Commentary by Gerald Elfendahl…
You can wonder the surprise at last Thursday’s (April 23) Park Board meeting when Peter Best told us all that we had one week to comment on his SEPA determination of nonsignificance for Strawberry Cannery Park Project!
None in the audience who have been active in their concern for this project nor any of the Park Commissioners had heard of this. “I put the notice on the City hall bulletin board on Friday, April 17,” Peter reported, “and mailed it out to all those within 300′ of the project.”
When many of us asked whether he had thought to also send copies of DNS out to all those people who had been actively involved in this project for a year-and-a-half — people who had complained about being shut out of the process as in “Sorry, the charette is only open to 25 people because it is being held in the Council Chambers and is already full!” — he said no but would try and do so.” At 4:30 PM Friday an e-mail was received, apparently the subject DNS, however this computer could not open it!!
I worked in City government for five years through the Trident growth boom in Poulsbo and we ALWAYS mailed any notice out first and foremost to the people most interested in a specific action in addition to adjoining property owners. This lack of respect for the public is sadly what we have come to expect and a standard we do not deserve.
If you are interested, you have until tomorrow to read and comment on the SEPA Checklist and Determination of Non-significance. Detailed information about the project can be found on the City website.
What makes this an important issue for shoreline homeowners? It typifies the determination of city planers to keep people away from island beaches. Remember the planning for Prichard Park?
Strawberry Cannery Park under the Peter Best / City Plan has only one use – non-motorized boat launch and parking.
If this was a public process, all uses would be accommodated.
I believe the public would prefer a boat launch, a dock, non-motorized boat storage, and picnic & BBQ area and maybe a workshop for small boat building.
That is maximum use for a public park, the biggest use for the public buck.
Gary Tripp
Bainbridge Citizens
Dear Gents,
I favor the limitation — non-motorized uses of the estuary at this point. In these upper reaches of the inlet, a bit of quietude and simple paddling, crewing, and sculling befits the surroundings. Motorized vessels are not in accord with the ambience.
Regards,
Dan