voice of bainbridge

Greening Winslow?

A 2007 pdf only :( report posted on the site of the park district. I had never heard about it before. It was produced by a small committee (selected how and by whom?) and wishes for $10 million to buy property in Winslow, asap! Apparently the financial problems were not taken into consideration... There would be much to say about what was not done during the previous 10 years and what is still not done but that is not part of this report. The pdf format makes it impossible for interactive public comment. A first step would be to make it available in a format allowing direct public input/comment/questions. Any chance for that? Apparently only 2 public meetings are planned but consulting firms have been hired... Plus ça change, the more it stays the same :(

The Hiroshima pictures the US (and Japanese) mainstream media do'nt want to show

Those are 10 terrible pictures taken by an unknown Japanese photographer in Hiroshima after the bomb.
They were found undeveloped by Robert Capp, a US serviceman who later gave them to the Hoover Archives at Stanford University but asked for them not to be made public until 2008. While googling this morning I could not find any mainstream US newspaper mentioning them, only a few blogs including this one from Rolling Stone magazine journalists that includes a few virulent (and historically mistaken arguments).
I found about the pictures because of articles in the French newspaper Le Monde.
Interestingly the Hoover's Archives also have a oral history recording by Robert Capp (who found the pictures and kept them secret) but when I asked them if it was possible to listen to this recording on line they told me you had to visit their reading room or buy a copy.
The pictures were found by Sean Malloy a young history professor of UC Merced while he was researching about about Hiroshima: Atomic Tragedy (Cornell University Press, 2008).

Green blocks in Missoula

An interesting initiative to reduce waste (energy, water, waste) selected by Sightline Daily.

A strong assessment of our city's situation

As presented by Bob Scales in the Bainbridge Postscript blog.

A message/invitation from Rod Stevens

City Government: How Can We Make It Work Better?

The American Legion has scheduled a town meeting, and you are the invited speaker!  No special guests, just you, your fellow citizens and a great moderator!  Come express your feeling about city government, and what we need to do next. 

Tuesday, May 6, 7-9 p.m.
American Legion Hall (near the Bucklin Hill fire station.)

Th!nk, the small electric car from Norway

Here in Paris, now built in Norway but it is going to come to the US (where it was initially conceived).

Solar panels on Seattle's roofs

This week-end in the Seattle Times (picture Seattle Times)

Precisions from Bainbridge Island Energy Solutions about the Sakaï's project

Joe Deets of  Bainbridge Island Energy Solutions provides additional and different information than what was reported in the Review. In fact the Review left out quite a lot. I have put my comments at the end :)

The author’s rather humbug commentary is the result of one article in the Review. The “Solar for Sakai” project is a grass roots community effort led by Community Energy Solutions, a new island nonprofit. For some time now we have been working with the BI School District, Sakai School and BIHS’s Earth Service Corp. It is indeed unfortunate that the Review didn’t bring up that the Earth Service Corp students delivered a petition to the School Board that night with 700 signatures supporting the project. Nor did it mention that the revenue generated from the electricity generated will be re-invested by the school into energy efficiency measures. As far as PSE’s involvement, we became aware of their solar for schools grant and jumped at the chance to win it. Although we asked for $20,000, it looks like we will get about half of that. That money will go towards design, permitting, 1.1 KW worth of PV installation and on-line signage. With the support of the community we intend to do much more than that. The author makes a good point in asking whether the utility company should be doing more. His overall approach in fact seems to be that we should wait for someone else to do something. We tried that and it doesn’t work. So lets look at what is happening here: a grass roots community effort has begun to create a long lasting solar energy system for one of our schools, which will then serve as a model for further community projects. How cool is that?

Best energy,

Joe Deets
Community Energy Solutions
jwdeets@cenergysolutions.org

Comments about the single solar panel at Sakaï

The Bainbridge Review lauds profusively the soon to be installed single solar panel on Sakaï's roof. Everybody seems happy and grateful but I am concerned by many aspects of this article.
The price of installing one single 1 kWh panel seems to be estimated at $20K. From what I have read that sounds very expansive. It is projected this panel could bring a $400 per year on an annual electric bill of $40K. Investing $20K to recoup $400 is a very bad deal and it is not in line with what most people tell about the return on solar panels. Furthermore I wonder how the school can have an electricity bill of $40K. That looks huge. Then there is the problem of how this panel is financed. Apparently it is paid for by a "grant" from PSE (and Bonneville Power) and a group of concerned citizens has been started to raise private donations to install more panels.

Growing demand for more parks in big cities (and on downtown Winslow as well)

This story is from USA Today via Grist.

168 blogs from Bainbridge on blogspot

Too many to visit (and present) now. Enjoy Diane Walker's texts and photographs on As the spit turns and Contemplative photographer. Or the blak and whites by Joel Sackett on Close to home.

Schools and solar panels in ... Australia

It is frustrating to read about other places taking steps to promote solar energy while the new building is completely missing this opportunity: a sad waste. Although the energy company has a responsibility as it should systematically try to take advantage of large roofs to install solar panels (at its own expense and for its own benefit): after all they do install "solar farms" at their own cost (ie with the money we give them).
The other responsibility lies with us as a community since we did not push for solar panels on the roof, did not lobby the high school nor PSE :(

Should the high school go solar?

BELLEVUE, Wash. (Feb. 4, 2008) – As part of Puget Sound Energy’s ongoing efforts to advance renewable energy generation, the utility last Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, issued a request for proposals (RFP) to provide up to five schools in PSE’s service area each a 1 kilowatt to 5 kilowatt photovoltaic solar system.

Decisions taken without any public participation? The case of the "Strawberry Plant" Park (to be)

Readers of the Bainbridge Islander can read today how the city (who at the city is not clear but for the city shorelines planner Mr Peter Namtvedt Best quoted in the article) will remove "100 creosote piling and about 250 feet of concrete and other shoreline armoring from the Strawberry plant property... that will eventually (?!) become a public park with a restored marshland and gravel beach."
The problem with this decision making process is that the community that has been asking for parks has not been consulted nor informed. While I was supposed to get information from Mr Namtvedt Best after I had inquired on October 31 about the fate of this very nice place, he never got back to me. Is he running the city? Is that acceptable? I don't think so :(

See copies of the email exchanges below

A letter from Debbi Lester about Ericksen Park

I post Debbi's email on the blog (below) as a pertinent contribution to this on going saga. I take note that she talks of Ericksen Park and that it is the right way to frame this issue: we are talking about destroying a park.
A very small park but how many are there in Winslow? And who would benefit?
Thank you Debbi for taking the time.

Earth Hour on saturday on Bainbridge

Turn off your lights for one hour 8 to 9 pm (or more). Here is the blog. And the invitation from the city to go to Battle Point Park and look at the stars (if it's not snowing).

Public Works and Transportation to look at Hildebrand on Monday 31 (3 to 5)

This meeting is "announced" by two small posters posted along Ericksen. Can that be considered sufficient information? I don't think so.At first I thought the city website did not  provide any additional info :( but in fact if you type the date of the meeting within the agenda, then click on the right item on the program for this day you get this "presentation" (pdf format) that is a version of the draft we had presented in June (see below).

I guess if you cannot attend you can still email the city counsellors in charge of public works: Kjell Stoknes, Kim Brackett and Chris Snow.

Who is going to defend the public interest? How can we know if we cannot attend?
I suggest this meeting be recorded (audio) and posted on line so that the people who cannot attend but are concerned could hear what is said.

A digital audio recorder costs $30 and all public meetings can be recorded.

See the previous postings on the saga of Ericksen and Hildebrand that refer (for instance) to the draft (an incredible reading) of this $75K  study.

The Chamber persists (and so does the community)

When I took this picture this morning the traffic was minimal, as it is most if not all the time contrary to what is sometimes claimed. The Hildebrand Lane is in no way a very busy arterial. Nonetheless the Chamber wants to erase the small pocket park and replace it by more pavement. Who would benefit from such a destruction? Are all the Chamber's members in favor of such a move? How much does such a banner cost? Is it a good use of the Chamber's money? Who decides such a campaign? Has it been discussed by the Chamber's membership?

Why Seattle's Tree Canopy is disappearing

This story in the Seattle Weekly. What about Winslow's Tree Canopy?

The city could/should regulate the presence of trees in parking lots via a green ordinance for urban sustainability

Thinking about what happened to the trees at the ferry terminal parking I wondered about existing city regulations elsewhere. Just google parking lots and trees: here comes the regulation adopted by the city of Sacramento. It is about shading trees but it makes perfect sense to require the presence/planting/maintenance of trees on parking lots. Looks like the city is going to hire a consultant...and as usual such regulations already exist.

Who is responsible for the disastrous "pruning" of the trees in the parking at the ferry terminal?

Reading the February 20 issue of the Bainbridge Review we don't learn what firm was responsible for this job. A manager for Diamond Parking does not provide any specific information nor apologize for anything wrong. The City acquiesces by saying nothing inherently wrong (illegal) was done and we get the usual argument about private property. Diamond Parking is a big corporation, they claim to be the biggest private parking company in the world (and I bet they are). It is not clear that they were in charge of this "pruning" as they could only be in charge of operating the parking while the property is owned by somebody else. This somebody else could be an entity called Winslow Marine LLC but the property tax map does not provide any clue about who they are, but for the address of an accounting firm in Bellevue. I think the people deemed "responsible" should publicly say so and offer a compensation to our community or explain to us why all is well. What type of compensation? They could plant more/new trees in this parking lot and/or provide money for trees to be planted. They should come up with internal guidelines to avoid such bad practices in the future.

City Hall blasted (once more) by 2 local blogs

We have been frequently shocked by the hiring of consultants by the City: any problem seems/ed to deserve a (usually very pricey) consultant.  Local blogs Bainbridge Island Postscript and Bainbridge Island Notebook detail (once more)this costly (and not very effective) practice that also raises questions of basic trust, lack of transparency, eventual conflicts of interests :(

Tattoo programs at KRL

Should programs about tattoos be part of library programs? I am not so sure. Not that I have anything against tattoos (I have nothing for them either): I am just not sure this is relevant to the library's missions.
Especially when there is a significant financial problem that remains to be actively addressed.
On the other hand, starting to install "self service" machines goes into the right direction. A better presentation of the DVDs would also be welcome.

31 years ago: Jimmy Carter about the energy crisis

Jimmy Carter delivered this televised speech on April 18, 1977.

Here is the audio.

Requiring green building standards

That's coming... unfortunately too late for the on going construction at the high school...

Don't forget the meeting at the American Legion Hall

The American Legion is sponsoring a New England-style town meet on Tuesday, February 5 at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall near Hyla to give people a chance to voice their feelings and concerns and pose questions to elected officials about island government. The Legion has asked Charlie Bermant to moderate the discussion, and he will work with a roving microphone, giving people time to follow up their questions and to have a real community dialogue. The Legion has invited the Mayor and City Council members to attend, listen, and respond to questions.

What if City Hall roof had solar panels?

That would make sense. The same goes for the high school.

Did the high school consider solar energy?

I don't think it did. If not, it's too bad but maybe not too late? Here is an interesting program promoting the installation of solar panels for schools (in Camas, La Center, etc.)

Sustainability coverage on NPR?

Does NPR report enough about sustainability issues? They claim they do. I disagree :)
Those are piecemeal programs here and there but there is not one daily rendez-vous about those issues.
Is that normal considering what is at stake? Are the environmental organizations lobbying for more radio programs and/or (even better) coproducing their own segments via a radiobrodcasting alliance? Unfortunately radiobroadcasting is not on their radar screen except with very limited projects  that do not try to bring together as many diverse groups as possible.
When will they get it? Soon I hope but it would be great if our local NPR stations were also more proactive.

32 new blogs from NRDC

Under the title (and poor picture choice in my opinion) of a switchboard, NRDC enters the blogosphere with 32+ blogs. That's good news. The pictures are from Beijing on a clear day and not so clear...

New KRL website, now on line :)

The blog revolution is not in yet but the basic and fundamental service, looking for items and ordering them on line, remains fine.
Are there new communication opportunities? I am not sure. What would I think would be useful?

New KRL website?

Today is December 6 and I don't see anything new -yet- on www.krl.org
Maybe a small delay? I do hope the library comes up with a better site that also uses the internet to raise the necessary funds and provide on line extra information about what's available.
What about reviews from members about what they have borrowed?

Hansel and Gretel are coming

Ovation! Musical Theatre Bainbridge will present the German composer, Engelbert Humperdinck's Christmas classic, Hansel and Gretel, November 30th through December 9th, with chamber orchestra, at the BHS Theatre.
Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM. Tickets $13-$20.

Bicycling in style in Copenhagen

Via this blog :)

The Kitsap Transit Bus that cannot climb the hill

50 families from Bainbridge Island have their children attending West Sound Academy in Poulsbo.
The new campus of the school is located up on a hill above 305.
Kitsap Transit buses 90 run empty on 305 when they return to Poulsbo from the ferry terminal so I thought it would make sense for one of them instead of running empty ('Sorry not in service") to transport the Bainbridge students who attend West Sound (as well as any other interested passenger).
We had 10 families interested but the parents were concerned about their children's safety: on the way home, getting the bus means crossing the highway while there is no specific crosswalk, no light, no reduced speed.
Kitsap Transit does not care about that: it is the domain of the Department of Transportation.
Anyway. I thought maybe the 90 bus that runs empty could slightly alter its route and go up the hill to  safely deliver the students. NO WAY.

Is Kitsap Transit really cutting costs?

While there are plans to cut service, Kitsap Transit recently decided to replace the Access Program Manager with a Director instead of a Manager: this change came at a cost of 45K + per year for a total of about 130K (going from 85K to 130K).
Was it really necessary to increase the compensation of the new position to this level while the organization is supposedly struggling?
How is the public going to be better served by a 130K Director instead of an 85K Manager?
Nobody among the Commissioners objected but are the public and citizenry really aware and informed?
Who reads the reports of the Board meetings?  Who has time to attend them (on Tuesday morning in Bremerton).
This story can be found on the page 14 of the October 16 meeting (pdf file).
 
Why do I know about this? This is my next exclusive story: the Kitsap Bus that cannot climb the hill.

Congratulations to Kim and Bill

They won the two contested seats for City Council. I hope they'll defend the trees, more parks downtown, no round about that is absolutely not needed (99% of the time as the public works people acknowledge), no useless gigantic underground garage (absolutely not needed as well contrary to what consultants/lobbyists try to have us believe). I wish Kim and Bill start blogs to keep us informed and incite other counselors to do likewise. Best wishes to all members of the Council.

Welcome also to Kathe Fraga

Kathe has started a PI Blog: Notes from an island.

Bye Wendy, Welcome Jessica

Wendy Wallace has decided to stop writing for her blog Bainbridge Breezes (hosted by the Seattle PI).
She has found a replacement: Jessica Star Rockers

Jessica also has a personal site as does Wendy: Let the dog in!

A Few Pictures From "Weaver Park"

This is the beginning of the wooden path toward the water, with a few tall trees.

The New Fremont Park in Seattle: What About Our Own Weaver Park?

Reading the story in the Seattle Times about the new Fremont Park, I think what is the City doing to set up a park at the end of Weaver Avenue? I have been there yesterday and it looked like a few volunteers have started cleaning up this very nice spot. This is a place ready to become a park.

Thinking about Kitsap Regional Library's Finances: one dollar per month per card member

Being an avid user of our library I have been concerned about its financial problems since the failure of the request for additional tax revenue. As I recall the budget gap was around $2 million. Do you know how many people carry a library card in Kitsap County?

Enjoy those beautiful trees on Madison before they are cut down for the roundabout unless

Loving old trees (The opposite of Winslow)

It's parking day (although not on Bainbridge)

PARK(ing) Day is today. This event that first began when Rebar, a San Francisco collective, transformed a metered parking spot into a park almost two years ago. The impetus: More than 70 percent of most cities' outdoor space is dedicated to automobiles, but only a fraction of that land is available as open space for people.

To discover what public art projects and street interventions are going on in your neck of the woods, visit the Web sites of PARK(ing) Day and The Trust for Public Land. Source: Treehugger

Bartletts or Williams, the delicious pears have arrived :)

Tim and Lina brought them today from Stina's Booth Canyon Orchard on the other side of the mountains and they are perfect to eat right away :)
DELICIOUS

Town Hall Meeting Concerning Winslow Way Streetscape Proposal Sept. 10, 2007: the comment sheet of Maureen and Thom

Here is the comment sheet that our Grow Avenue neighbors Thom McDonald & Maureen Newby submitted to the city and they have agreed to share with us :)
We think all comments should be made available.

Another very bad idea for downtown: the monster garage. Cui prodest?

Real McCoy of Bainbridge PostScript does again a perfect job at explaining why this monster undeground garage is a very bad plan. Of course the basic key lie is that there would be a lack of parking space downtown and if there was a need (there is none) the place to consider would be T&C and the post office parking. Why was such a plan was even studied: Is fecit cui prodest. Who would profit? Two major property owners, Haggar-Scribner Properties and Sandstrom Properties who co-financed the "study".

New blog on the block: Island Ashley

Island Ashley is in love with life on Bainbridge Island (picture of Orion the owl taken by Island Ashley at the farmer's market)

Who should pay for Winslow Way? Present city proposal meets strong opposition at neighborhood meeting

Bill Knobloch was invited by a few friends living on Grow Avenue to talk about his City Council candidacy and answer any questions we could have. The core of the discussion was about the cost and funding of Winslow Way's renewal (13 to 20+ million).

Participants were incensed that public works recommended that most of the bill be footed by 10 per cent of the population as if it was the typical utility project.