January
Bainbridge Island started off the year with a lawsuit filed against it by Urban Bainbridge, which wanted to build a self-storage facility on Day Road. The lawsuit claimed the city unlawfully adopted a moratorium that stopped its development.
Bill Baran-Mickle and Dominique Cantwell were recipients of the Island Treasure Award, which goes to cultural icons on the island who have been long associated with the arts and humanities.
The annual Bainbridge mochi truki event, reportedly the largest of its kind in the country and now in its 34th year, returned to Woodward Middle School. The gathering began as a small informal New Year’s celebration at the former Bainbridge Cleaners in Winslow. For more than 1,000 years making and eating the sweet rice treat mochi has been celebrated in Japan.
Leslie Schneider was picked as mayor by her colleagues on the City Council.
Kitsap Transit selected a firm to give the Bike Barn at the ferry terminal in Winslow a makeover that would include, lockers, benches, bike racks, canopies, safety improvements and upgrades for disabled users.
Bainbridge High School looked into moving the Spartans to the Olympic League. Instructional time, travel and level of competition were major factors. Switching from the Metro League had been tried before but was unpopular with athletes and parents.
Gov. Jay Inslee made a surprise appearance at a forum at the library on climate change. The overall theme is action is needed now, not later.
Kay Sakai Nokao was given a proclamation from Gov. Jay Inslee at her 100th birthday celebration. The event also marked the 0ther anniversary of the naming of Sakai Intermediate School.
The Lesser Known Players put on their first musical, called “Next to Normal.” The play was the last musical to win a Pulitzer before “Hamilton” in 2016.
Snowfall led to a three-day closure for district schools. Many businesses also closed. Hundreds of islanders endured power outages caused by trees and branches falling on power lines.
Four BHS wrestlers placed in the top 10 at their own Invitational: Junior Garrett Swanson won at 106 pounds; sophomore Levi Field-Bennett was third at 126 pounds; senior Beck Gibson was third at 152 pounds; and freshman Wyatt Goade placed fifth at 182 pounds.
Planning director Heather Wright recommended approval of the Winslow Hotel, an 87-room proposal criticized by foes raising concerns about traffic, noice and compliance with city development plans. The city wanted the developer to build a public pavilion on the waterfront as part of the project.
Former congressman and island resident Don Bonkers was at Eagle Harbor Book Co. to discuss his new memoir, “A Higher Calling.” He said “moral leadership and decency” is needed in the next generation of political leaders.
Four of the five members of the city’s Ethics Board resigned, saying recent changes by the City Council “stifles citizen complaints and reduces the role of the Ethics Board to administrative gatekeeper.” After a record number of complaints the year before, instead of changing its ways, the council challenged the integrity of the Ethics Board and draft new rules, resigning members said.
For nearly eight hours hearing examiner Ted Hunter heard testimony regarding the proposed Winslow Hotel — both for and against. About 100 people packed the room and 18 pages of people wanted to testify.
February
Rick Chandler, longtime curator for the Historical Museum, retired. He had been involved with the museum since 1999 and planned to keep being involved in an unofficial capacity.
Former engineering manager Kenneth “Chris” Hammer said he was ousted rather than resigned and wanted a severance package twice what he was given by the city, which was three months of his base pay, or $31, 578. The city refused to talk about it, but Hammer said the city just wanted someone else in the job.
School district leaders decided BHS sports teams would remain in the Metro League.
Matthew Tirman resigned from the City Council.
The Modern Quilt Guild joined international efforts to aid fire victims in Australia.
The city asked state agencies to follow up on the Triangle Property permits. Neighbors of the mining site said the owner of the property was out of compliance with many of the issues set forth in the state permits.
Comedian Bridget Young returned to where she was raised to put on a show at the Treehouse Cafe called “Wild Orphan Baby.” She had a successful career in real estate but then burst onto the performing arts scene with her one-woman stand-up show “Realtor Lady.”
The BHS swim team won the Metro League for the sixth time. Jude Wenker won the 100 and 200 freestyle races; Kiernan Liberman won the diving; Wenker combined with Tyler Stewart, Harrison Villella and Ian Lipton took the 200-free relay; and Wenker, Lipton, Andrew Witty and Oskar Bannister won the 400 free relay.
Since Michael Pollock was elected to City Council, there was an opening on the parks board. Seventeen people showed interest in replacing him.
The historic parsonage that sat next to Port Madison Lutheran Church for at least 100 years was moved to a new location.
Katherine Cooper and Mariko Ronan qualified for state in gymnastics. Cooper would compete in uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise and vault. Ronan would join her in bars and beam.
Bainbridge Island was ranked the fifth-safest city in the state by Alarms.org. Oak Harbor was No. 1.
Construction of the new 100 Building at BHS was delayed up to 50 days. Reasons given were: wet and snowy weather; abandoned water lines with pipes containing asbestos; contaminated soil; and Silica insulation.
Police investigated an alleged case of animal cruelty after discovering the remains of three deceased animals, thought to be goats, on her property. The animals were mummied, the police report said.
The BHS swim team placed second at state. Jude Wenker broke a meet record in winning the 200 free in 1 minute, 38.11 seconds. He also won the 100 free and was on the Spartan team that won the 200 free relay. And Kaycee Taylor was named state Coach of the Year. In an upset, two-time defending state champion diver Kiernan Liberman placed second.
March
The Kitsap Public Health District prepared for a possible outbreak of COVID-19 in the county after 10 people died of the coronavirus statewide the previous week. Gov. Jay Inslee recommended against people meeting in large groups. Local schools were telling students to stay home if sick and parents were being told they could keep their kids home if they had any concerns. Good hygiene was encouraged and schools were preparing for possible closure. Bainbridge stores were running out of hand sanitizer and related products, and the library system prepared for changes due to the coronavirus.
Databases at the BI parks district were destroyed by an internet hacker, so officials had to write hand-written checks to employees and vendors. And, they couldn’t connect to the district servers.
Hearing examiner Ted Hunter OK’d the controversial 87-room hotel in downtown Winslow. Traffic, parking and noise were concerns of those who opposed it.
Rabbi Dario Feiguin took over at Kol Shalom, a Reform Jewish congregation in North Kitsap County.
Jeff Hale resigned as principal at Woodward Middle School. No reason was given.
The city started looking at a new proposal for the Triangle Property, a composting facility from Aveterra Corp.
The March Art Walk was planned.
COVID-19 officially arrived on the island, as two residents tested positive. Large community events were called off, schools were closed and tourism was nil. Member Plus Family Health started outdoor COVID testing. Bainbridge Performing Arts worked remotely and canceled classes.
The BHA track team was preparing for its season, with a number of state returners on a squad of around 80. Girls lacrosse was delayed until mid-April due to the coronavirus.
Another case of COVID-19 was confirmed on the island. The state was asking people to stay home to help stop the spread of the virus. Many businesses were shut down by Gov. Jay Inslee, and he asked seniors to self-isolate. The school district was having issues setting up online learning. Businesses started complaining about how lockdowns were hurting them financially. Even though the lobby was shut down, McDonald’s drive-thru was doing well as it was the only one on the island. Some businesses were starting up curbside service.
The hearing examiner rejected ethics complaint filed by former councilman Ron Peltier made against four ex-members of the city’s ethics board.
Joe Clark, deputy chief at the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia, was named the new police chief in BI. He has 34 years experience, 31 in Norfolk.
“Just stay home” was the order coming from Gov. Jay Inslee as COVID-19 cases rose. Stay 6 feet away, even outdoors. Weddings and funerals were canceled. Any business not essential to people’s basic needs were closed. Restaurants could serve take-0ut or deliver meals. Businesses like Bainbridge Organic Distillers were donating things like alcohol to make hand sanitizer. Plastic bags were used again in grocery stores, which didn’t want people to any longer bring in their cloth bags from home.
The City Council again extended its building ban for another six months, after it already had been in effect for two years as various growth plans were made.
April
The community starts to become frustrated by COVID restrictions, but it also comes together. Churches are having worship online. Schools are making progress with online learning. Ferries cuts back its schedule. Gov. Jay Inslee threatens tougher “stay home” enforcement. The City Council had a heavy debate about reducing meetings but decided to stay the course.
BI hoped to have a lawsuit dismissed against it filed by the wife of previous city manager. Lisa Schulze claimed the city withheld public records.
Susie Burdick resigned after seven years as executive director at the Kid’s Discovery Museum.
The first Kitsap County residents died of COVID-19. Eleven on BI had it. Parks were closed after word got out that some large groups had been gathering. The City Council began meeting by Zoom. Senior shopping hours were set up at Town & Country. Spring sports were canceled at the high school level. Gov. Jay Inslee said students would not be returning to school anytime soon. The Bainbridge arts community was turning to online services.
Officer Kurt Enget was the first Bainbridge Island person to die from COVID-19. He was the K-9 officer with dog Whitney. Flowers, flags, ribbons, cards, notes, balloons and even chocalate bars were left at the police department as an impromtu memorial. Enget, 49, worked for Suquamish police for a decade before coming to BIPD in 2015. Tributes came in from all over honoring him.
The number of COVID cases actually started to fall in Kitsap County and elsewhere. Hammy’s Burgers gave out free meals to first responders and frontline medical workers. Bainbridge Performing Arts was asking for submissions of poems or songs for an upcoming event called, “The COVID Monologues.” Jobless claims had been and continue to rise. Puget Sound Energy was helping people hurt by the coronavirus.
Winslow residents decided to sue the city over the Winslow Hotel project. They said the hearing examiner was wrong to OK it.
The city had a number of residents apply to replace Matthew Tirman, including the eventual winner Christy Carr.
COVID-19 claimed its second life in Kitsap County, while students in BI schools sent messages of support to nurses. The Bainbridge Island Historical Museum asked the community for help in obtaining items related to COVID that would be historical in the future. Businesses were getting antsy to get back to work, but Gov. Jay Inslee continued to express caution to reduce the numbers. The BISD was providing Grab and Go meals for students. While closed, the BI senior center was turning to online YouTube videos for exercise classes. Nonprofits were starting to express their concerns about how they would survive the lockdown.
Sebastian Ziz took over at Woodward Middle School as principal.
May
Washington state marked the 100th day of the pandemic, dating back to the very first case, a 35-year-old Snohomish County man who had just returned from Wuhan, China.
Bainbridge had just 11 positive cases as testing was limited early on in Kitsap. Restrictions on outdoor recreation began to loosen with warmer weather.
The council explored turning some streets into “play streets” for walkers and bikers needing more space due to the pandemic. The proposal, from Squeaky Wheels and Bainbridge Greenways, also recommended cracking down on roadside parking. Streets that were considered included Grow Ave., Pleasant Beach Drive, Point White Road, and roads near Manitou Beach, Battle Point Park and Miller Road near the Grand Forest.
At the close of a five-hour meeting, Christy Carr was selected as the next Bainbridge Island City Council member, filling the seat vacated Matthew Tirman, who resigned in February.
Gov. Inslee’s stay at home order was extended through May 31 as his office unveiled the four-phased reopening to be done on a county-by-county basis. Counties began applying to move into Phase 2 soon after the announcing — 18 less affected counties had done so by May 18 — but Kitsap put the brakes on after an employee at a long-term care facility tested positive for COVID-19.
A huge dead gray whale washed up on the shore of Manitou Beach, drawing a large crowd. Representatives from the state’s Fish and Wildlife Department were dispatched to conduct a limited necropsy before it was removed.
The Bainbridge Island Classic Car Cruise-In, a popular summertime gathering, was able to hold a 2020 edition, albeit under different circumstances. 70 cars from various eras took part in a mobile edition of event, hitting several spots around the island.
June
Like many other cities and towns around the country, Bainbridge Island participated in protests in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd died May 25 after a Minneapolis Police Department officer knelt on him for more than eight minutes as he laid prone and handcuffed on a city street.
The City Council considered a mask mandate for the island in order to take the pressure of enforcement off individual businesses and facilities. Though some members had reservations, the council ultimately voted for the city attorney to draft an ordinance. The state ultimately issued a public health order mandating masks later in the month.
Bainbridge High School held a different sort of graduation ceremony as students lined up in their cars near the Bainbridge Aquatic Center and drove in shifts to the front of the school’s dropoff area and exited the vehicle in their cap and gown to receive their diplomas.
Drew Crandall took over as the principal for Sakai Intermediate School. He had previously served as principal of Poulsbo Elementary and an assistant principal at Kingston High School. Jim Corsetti, the prior Sakai principal, took over as the Bainbridge Island School District’s athletic director.
The BISD Board of Directors began discussions involving the replacement of two expiring school levies — the Education Programs & Operations levy, and the technology levy. Both run through 2021.
The Bainbridge Dance Center took its annual group performance online in a three-night event that featured dancers age 3 to 18 in a combo of ballet, modern and jazz dancing.
July
The City Council got into another tangle to start the month over a planning commission appointment. Sarah Blossom was eventually appointed, but it came after a 4-3 vote and a contentious council meeting in which accusations of racism and bullying were flung around. Some council members preferred to use the opportunity to appoint Ashley Matthews, who had not applied for the position but would bring diversity to the commission as a non-white member; but it was seen by some councilmembers as a means to block Blossom.
The attempt to circumvent the established appointment process for the position drew a sharp rebuke from the Race Equity Task Force.
Later in July, the council and new BIPD Chief Joe Clark discussed the department’s use of force policies, and the chief fielded questions from the community in light of the nation’s recent police-involved shootings.
Kitsap began to see a rise in COVID-19 cases after a slow start to the summer. The county was able to move to Phase 2, but its application to move to Phase 3 was put on pause as case counts increases. Ultimately all counties were put on pause as the pandemic worsened.
The governor’s office required businesses to turn away and not serve goods to any person who was not wearing a face covering, barring a legitimate medical reason.
State health officials urged residents to limit interstate travel, especially as disease activity skyrocketed in the Yakima and Tri-Cities areas. The Department of Health asked folks to stay close to home despite the sunny weather.
BISD began preparation for the school year by offering two learning options — all remote or a hybrid model that allowed students to attend in-person part time. At the end of July, the district, along with the rest of Kitsap County, opted against offering any in-person learning.
Island man Steve Rhoades spent his 67th birthday tackling a daunting endurance test — he circumnavigated Bainbridge Island on a paddleboard and then proceeded to hop on a bicycle and ride the Chilly Hilly Loop. It was a total of 63 miles, done in one day. He also helped raise awareness for the Navajo Nation Code Talkers.
After Washington high school athletes lost their spring season, the WIAA announced that fall sports would be moved to next spring as the pandemic showed no signs of abating.
August
Island businesses were feeling the effects of a summer without tourism. Bainbridge is a hotspot for visitors around the world seeking a ferry ride and a day-trip away from Seattle, and with a limit on travel, business owners around Kitsap were encouraging each community to visit others in addition to supporting their own local businesses.
The Traveler store in Winslow closed as the two proprietors, Barbara Tolliver and Susan Taylor, retired after 25 years in business on the island. Although they had already been considering retirement as they entered the final year of a five-year lease, COVID-19 clinched it.
Arms Around Bainbridge forged on with its annual swim relay as 30 swimmers signed up to help complete the relay and raise money for the nonprofit organization.
Speaking of physical feats, Bainbridge High School graduate Greg Nance completed a 53-mile run around the island shoreline in one tidal cycle. The journey is part of a “proof of concept” he will pitch to Netflix that will hopefully end up as a documentary about the country’s mental health epidemic. Nance has taken inspiration from his own life that, while idyllic on the surface, was fraught with substance abuse during his high school and college years. His ultimate goal, as part of that documentary, is to run 3,000 miles from New York to Seattle.
A current BHS student, AJ JensenLopez, won a national championship in accounting as part of the BHS Future Business Leaders of America team.
A lawsuit filed against the city in Kitsap County Superior Court was dismissed. Residents David Dunn and Brian Wilkinson filed the suit in response to Councilmember Rasham Nassar’s inability to produce text messages in 2018 from her personal cell phone, which she sometimes used for city business, that had been accidentally destroyed.
September
As virtual learning began in the Bainbridge Island School District due to COVID-19 restrictions, parents and teachers shared their plans and concerns for the undaunted school year. For parents, concerns ranged from balancing work and parenting to making sure their kids have a suitable learning environment and stay engaged from home. For teachers, concerns ranged from how to effectively teach the curriculum remotely to figuring out how to keep their students fully engaged over a computer screen. Other teachers found new and innovative ways to conduct virtual learning that they wouldn’t have discovered without being forced to.
While public schools were all conducting virtual learning to start the year, many private schools on the island were offering in-person learning due to their typically smaller class sizes that reduce the risk of virus transmission and can better control the potential spread of the virus.
Bringing back in-person learning at BISD was delayed from October to November in a cautious approach for allowing time to pass for any holiday case spikes from Labor Day.
Restaurants and hotels were hanging on through the summer months of the COVID pandemic as statewide restrictions forced business owners to get creative and find ways to sustain their business while keeping the public safe from the virus. The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art opened back up with COVID restrictions in place.
A group of five Bainbridge High School girls – who are all victims of sexual assault – started a group called “Let’s talk about sexual assault,” and held a rally with about 30 attendees near the Winslow waterfront. The group’s three objectives are support, education and outreach. They offer group, one-on-one, and small group peer support through Bainbridge Youth Services.
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei announced he would be building his dream home in Blakely Harbor in an effort to escape city life and to focus on his artwork when he is not conducting his day job. Frei hopes to move into his new home by the end of summer next year.
The Bainbridge Island Land Trust announced its acquisition of the 35-acre Rockaway Bluff Preserve, located high above Rockaway Beach and between Blakely and Eagle harbors that will allow quiet pursuits of nature.
Kazuko (Kay) Sakai Nakao, the “Mother spirit” of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, passed away at the age of 100. Nakao was one of the Japanese Americans on Bainbridge Island who was sent to an internment camp during World War II. In her later years, Nakao was fully immersed in the community through her involvement in local events and public speaking to the youth. She was the oldest survivor of the Bainbridge Islanders sent to concentration camps.
A 26-year-old Bainbridge Island man, Jake D. Robinson, fell to his death on a glacier near Darrington.
In early September, Kitsap County surpassed 1,000 total COVID cases. By the end of September, 13 COVID related deaths were confirmed in the county.
October
Newly hired police chief Joe Clark held a virtual town hall with community members to address highly debated topics such as racial bias, use of force and police culture. This was one of the first opportunities Clark had to engage with the public given the COVID-19 pandemic and his recent hiring.
Eagle Harbor Book Co. celebrated over 50 years of service on Winslow Way. The store has been a fixture in the community, offering a wide selection of readings, including many from local authors.
Construction of the Exclusion Departure Deck at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial began at the place where Japanese Americans were gathered during World War II to be taken to internment camps. The addition is a memorial to the first forced removal and exclusion of 120,000 Japanese Americans during the war.
The Bainbridge Island School District decided once again to delay in-person learning after a spike in COVID cases in the county. By the end of October, the district announced it wouldn’t be conducting in-person learning until January of 2021, citing more spikes.
City Council approved a COVID-19 testing site to be set up near City Hall, citing the difficulty in getting tested if someone is asymptomatic.
Many of the traditional Halloween events on the island were modified for COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in virtual shows and performances.
Island resident Richard Ragan and the World Food Programme were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the organization’s efforts in food assistance across the globe, especially in a year heavily impacted by the pandemic.
Councilmember and former Bainbridge Mayor Kol Medina resigned from his position to lead a nonprofit in Walla Walla.
By the end of month, Kitsap County had confirmed 22 total COVID-related deaths since March, nine of which came in October.
November
The COVID-19 testing site near City Hall opened up in early November, in an effort to support public health goals and the reopening of schools and businesses. City Council approved up to $50,000 for six months of testing, which includes the cost of personal protective equipment, testing materials, information technology and other supplies.
In Kitsap County, commissioners Robert Gelder and Charlotte Garrido were re-elected
Island resident and World War II veteran Luke E. Morgan Sr. celebrated his 95th birthday and talked about his life experiences.
Islander and emerging bluegrass musician Wes Corbett talked about his journey in anticipation of his fist solo record “Cascade,” which was released Dec. 4.
Independent shop EV Works is converting classic muscle cars into electric vehicles to make them more sustainable.
While local businesses continued searching for ways to stay operational during the pandemic, gift shop Dana’s Showhouse opened a second store across the street in Winslow, The Holiday’s by Dana, in order to increase its occupancy and provide folks with a second space to get holiday items.
Bainbridge Performing Arts proposed to the Design Review Board a 5,000 square foot, two-story addition to its current building to provide more space for its productions and other types of community functions.
In mid-November, Gov. Inslee announced stricter COVID-19 guidelines in the state, forcing local businesses to scramble in order to stay alive. The current restrictions are in place through Jan. 4.
A long-anticipated milestone was reached by the City Council when it passed the historic Climate Action Plan, culminating roughly three years of work by the city’s Climate Change Advisory Committee. The CAP includes strategies to move the city toward mitigation, adaption and community engagement.
BISD Superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen provided a tentative timeline to start in-person learning the week of Jan. 25, starting with grades K-6. Higher grade levels would be brought in over the following weeks. His reasoning was to give additional time for any COVID spikes from the holidays and to better align with the district’s curriculum schedule. The need for substitute staffing was also addressed.
Thanksgiving events, like the 11th annual Turkey Trot, had to be held virtually due to the pandemic. Participants could run or walk wherever they chose and the event was open through the weekend. The event supports Helpline House.
By the end of November, Kitsap County had confirmed 2,476 cases of COVID-19 with 27 virus-related deaths. The county’s positive case rate per 1,000 residents was rapidly rising to 163.9, meaning a “high level” of COVID-19 activity, per state guidelines. Based on contact tracing work, the district believes the spread among families and households was a key driver of recent case increases.
December
Brenda Fantroy-Johnson was appointed to the North Ward City Council seat following the departure of Kol Medina, making her the first African-American City Council member in the city’s history. She was appointed after Jane Lindley withdrew her application, as they were the final two candidates. Fantroy-Johnson is co-chair of the city’s Race Equity Task Force and is a risk management manager for AT&T in Bothell. The monumental decision was overshadowed by attacks against Councilmember Michael Pollock about information he sent to Kitsap County commissioners, a state leader, and others; inferring that one of the reasons three councilmembers voted for Lindley was because of race.
A couple of local milestones occurred as Jane Pomery celebrated 50 years of owning the Berry Patch Kitchen Store, while Greg and Diane Bonciolini of Mesolini Glass Studios held their 40th Winter Show.
Thanks to the Rotary Club, the Bainbridge Island Online General Store launched, serving as a central hub for local businesses, many of which have been struggling financially through the pandemic.
Ashley Matthews was appointed to the Planning Commission out of roughly 20 applicants. Morgan Smith served her last day as city manager, concluding 10 years of service to the city.
City Council approved the budget, planning to spend $54.542 million in 2021 and $45.5 million in 2022.
The WIAA delayed the start of the winter sports season to Feb. 1 due to COVID-19.
The Bainbridge Island Fire Department continued its tradition of the Holiday Music Truck Tour, although modified due to COVID restrictions.
A number of skateboarders are working with the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park District to put a cover over the skatepark on Strawberry Hill.
The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines Pfizer/BioNTech reached Washington with the first round of vaccines going to health care workers in high-risk situations, such as those who care for patients with COVID-19, along with the residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
Woodward Middle School held a toy drive, receiving over 150 items that will go toward toddlers and teens in need.
Businesses in downtown Winslow began displaying their holiday decorations in anticipation of Christmas.
Bainbridge High School athletes began working out in hopes of participating in shortened seasons in 2021.
Rick Hartman, also known Toy Guy or Mr. Toymaker, gave a virtual presentation to some 300 students from Captain Charles Wilkes Elementary School.
Through a move that will merge wholesale with retail, Pegasus Coffee Co. will retake ownership of the flagship brick and mortar Pegasus Coffee House, reuniting the brand with the community staple after over 20 years of operating independently.
