlocked vehicles.

The City Council approves a new deputy chief position for Bainbridge Police.

Cool, creamy and dreamy: Mora Iced Creamery opens a storefront on Madrone Lane. Queues run out the door for the locally made dessert.

School officials announce a $1.76 million upgrade of BHS science classrooms, to be completed over the summer. Meanwhile, “sustainability” is the buzzword for the planned BHS classroom wing that will break ground in 2007, with environmentally friendly features like natural ventilation and lighting among the proposed features.

A $3 million home under construction off Battle Point Drive is set ablaze and destroyed by an unknown arsonist. The builder had been roundly criticized on a local online site for clearing trees and a nearby wetland.

The City Council announces a tentative settlement with litigants suing over dock restrictions on Blakely Harbor. Shoreline property owners would be allowed to build up to 17 new docks, far more than the three allowed under the current city ordinance. The settlement provokes outrage and threats of more lawsuits still, this time by conservationists opposed to more docks.