Midthun to lead BYS

Lori Mitchell Midthun is preparing to replace retiring director Lois Lee as Executive Director of Bainbridge Youth Services.

Midthun, 32, has worked with youth for over a decade, most recently spending six years as Education Director of the Bainbridge-based Salish Sea Expeditions. She holds undergraduate degrees in psychology and religion from Luther College of Decorah, Iowa, and a master’s degree in education from Antioch University in Seattle.

Midthun said she was attracted to BYS because it addresses the “well-being” of students.

“We’re not just thinking about their grades, about their resumes, or about traditional ideas of success – BYS focuses on the well-being of students, which is important when considering the whole person and his or her ability to be successful,” she said.

With over 45 years of history on the island, the non-profit BYS is dedicated to promoting the social and emotional well being of the youth of Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County through no-cost counseling, job services, health and drug education, and other services.

Midthun will start in her new role on August 1.

Candidates to debate issues

Bainbridge City Council candidates will for the first time square off publicly at a primary candidate’s forum to be held Tuesday evening.

The forum, hosted by the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center, is at 7 p.m. July 24 at the Commons (370 Brien Drive).

In all, four council seats are up for election this November.

Candidates CarolAnn Barrows, Lauren Sato Ellis, John Waldo and incumbent Bill Knobloch, all of whom are vying for the Central Ward seat, will be on hand at the forum, as will South Ward candidates Robert Dashiell, Kim Brackett and Curtis Winston.

Because the forum will only feature primary candidates, some council candidates – Vineyard Lane resident Barry Peters, who is running unopposed for the At-Large council seat, and Hilary Franz and Matt van Winkle, who are vying for the North Ward seat – won’t participate.

A moderator will ask the candidates questions in a timed format. Audience members also will be given time to ask the candidates questions.

The forum ends at 9 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. For more information, please contact the Chamber at 842-3700.

Park open to design input

The Pritchard Park Design Advisory Committee will host several upcoming sessions to solicit public opinion on the park’s new conceptual plan.

A public open house will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. July 25 at the City Hall Commons followed by a public meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. The committee will invite further comment at a public meeting held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 30, also at City Hall.

Finally, community members can join the Design Advisory Committee for a walk in the park from 1 to 3 p.m. August 5. The meeting place is the Nikkei WWII Internment and Exclusion Memorial at Pritchard Park.

For more information, see www.biparks.org.