| In the midst of Mayor Lynn Horton’s proposed reorganization of city departments, director of economic and community development Phil Berry handed in his resignation. He has led Bremerton’s economic development efforts since April 1998 and said he will open a private land-use consulting firm in Poulsbo.
Berry was a city planner in Poulsbo before coming to work for Bremerton. His last day with the city was Aug. 8.
Among his accomplishments, was partnering the city with Olympic College and the Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council (EDC) to found the Small Business Development Center. He also was instrumental in securing Bremerton’s urban growth area in the county’s comprehensive plan and in helping bring Port Blakely’s proposed 440-acre business park inside the city limits.
Berry was heavily involved in the EDCs Telecommunications Committee, which has been working with the local business community, the county, and telecommunications and internet service providers to establish the telecommunications infrastructure needed to attract high-tech companies and the high paying jobs they offer, to Kitsap County.
Berry said he had been planning the move for over a year. “The timing was just right. I went on vacation, and when I came back I decided it was just time for a change. While I was gone I had time to put the management of the city in perspective.”
He went on to say that there are a number of critical issues Bremerton is facing, but in his mind, “Change in the city is at least a year and a half away.”
Mayor Lynn Horton’s reorganization plan came in for some criticism from Berry as well. “It’s astounding to me that the mayor would put the city attorney in charge of her planning department. You have to wonder about that.”
He also said that in his opinion, Bremerton was way overdue to look at the idea of a professional city manager. “The council should take a leadership role on that issue,” he said.
Horton coundn’t be reached for comment by presstime. | 
