PORT ORCHARD — Starting in November, Port Orchard homeless residents or anyone else who needs a warm shelter will have a place to spend the night during inclement weather. A local group of volunteers is working under the auspices of Kitsap County’s Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to have a “severe weather shelter” in place by Nov. 1.

Last year, the county created a shelter program in Bremerton that opened during certain weather conditions. The shelter was operated with volunteers and support from local groups.

Sally Santana, a Port Orchard resident and well-known advocate for the homeless, was on the organizing committee that spearheaded the program. She said the shelters worked great, but were not easily accessible for people in South Kitsap who needed to rely on transportation during bad weather, especially moms with young children. So she recently got together a committee to discuss the idea of a local shelter. The committee includes South Kitsap Helpline executive director Jennifer Hardison, former Port Orchard Mayor Kim Abel, City Councilman Fred Chang and representatives from One Life Church in Port Orchard.

“We want to make it easier for our South Kitsap people that find themselves homeless or find it more difficult to heat their homes,” Santana said.

The group has only met a couple of times, but they have already identified a local church that would serve as the initial shelter, with the goal to get others involved. “We’ve got the site, we’ve got the money and we’ve got the training — we’re ready to go,” Santana said.

Read the complete article online at PortOrchard-life.com

I urge voters to re-elect Fred Chang to the Port Orchard City Council.

He has conscientiously represented us and should remain on the council to continue his excellent work.

He is committed to making Port Orchard a better place for its residents and he has made an ongoing effort to meet those he serves while making a careful review of the major issues that have come before the council.

Recently, the mayor presented plans for his salary increase, and Fred was the only one who questioned the sources for the pay hike.

There will be times when Mayor Coppola needs cautionary input from his council, and Fred has the confidence to provide opposing views when they are justified.

Please return this hard-working and knowledgeable person to office.

EBBA JO SEXTON

Port Orchard

Read more in the online Port Orchard Independent.

PORT ORCHARD —

By Chris Henry
chenry@kitsapsun.com

In the race for Port Orchard City Council position 6, incumbent Fred Chang and challenger Amy Igloi-Matsuno tout their different styles and approaches to local government, even as they speak of a similar goal: maximizing Port Orchard’s potential.

Chang, 50, who is seeking a second term on the council, is a public information officer for the state’s Department of Transportation. Chang says his most important role on the council has been opening up communication between the city and its constituents, promoting accountability and increasing transparency. He’d like to do more of it. As the city grows, Chang said, his goal will remain balancing economic development with maintaining the city’s small-town quality of life.

“I want Port Orchard to meet its potential as a great place to work, visit and play,” Chang said.

With one term under his belt, Chang said, he has in-depth knowledge of issues facing the city. His top priorities would be balancing the city’s finances to meet ongoing economic challenges, addressing annexation to accommodate growth without burdening current residents and dispelling “apathy” on the part of Port Orchard citizens.

Igloi-Matsuno said she would apply her “high energy” to learning more about issues facing the city. Igloi-Matusuno said the fact Port Orchard does not have a business and occupation tax should be touted as a selling point to attract new business to the city. She sees completion of a downtown parking garage as central to the city’s revitalization. Like Chang, she says, the city needs to take a balanced fiscal approach to annexation.

Chang cites his role in helping bring about public access coverage of city council meetings as an example of the citizen advocacy for which he’d like to be known.

In council meetings, he’s apt to question staff about the fine details of an issue, and he’s proud of it. Chang’s campaign flyer proclaims, “Fred asks the hard questions.”

Igloi-Matsuno said her approach would be more collaborative. Asked why she chose Chang’s seat as the target of her challenge, she said her opponent’s watchdog stance often amounts to “grandstanding.”

“I’ve watched his voting. I’ve watched his behavior (in council meetings), and I feel he’s the biggest obstacle on the council to the direction I’d like to see us go,” Igloi-Matsuno said.

“I think she believes I ask too many questions,” Chang said. “My response to that is it really depends on who you talk to. I regularly hear from residents that they’re happy I’m asking questions, because they say otherwise they don’t know what’s going on. They don’t know what I’m voting on.”

Igloi-Matusuno’s businesslike approach to government bears similarities to that of Mayor Lary Coppola. Like Coppola, owner of Wet Apple Media, Igloi-Matsuno is used to making decisions in response to a market that changes daily. Like Coppola, she leans toward expediency … within reason.

Coppola has been vocal about his admiration for Igloi-Matsuno’s business and community involvement. But he has not officially endorsed her, as he has incumbent Carolyn Powers in her race against Cindy Lucarelli for position 2. Igloi-Matsuno has read comments in online media and heard murmurings that she would be a Lary Coppola Mini-Me.

Campaign financing is a notable issue in the race for position 6, with Igloi-Matsuno raising more than $19,000, including a loan of more than $11,000 from herself to her campaign. Chang’s current total is just less than $8,000.

“I find it bizarre because it is a council race in a small town,” said Chang, who decries the total expenditure — $15,707 reported by both candidates so far with more to come — especially in light of the economy.

Read the complete article online.

Please join me and vote to retain Fred Chang in the Port Orchard City Council.

He has been involved in numerous community organizations, associations and government committees.

I have known Fred for more than 10 years and served with him on the Port Orchard Planning Commission.

He studies issues, becomes knowledgeable and is able to ask the hard questions.

He makes thoughtful choices.

TADINA CROUCH

Port Orchard

Read more in the online Port Orchard Independent.

By CHARLIE BERMANT
Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer
Oct 22 2009, 1:33 PM · UPDATED

Editor’s Note: Wet Apple Media states that candidate Amy Igloi-Matsuno has paid for all services to this date, and has supplied a photocopy of a $5,075 check as proof.

This week’s campaign filings for the Port Orchard City Council race between incumbent Fred Chang and and challenger Amy Igloi-Matsuno show a considerable funding disparity between the two candidates.

The most recent reports show that Chang has raised $7,886 and spent $4,144.

Matsuno reported raising $19,290 and spending $11,563.

Of this, $6,950 is from individual contributors.

Igloi-Matsuno herself, along with her husband, have contributed $9,700 — the largest share of the campaign chest.

By law, $4,700 of this money can be characterized as a loan, and can be paid back by future campaign contributions.

The remainder cannot be paid back to Igloi-Matsuno directly, although money she collects can be used to run for the same office in future elections.

Igloi-Matsuno said that she was comfortable contributing to the campaign and was not bothered by what could be perceived as the lack of a level playing field.

She said that Chang could even things up by contributing his own money to his campaign.

“I’m not going to apologize for using my own money for the campaign,” she said. “Fred can use his own money for his campaign if he wants.”

Chang said he had no intention to do so, adding, “I’m not sure that a campaign for Port Orchard City Council should cost this much.”

Chang said Igloi-Matsuno has “outspent me on signs three-to-one.”

He also mentioned a bill* from Wet Apple Media, wondering if it would be paid, or reversed as an “in-kind” contribution.

Wet Apple is owned by Port Orchard Mayor Lary Coppola and his wife Dee Coppola, although the mayor is not currently involved in the company’s operation.

The mayor has repeatedly declared neutrality in the race, while Dee Coppola is listed on Igloi-Matsuno’s Web site as a supporter.

The mayor, however, has stated the company intends to bill Igloi-Matsuno in full, and expects the bills will be paid.

The second contested city council race also has a wide financial disparity, although on a smaller scale.

Incumbent Carolyn Powers, who intended to spend less than $5,000 on her campaign, crossed that threshold last month.

Powers said she received contributions that exceeded that amount, and then submitted reports from data she had kept since the beginning of the campaign.

Her opponent, challenger Cindy Lucarelli, claims to have spent around $2,000 on her campaign, but is not required to file any reports as long as she spends less than $5,000.

Lucarelli does not expect to raise or spend much more.

“My campaign is very different than other candidates,” she said. “I do most of the work myself.”

Powers said she only paid attention to her own finances, and that “each candidate should run their campaign however they see fit.”

*the story’s original version stated an amount for this bill, which was incorrect.

Read more online.

Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer Charlie Bermant can be reached at cbermant@portorchardindependent.com or (360) 876-4414.

PORT ORCHARD —

Port Orchard’s 2009 lodging tax revenue will fall short of estimates made at the end of 2008.

The city expected to collect $93,000 in hotel/motel tax revenues. But thanks to the recession, the city now stands to make $64,577, about 70 percent of the original amount.

The city treasurer’s office told the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, a city panel that helps pick which groups get lodging tax revenue, of the shortfall in early September.

The City Council awarded the 2009 lodging tax revenue based on the 2008 projections. Organizations that are picked to receive lodging tax money must then file claims in order to actually get the money.

But with the city collecting less than it expected, the council this week debated how to honor its commitments to recipients.

But with the city collecting less than it expected, the council this week debated how to honor its commitments to recipients. On Tuesday they decided to distribute the funds proportionately.

“We wanted to do it in a fair and humane way,” said Fred Chang, chairman of the committee.

The city has asked recipients to submit claims no later than Oct. 27, so the total amount available can be calculated.

Lodging tax funds that go unclaimed usually are rolled over into the following year. Last year, the city rolled over $21,776 in unclaimed lodging tax funds.

This year, unclaimed funds will be used to help compensate for the unexpected shortfall.

Mike Strube, chairman of the Port Orchard Chamber board of directors, said the lowered award did not come as a surprise. The chamber’s successful fundraising this year will help offset the loss of funds.

“I think we all knew, with the economy the way it was, that we may not see as much from lodging taxes,” said Strube. “It’s a little lower than I expected but we’ll roll with it.”

Chang said the council will encourage organizations that can make up the loss in other areas of their budgets to decline all or part of any funds they haven’t claimed yet.

The city’s 2009 lodging tax recipients and the amount they were originally promised include the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce ($23,420), tourism and marketing duties performed by the city clerk ($20,000), Cedar Cove Days ($15,000), Fathoms ’O Fun Festival ($10,500), Sidney Museum and Arts Association ($10,200), the Port Orchard Bay Street Association ($3,660), the Saints Car Club ($1,900) and the Port of Bremerton ($500).

Groups receiving awards from the supplemental fund include the city’s Festival of Chimes and Lights ($7,820), Concerts by the Bay ($5,000), foot ferry service for the Kitsap Harbor Festival ($4,400) and the city’s tourism committee ($3,000).

Notably left off the list of 2009 recipients was the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau, which the council believed had fallen short in recent years in promoting Port Orchard. The VCB has since hired a new director.

The committee recently submitted its recommendations for 2010 lodging tax funds to the city council. According to Chang, 12 organizations made requests totaling $168,000. The city expects to bring in $61,000.

The committee ranked applicants based on how well they are seen to support tourism in the city. The VCB requested $20,000. Mayor Lary Coppola recommended $2,000. The committee has recommended the VCB receive $900.

“My sense was that they were a little skeptical of the VCB, but they did want to try and encourage them,” said Chang, who did not vote on the recommendation.

According to Chang none of the applicants were recommended to receive all of the funding they requested.

Read more online.

Back when the mayor got his pay raise, there was a political cartoon in the Port Orchard Independent on Dec. 13 that depicted the mayor in a Santa Claus suit holding a bag of goodies that was emblazoned with the words: “The Mayor’s Huge Pay Raise,” and the mayor saying, “You did it. I’m so very proud of you five little elves.”

Seated in front of the mayor are city council members Jim Colebank, John Clausen, Jerry Childs, Rob Putaansuu and Carolyn Powers.

Fred Chang was not in that cartoon because he voted against pay raise and the way it was funded.

Fred has been belittled as an obstructionist and not being a team player because he asks too many questions at the council meetings, even though he has briefing papers on the subject at hand.

Fred does this because he knows that the citizens do not have these briefing papers and need to know what the content of these briefing papers are.

Too many questions? I think not.

Should the mayor get a pay raise based on future performance? Fred wanted the citizens to vote on the raise.

Fred Chang is an insulator between the city council and the residents of Port Orchard.

Go ahead Fred, ask more questions. From what I have read in the paper about his opponent, she will fit right in with those five elves and be a yes-person to the mayor.

DON DELL

Port Orchard

Read online.

As a member of the Port Orchard community, I have noticed the fine performance of Councilman Fred Chang.

He protects the taxpayer’s money yet has a vision for correct investment in the future.

He is always available to constituent comment and questions.

We can’t afford to lose a man of Fred’s caliber in the city council. I would encourage all citizens in Port Orchard to vote for a true heart that works for the common good — Councilman Fred Chang.

MARK BROWN

Port Orchard

Read online.

PORT ORCHARD — Reader submitted

I am supporting Fred Chang in his bid for re-election to the Port Orchard City Council and urge others to do so as well. I have known Fred for a number of years. We served on the Bremerton Ferry Advisory Committee, of which he was chairman, for several years. I found him to be a hardworking, individual who could always be counted on to fight for what he believed.

Fred is very dedicated to our county and can be trusted to put its welfare before all other considerations. He is a methodical, objective individual who examines all sides of an issue before he reaches any decisions. Fred will always respect and listen to others’ input. He may not always agree, but he still values other folks’ opinions. When you speak with Fred, he really hears you.

Fred has been an excellent city councilman and will continue to be in the future. I urge all Port Orchard voters to vote for Fred.

Diane Smart

Read more online.

By CHARLIE BERMANT
Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer
Today, 4:14 PM

All of the candidates for the Port Orchard City Council have pledged their support to keeping the Sidney Museum in place, leaving the building intact as the proposed parking garage is build adjacent to–or underneath–its current location.

“The museum is a Port Orchard treasure,” said Councilman Jerry Childs, who is not opposed for a second term. “I would have a problem seeing it moved or changed in any way that would diminish that. It provides a glimpse of the past and lets people know what early Port Orchard was like, and what it is like today.”

The comments were made during a candidate forum Thursday at Blondie’s Restaurant that was sponsored by the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce. Aside from Childs, speakers included council members Fred Chang, Carolyn Powers and Rob Putaansuu as well as challengers Amy Igloi-Matsuno and Cindy Lucarelli.

The Sidney Museum is located in an old house at the corner of Prospect and Sidney. The city is proposing the construction of a parking garage underneath a new library. While the city has pledged that it will not condemn the building, the museum administration has required repeated assurance.

Museum board president Jud Turner, who was in the audience, said he was pleased by the support voiced by all the candidates.

While several candidates said they would not force the museum to move they would support any action made by the museum board.

“I think we are all saying the same thing,” Chang said. “I would not vote to condemn the building but would have an open mind as to selecting a different location. Maybe it would be better to have it on Bay Street. It depends what the members want.”

Powers spoke last, saying “well if you think I’m going to stand up here and say ‘let’s get rid of it…’ before she was drowned out by laughter.

“You all know that I am opposed to moving that building or moving the museum,” she said. “There are some wonderful people who keep that museum going, and I can’t praise them enough. That museum plays a great role in the culture of our city. I don’t think we have enough culture. I’m talking about the visual arts, the performing arts, we could use more of that. If they choose to move I will support the move but I will not be out there saying they have to move and the building’s coming down.

“I cherish the history we have in that museum and many of the older homes downtown,” she said.