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In life, the road often takes us on many paths. Throughout
our experiences, we rarely have an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been
but more importantly, the present moment and where we’re heading in the
future. When I came across this old
photo of me in my 20s, it caused me to contemplate on the aspirations I had
back then and those I have now, especially for Kitsap County.
During my three years in office, the change in Central
Kitsap, and in particular Silverdale, is apparent. Once known for eggs and
chicken farms, Silverdale is now the retail and medical center of the Kitsap
Peninsula. This economic engine, a major contributor to the $1 billion in 2016 sales
revenue generated in unincorporated areas of the county, supports community
improvements but also regional law and justice services. Public-private partnerships
are needed to ensure our economic prosperity for years to come, and will
require balance, regulatory reforms and a willingness to work together across
party lines.
In this issue of my newsletter, I’ll share a few
updates on road improvements, planning for a new Silverdale sheriff’s office
precinct and shed light on some of the great people in our community. If you
have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to email me at ewolfe@co.kitsap.wa.us .
 Central Kitsap
School construction is
well underway at multiple sites around Central Kitsap. I attended the
groundbreaking ceremony for the new Central Kitsap High School and Middle
School campus in September with over 2,000 students, school district officials
and community leaders. Kids are our future. I believe investing in much needed
educational facilities will strengthen their contributions in the future.
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New Microsoft Office
Microsoft recognizes the value of the investment that’s
gone into Central Kitsap. It was
recently reported that a small satellite office will open in the Creekside
Office Park on Levin Road in Silverdale – possibly the first in the state to be
located outside of the Redmond headquarters. This will be more than an office
of a global tech giant. It is a symbol that companies from outside the county
are recognizing that balancing the quality of life with corporate growth is important.
Stay tuned for an update on this new office in my next newsletter.
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Silverdale Way Expansion
 Investments in much-needed road improvements continue in Silverdale with the start of an $11 million project on Silverdale Way. This has been in the planning stages for a long time and is finally breaking ground. Within a year, the roadway between NW Byron Street and Anderson Hill Road will be widened to two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane, five-foot-wide bike lanes, six-foot planting strips and eight-foot-wide sidewalks. I’m aware it’s been a difficult project for local businesses, residents and traffic near the construction zone. But I’m committed to continuing to meet with business owners and make sure our Public Works team and contractors minimize impacts to every extent possible. Please remember: all businesses are open and need community support during construction. We can all help keep traffic moving in the area by planning ahead and taking alternate routes. Sign up for weekly project updates here or go to http://kitsap.paladinpanoramic.com/project/2232/54723.
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 Silverdale Transportation Connections
The network of roads in Silverdale is
built on ideas from our past. What was appropriate and adequate for vehicle
traffic in the past needs to be updated and reconfigured for needs today and in
the future. Our Public Works team continues to evaluate strategies for a
better-connected Silverdale. Our goal is to make it safer, easier and more
efficient to traverse the downtown area not only for cars but also for
bicyclists, pedestrians and transit. A third public open house is scheduled for
6 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Jackson Boy Scout Hall, 9161 Washington Ave. NW,
Silverdale. We value your input and hope to see you there! Check the project
website for updates at http://bit.ly/silverdaletis.
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It’s my privilege as your Commissioner to continue working
closely with local law enforcement and fire departments – our first responders during
a crisis. I’m committed to doing what I can to make their lives easier, safer
and healthier. I’m proud to share details on some of their recent activities.
 Sheriff’s
Precinct Office
Until recently, Kitsap County hasn’t actively
planned nor strategized about law enforcement facilities. Our current
facilities were not designed for law enforcement activities and programs. With
over 80,000 calls for service each year – 48 percent of those generated in
Central Kitsap – planning for upgraded buildings is a priority. The Board of
County Commissioners and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office are collaborating
on a strategic assessment of the North and Central Kitsap Sheriff’s precinct
offices. After many months of study, we now have data on population growth
trends and facility needs. I fully support a new and relocated Central Kitsap precinct
office. But we will use your tax dollars wisely by exploring public-private partnerships
to reduce costs. We’ll keep you informed as planning
progresses.
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Water Safety
This summer was amazing and I often found myself, like so many other Kitsap residents, hitting the water to stay cool and soak up our beautiful scenery. After reading several reports about kayaker and boater rescues, all within a couple of weeks, I felt compelled to do a public service announcement about small watercraft safety on my Bremerton-Kitsap Access Television show, “Commissioners Corner.” Sheriff Gary Simpson, Deputy Sergeant Ken Dickinson and Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief John Oliver joined me to talk about how to stay safe when on the water. I enjoyed having the the opportunity to experience a water safety rescue first hand. I participated in a drill and fell out of my kayak into Dyes Inlet, which was a chilly 47.5 degrees, to be rescued by the Sheriff's Office Marine Unit (pictured). To view the episode, go to https://vimeo.com/224640733 .
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Sherriff’s
Office and Fire Demonstrations
 No one works harder than our first responders. The complex situations in the high-pressure environments they respond to is mind boggling. My respect and admiration of them has grown after I had the opportunity last month to participate in several events hosted by the local fire agencies and their unions. Emergency scenarios were created for training purposes and I had the privilege of participating. The demonstrations included K9 officers in action, a look at how mental health factors into responding, the use of force, and crime scene investigations. But that’s not all! During a Fire Ops 101 event in Bremerton at the Regional Fire Training Center, I was outfitted in a full protective suit and assisted in responding to a simulated residential house fire, search and rescue in a smoky apartment building, a vehicle extrication, cardiac arrest with CPR, and a rooftop ventilation exercise. I was impressed with the professionalism and integrity of our emergency responders, and the level of training necessary to do their jobs.
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This year at the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede, I
awarded my special Commissioner’s Ribbon to the Kitsap & Olympic Peninsula
Clothing & Textile Advisors, a nonprofit organization that engages people
to learn more about sewing, clothing and textiles. At the fair, their volunteers
helped kids make 1,500 stuffed animals to take home. It was heartwarming to see
the joy that filled them all and captured the community spirit of the fair. For
more information on this unique and creative organization, visit www.kop-cta.org/.
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