Independent FRIDAY, December 7, 2012 n Vol. 121, No. 48 n www.portorchardindependent.com n 50¢
Inside
A Section Editorial Robert Meadows Scene & Heard Sports Legal Notices Mary Colborn Obituaries A4 A4 A5 A6 A7 A7 A8
Inserts: Fred Meyer, RiteAid, Office Depot, Best Buy, Staples, Wal-Mart, Valassis
Printed with recycled paper and environmentally friendly soybean oil-based ink.
Jesse Beals/Staff Photo
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▼ Matthes, Garrido advance in SK commissioner race; Dalton, Danielson in judicial contest.
By CHARLIE BERMANT
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TIM MATTHES
JEANETTE DALTON
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
BRUCE DANIELSON
South Kitsap’s Source for News & Information Since 1890
Staff Writer
Expectations were turned on their head in two Kitsap County political contests during Tuesday night’s primary election, as the perceived front-runners came in third and were disqualified in their respective races. Republican Tim Matthes drew the most votes in the South Kitsap commissioner’s race, followed by Democrat Charlotte Garrido. Monty Mahan, who was the first to declare for the seat and earned the endorsement of local mayors, came in third (See related story, page A3). SEE UPSETS, PAGE A2
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SEE SCHOOL, PAGE A2
and pension rates along with inflation as issues. In addition to the money saved on custodians, Patton said the district will dip into its reserve fund for $1.72 million. She said that’s not all bad because the district saved more than it anticipated in its last fiscal year, which ends Aug. 31. Patton said they also will save through not filling other vacant positions in the district, and through cutting expenses on supplies. The board unanimously adopted the budget. Patton warned in previous meetings that the “hard decisions” likely won’t end
Custodians won’t be replaced, $1.72 million will be taken from reserve fund.
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By CHRIS CHANCELLOR Staff Writer
The South Kitsap School District is a little closer to closing its $2.9 million deficit for the upcoming school year. Terri Patton, assistant superintendent for business and support services, said at Wednesday’s school board meeting that the district won’t replace five full-time custodians who left the district after the last school year. She said that will save the district $250,000. Patton said the deficit stems from unforeseen circumstances when the district presented its last levy to voters in 2004. She cited escalating teacher salaries
activities she reported as stemming from Keehn’s attempts to operate a business out of her home. Weaver said following an April 11 hearing with the city’s Hearing Examiner, certain conditions were placed on Keehn’s permit to mitigate Cronan’s concerns before she would be allowed to operate her business. “(Keehn) has addressed all but one of those conditions, with the last being the letter from the (Kitsap County) Health Department,” Weaver said, explaining that Keehn’s current sewer facilities are SEE NEIGHBORS, PAGE A2
See SCHOOL, A3
Burley Glenwood Elementary School Principal Darek Grant looks over the work of kindergartners during class Monday.
Chris Chancellor/staff photo
Burley Glenwood recently was recognized as one of only three elementary schools in the state to be acknowledged as a Title I, Part A Distinguished School. That award, which began in 1996, recognizes Title I schools, where at least 40 percent of a school’s students must be eligible for free- and reduced-price lunch, for “achieving high educational standards,” according to a news release.
Staff Writer
chasing it last spring. City Development Director James Weaver confirmed that Keehn received a conditional-use permit to operate a onechair hair salon out of her home, which he described as “pretty innocuous” and something that doesn’t typically reach “the level of intensive use,” as far as impacts on the neighborhood are concerned. However, since November of 2007, Cronan has filed multiple complaints with the city regarding traffic, noise and other
Senior Reporter
By WES MORROW
Both sides report feeling harassed in rift over home business. shot in three of her home’s windows. Cronan, who lives on the 200 block of Flower Meadows Street in Port Orchard, said she believed the attack was part of an ongoing dispute with Keehn, whom she alleges has been running a hair salon out of her home without a business license and in defiance of a city “stop-work” order. Keehn, 30, said she filed for permission from the city of Port Orchard to operate a hair salon out of her home on the 2300 block of Flower Avenue soon after pur-
Wes Morrow/staff photo
See TALKS, A2
Harrison Medical Center and The Doctors Clinic, two of the largest local health care providers are in talks regarding possible affiliation. The two groups have yet to make any official announcements, and there is no specific indication of where the talks will lead. However, Jacquie Goodwill, public information officer for Harrison Medical Center, confirmed that the two groups are in conversation. “We have signed a letter of understanding,” Goodwill said. “That letter of understanding is that we will enter into discussions to explore affiliation with one another.” Goodwill emphasized the fact that, while talks are taking
The South Kitsap marching band performs Christmas music just after the lighting of the tree at Port Orchard’s Chimes and Lights Festival Saturday.
Franciscan Health System announced an affiliation with Harrison Medical in October
Neighbor denies pellet gun shooting
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By JUSTINE FREDERIKSEN
Staff Writer
Tensions between two Port Orchard neighbors that erupted after one attempted to open a home business last year led both women to head down to the Kitsap County Courthouse Monday and file restraining orders against each other. Shelia Cronan, 49, said she filed a restraining order against Amber Keehn after returning home from a camping trip Aug. 17 and discovering pellets had been
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR
Harrison Medical Center in talks with Doctors Clinic
Cody Wright from Milford, Utah, got a mouth full of mud and a zero score after falling off Strawberry Delight in the Saddle Bronc Riding competition Wednesday night at the Kitsap County Stampede. The fair runs through Sunday.
Port Orchard
SOUTH KITSAP’S SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION SINCE 1890
Burley Glenwood a top school in state
Olympia’s Madison Elementary and Neah Bay Elementary in the Cape Flattery School District also were honored. Burley Glenwood was selected for boosting its reading scores among student groups who traditionally have scored worse than others. The school will receive $5,000, plus funding to send two staff members to the National Title I Conference in Nashville, Tenn. “I’m very proud of these schools,” state Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn said in a news release. “The achievements they have made are a shining example to the rest of the state that all kids can learn, even with challenging circumstances.” Burley Glenwood emerged from being cited as “needs improvement” on the federal No Child Left Behind Act in
place, Harrison Medical and The Doctors Clinic have not formally affiliated yet. Harrison is already the largest private employer in Kitsap County, employing more than 2,400 medical professionals and staff. While Harrison is a nonprofit organization, the Washington Secretary of State’s office lists The Doctors Clinic as a for profit corporation. The recent talks between the two have come just after Harrison announced in October it would affiliate with Franciscan Health Systems of Tacoma. Franciscan Health Systems is a Catholic hospital system affiliated with a larger organization, Catholic Health Initiatives.
A Joyful Sound
Page A10
Page A11
Wolves wrestlers feature depth and strength
South Kitsap young and ready to win
SPORTS HOOP PREVIEW