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COVER STORY
Art Castle celebrates a decade
as HBA Executive VP
By Maura Kate Hallam |
| Things have changed at the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County. Ten years ago the organization was medium-sized, semi-disorganized, and politically nowhere. Today, its membership has nearly doubled, totaling almost 600 active builder and associate member firms, its office is as organized as any corporation, and it has evolved into a true political and social force in the county... (Full Article) |
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Results of speedway study released
Speedway would fuel job growth and add millions
in annual tourism-related revenues |
| Locating a new speedway in the Puget Sound area could accelerate job creation in the region, pump millions of dollars each year into businesses, and boost tax revenues for local governments according to a study commissioned by the Checkered Flag Task Force, a five-county coalition of business and government leaders... (Full Article) |
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SKHS Community Business Survey (FORM) |
| The Information Technology department of South Kitsap High School requests your input about the competency level and preparedness of our students and recent graduates working in local businesses. Your comments and responses will be used to guide our efforts to prepare students for the world of work... (Full Survey) |
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American Marine Bank returns to Kingston |
| American Marine Bank will again have a presence in Kingston. The bank left the North Kitsap community when it sold seven branches to what was then SeaFirst Bank, and now Bank of America, back in 1988... (Full Article) |
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Franciscan Health System’s proposed
Gig Harbor hospital wins Certificate
of Need approval from state
Design of 80-bed facility will start immediately;
construction begins in 2005 |
| Franciscan Health System recently announced that the Washington State Department of Health has approved its application for a Certificate of Need to build an acute-care, community hospital in Gig Harbor. The state approved 80 of the 112 beds Franciscan requested subject to the usual conditions for a project of this size and scope, such as obtaining a building permit... (Full Article) |
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KCDEM needs at least
a thousand local volunteers |
| The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management recently announced the official establishment of the Kitsap County Citizen Corps, a county-wide network of volunteers to provide assistance to first responders in law enforcement, fire, emergency management, and public health... (Full Article) |
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SBA releases new Web-based lender interface
E-Tran will allow lenders to submit
multiple applications simultaneously |
| The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that a new Web-based loan application solution developed by the agency is now available to participating lenders, creating an electronic gateway that will save lenders substantial time and resources when submitting a loan to the SBA... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
Rules and Regulations… why we have them,
who’s bound by them and who cares?
“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
is that you end up being governed by your inferiors” ~ Plato
By Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
| For the last decade or more Kitsap County and its consortium cities have spent untold amounts of money and time creating rules and regulations that have had a tremendous impact on how waterfront property owners can use their property in the name of resource protection... (Full Article) |
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Free Advice
Four leading real estate agents offer their
thoughts on buying and selling your home
By Maura Kate Hallam |
| Buying or selling a home is a complex and sometimes very emotional process, not to mention the largest financial transaction most of us are ever involved in. It is not something anyone wants to do alone or uninformed. Luckily four of Kitsap County’s leading agents are ready and waiting to help: Karie Hoffman, associate broker at Windemere Real Estate/West Sound, Inc., in Bremerton; Penny McLaughlin, associate broker at RE/Max Platinum Services in Poulsbo; Brenda Prowse, owner/listing agent for Brenda Prowse Properties in Poulsbo; and Jane Woodward, realtor at John L. Scott in Poulsbo... (Full Article) |
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Small business groups launch ballot initiatives
Legislative actions didn’t help small businesses cope with crisis |
| On the same day Governor Gary Locke put his signature on a neutered health-care bill, three major business groups announced the launch of a November ballot initiative aimed at helping the small-business owners of the state provide medical coverage for themselves and their employees... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap: Model community for collaboration?
By County Commissioner Jan Angel |
| Seeking equilibrium between two-fold ambitions, the State Growth Management Act is spinning out of control like an unbalanced top. While strong on natural resource management, GMA has done little to assure economic stability and both are extremely important to our community’s future. Kitsap County can play an important role in demonstrating that this type of balance is possible... (Full Article) |
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More endorsements for Rossi for Governor |
Gubernatirial candidate Dino Rossi continues to pile up business endorsements in his quest for the governor’s mansion.
Rossi was recently endorsed by the Washington State Medical Association PAC, which represents the state’s doctors, and the state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business... (Full Article) |
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Economy seen shifting from high
to low-wage employment |
| Not only is the U.S. employment still down by more than two million jobs from its level before the 2001 recession, but the new jobs being generated generally pay lower wages than the ones that are disappearing, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a research organization in Washington D.C., said in a recent study... (Full Article) |
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Puyallup Fair dates announced |
| The Western Washington Fair Association, the organization that puts on the Puyallup Fair, and Puyallup Spring Fair, has announced the 2004 dates for Washington’s most popular fair... (Full Article) |
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Venture Bank announces
first expansion into King County
Kent Branch scheduled to open in 4th Quarter |
| Venture Bank, which has an office in Gig Harbor, recently announced it plans to expand for the first time into King County, with the signing of an agreement for the purchase of a branch building in Kent... (Full Article) |
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Sponsors needed for Rodeo |
| The Kitsap Fair and Rodeo is the largest event in the county. It’s fundraising arm, the Cowpokes, were founded in 1996 with the sole purpose of raising money for improvements and prize money directly attributed to the annual Kitsap County Stampede, which is held in August. Due in part by the efforts of the Cowpokes, the Kitsap Stampede was voted #1 Rodeo in the Columbia River Circuit for the year 2000 and 2001... (Full Article) |
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Murray and Cantwell can help
restore fairness in our legal system
By Don C. Brunell, President
Association of Washington Business |
| Our nation’s legal system is out of whack, and Congress could fix it this year. But unless Democrats in the United States Senate end their threat to filibuster bills that would restore fairness in asbestos and class action lawsuits, we will not have fairness in our courts. Moving critical bills through the Senate requires 60 votes to invoke what is called cloture... (Full Article) |
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KMHS receives high marks in survey |
| Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS) averaged 4.26 on a 5-point scale in the Ancillary Provider Survey conducted annually by the Peninsula Regional Support Network. KMHS scores were highest among mental health agencies in the region. The ratings were given by human service agencies, school districts, nursing homes and juvenile justice representatives... (Full Article) |
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Letter Carriers deliver record total in food drive |
Postal customers in Kitsap County donated over 153,000 pounds of food, hygiene items, paper products and cleaning supplies.
For the third year, Letter Carriers delivered plastic bags with the Food Drive logo and donation information to Kitsap County postal customers. In the past Carriers had just delivered postcards, which they did again this year... (Full Article) |
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Employers must track some,
but not all, online job-seekers |
| Long-awaited guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other agencies dictates that e-resume senders are indeed “job applicants” subject to record keeping rules – but only if they meet three criteria... (Full Article) |
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AMB’s Kingston branch gets first customers |
| Pete DeBoer and Jeff Petterson of Olympic Printer Resources were so anxious to start banking at American Marine Bank’s newest Kingston branch, that they became the banks first customers while the staff was still moving in... (Full Article) |
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Tracy Williams joins CFA |
| CFA Northwest Mortgage Professionals recently welcomed Tracy S. Williams to its team of loan consultants. Williams joins CFA after four years of lending and real estate investment experience in the greater Seattle area. Most recently she was with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in its sub-prime and alternative lending division... (Full Article) |
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Camera phones in the workplace
may cause problems |
Camera cell phones, although a technical innovation, in some instances could be a big problem at work.
Many companies are concerned that employees will use a camera cell phone to send images of new products or other proprietary company information to competitors... (Full Article) |
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Roy Chitwood, sales expert,
featured in a Bremerton seminar |
| The Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced that Roy Chitwood, president of Max Sacks International and author of “World Class Selling: The Complete Selling Process”, will speak at a special sales seminar in Bremerton on Tuesday, June 8... (Full Article) |
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Local bank receives award |
| American Marine Bank, Bainbridge Island, has earned a 4-Star recommended rating… its 6th in a row, according to BauerFinancial Inc., the nation’s leading independent bank rating firm. The 4-star recommended award recognizes American Marine Bank’s performance and strength... (Full Article) |
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McMahan announces she’ll run again |
Representative Lois McMahan (R) recently confirmed that she will run for re-election for Position 2 in the State House of Representatives for the 26th District.
“We are not finished with the job I hoped to do,” said McMahan... (Full Article) |
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Edward Jones offers program on investing
in an election year |
| The Edward Jones investment representatives of Kitsap County will host a free program, titled “Investing in an Election Year,” at 8:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Tues., June 8... (Full Article) |
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Dentists Huey, Ali and Adamian are
awarded EnviroStar certification |
| Doctors Michael Huey, Sami Ali, Sevak Adamian have earned certification as an EnviroStar business. The dental office at 1880 Pottery Avenue in Port Orchard has demonstrated a commitment to protecting the environment by properly managing and reducing hazardous waste. They have been awarded Four Stars (out of five maximum) for their efforts... (Full Article) |
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NK School District earns
4-star EnviroStar certification |
| The North Kitsap School District Maintenance Facility has earned certification as an EnviroStar. The facility, located at 9916 NE W. Kingston Road, Kingston, has demonstrated a commitment to protecting the environment by reducing and properly managing hazardous waste... (Full Article) |
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Forman named to manage
Kitsap Bank in Poulsbo |
| Kitsap Bank announced the appointment of Ed Forman as vice president, branch manager and lead commercial loan officer of its Poulsbo branch. A 21-year veteran of banking, Forman has been with Kitsap Bank for two years... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap Physical Therapy & Sports Clinics
celebrates 25 years |
| 25 years ago Mike Danford, PT, and Barb Ellis-Danford, PT, opened the first Kitsap Physical Therapy clinic in Poulsbo. Since then, Kitsap Physical Therapy & Sports Clinics has grown to serve Kitsap and the surrounding communities with nine locally owned offices from Kingston to Belfair... (Full Article) |
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New law practice opens in Gig Harbor |
William F. Wright, Attorney at Law recently announced the opening of his new law practice, located at 4423 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, Suite 100-6 in Gig Harbor.
Wright assists clients in obtaining regulatory approvals, including compliance with state and local development regulations... (Full Article) |
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Festival of Trees returning to
Thanksgiving weekend |
| By popular demand, the Festival of Trees this year will return to its traditional Thanksgiving weekend. Last year, the Harrison Hospital Foundation made a departure, hosting the three-day holiday extravaganza one week later. Executive Director Stephanie Cline said the change was an idea that simply didn’t work. “Attendance was down, and that translated to fewer dollars to support vital programs and services at the hospital... (Full Article) |
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North Mason Fiber receives award |
| On April 26th, the Kitsap County Commissioners presented North Mason Fiber, a Mason County business that specializes in organic waste management, an Outstanding Achievement in Organic Waste Management award... (Full Article) |
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United Moving and Storage supports troops |
| United Moving and Storage in Bremerton, recently donated packing material and tape to the families of The Bravo Co. 1/303rd Armor, 81st Brigade that is based out of Bremerton... (Full Article) |
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Rieland honored with ethics award |
| Chris Rieland, president and CEO of Pacific Northwest Title in Silverdale, was recently honored by the Silverdale Noon Rotary Club and Chapman University with its Business Ethics Exemplar Award. The award is bestowed upon a person or business that has demonstrated outstanding ethical behavior in the course of their day-to-day business... (Full Article) |
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Electric Boat presents United Way
with $21,000 donation |
| United Way of Kitsap County is presented with a check for $21,000 representing payroll deductions from the Electric Boat Corporation’s Bremerton Team for the 2003-04 campaign. |
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Congressional voting record
in Washington Business Magazine |
| The Association of Washington Business’ congressional voting record has been published in the May-June issue of Washington Business Magazine. Call AWB for a copy. |
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Bremerton again ranked one of top 50 cities |
Bremerton has again been recognized as one of the top 50 best places to live as reported in the 2004 edition of Cities, Ranked and Rated, an 800 page book written by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander.
The criteria used to rate the cities was: income, taxes, temperature, education level, healthcare, transportation, libraries, dining and shopping.
Bremerton rated high on:
- Its attractive setting
- Nearby recreation and
- Its proximity to Seattle
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RECON Electric, Corp. opens in Silverdale |
RECON Electric, Corp., specializing in new home construction has opened in Silverdale.
The president is Pete Simoneau, who has 12 years of experience in construction and is a master electrician. RECON Electric is also a member of the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County.
Reach the firm at (360) 307-0804 or www.RECONELECTRIC.com. |
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Art Anderson Associates completes first phase
of research project |
Art Anderson Associates has completed Phase I of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to evaluate the Stolkraft hull form as an alternative to the Navy’s 11-meter Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) in the transportation of marine mammals. This SBIR topic was issued to address the excessive slamming loads being experienced by Navy Special Clearance Team (NSCT-1) forces on their current 11-meter RIB.
For more information, call (360) 479-5600 or visit the web site at www.artanderson.com. |
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Hospice of Kitsap County announces donation |
Hospice of Kitsap County has announced its receipt of a donation in the amount of $2,500 from the Silverdale branch of Smith Barney. The funds were donated through Citigroup Foundation as a part of the firm’s local contributions program conducted at Smith Barney branches across the country.
Jim Pledger, executive director for Hospice commented, “Hospice is pleased that a global business like Citigroup and Smith Barney has recognized our commitment to better serve the community. The funds will be used to support our collaborative In-School Bereavement Program which provides grief and loss counseling to students.” |
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Competitive contracting rules published –
big win for the private sector |
| The final rules that will govern competitive contracting have been published. The rules take effect July 1, 2005 and will remove the prohibition against state agencies contracting with private providers for services that are “traditionally and historically provided by state employees.” |
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Increased employee contributions
keeping health costs down |
While many large employers expected a 13 percent average increase in health plan premiums this year, a report from Fidelity Investments show that increases were held to 7.4 percent instead.
This lower increase is credited to cost containment strategies, such as changes in plan design and employee contributions that affected how employees selected health plan coverages.
Overall, employees will pay more for their health care this year, covering nearly 29 percent of the total cost, compared to more than 26 percent last year. |
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Local coffee roaster opens in Poulsbo |
Grounds for Change, a family-owned, organic coffee roasting business, recently opened at a new facility located at 15773 George Lane NE, Suite 204 in Poulsbo. Grounds for Change roasts fair trade, organic, shade-grown coffee as has a comprehensive wholesale program for coffee shops, restaurants, and faith-based organizations, as well as diverse online retail offerings and coffee gift baskets.
Reach them at (360) 779-0401. |
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KBC hosting open house |
Kitsap Business Connections (KBC) is hosting an open house on June 16 from 7:15 – 9 a.m. at Mitzels Restaurant in Poulsbo, for a morning of networking activities.
KBC is a professional business networking and referral association whose members own businesses throughout the county. The purpose of the group is to share business ideas, learn more about each others businesses, make new contacts, and most importantly, provide each other with referrals.
KBC meets on Wednesdays at Mitzels in Poulsbo from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. There is no meeting the first Wed. of the month. For additional information about KBC, contact Dwayne Saice at (206) 842-7878 or Murray Phelps (360) 710-5180. |
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“Rent a Manager” for small and family firms |
Business owners routinely hire part-time professionals, as needed, for mostly legal and accounting. “Why not do likewise for general management?” asks Mike Hihn, principal owner of Hihn Consulting.
Hihn has been providing senior management as a contracted service to smaller and family businesses for nearly 30 years. A new website is still evolving at www.Rent-A-Manager.com. Hihn can be reached at (877) 596-7973. |
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Local kids’ newspaper set to print in July |
The Kitsap Scribble, a newspaper “for kids from ages 4 to 11 and their families,” is set for publication early July.
The founder and publisher, Ethan Garcia, and a large collaboration of writers, artists and designers, bring their kid-skills into action each month with a publication that is stimulating to the mind — bringing together one goal: providing entertaining and educational reading material for local children. The Kitsap Scribble has high hopes of sponsoring many programs for kids and families throughout the year.
For more information please contact Ethan Garcia at (360) 874-2137, egarcia@amsinteractive.com or visit www.scribblenews.com. |
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Kitsap County CDC adds new board member |
| J. Michael Koch has joined the Board of Directors of Kitsap County Community Development Corporation after approval by the Kitsap Regional Council. He is an attorney practicing from his Silverdale office of J. Michael Koch & Associates and also serves on the board of Peninsula Services and has been a member of Rotary for more than 20 years. Koch is a member of Kitsap County Bar Association. |
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“Greenbuild” conference set
for November in PDX |
The U.S. Green Building Council’s third annual ‘greenbuild’ conference is coming to Portland Nov. 8 – 12. Glenn Murcutt, world renowned Australian architect, has been chosen as one of two keynotes at Greenbuild. He is the winner of the 2002 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the architecture profession’s highest honor. Murcutt works primarily designing environmentally sensitive modernist houses that respond to their surroundings and climate, as well as being scrupulously energy conscious.
For more information about the conference contact Stephanie Swanson at (503) 823-7109. To review conference details directly or sign up for conference credentials, go to www.usgbc.org/media. |
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