 June 2025
Hello, Central Kitsap!
Summer is nearly here, and with it comes longer days, community events, and opportunities to connect.
I encourage you to dive into the stories, events, and opportunities that help shape the future of Central Kitsap. Thank you for staying engaged and for everything you do to support our vibrant community.
Warmly,
Katie
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Honoring Sacrifice and Preserving History: Memorial Day Ceremony and Restoration Efforts Shine at Holly Cemetery
On May 26, 2025, members of the Holly community gathered at the historic Holly Cemetery to observe Memorial Day and honor the U.S. service members who gave their lives in service to the country. The "Taps Across America" ceremony began at 3 p.m. with the poignant sound of "Taps" performed by John Landis of the Bangor Navy Band, followed by a moment of silent remembrance.
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The event also highlighted the significant restoration work underway at the cemetery, thanks to a grant from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. These improvements—spanning from erosion control to new interpretive signage—aim to preserve both the history and natural setting of the site.
Holly Cemetery is the final resting place for over 80 individuals, including early settlers and veterans. Over 40 volunteers contributed to recent restoration efforts, clearing grounds, restoring infrastructure, and enhancing the site's accessibility and historical signage. Special recognition was given to the Holly Cemetery Advisory Committee, local contractors, and dedicated community members whose efforts have revived and preserved this important landmark.
Stories of the cemetery's residents, gathered with help from local historians, will soon be available on the Holly Schoolhouse website. The Holly Community Club invites everyone to continue supporting and volunteering to maintain the beauty and historical significance of the cemetery.
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Silverdale Cemetery Added to Washington Heritage Register
Silverdale Cemetery has been officially added to the Washington Heritage Register, recognizing its historical and cultural importance to both the Silverdale community and the state. Established in 1896, the 4.87-acre cemetery is the final resting place for many of Silverdale's early settlers and continues to serve the community today. In addition to historic graves, 92 indigent individuals have been buried there with dignity.
Silverdale Cemetery is not only a resting place for many of our community's early settlers and veterans, but it continues to serve a vital role today. Recognizing Silverdale Cemetery on the Heritage Register ensures that its legacy is preserved and honored for generations to come.
The designation by the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation brings potential preservation benefits and honors the site's enduring role in Silverdale's history.
Read the full story here.
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History UnCorked: Trash Talk – A History of Waste & Repair in Kitsap
 Date: Thursday, June 26
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Location: Kitsap History Museum, 280 Fourth St., Bremerton
Join Kitsap County's Caitlin Newman, program supervisor for solid waste, for an engaging talk on the history of waste management and repair in Kitsap. Learn how past generations reused and repurposed everyday items and how those practices can help reduce waste today. Hosted by the Kitsap History Museum as part of the "History UnCorked" series.
Register and find more information here.
Upcoming Collection Event – Tire Recycling
 The Kitsap County Solid Waste Division is hosting a free tire collection event for households:
Date: Monday, June 9 & Tuesday, June 10
Time: 2-6 p.m.
Location: Kitsap County Fairgrounds – Thunderbird Arena (lot behind arena)
1275 Fairgrounds Road NW, Bremerton, WA 98311
- Limit 15 tires per household
- Tires accepted with or without rims
- No commercial or tractor tires
- No tires from businesses or organizations
Sign up for email notifications about upcoming recycle events here.
Questions? Contact solidwaste@kitsap.gov or Kitsap1 at 360.337.5777.
For more information, go to the Public Waste and Recycling Events webpage.
Help Shape Kitsap's Ferry Future: Take the Survey by June 25
 Kitsap Transit is exploring new passenger-only ferry routes within Kitsap County and wants your input. The agency currently operates five ferry routes—two connecting Bremerton to Port Orchard and Annapolis, plus three to downtown Seattle from Bremerton, Kingston, and Southworth.
Now they're studying potential new intracounty connections, including routes from Bremerton to Silverdale, Manchester, and Bainbridge Island. The study will also consider up to two additional routes based on community feedback and demand.
The study will help Kitsap Transit create a plan for adding new ferry routes based on what the community wants and needs.
Take the survey by June 25: The community survey closes at noon on June 25, 2025. Share your thoughts on the proposed routes and suggest additional connections at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LX3HJ32.
For more information about the Intracounty Passenger-Only Ferry Project, visit https://www.kitsaptransit.com/intracounty-passenger-only-ferry-project. The study is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
Fix-it Fair Coming to Silverdale – June 21, 2025
 Join us for the Kitsap Fix-it Fair on Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Silverdale Library (3650 NW Anderson Hill Road, Suite 101). Hosted by Kitsap County Solid Waste and Kitsap Regional Library, this free community repair event is a great way to breathe new life into broken items instead of throwing them away.
Local volunteers will be on hand to help repair small appliances, bikes, jewelry, computers, and mendable textiles (no zippers, please). Bring up to two items—fixers will work on one at a time. Arrive by 1:30 p.m. to ensure you're seen. RSVPs are encouraged to help volunteers prepare, but walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis.
Explore repair-themed library books, learn basic repair skills, and be part of a growing effort to reduce waste and support a more sustainable community. Visit the Fix-it Fair RSVP page here.
Planning for a Resilient Coastline: Sea Level Rise Assessment Nears Completion
 Since June 2024, the Department of Community Development has been conducting a comprehensive sea level rise vulnerability and risk assessment to better understand how rising seas may impact our communities. With more than 200 miles of marine shoreline, Kitsap County is already experiencing the effects of coastal erosion, flooding, and storm-driven inundation—threats that pose growing risks to infrastructure, public safety, and the environment.
This assessment has gathered critical data on potential flooding areas and the vulnerabilities of key assets, helping inform future planning efforts to build long-term resilience. As the project wraps up next month, residents are invited to learn more and share feedback at a public meeting on June 17 at 5:30 p.m.
For details and to see areas mapped as having a higher level of exposure, visit the Sea Level Rise webpage.
Help Shape the Future of Kitsap’s Rural and Resource Lands
This June, the Department of Community Development invites you to take part in two upcoming opportunities to learn about and engage with updates to the Rural and Resource Lands section of Kitsap County's Comprehensive Plan.
Join a community meeting (with hybrid options) or attend an in-person-only workshop to:
- Hear what the County has learned from community input so far
- Learn how policies are being shaped to reflect current and future needs
- Get an update on requests to reclassify certain rural properties
- Explore potential changes to development codes
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Eagle's Nest Community Room, 1195 Fairgrounds Road NW, Bremerton, WA 98311
Virtual Option for Presentation: (registration link: bit.ly/YOTRWorkshop, password: 801423)
Please visit the project page http://kcowa.us/YOTR to get more information about the survey results and read through the comment summaries.
Get involved by volunteering!
District 3 residents needed to serve on County advisory groups
If you live in District 3, consider applying to serve on a Kitsap County advisory group! Share your experience and insights to help support our communities; create plans and strategies to accommodate growth and development; and implement programs that ensure and improve quality of life.
Advisory group members are appointed by County commissioners and play an essential role in local government, serving as conduits between residents, businesses, communities, County staff, and commissioners.
Learn more about County advisory groups and find position descriptions for current vacancies at kcowa.us/advisorygroups.
Advisory groups with vacancies for Central Kitsap residents include:
- Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council (at-large position)
- Bremerton-Kitsap Access Television (BKAT) Advisory Committee
- Grant Recommendation Committees for Community Development Block Grants, HOME Investment Partnerships, and Community Investments in Affordable Housing
- Veterans Advisory Board (at-large position)
- Non-Motorized Facilities Community Advisory Committee
Questions? Contact Volunteer Services in the Kitsap County Commissioners' Office at rpirtle@kitsap.gov or call 360.337.4650.
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The Central Kitsap Community Council (CKCC) is taking a meeting vacation in July. Join us for the next meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Headquarters, located at 5300 NW Newberry Hill Road in Silverdale.
This is your opportunity to connect with local leaders, stay informed about County projects, and share your thoughts on issues that matter to you. The meeting is open to all community members, and public comment is encouraged.
For more details and to view past presentations and my Commissioner Corner videos, click here.
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