Winslow waterfront trail to get a new name

Bainbridge Island city staff is drawing up a resolution to name a path in downtown Winslow the Charles Schmid Waterfront Trail.

Schmid helped establish the trail and also was awarded the 2020 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for Environmentalism.

Schmid’s son, Andy, at a recent City Council meeting, said Eagle Harbor was always special to his dad, as he had an office in Winslow for a time. He would also row out in the harbor to be with the otters and herons. His son said for decades his dad worked to preserve public access to the natural environment.

Councilmember Clarence Moriwaki recalled when Schmid was fighting to put the creosote plant on the south end of the harbor on the Superfund cleanup list, he came out of a meeting to find the tires slashed on his vehicle.

Also, when Moriwaki flew to Washington, D.C., twice to discuss the Japanese American memorial on BI with national leaders, Schmid donated his frequent-flyer miles to the councilmember.

The request for naming the trail came from the Bainbridge Island Metro Parks & Recreation District.

Also at the meeting, city manager Blair King’s report included statistics from BI police chief Joe Clark for July, which included more positive impressions of police after contact; crimes against property up from 166 last year to 346 so far this year; and while there were no juvenile arrests last year, there have been 13 this year, including eight in July.

The council also talked about city code regarding disposable food service ware and waste reduction. Autumn Salamack, city climate mitigation and adaptation officer, gave a presentation on 2023 regulations that require a 25-cent fee for disposable cups, reusable food service ware for on-site dining, and home compostable food service ware.

For lodging, personal care products for one-time use, such as shampoo, would be banned.

King said a one-year waiver can be requested, adding the BI school district is likely to request one because it can’t find alternative products readily available. Next steps include education and outreach materials.

Finally, the council approved spending $1,000 for promotions, advertising, film and speakers associated with Community Reads events.

The idea came out of this year’s Juneteenth event. A grassroots group wants to choose a book every year for the community to read to raise awareness and spur action about injustice. The book “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You,” has been selected and will be taught to Woodward Middle School eighth-graders.