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October 2023
Hello Central Kitsap!
Fall is such a beautiful time of year in Kitsap! While we enjoy the fall colors, the change of season also brings the important work to fine tune our revenue and expense projections for next year and adopt the 2024 Budget. The budget is scheduled to be adopted during a public hearing on Monday, December 4 at 5:30 PM. More information on the budget process can be found here.
I look forward to being out into the community to set my priorities for the year ahead and have a chance to engage with community members.
Best, Katie
Youth voices can make a difference!
Are you age 12-20 with a passion for solving community issues and interested in talking directly to local elected officials?
The Kitsap County Commission on Children & Youth and Kitsap Public Health District are co-hosting the 2nd annual Kitsap Youth Forum.
Join me!
The forum takes place 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 17 in the North Dicks Government Center, 345 6th St., Bremerton. Please register in advance at this link - the event is free and open to everyone!
Youth will have the opportunity to ask local elected officials questions as well as answer their questions, too! If you’re a teen and would like to submit a question to be read at the forum, please email YouthForum@KitsapPublicHealth.org.
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Kitsap County departments are working hard to meet the growing needs of our community while increasing transparency and efficiency. I wanted to highlight a few departments that provide important information, resources, and support.
Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management (KCDEM)
October 19 is International ShakeOut Day.
Learn about earthquake safety here and register for the Great Washington ShakeOut here.
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Always be Notified!
KCDEM encourages everyone who lives or works in Kitsap County to sign up for KitsapALERT and be notified via text, email and/or phone call when an incident happens in proximity to your home or work address. The notification will provide basic information about the incident and required actions to protect life and property. be sure to sign up for KCDEM's new platform, which was put in place January 1, 2023. For privacy reasons, KCDEM was unable to transfer subscriber information from the previous platform to the new one.
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KPHD provides insights into local health trends
You are invited to attend one of four open houses this month to learn about Kitsap County health data and share input on health topics that are most important to you.
Open house participants can view data posters, talk to Kitsap Public Health District employees, and provide feedback. An online option is also available.
Kitsap Public Health District is currently compiling a Community Health Assessment that explores trends and issues affecting the health of Kitsap County residents. Comments gathered through the data open houses will help set priorities for a Kitsap Community Health Improvement Plan, which will guide local efforts to address health issues. Learn more about the health assessment and improvement plan process.
You can view the various dates and locations here.
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SMMC to provide an update on hospital improvements
At the start of the month, Community leaders and Virgina Mason Franciscan Health CEO celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the new patient tower at St. Michael Medical Center (SMMC).
Community members are encouraged to attend the November 1 Central Kitsap Community Council meeting to hear more from SMMC President, Chad Milton. See details in the Monthly Meetings section below, or on the CKCC webpage.
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Help Paint Old Town Yellow!
Join your neighbors in Old Town Silverdale on Saturday October 21 for a morning of planting and building community. You and your families are invited to participate in the planting of dozens of daffodil bulbs in in Silverdale's Historic District. Help to bring a burst of color to Old Town in 2024.
Registration starts at 8:30am and Kettlefish is offering FREE chowder to all participants.
There is more information on social media Facebook page: Old Town Silverdale Historic District.
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Spooky Fun for Families
Visit the Kitsap History Museum every second Saturday of the month from noon - 4pm for kids activities suited for grade school age.
The Kitsap History Museum and Valentinetti Puppet Museum share the former office of Seattle First National Bank in downtown Bremerton. Tour two unique museums with complimentary missions while visiting our historic 1950s art deco building.
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More Haunted Fun in North Kitsap
Hiding in a mist-wrapped trail at the S’Klallam-owned Heronswood Garden in Kingston, you’ll find the black-tailed deer who stole fire for the people, hungry KeKaiax calling a stream of salmon to him, and the grasping claws of Slapu, the wild-haired woman who eats children who stay out after dark. These handcrafted figures honoring S’Klallam tribal stories only come out in October, as part of the “Haunted Heronswood” experience the garden puts on during the Halloween season.
Take the kids on a spooky tour filled with surprises, and every week for six weeks leading up to the event, a new papier-mâché magical figure sprouts on the garden’s paths, each honoring a different S’Klallam story. The event will take place on Oct. 20-21, and you can read more about the annual festival of fright here.
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Monthly Meetings and Events
- Voters will begin receiving General Election ballots this week and will have a chance to elect candidates in cities, school districts, fire districts, port districts, utility districts and park districts. The county will have 26 drop boxes open for the election, and Kitsap County Elections recommends using ballot drop boxes to return ballots. Ballots must be returned to one of the county’s drop boxes by 8 p.m. on November 7, or postmarked by that day. Voters can also return ballots by mail without postage. Voters returning their ballots by mail should do so by October 31st, a week ahead of the election.
- If you are 50+ years young, the Silverdale Senior Center members invite you to join them at their monthly meeting. The group meets from 1 to 3 pm on the last Friday of the month. Due to the holidays, meetings in November and December meetings will be held on Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. Meetings are held in the Community Room at the Kitsap Mall, located next to the entrance of Dick's Sporting Goods store. The annual Art/Craft Sale will be held on October 21 from 10 am - 3 pm at Keller Williams West Sound Building across from the YMCA in Silverdale.
- Join the Central Kitsap Community Council at their next meeting on Nov. 1 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue headquarters station. Chad Melton, President St. Michael Medical Center, will provide an update on hospital operations. We will also have Jarrod Moran from Kitsap County's Homeless Encampment Action Response and Transitions (HEART) program provide an update on their activities and impact. For more information on the Council, including meeting dates, agendas, and membership, visit the CKCC webpage.
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Connect with the County
The Commissioners' Office public service counter is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions or appointments, please email kitsapcommissioners@kitsap.gov or call 360.337.7080.
For County service or questions email help@kitsap1.com or call 360.337.5777.
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