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COVER STORY
A conversation with Mike Eliason
By Rodika Tollefson |
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Mike Eliason, the Kitsap County Association of Realtors (KCAR) government affairs director since 2003, later took on the position of the association’s executive. A Kitsap native, he held real estate sales associate and associate broker licenses for 20 years, in addition to winning three public office elections: North Kitsap Parks and Recreation District commissioner, Kitsap Fire District 18 commissioner, and Kitsap Conservation District supervisor.
The KCAR has more than 1,000 practicing Realtors and about 2,000 total members, making it the largest trade organization in the county. Eliason has been credited with turning around the organization, which has gone through a lot of turnover and instability in recent years.
The Kitsap Business Journal sat down with Eliason to talk about his work and the association’s current priorities... (Full Article)
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Small businesses to lose billions
in federal contracts with new SBA policy |
| Recently, the American Small Business League (ASBL) announced that a new Small Business Administration policy, set to go into effect this summer, will allow the federal government to divert billions of dollars earmarked for small businesses to Fortune 500 companies until the year 2012... (Full Article) |
Ethics in business — Part three:
Ethical business is good business
By Wendy Miles |
| We have spent the last two months looking at ethics in the workplace examining what it costs and what the impact can be to you, your employees and ultimately, your customers. We have pointed to large companies such as Enron and WorldCom to illustrate the effect of employing (or not) ethical standards in business... (Full Article) |
Ottercraft: Building boats to order in Kingston
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Ottercraft owners Nanette Gehlen and Don Temple, along with their senior staff, have spent most of their professional lives in the boat industry... (Full Article) |
HUMAN RESOURCES
What should — and shouldn’t —
be in an employee’s personnel file
By Julie Tappero |
| Recently, a client contacted me with an interesting question about his employees’ files. One of his employees had been exhibiting some problem behavior that he wished to document in his personnel files, but for a variety of reasons, he didn’t want his employee to know about or be able to access this documentation. My client’s question for me was, is this legal... (Full Article) |
United Way Loaned Executives
make a difference |
| United Way of Kitsap County is currently recruiting volunteer Loaned Executives for their annual fundraising campaign... (Full Article) |
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Gig Harbor hospital breaks ground |
| Gig Harbor’s new hospital broke ground on April 26, nearly four years after Franciscan Health System submitted its application to the state Department of Health to build the facility. More than 200 people including various dignitaries attended the groundbreaking ceremony, which was held indoors near the construction site in order to not interrupt the construction schedule... (Full Article) |
DCD director working to turn
the organizational tide
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Larry Keeton is optimistic about making Kitsap County’s Department of Community Development a flagship agency that other jurisdictions would hold up as an example. He wants to see a department that has the public’s trust, runs efficiently, and supports itself financially without relying on the general budget... (Full Article) |
Do your homework before changing
credit card processors
By Rodika Tollefson |
| The Washington state Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Trade Commission filed separate lawsuits in April against an Oregon-based credit card processing company, alleging use of deceptive tactics. The FTC also froze the assets of Merchant Processing, Inc. and placed the company in receivership... (Full Article) |
GeoEngineers selected for ‘Pit to Pier’ project
By Rodika Tollefson |
| A proposed project by Poulsbo-based Fred Hill Materials Inc. to build a four-mile conveyor and pier on the Hood Canal for sand and gravel operations is moving toward a new phase. Two years after issuing a request for proposals from environmental firms for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement, Jefferson County selected GeoEngineers for the job... (Full Article) |
Company offers new credit card
processing business model
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Nathan Roulston, founder and CEO of Alpha & Omega Processing (AOP), started his credit card processing firm last year. After working for a large bank that processed credit cards in-house, he realized how many problems the industry has. Roulston decided to find a new way of doing business — and says his company’s fees and business practices are unlike anything the industry has seen... (Full Article) |
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Transportation Commission proposes toll rates |
| The Washington State Transportation Commission is proposing the toll rate for the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge at $3 for commuters paying with cash and $1.75 for users of the Good To Go! electronic toll collection system. The commission’s proposal would also allow local law enforcement and local emergency service providers to cross the bridge for free when responding to or returning from emergency calls... (Full Article) |
More employers giving larger pay raises
to top performers |
| “Meeting expectations” is a thing of the past. As competition becomes fierce and corporate profits rise, across-the-board pay increases are starting to diminish... (Full Article) |
WRA releases NW wage,
benefit and menu report |
| More than 50 percent of restaurants added healthy food options in the last year, according to the 2006 Pacific Northwest Hospitality Industry Wage, Benefit and Menu Report released this quarter by the Washington Restaurant Association (WRA) and DWS Executive Search & Recruiting... (Full Article) |
Franciscan Health System receives
2007 Washington State Quality Award |
| The Franciscan Health System, which is building St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, has received the 2007 Washington State Quality Award for performance excellence, an achievement that recognizes it as a role model for other businesses seeking to elevate their quality and performance... (Full Article) |
ED WOLFE
Things I can’t live without
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Being a well-regarded lawyer and a part-time judge without a doubt entails a busy schedule. For Ed Wolfe, whose law office is in Bremerton, that kind of schedule has one mandatory appointment: spending the weekend outdoors... (Full Article) |
Applications available for Grand
Old Fourth Celebration |
| The 40th annual Grand Old Fourth of July event, produced by the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, with help from our premier sponsor, CFA Northwest Mortgage Professionals, includes a street fair, with arts and crafts, food, games and information booths; classic car show; foot races, benefiting Bainbridge Youth Services; music, entertainment, a beer garden; and, of course, the famous mile-long Parade... (Full Article) |
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26 Volunteers help clean up Bay Street |
| The Port Orchard Bay Street Association (POBSA) held two “Spring Clean-Up Days” on April 29 and May 20, where volunteers helped clean up Bay Street in downtown Port Orchard... (Full Article) |
Four Harrison RNs receive
new Soriano scholarships |
| In their latest act of generosity, benefactors Louis and Joan Soriano are making yet another difference in the community they call home. Their recent $50,000 gift to Harrison Medical Center established a scholarship for Harrison registered nurses to enroll in the new RN-to-BSN program at Olympic College... (Full Article) |
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Martone joins PCU Supervisory Committee |
| Peninsula Credit Union recently welcomed Douglas Martone as the newest member of its Supervisory Committee. Martone is an East Bremerton resident where he has been active in the community since 1974... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap Credit Union board reorganizes |
| Kitsap Credit Union’s Board of Directors has announced a reorganization of its volunteer board to fill expired terms... (Full Article) |
MultiCare to hold Gig Harbor
Medical Park Open House |
| The Gig Harbor Medical Park, built by MultiCare Health System, will open its doors on Monday, June 11, with an open house scheduled for Sunday, June 10. The open house will include tours, live music, refreshments, children’s activities and give-aways. The entertainment lineup includes steel drum band Caribbean Vision, juggler Linda Severt, the Gig Harbor Symphony Orchestra Quartet and Gig Harbor High School’s highly acclaimed choir the Meistersingers... (Full Article) |
Larry Nakata named Business
Person of the Year |
| The Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce has named Larry Nakata, president of Town & Country (T&C) Markets, as its 2007 Business Person of the Year. Nakata will be honored at a luncheon banquet. “He represents the values and integrity that run through the entire T&C company and reach out into the greater community,” said Chamber President Larry Sears Sr. “We couldn’t think of a more deserving candidate... (Full Article) |
Navy small business outreach event
at Norm Dicks Government Center |
| Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC), Puget Sound has purchased over $130 million in goods and services in 2006, and will likely purchase similar volumes this year. To ensure it is providing procurement opportunities to the local small business community, FISC will begin sponsoring a monthly Small Business Outreach Event at the Norm Dicks Government Center at 345 6th Street, in Bremerton... (Full Article) |
Silverdale Chamber withdraws
from ‘quicksilver’
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| The Board of Directors of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce announced its decision to withdraw its partnership from the quicksilver hydroplane races. The Board decision cited the very large financial commitment required to produce the August event in its decision... (Full Article) |
HUMAN RESOURCES
Compensation costs rose
to $25.67 per hour in Q4 2006 |
| Total compensation costs paid by private nonfarm employers averaged $25.67 per hour in the fourth quarter of 2006, an increase of 96 cents from $24.71 per hour a year earlier, according to the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics... (Full Article) |
HUMAN RESOURCES
Organizations are wise to adopt a blog policy |
| “Blogs” are online journals or diaries. The name is short for “weblog,” a combination of “web” and “log.” In recent years, blogs have become a popular way to publish news and opinions on current events, hobbies, or interests... (Full Article) |
HUMAN RESOURCES
Recruits want to be proud of company |
| Human Resource executives no doubt sat up and took notice when Development Dimensions International (DDI) recently revealed the findings of its Selection Forecast for 2007. Among the numerous conclusions, a few stand out — especially research that shows recruits are paying attention to more than just pay and benefits. A company’s reputation also can be decisive in either landing top-notch candidates or losing them to competitors... (Full Article) |
Hoke's “90 Minute Branding
and Marketing Plan” to be presented
Workshops coming to Silverdale on June 7 |
| "The 90 Minute Branding and Marketing Plan' workshops will be held in two sessions, Thursday, June 7 at the Silverdale Hotel, sponsored by the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce and the Silverdale Hotel... (Full Article) |
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Healing Hearts Psychic Fair set for June 16 |
| The Healing Hearts Psychic Fair will be held at the Clear Creek Community Club, at 12641 Clear Creek Road NW in Silverdale, on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The fair will feature performers, healers, food, arts and crafts, henna tattoos, face painting, raffles and the areas best psychic readers. All proceeds will benefit Tom Medchill & Jessa Fasel Catastrophic Medical Expense Fund. Donations accepted at the door, attractions charged separately.
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Courtesy Ford celebrates 25 year anniversary |
| Courtesy Ford Inc. recently received a “25 Year Dealer Award” from Ford Motor Company & Ford Credit. The partnership between John Hern and Ford began 25 years ago on May 18, 1982.
Hern joins an exclusive group of Ford dealers who have maintained the same family-owned franchise over the last quarter century.
Courtesy Ford, Inc. is located at 20081 Viking Avenue in Poulsbo, and has another Ford dealership in Port Townsend.
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B. I. Rotary Club rewards
Woodward Middle School |
| The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island presented a check for $7,250 to remodel the computer room at Woodward Middle School, the site of Rotary’s annual auction and rummage sale. The check is the second installment of an earlier award.
On hand to receive the check was Woodward Principal, Mary Alice O’Neill, and District Superintendent, Ken Crawford. The grant is representative of the over $300,000 in grants and scholarships awarded annually to local non-profits, students and select international projects.
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Goodwill opens Port Orchard retail store |
| Goodwill is in the process of opening a new retail store in Port Orchard. The store, scheduled to open on June 28, will be the second Goodwill retail location in Kitsap. The Bremerton Goodwill recently marked its 10th anniversary.
The Port Orchard store and donation center will be located at 1700 Mile Hill Drive, in Towne Square Port Orchard (formerly South Kitsap Mall) and will occupy the space vacated last year by Big Lots. The new store will be approximately 22,000 square feet, according to Seattle Goodwill. A donation station has already opened in the parking lot.
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EHL launches new and improved website |
| A completely redesigned and enhanced web site was launched recently by EHL Insurance in Poulsbo. Online, prospective and current clients can now browse through specific value added services and expanded information at www.ehlinsurance.com. The site includes a full menu of service as well as helpful tools.
Included is “Our Team,” a section introducing EHL’s representatives; “Forms” containing a variety of forms allowing users to add or delete a vehicle, request a certificate, even complete an annual client review,; and “Our Unique Approach,” highlighting EHL’s approach to the risk management and insurance industry.
The new site offers clients and potential clients an array of solutions and additional information, from maps to its three locations, to online payments. For more information, call (360) 779-4448.
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Bremerton National Airport receives FAA grant |
| U.S. Senator Patty Murray recently announced a total of nearly $10 million in federal support for critical airport improvement projects across Washington State. Bremerton National Airport will receive $150,000 of that for a runway rehabilitation project necessary to extend the life of the runway pavement.
The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants, which are administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), provide funding for infrastructure improvements to enhance airport efficiency and safety. Murray, chair of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the FAA, helped secure the funding.
“I’m pleased that we are investing in Bremerton National Airport so it can continue to play a strong role in supporting the economy and transportation needs of the local community,” said Senator Murray.
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McBride’s Hallmark official Race for the
Cure registration site |
| McBride’s Hallmark Silverdale and Poulsbo Village locations have been selected by The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to handle in-store registration for the Puget Sound “Race for the Cure.”
The two locations, 2890 Bucklin Hill Road in Silverdale and 19625 7th Avenue in Poulsbo, will handle all of the necessary paperwork for individuals to sign up and will provide a bib number and official race t-shirt. The deadline to register in-store is June 9. Store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. – Fri., Sat. 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sun. noon – 5 p.m.
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Sound Publishing acquires Kirkland Courier |
| Sound Publishing, Inc. the Poulsbo-based arm of Canada’s Black Press ltd., has purchased the Kirkland Courier from Pacific Publishing Company. The 23,000 circulation monthly product, which has been serving Kirkland residents for many years, became part of Sound on April 30.
Sound president Manfred Tempelmayr said he is “excited about the opportunity to continue to expand operations in the King County region.” The Kirkland Courier will be operated by King County Publications as part of its family of community newspapers serving the King County region.
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Hiring and employee orientation
key to better employees |
| A survey of human resource practices at 50 large U.S. companies found that firms that put more effort into their hiring and employee orientation processes performed better financially. The Watson Wyatt report found that 65 percent of firms with a highly engaged workforce provided interview training for managers, versus 33 percent of companies with a less engaged workforce.
Firms with a highly engaged workforce take an average of 35 weeks to bring a new hire up to speed, compared with 15 weeks for organizations with low engagement.
Some 52 percent of firms with high financial performance take the time to tell new hires why they were brought into the company. Just 29 percent of low financial performers had this discussion with new hires.
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Healthy Harbor kicks off in Gig Harbor |
| The City of Gig Harbor announces the launch of a new lifestyle campaign to encourage visitors and residents to enjoy all the community has to offer while promoting healthy personal and environmental and cultural choices.
Pick up a Passport at any number of Gig Harbor area businesses and start getting a stamp a month by participating in local events, festivals, walks, concerts, lectures and much, much more.
To learn more about Healthy Harbor or to see a list of passport pick up locations, visit the Healthy Harbor page at www.gigharborguide.com.
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Recon Electric closes up |
| Pete Simoneau recently announced that Recon Electric, Corp. has gone out of business. Recon was in business for three years and would like to thank the community of Kitsap County and the fellow members of the Homebuilders Association for all of their support over the years.
Simoneau served in the Marine Corps from 1986 to 1992 and has recently joined the US Army and will be stationed with the 101st Airborne Division.
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Former State Senator Bob Oke passes away
By Lary Coppola |
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Former Republican State Senator Bob Oke of Port Orchard has passed away after a courageous and very public battle against a rare form of blood cancer. He died Monday night, losing his three-year fight against multiple myeloma, a cancer that weakens the bones by targeting plasma cells.
Oke, 66, served four, 4-year Senate terms in the Senate. An unabashed conservative, he was well liked and highly respected by lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle before the disease forced his retirement in January.
A 26-year Navy veteran, Oke was an avid outdoorsman who was recognized as a leader in the areas of natural resources and fisheries, and perhaps best known for his untiring efforts to combat youth smoking, as well as his unwavering support for a second Tacoma Narrows Bridge. At one point after his battle with cancer became public, Oke climbed one of the tower walkways to the top of the new bridge... (Full Article)
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