In 1998 when Kitsap adopted our new Comprehensive Plan to meet the State Growth Management Act’s required deadlines, Commissioner Endresen said that it “might not be a good plan,” which was a very correct statement. She then went on to say, “but we will correct it on the first annual review next year.” That statement turned out to be misleading. This Commission will probably be considering changes for the first time next month The State certified Kitsap’s plan in February 1999. That plan requires an annual review — but our first review is in 2002. Do you get the picture?

During this extended delay, Commissioner Angel was not in office.

Now hear this! Now hear this! One of the proposed changes that the Commissioners have asked their staff to recommend to them is that review be changed from an annual review to one that is mandated at least once in five years. Does it seem likely to you that this will happen? I can assure you that it is headed that way. Heaven forbid if they should then miss that deadline by threefold — that would make the next review in the year of 2017.

Please note that these are the same governmental officials that say it would be wise to move many of the courthouse employees from Port Orchard to a new building in the City of Bremerton, “to help economic development in Kitsap County.”

Now, let me see if I get this straight: We move 270 County workers from Port Orchard (a city with a population of 7,800) to Bremerton, a city of approximately 40,000 people. This shift is not going to affect Port Orchard in any significant way; however, it will be a giant step for the faltering City of Bremerton. This is called economic development? I think not!

I must surmise that this economic move will negate the need of zoning more industrial land that our local Economic Development Council has been requesting for years. You see, the EDC realizes that there is not enough land zoned for industrial purposes to accomplish the goal of increasing Kitsap’s private job sector. So what? We’ll shift 270 county employees and make believe that will accomplish the goal of more industrial jobs locally.

Commissioner Angel has publicly stated that she is not in favor of the shift of county offices to the Bremerton central business district.

I believe that moving such a large segment of county functions from Port Orchard to Bremerton should be decided by a vote of the people, not just two elected officials.

If you agree, please make it known to the Commissioners and let it be known to the public that you would like to vote on this issue.

Ron Ross
Silverdale.