Cops bugged by army of ants

The City Council last week approved the use of pesticides at the Bainbridge Police Department headquarters to combat an ant infestation.

“They’re everywhere,” said police Chief Matt Haney. “They bite me on the neck when I’m working at my computer. They’re just unpleasant for everyone.”

The city public works department has been unsuccessful in ridding the police building of ants after several months of using citrus-based “natural” pesticides.

“I used an orange-based spray,” Haney said. “That would kill the ones I sprayed, but not the hundreds coming behind them.”

Commonly identified as “sugar ants,” the sesame seed-sized insects were drawn to food and often bit staff, according to Haney. Hundreds of the black-colored ants are visible in some of the building’s rooms, with particularly large infestations in the offices of Haney and the administrative secretary.

“As the chief and the administrative secretary work, the ants crawl on their arms, legs, faces, computer keyboards and all desk areas,” according to city documents.

Haney’s desk became a veritable ant graveyard one afternoon when he squashed over 100 ants that ventured near him over a span of a couple hours.

Ants are also present in the records area, the squad room and department offices where staff and officers prepare reports.

Haney said his staff was relieved to hear the council approved the use of stronger pesticides in the building.

– Tristan Baurick

Weekend ferry delays likely

Ferry travelers should expect delays over Labor Day weekend, especially during westbound runs from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, according to Washington State Ferries staff.

“For Washington State Ferries, the Labor Day holiday weekend tends to be an anti-climatic conclusion to a busy season, but this year’s weather situation may change that,” said WSF spokeswoman Susan Harris-Huether. “Warm weather encourages travel as parents and children celebrate the last long weekend before school starts.”

Return ferry traffic will be heaviest Sunday afternoon and Monday morning as people return home early to prepare children for school, Harris-Huether said.

The Bainbridge-to-Seattle route will run on its holiday schedule during Labor Day.

Other routes, including Kingston-Edmonds and Bremerton-Seattle, will run on regular weekday schedules.

Waits and advance arrival recommendations vary by route. Travelers needing specific information can call WSF’s information line at 1-888-808-7977 or check the Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.

Be a friend to those in need

The Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers outreach service is calling on islanders to give the gift of time to those who need help.

“We’re really needing volunteers,” said Karen Carson, program director. “As little as an hour a month is fine. Some want a steady thing.”

Volunteers may help in a variety of ways, from providing transportation to treatment appointments for cancer patients to delivering groceries to providing companionship for shut-ins. No medical services are rendered.

The work volunteers do helps the quality of life for the care receivers, whose numbers are growing.

“This month alone we’ve had 10 new receivers and two new volunteers,” Carson said.

Training sessions are offered, but not mandatory. To volunteer call 842-4441.

– Rhona Schwartz

City to hold dock meeting

The city will hold a community meeting Thursday to report on comments received during recent “legislative scoping” on the Blakely Harbor Dock Shoreline Amendment.

This amendment will address the policies and regulations related to docks within Blakely Harbor. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 in the council chambers.

More than 40 people attended a public meeting earlier this month to discuss the scope of the dock amendment. Written comments were also solicited from the public, agencies and tribes.

The proposed change in dock regulation on Blakely Harbor come as part of a proposed legal settlement between the city and various south-end property owners. The changes – which include allowing construction of more joint-use docks shared by Blakely Harbor shoreline owners than are currently allowed – would resolve a lawsuit filed against the city after a moratorium was placed on dock construction several years ago.

Through the scoping process, the city sought information useful for analyzing the regulatory changes proposed in the settlement agreement approved by the City Council in June 2006, as well as identifying and analyzing alternatives to the settlement agreement, mitigation measures, and probable significant adverse impacts.

The city identified areas for consideration and comment that included, but were not limited to:

• Number and type of docks

• Recreational uses and public access

• Dock locations and lengths

• Views, aesthetics and navigation

• Environmental impacts

• Environmental restoration and enhancement.

City staff have summarized the comments received and are identifying policy alternatives, which will be presented at Thursday’s meeting. A similar presentation will be made to the City Council on Sept. 6.

Staff will analyze the proposed policy alternatives over the coming weeks. The results of this analysis will be presented for further public and council consideration over the next few months.

The summary of comments and other relevant information are posted on the city’s project page, which is “quick linked” at www.ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us.