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November 2023 vol. 2
Hello Central Kitsap!
As we are a few days away from the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to express gratitude for the chance to serve our community in the role of County Commissioner. I was sworn into office at the start of the year, and I'm thankful to all of the County staff and community leaders who I have the pleasure to serve alongside.
In the past few weeks, I've been able to participate in several events that have celebrated the businesses, nonprofits and community leaders who are making a difference in Kitsap County. The Greater Kitsap Chamber's 2nd Annual Business Awards Gala was a huge success, as was the St. Vincent De Paul Star of Hope Gala to benefit the Birkenfeld-Stella Maris House in Bremerton. The Kitsap County Realtors Association hosted the Target Housing Summit, and I heard from a panel of community leaders working to make affordable housing available to our most vulnerable community members.
I was honored to be a part of the County's Veteran's Day celebration at the Fairgrounds. The County also participated in Operation Green Light, which recognizes and supports military veterans – and raises awareness about the challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available to assist them and their families.
Finally, towards the end of the month I attended the County Leaders Conference hosted by the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC). The event provided an opportunity to interact with over 300 elected/appointed officials and department heads from all of Washington’s 39 counties.
I am looking forward to time with my family, and I wish everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving celebration. May you also be sharing the holiday with friends and family.
Best, Katie
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2nd Annual Business Awards Gala
Kudos to the Greater Kitsap Chamber for an amazing event that honored the following 2023 award recipients.
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Washington State Ferries (WSF)
Be sure to plan ahead and be prepared for long vehicle lines and the possibility of last-minute schedule changes over holiday weekend.
Edmonds/Kingston route travelers should plan for reduced one-boat service due to limited vessel availability. To reduce or eliminate waiting, riders may consider taking an early morning or late-night sailing or by using transit to walk or bike onto the ferry if possible. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, there will be a few schedule changes on some routes. Holiday sailings are marked on the schedules for each route.
To avoid potential long waits when boarding a vessel in a vehicle, customers are encouraged to download and check WSDOT mobile app before heading to the terminal for service updates and real-time conditions.
As one-third of WSF vessels are currently sidelined, anyone traveling to or from the Kitsap peninsula for the holiday should also consider Kitsap Transit's foot ferry as an alternative when traveling over the Thanksgiving weekend.
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Kitsap County's Department of Community Development (DCD)
During the holiday season, it’s important to prioritize fire safety to ensure a joyful and safe celebration.
Here are a few holiday tips from the current DCD Newsletter:
1. Cooking Safety - Unattended cooking is a leading cause of home fires.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
- Keep flammable items, such as kitchen towels and oven mitts, away from heat sources.
- Turn pot and pan handles towards the back of the stove to avoid bumping and burns.
- Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby to cover the pan if it catches fire.
- Have a fire extinguisher available and know how to use it.
- For tips on how to (safely) deep-fry a turkey check out this article.
2. Decorative Lights – Electrical problems cause nearly 1/3 of Christmas tree fires.
- Use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory.
- Inspect your lights for frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections before use.
- Turn off holiday lights or place on a timer.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
3. Candles
- Keep candles on a stable surface and in sturdy holders.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
- Consider flameless candles as an alternative.
Subscribe to Community Development News for more helpful tips and information.
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Explore the new recycling search tool
Kitsap County launched a new Waste Wizard search tool to help you find more ways to donate and recycle items locally.
Environmental and economic benefits of recycling
- Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators.
- Conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals.
- Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials.
- Prevents pollution by reducing the need to mine raw materials.
- Saves energy.
Visit Kitsap County’s website Recycle.Kitsap.Gov and use the Waste Wizard to find out if a material can be reused, recycled or composted.
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Support for Homeowners
County Treasurers recently met with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission regarding their Homeowner Assistance Fund program which helps people who are behind on their mortgage or taxes catch up, so they do not go into foreclosure. Requests under 15k can be applied for without needing to speak to a housing counselor.
The Kitsap County Treasurer's office is looking to get this information out to anyone who is at least one month delinquent on either a mortgage or taxes.
To learn more about the Homeowner’s Assistance Fund visit: https://washingtonhaf.org/
To learn more about the Under 15k Application visit: https://wahafportal.org/
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Monthly Meetings and Events
- The 8th Annual Jingle Fest Holiday Craft & Gift Show takes place Nov 25 - Nov 26 at Kitsap County Fairgrounds, President's Hall. The 2023 show will feature a wonderful selection of exhibitors and crafters offering a wide array of gifts and personal items. Admission and Parking is FREE. Show your support for our local small businesses while supporting a wonderful organization. All funds raised through event sponsorship, community support, and vendor fees will help Meals on Wheels Kitsap meet the growing need for services to seniors in our community. To learn more about event details visit Meals on Wheels Kitsap.
- The Bremerton Yacht Club will be hosting its annual Lighted Boat Parade on Dec 15 - Dec 16 at 6:10 PM. Enjoy the beautiful sight of boats decorated with colorful lights and holiday decorations! Residents along the shoreline of Phinney Bay will see the lighted ships on both Friday and Saturday nights and can have messages from Santa delivered on both nights shortly after 6 pm. For details on the route each evening click here.
- Join the Central Kitsap Community Council at their next meeting on Wednesday, Dec 6 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue headquarters station. Representatives from the County will be presenting the County's 2024 budget, and the Council will be celebrating long serving members whose terms are ending. Visit the CKCC webpage for more information including meeting dates, agendas, and membership.
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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 services or questions, email help@kitsap1.com or call 360.337.5777.
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