Public comment is being sought on a federal grant application sponsored by Mason County to the State of Washington Department of Commerce through U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The proposal is for a project on behalf of Faith in Action West Sound for a Center for Seniors Facility in the town of Belfair in the amount of $1 million. Under the guidelines of this grant, Mason County is the only eligible applicant.

A public hearing for the Mason County Board of Commissioners to approve the grant application is set for Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. If approved, a resolution will be signed authorizing Mason County’s Department of Community Development Manager, Barbara Adkins, to submit the application on behalf of Faith in Action West Sound’s project. read more »

After a year of limited operations, the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association (BIDA) has announced that the organization is back up and running with the return of its former executive director, Andrea Mackin.

Following the loss of City-based funding in 2010, the Downtown Association made the difficult decision to scale back operations in 2011. The loss of the organization’s advocacy and Main Street economic revitalization efforts were particularly felt by locally owned, small businesses during a year when downtown merchants were hard-hit by the effects of Winslow Way Reconstruction and the continued recession. read more »

I was appointed by Governor Gregoire to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) in 2010, and would like to offer some insight as a committee member.

Fact: We need to find an additional $25 million in toll revenues for Fiscal 2013 (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013). 40 percent of this increase is due to bonds coming due. This is one of ten bonds that were taken to construct the bridge because of the “just in time” construction and bond schedule, which saved taxpayers millions of dollars in interest. Also, the first installment of deferred sales tax is due next year (the agreement was to start paying the $57 million in sales tax over a span of 10 years working out to about $5.7 million per year). read more »

PUD 3 was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. The PUD is one of only three public utility districts in Washington State to apply for such recognition for its financial reporting.

“PUD 3 is committed to the highest standards of financial management and reporting possible,” said Wyla Wood, PUD manager. “PUD 3’s customers can be confident that their investment in this utility is carefully cared for by its commissioners and employees, and that they get the best value for that investment. We’re pleased that an international organization such as GFOA has celebrated our efforts for seven straight years.” read more »

Public comment is being sought on a federal grant application sponsored by Mason County to the State of Washington Department of Commerce through U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The proposal is for a project on behalf of Faith in Action West Sound for a Center for Seniors Facility in the town of Belfair in the amount of $1 million. Under the guidelines of this grant, Mason County is the only eligible applicant. read more »

Would you buy a new car or a new house without knowing how you’ll pay for it? Of course not. But Washington voters do something similar every time they approve a costly initiative without specifying how it will be paid for.

That needs to change.

In 2000, voters overwhelmingly approved two initiatives to hire more teachers and provide annual cost of living increases for all K-12 school employees and faculty at community and technical colleges. read more »

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) will meet to begin discussing new toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The Washington State Department of Transportation will present traffic and revenue forecasts for multiple rate scenarios to the CAC during a public workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. Rooms A and B, from 6 - 8 p.m. The CAC will consider rate scenarios for further analysis before recommending a new toll rate to the Washington State Transportation Commission on March 20. read more »

Rep. Jan Angel is inviting constituents on the 26th District to participate in a telephone town hall meeting on Thursday evening, Jan. 12, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The program works much like a radio call-in talk show. Citizens may dial in to learn more about the current legislative session, ask questions, and participate in surveys or just listen in. Local residents who would like to participate in the event can call (877) 229-8493 and enter code 15472. read more »

Rep. Jan Angel (R-Port Orchard), has been named “Outstanding Legislator for 2011” by the Washington Association of Water and Sewer Districts (WASWD). Angel, who serves as ranking Republican of the House Local Government Committee, was recognized by the WASWD for her support of water and sewer legislation during the 2011 legislative session.

Angel was chosen for the award by WASWD Section 2 which covers a 13 county area south and west of King County down to Oregon. read more »