Sunrise over Eagle Harbor/Ellen Schroer |
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Bainbridge Islanders,
Next week is Thanksgiving, which feels a bit ‘early’ this year. I guess it’s true that the older we get, the quicker time passes. Regardless, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I enjoy the food, emphasis on family and friends, and the minimal amount of commercialization. Most of all, I appreciate the focus on gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful attribute.
November is also National American Indian Heritage Month. Our community One Read Book, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, is the perfect book for American Indian Heritage Month and Thanksgiving. The author dedicates an entire chapter to gratitude and highlights the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Thanksgiving Address. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is made up of five indigenous nations that share a common culture and history, which according to the author, places the highest societal value on the ethos of gratitude. Haudenosaunee’s Thanksgiving Prayer expresses gratitude to many elements: People, Earth Mother, waters, fish, plants, food plants, medicine herbs, animals, trees, birds, four winds, Thunderers, sun, grandmother moon, the stars, enlightened teachers, and the Creator. If you have yet to read the Community’s One Read Book, I urge you to please give it a try.
I acknowledge that the Thanksgiving holiday is difficult for some Indigenous communities due to its origins and the holiday’s association with colonization. For some, it is a personal choice whether to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Whether you celebrate the holiday in its traditional form, or in a way that is special in other ways, one thing’s for sure: there is much to be grateful for.
In that vein, I embrace the holiday. With optimism and gratitude, I am thankful for the city’s leadership, city staff, the community, wild blackberries, strawberry rhubarb pie, health and of course my family.
Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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City Manager's Spotlight:
Grand Opening of the Ted Spearman Justice Center
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A Video Tribute to Integrity and Equality |
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Learn about the incredible life and legacy of Theodore 'Ted' Spearman, namesake of the new Ted Spearman Justice Center, in this video tribute. |
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Winter Holiday Celebration - Nov. 25 |
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Be sure to join the festivities on Saturday, November 25th. This year's celebration will be inclusive of all holidays that fall within the winter months, as well as celebrate Peace and Light. Arrive early and enjoy a cup of delicious hot cider from Town & Country Market. |
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Call for Participation - Civil Service Commission |
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The City is seeking applicants to serve on the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission is charged with ensuring that hiring examination processes for the Police Department are open and competitive at entry and promotional levels. The Commission adopts rules and regulations for the Police Department‘s Civil Service employees and handles any appeals related to testing or involving employee discipline.
Commissioners serve three-year terms and are appointed by the City Manager. There are three open positions beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Interested residents should complete the application form linked below. Deadline for applications: 8 am, Dec. 4, 2023. For more information, contact HR Analyst, Brenda Landolt: 206-780-8607.
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BI Seeks Small Boat Rental Concessionaire - Final Call! |
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The City of Bainbridge Island is seeking proposals from qualified concessionaires to provide small boat rental services to the public from the city dock at Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park. The park is located at 301 NE Shannon Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. The City’s goal is to enter into a three-year lease agreement beginning January 1, 2024. The City of Bainbridge Island will select the operation that can serve the best interests of the public.
Proposals must be submitted electronically no later than 4:00 pm PST Friday, November 17th, 2023. For more information or questions, contact Deputy Chief Scott Weiss, 206.842.5211 or harbor@bainbridgewa.gov.
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Approximately 90 community members attended the recent open houses to learn about the alternatives proposed for the Winslow Subarea Plan. Couldn't make either open house? Participate on your own schedule online, through Sunday, November 26. View the recorded Virtual Community Open House via the link below. |
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After viewing the recording, use the below link to provide your feedback. |
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Reduce Waste When Shopping for Gifts |
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Shop smart and buy less this holiday season to reduce waste! Consider giving handmade or secondhand gifts or opting for quality time and experiences over disposable “stuff.” If you are shopping for gifts, look for quality products that are made to last, are made from recycled materials, and/or offered by local businesses!
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Upcoming PSE Repair Work - Nov. 28 |
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PSE will be conducting repairs to a section of power lines at the corner of Day Road and HWY 305 overnight on Nov. 28 through Nov. 29. There will be a limited outage that will affect the traffic signal at Day Road. Police will be on hand to help with traffic flow while work is being performed. |
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SR 305 Safety Improvements |
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The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has begun construction on two single lane roundabouts on Bainbridge Island at the intersections of SR 305 and Northeast West Port Madison, and SR 305 and Northeast Adas Will Lane.
Traffic patterns have shifted within the project area, especially in the vicinity of Adas Will Road, with the removal of the left turn lane for north bound vehicles turning left (west) across traffic and onto Adas Will.
A short stretch of Seabold Road between SR305 and Komedal Road will be closed for the duration of the project and will require detours. Ongoing coordination with BISD and Kitsap Transit will work to resolve conflicts with scheduled transit/bus routes. Overnight work has been proposed and a noise variance permit has been granted for work outside of normal working hours. Exact days and times remain to be determined.
Nighttime work (one-way alternating traffic with flagging)
8 pm Monday, Nov. 20 to Tuesday, Nov. 21 to 6 am, each following day
8 pm Monday, Nov. 27 to Thursday, Nov. 30 to 6 am, each following day
Daytime intermittent flagging
9 am to 2 pm Monday, Nov. 20 to Tuesday, Nov. 21
9 am to 12 noon Wednesday, Nov. 22
9 am to 2 pm Monday, Nov. 27 to Tuesday, Nov. 28
Travelers should stay alert, expect delays and be patient as WSDOT contractor crews work to install these improvements designed to strategically increase safety and decrease the risk of serious accidents. Work is projected to last 14 months with an anticipated completion goal of December 2024.
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New Crosswalk on Winslow Way |
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Construction has begun to add a crosswalk on Winslow Way at the west side of Winslow Ravine. Work will be conducted between the hours of 7:00 am - 7:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will continue to be impacted and directed around the work area until project completion. Please use alternate routes to avoid delays. |
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Yeomalt Stormwater Drainage Project |
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Construction continued this week on the Yeomalt neighborhood drainage improvements. The project includes the placement of new storm drainpipes, ditch enhancements and roadway paving along Yeomalt Point Drive, Madrona Drive NE, and Dingly Drive NE. A majority of the new storm drainage structures and piping have been installed, and grading is expected to begin next week in preparation for paving in mid-November. Weather permitting, the project should be completed by the end of the November. |
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The next scheduled City Council meeting will be a Study Session, held on November 21. Key topics include:
- Winslow Wastewater Treatment Plan Capacity
- Discussion of the Special Event Permit process.
Ways to Watch
- In-person at the City Hall City Council Chambers
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City website livestream (visit the Agendas & Minutes page, then click on "In Progress" when the meeting starts)
- BKAT (Channel 12 on Comcast & Channel 3 on WAVE)
The public is invited to contact members of the City Council to express concerns, questions and praise. Some council members are holding virtual office hours and others are available to meet upon request.
Please visit the City Council page for more information on individual City Council members.
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