News Archive

DK Board of Trustees To Tell County: 'We're Not GHAAC Members, and GHAAC Does Not Represent DK'

February 9, 2007 -- On Thursday, Feb. 7, the Driftwood Key Board of Trustees came to a consensus at a workshop meeting that they will send a letter to Kitsap County saying that they are not a member of the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Committee (GHAAC).

Since its inception, the GHAAC political interest group has listed Driftwood Key as a member, although no DK board resolution was ever passed to join the group.

Driftwood Key residents are urged to attend the formal Board meeting next Thursday (Feb. 14) at 7:00 p.m., at the Driftwood Key Club House to make their concerns known and to urge the board to consider polling it's membership on the speed bump issue.

One trustee confirmed that GHAAC's free access to the club's newsletter will be terminated.

For several months, DK has listed Jerry Ulsund in its official communications newsletter, the Keynotes, as a "committee chair" responsible for the "Advisory Council" which refers to GHAAC. It gave the appearance that Mr. Ulsund was officially representing DK at GHAAC functions.

A former board president warned the trustees last month that the voting scheme laid out by GHAAC bylaws could have broad implications on issues ranging from county storm water management resources to the DK Club's future ability to keep its harbor dredged.

For related stories, see the News Archive page.

DK contact information:

Click here to see beep4bumps warning about GHAAC involvement.

'30 to 45 Business Days' for Records Investigation into Phony 25 mph Hood Canal Dr Speed Limit Signs, Sheriff Dept. Says

Beep4bumps Raises Additional Safety Concerns Regarding Bumps to Sheriff's Dept.

December 16, 2007 -- Beep4bumps has asked Kathy Collings of the department's Detective/Support Services Division, to provide information regarding patrol hours for November at the speed bumps and citations written for RCW 46.37.380.

Beep4bumps has also asked the department to provide records related to the false 25 mph speed limits posted on Hood Canal Drive a few years ago. Some Kitsap County residents have told beep4bumps that they had received citations under the false speed limit but were never refunded for their fines and did not have their driving records cleared of the charges. Click here for this email to Ms. Collings.

Ms Collings, who was sent the request on December 3, said she passed the request on to Karen Brezler of the department on the 10th after beep4bumps emailed a follow up request inquiring about the delay. The follow up letter also inquired about additional safety issues at the speed bumps. Click here for that email.

Ms Brezler wrote the morning of Friday, Dec. 14, "We received your e-mail request regarding false speed signs on December 10, 2007. A proper response to your request may take 30-45 business days from the date of this letter. Sincerely, Karen M. Brezler, Support Services Specialist, #1030 Records Unit - Dissemination"

Collings provided redacted copies of citations written in north Kitsap County in October and comments on the time spent patrolling the speed bump roads. Beep4bumps has since asked for November's statistics and when told of the delay on the other information, has asked in advance for statistics for January and February.

See the Sheriff Page for more details.

Please note that if you have information related to the activities of the Sheriff's Department that would be of benefit to readers, please let us know at: info@beep4bumps.com.

BEEPNOTE: Public record requests are on-going and will be frequent as north Kitsap County taxpayers sort out the problems associated with traffic issues in their neighborhoods and on their commuter routes, especially as they relate to false speed limits and installation of speed bumps.

Beep4bumps asks that any frustration for frequent records and data requests of the various county departments not be directed at the requesters of this information, but rather, at those who made these requests necessary, namely Commissioner Steve Bauer and his Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC).

Greater Hansville Group Subject to State's Open Public Meetings & Open Records Laws Says Assistant Attorney General Tim Ford

December 16, 2007 -- Frustrated with the lack of response to records by the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC), beep4bumps asked Assistant Attorney General Timothy Ford

(pictured) to weigh in on the group's obligations under state law, namely the state's Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act.

The law provides for prompt responses to records requests in section 42.56.520 as well as judicial review. Those individuals compelled to sue for records can be awarded all costs, including reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with such legal action. See Judicial Review of Agency Actions.

The GHAAC has ignored all public records request by authors of beep4bumps and other Kitsap County residents. While Kitsap County has provided some records, GHAAC has failed to respond to numerous public records requests including requests made from one of its own committee members, John Wiegenstein.

Ford, who serves as the state's Open Government Ombudsman, said in an email to beep4bumps, "...I would conclude that the GHAAC is most likely subject to the OPMA [Open Public Meetings Act} and the public records act."

For the full text of Ford's email, click here.

Kitsap County Responds to City of Kirkland Speed Bump Survey; Kitsap Responses Contradict Cliffside and Hansville Bump Installations

December 16, 2007 -- In an effort to determine what other Washington state communities are doing to slow speeders in residential neighborhoods, the City of Kirkland surveyed other local governments including Kitsap County.

Released October 18, 2007, the Regional Survey of Neighborhood Traffic Control Program Critera, contains responses from Kitsap County that clearly contradict the speed devices installed on Hood Canal Drive and Twin Spits Road.

The survey asks respondents: "What support rate do you require for the installation of traffic calming devices such as traffic circles and speed humps?"

Kitsap County's response: "70%." But when asked, "How do you define the area of households who get to vote?" Kitsap County responded, "People who live on the street or have to drive on that street to get home."

The vast majority of users of Hood Canal Drive and Twin Spits Road were never surveyed at all. The Road Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) claims that written petitions signed by those residents now living on the bumps were submitted to the county. However, despite repeated requests, no such petitions have been made available to the public.

Surveys may be moot, however, since the county says such roads aren't even eligible for such devices.

The survey asks if respondants have "minimum/maximum traffic volume and/or street classification requirements." Kitsap County's answer: "200 -3,000 vpd. Must be in a 25-mph zone with the street classified as residential. Calming devices are discouraged on collector roads."

Regarding rule exceptions, the survey asks, "If a 'warrant' were not met for a traffic-calming device, under what conditions, if any, would you allow/recommend the device be installed anyway? Stronger support than your minimum required?" Kitsap County had no response, but then when asked if money came from a non-city [governmental] funding source? Kitsap County responded, "Yes, but the device still requires a 70% support rate."

Click here to read the full City of Kirkland survey report.

Driftwood Key Trustees Question 'Greater Hansville Group' on Voting

DK Comprises 45% of All Homes Within 98340 Zip Code, Yet DK Vote Is Equal to Flotsam and Jetsam Garden Club Vote?

December 16, 2007 -- At a more-crowded-than-usual Board of Trustees meeting of the Driftwood Key (DK) home owner's association Dec. 13, trustees questioned the logic behind how the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC) could grant equal voting to a group as large as DK with other groups such as the Hansville Community Church, the Coffee Klatch, the Flotsam and Jetsam Garden Club.

GHAAC, the group responsible for area speed bumps, speed limit reductions and other traffic-related issues, was formally recognized by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners to represent all of North Kitsap County. For its bylaws, click here.

On its list of eight action items: "Support sensitive development of any additional road capacity and advocate for a combination of enforcement, education, and traffic calming devices that enhance pedestrian and traffic safety."

County Commissioner Steve Bauer has indicated he won't address speed bump issues unless residents work through the GHAAC. See related article on the News Archive page.

There are 503 homes in Driftwood Key and 1124 homes in the 98340 zip code. That means that DK is 45% of the homes within the zip code. DK and neighboring Shorewoods combined would easily exceed 50% of the areas homes.

A DK Trustee wrote in an email to beep4bumps following the Dec. 13 session, "It is clear to the Board that the GHAAC is not, as it currently organized, proportionally accounting for the views of the Driftwood Key Community. The Board has agreed to take up this matter with both GHAAC and the County.

"Second, the Board is moving forward with plans to solicit the views of the community regarding the speed bumps. We will discuss how best to do this at the next Board workshop in January. The discussion last night [Dec. 13] centered around creating some type of feedback mechanism -- voting, email, response form in the KeyNotes -- as well as public testimony at the January Board meeting."

For a related story on Driftwood Key and the speed bumps, see the News Archive page.

For an email exchange that includes comments from DK Board President, click here.

File Comments with the Department of Public Works

November 14, 2007 -- Beep4Bumps.com has been encouraging residents to write to their three County Commissioners to make their feelings known about the speed bumps.

But if the Commissioners fail to respond as they have to the authors of this website, it can be frustrating.

Try filing a complaint with the Department of Public Works at this website: http://www.kitsapgov.com/pw/openline.htm. Every email counts! Let your thoughts be known. They work for you.

Beeping Mad?
Help Us Publicize Beep4Bumps!

November 14, 2007 -- If you want to reclaim the public roads you drive home on, consider this your web site! Help spread the word. We have a few lawn signs (show above) that were generously donated to the cause. If you live on a high-visibility road, email us at , info@beep4bumps.com and we'll do our best to set you up with a sign. If we run out, we'll keep you on our sign list.

BEEPNOTE: Three of our signs have been stolen. If you have information about who the culprits might be -- photos, videotape, license numbers, please let us know. Free speech needs to be protected. Thanks!

Committee Member Sends Report to Beep4Bumps
Urges Participation by All Residents, Not Just Speed Bump Advocates
November 8, 2007 -- Click here to read one committee member's report of the Nov. 6th road safety group held at the Driftwood Key Clubhouse. If you don't love the bumps as much as the current committee members do, join their committee and let your voice be heard. Tell Kitsap County, remove these speed bumps!

Founding Member of Roads Committee Warned Group that Bumps Would 'Pit Neighbor Against Neighbor'

November 23, 2007 -- Neal Kellner, who founded the Road Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), says he warned its members last spring against pushing through a speed bump plan.

He said that County Commissioner Steve Bauer led discussions on how to eliminate opposing views from taking over at the May public meeting at which the committee made its recommendation to the county to install the bumps. Bauer has ignored all emails and phone calls from authors of this website.

Kellner says his prediction that the bumps would meet with negative reaction has turned out to be an understatement and he added that bumps threaten to damage "our newly formed government structure," referring to the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC).

Read Kellner's full statement here.

Are the Speed Bumps in Direct Violation of Kitsap County Policy? Read This Carefully. You Decide.

Click here for Kitsap County Local Traffic Safety Program (LTSL)

November 14, 2007 -- An extract republished here: There are minimum criteria that must be met to invoke Phase II improvements. If Phase I measures prove ineffective, the community’s traffic data is matched against the following minimum criteria:

1. Average Daily traffic (ADT) volumes greater than 200 daily vehicles
2. 25% of the vehicles must be exceeding the posted speed limit by at least 10 miles per hour, as determined from speed studies, with at least 50 samples (over a 24 hour period) at a given location.
3. At least 70% of the residents in the proposed location (residing on the street in question and within one block in all directions) must sign the petition requesting the improvement.
4. The street designated for a Phase II device must be a local access or neighborhood collector road, as defined in the current edition of the Kitsap County Transportation Plan.
5. The roadway grade where physical devices are to be installed shall not exceed 5%.
6. The stopping sight distance standards contained in the current edition of MUTCD will be considered when installing devices on or near horizontal curves.

The Traffic Engineering Section will advise the neighborhood contact person whether or not the minimum criteria is met.

Aside from the above extract, we encourage you to download the whole file and read it carefully. It says speed devices are not appropriate for the type of roads targeted by your so called Hansville Traffic Safety Committee. Ask your government if these standards were applied or if they caved in to special interests. Demand accountability.

RSAC Member Urges Your Participation at Dec. 4 Committee Meeting at DWK Clubhouse

Requests Records of GHAAC and Commissioner Bauer

November 23, 2007 -- RSAC Committee Member John Wiegenstein, of Heller Wiegenstein PLLC Law Offices, is urging Kitsap County residents to attend the Road Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Driftwood Key Clubhouse to voice your concerns with the speed bumps.

"We need real, unfiltered public input," he said.

He has asked Judith Foritano, chair of the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC), for all documents relating to the formation, operation and function of the Road Safety Advisory Committee and it's relationship to the GHAAC. See his letter here.

He also requested that Commissioner Steve Bauer provide information in an effort to help area residents better understand how the county's decision was made on this issue. See his letter here.

Bauer provided an incomplete response to which Wiegenstein requested further information. See email string here.

No Word Yet from Kitsap Sheriff Department on November 'Beep Patrol' Statistics

December 9, 2007 -- Beep4bumps has asked has asked Kathy Collings of the department's Detective/Support Services Division, to provide information regarding patrol hours at the speed bumps and citations written for RCW 46.37.380.

Collings provided redacted copies of citations written in north Kitsap County in October and comments on the time spent patrolling the speed bump roads.

Commissioner Bauer's Comments to Wiegenstein Read Aloud at Committee Meeting

December 9, 2007 -- John Wiegenstein, member of the Road Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), told audience members at the committee's Dec. 4 meeting that he received an email from former committee member and now Kitsap County Commissioner, Steve Bauer.

Wiegenstein told the committee and its audience that Commissioner Bauer will only discuss the speed bump issue under Bauer's specific conditions.

Beep4bumps author, John Hostvedt, had a copy of the letter and read Bauer's comments aloud. Bauer, in his letter to Wiegenstein, writes: "I am happy to work with any of my neighbors and constituents. However, on this topic [speed tables], I will confine myself to working with folks who: 1.) Acknowledge that speeding is a problem, 2.) are committed to seeking cost effective solutions to the problem (even if they are different than the speed tables), and 3) are willing to work through the Traffic Safety Committee and GHAAC."

Click here to read the actual email exchange.

Steve Bauer continues to ignore all email and voice mail messages left for him by authors of this website. Bauer's email address is SBauer@co.kitsap.wa.us.

New 'Beeps' Page Dedicated to Open, Responsive, and Accountable Government

December 11, 2007 -- There are several measures we can use to determine if our government is open, honest, and responsive.

Does it comply with laws that require open meetings and open records? Does it operate in transparent ways and make decisions with full disclosure? Does it make an extra effort to be sure that special interests aren't overshadowing the public interest?

Beep4bumps is pleased to introduce a new page called "Hello Commissioners!" On it, we've published letters that you've send to the Kitsap County Commission. We pose the simple question, have you gotten a response? Hello Commissioners? Knock, knock, anyone home?

Frankly, we at beep4bumps, are tired of telling you that we are being ignored by the commissioners and our local committees, GHAAC, RSAC, etc., when we ask them to answer simple questions about the speed bumps. But sadly, we're finding out more and more that we're not alone.

Bottom line: We're frustrated when we get ignored but nothing makes us more angry than when YOU get ignored.

Please visit the Hello Commissioners! to see what your neighbors are asking of YOUR commission. And please also visit the Washington State Attorney General's page on Open Government.

Kitsap Dept. of Public Works Given Directive to Not Speak with Beep Website, Directs Inquiries to Public Info Officer; Declines All Further Comment

December 9, 2007 -- Douglas Bear, information officer for the Dept. of Public Works, wrote beep4bumps's author, John Hostvedt, in an email, "Greetings John, I've been directed to refer your existing questions and any future requests to Elizabeth [Watkins]. She is your point of contact and I expect you will be hearing from her soon. Thanks! Doug"

The information requests involved Public Works involvement in the Hansville and Cliffside speed bumps.

When asked who gave that directive, Bear did not respond.

Bear is the chief contact person at the county's Public Works Department. The departments website and comment form can be found at: http://www.kitsapgov.com/pw/openline.htm.

For more information on the county's Public Works Department and their involvement in the speed bumps, contact Bear directly at: dbear@co.kitsap.wa.us

Newly Released Records Show Road Committee Declined County's Directive to Survey All Area Residents About Speed Bumps

Committee Opted for 'Non-Detailed' Informational Flier to Introduce May Speed Bump Meeting; Fliers Mailed 'Week of May 7th' for May 15th Session, Yet Meeting Date Was Established Two Months Prior

December 30, 2007 -- In records just released more than two months after beep4bumps.com's initial October request, the Road Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) rejected a county recommendation that they survey all north Kitsap County residents.

Kitsap County Commissioner Steve Bauer and local traffic committee members continue to maintain that the process that brought about speed bumps on Hood Canal Dr, Twin Spits Road, and Bridgeview Dr. was widely publicized, inclusive, and had broad community support.

Committee meeting minutes paint a different picture, however.

Records show that the overwhelming majority of road committee members were residents living at the locations where speed bumps were being demanded, not membership from a cross section of Hansville residents who actually use the roads every day.

Further, records show that:

-- Committee members circulated a petition to only the residents living at the location of the speed bumps. This runs contrary to county policy, where support for the bumps must reach 70 percent among both those at the bumps and those that will have to travel the bumps. Users of the roads, comprising over 1,100 households in the 98340 zip code, were not included in the petition drive. For the petitions, click here.

-- Kitsap County recommended that those using the roads be surveyed about the speed bumps, but meeting minutes show that committee members said it would hurt their chances for getting the bumps installed. See "old business" section of the minutes of March 6, 2007. The minutes state: "The county has suggested sending out survey fliers as our project deviates from the county standards. Patricia [Pinkham, committee co-chair] explained that these will not be surveys, but non-detailed informational fliers."

-- The cost estimate for the speed bumps was $40,000 and committee members knew that in March 2007, but presentation materials later used to sell the bumps at a community meeting said $30,000. Actual costs have exceed $48,000. See meeting minutes from March 6, 2007.

-- Meeting minutes of August 29, 2006 detail how then committee chair Neal Kellner "...suggested that over 50% of the commuters will not want any speed reduction devices and suggested taking the information only to heavily impacted areas. He suggested taking petitions to local organization, [sic] the Community Center, Cliffside, Hansville for greater impact."

-- Chris Endresen wrote to the committee, as indicated in the June 27, 2006 minutes, saying that if Twin Spits gets speed bumps, then Hood Canal Drive should get speed bumps to discourage those avoiding them on Twin Spits Road. Other records, however, show that residents on Hood Canal Dr. had already been agitating for speed bumps in 2005. Click here for a report from the county on Hood Canal Dr.

To review traffic safety minutes from June 6, 2006 to Nov. 6, 2007, visit our Public Records page. The county did not respond to inquiries by beep4bumps.com regarding why these minutes were unavailable in October, November, and most of December.

DK Board of Trustees to Discuss 'Official' Membership in Group That Gave Us the Bumps; GHAAC

Beeps Site Says, "No Way!"

January 9, 2008 -- Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7:00 p.m., the Driftwood Key Home Owner's Association Board of Trustees will discuss whether to join the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC).

GHAAC, the group that got Kitsap County to install the speed bumps on Hansville arterial roads against the county's own policy, already considers DK a member and claims DK resident Jerry Ulsund as DK's representative. One board member noted that Mr. Ulsund has not attended board meetings.

At a board workshop last week, however, board members said that no such membership was ever acknowledged by the board, no such resolution was ever passed.

On the same June, 2007, day that the Kitsap County Commissioners voted to install the bumps, they also gave GHAAC official recognition as the voice of Hansville to county government.

Thursday's meeting at the DK clubhouse is open to the public and public comment regarding GHAAC membership.

Beep4bumps.com has recommended that DK not join based on GHAAC's failure to accurately represent the residents of north Kitsap County. However, if such membership is contemplated, the DK Board must insist that specific conditions be met. Among them:

That GHAAC remove itself from the road engineering business altogether (no more traffic calming disasters, please!)
That GHAAC limit the scope of its activities to prevent further harm to the area
That DK get a proportional vote based on population or that the whole voting scheme in GHAAC bylaws be sent back to the drawing board for a complete re-do.
That GHAAC promises to prevent its committees and activities from being tainted by the serious conflicts of interest issues we've seen so blatantly with a road committee -- the members of which literally ordered personal speed bumps for the roads in front of their own residences while ignoring county policy and a county request that it survey users of the roads.
That GHAAC begin and promise henceforth to obey all state laws regarding operating in full disclosure and that the names, addresses and phone numbers of all GHAAC members be fully disclosed to the public and published.
That GHAAC respond immediately to all requests from all members of the public for information.
That any decisions GHAAC intends to make and then recommend to the county be widely published and that surveys be done of all homeowners within GHAACs area.
That GHAAC find ways to give equal voice to people who will not or cannot attend evening or weekend meetings. This is especially important giving the nature of our area.

Beep4bumps authors contend that the Hansville area does not need a "shadow" government of unelected people with special, sometimes selfish, interests.

If Hansville actually wants a government, there are incorporation processes that can facilitate that. Incorporation is not being recommended, but neither is an unnecessary "fake" government that has vividly demonstrated that it cannot be trusted.

Beeps4bumps would be happy to give the GHAAC point of view in this forum, but they've not responded to any email inquiries for records or information.

Note: If you're able to attend the meeting, please feel free to share your thoughts on the session at beep4bumps.com.

--NEW--
DK Board of Trustees Hears Warning About GHAAC "Shadow Government"; Delays Action Until Membership Weighs In

January 13, 2007 -- On Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7:00 p.m., the Driftwood Key (DK) Home Owner's Association Board of Trustees heard from a handful of DK members who warned that endorsing membership in the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council would be tantamount to endorsing a "shadow government" that no one in Kitsap county elected.

For months, DK has listed Jerry Ulsund in its official communications newsletter, the Keynotes, as a "committee chair" responsible for the "Advisory Council" which refers to GHAAC.

Yet board members note that no such resolution was ever passed by the DK board to join GHAAC and Ulsund has not attended board meetings.

A former board president warned the gathering that the voting scheme layed out by GHAAC bylaws could have broad implications on issues ranging from county storm water management resources to the DK Club's future ability to keep it's harbor dredged.

In addition, the Driftwood Key area referred to in GHAAC's bylaws is a "geographic area" that includes homes outside of the homeowner's association. It's conceivable, one board member said, that we could have someone not living DK representing DK to the GHAAC.

The DK Board and Jerry Ulsund have been hearing from you on this issue. The board, however, needs much more input before taking action on GHAAC-related issues, including the speed bumps. You can write to them with your concerns or questions.

DK contact information:

Click here to see beep4bumps warning about GHAAC involvement.

Bumps Patrolled 1.3% in October
One Ticket Written for Obscure RCW 46.37.380

November 23, 2007 -- Sheriff's deputes sat for a total of approximately 10.5 hours on traffic control in the area of the speed tables in October, the sheriff's department reports. That's about 1.3 percent of all the hours possible in a month.

Kathy Collings of the department's Detective/Support Services Division provided that figure in an email to John Hostvedt of beep4bumps.com.

"Those working traffic noted that they gave six or so verbal warnings for honking," she said in her email.

Collings provided redacted copies of citations written in north Kitsap County in October.

See the new Sheriff Page for more details.

Bill for Bumps Bloats to $48,236.21

November 14, 2007 -- In original reports, county residents were told that the bumps would cost shy of $30,000. Other reports later pegged it at $35,000.

In a list of answers to questions submitted by beep4bumps.com, Douglas Bear of the county's dept. of public works, noted that the current bill has reached $48,236.21.

He also said that no review was done by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Washington State Department of Transportation. See his report here.

Beep4bumps.com Window Clings Now Available; Spread the Word

--Commentary--

By John Hostvedt & Therese Reilly

January 13, 2007 -- BEEPNOTE: Just a few months ago, we at Beep4bumps.com had no idea how many people shared our view that the installation of the speed bumps was the wrong thing to do on our only two roads in and out of the area.

So we started this site at our own personal expense to test the waters. The response has far exceeded our expectations. Over 3,000 unique visitors!

We've received hundreds of e-mails in support of the site and the mailing list grows by the day. You are speaking loudly and clearly. You want to return our roads to the smooth safe roads we had before GHAAC changed all that.

We make no apologies for the fact that this is a site with a point of view -- that the bumps must go! At the same time, we've really tried to encourage readers of this site to do their own homework and think for themselves.

We haven't told you to beep but we can't blame you if you do.

It's personal. We beep at the bumps because it's the only way we can ensure the highest level of safety for ourselves as motorists and others in a less-than-safe and bumpy environment.

We rarely see pedestrians anywhere near the bumps, but we beep when I do see them -- beep beep. We wave, too. If there's a more courteous way to demonstrate our concern for safety, someone will have to let us know. One thing we do know, complete silence on these bumps is very, very dangerous.

We've been attacked personally, we've been threatened, and we've even been called names in meetings by a couple of folks.

We've even gotten this mean-spirited venom from people as old as my 80-something mother. She'd wash out a few mouths with soap if she were in Hansville listening to this hate talk!

But it just tells us a little about who wants these bumps to stay.

They're saying we're stirring up dissension in the community but that really has us puzzled. We didn't install the bumps! Before the bumps arrived, things seemed pretty peaceful to us! And frankly we're hard pressed to think of many things more disruptive to a community than a bunch of selfish homeowners installing punishing bumps on our access roads. Honestly, who is causing dissent?

Advocates of these speed bumps have had every opportunity to provide you with any amount of information to assert their position but instead they've chosen to engage in personal attacks. They also put out scant, unsubstantiated info on their Hansville website and they do so anonymously. I'm not fooled and I don't think you are either.

Among the courageous beep4bumps supporters, we've had volunteers pay for and post lawn signs that have been stolen. So our opponents are none too comfortable with the facts and opinions we've been able to present to you on this website. And it should be noted, they've made no attempt to refute these facts, either.

But the out pouring of support has been worth enduring all the hurtful chatter from the pro-bump camp.

We won't be turned around by the folks in this community that would try to impede your right to know. So, while they keep stealing our lawn signs, we offer you window clings to sport proudly in your car windows or home windows.

We've made a limited supply and we'll be happy to send you some if you request them at info@beep4bumps.com.

Unlike bumper stickers, window clings can be easily peeled off a window and discarded when its message is no longer needed. And it's our wish that very soon there won't be any bumps to beep for at all!

Again, thanks for your kind words and support. As always, I invite you to write your opinions for the site but more than that, I strongly urge you to write to your local, county, state, and federal officials and home owner associations to demand that these bumps be removed.

North Kitsap County Residents Start Petition Drive for Immediate Removal of Speed Bumps

January 15, 2007 -- Concerned North Kitsap County residents and homeowners, after months of reviewing facts and data about the local speed bumps and the process that was used to get them installed, have now started circulating petitions for their immediate removal.

The speed bumps/tables on Twin Spits Road, Hood Canal Drive, and Bridgeview Drive have created unwelcome dissension to our otherwise peaceful greater Hansville area. Over 20 signatures were already been gathered in just hours after their distribution Sunday prior to any advance public notice.

“I find that people are very happy to sign this as way to avoid costly legal action against Kitsap County, provided the county has the courage to take action to remove them,” said one local resident who turned in a sheet of ten signatures Sunday morning.

The Hansville Grocery which, as a public service, started the week as a petition signing station, opted out by Tuesday. We thank them for their efforts, applaud their courage, and strongly urge you to support the store. Hansville Grocery is a wonderful asset to our community.

The petitions, in addition to demanding the removal of the bumps, will also serve as a barometer on responsive government for north Kitsap County residents who have been frustrated in their efforts to be heard by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners.

Steve Bauer, the appointed commissioner who serves the north end, has clearly put himself firmly on the side of the speed bump advocates.

Bauer has declined to discuss the speed bump issue with folks who don’t share his views on speeding or who don’t feel they wish to work through the GHAAC, the County-sanctioned citizen committee responsible for the speed bumps. Bauer was an original founder/promoter of GHAAC before being appointed to the commission post. See related article on Bauer on the News Archive page.

Commissioners Jan Angel and Josh Brown have been largely silent on the issues of the speed bumps. It remains to be seen if they will take seriously the views of North Kitsap County residents who feel the speed bumps were an inappropriate response by Kitsap County to perceived speeding issues on collector and arterial roads. County policy recommends against speed tables for such roads.

If you’d like to make your voice heard, sign the petition by clicking here. Print it, sign it and mail the petition to our central collection address. You don't need to have each of the ten signature spaces filled in before mailing it but we welcome your efforts to share the petition with Kitsap County friends and neighbors.

Mail to:

John Wiegenstein

C/O Heller Wiegenstein PLLC

Law Offices

144 Railroad Avenue, Suite 210

Edmonds, WA 98020-4121

Click on petition below for a full-size printable pdf version.

Driftwood Key Residents Write to County; Commissioner Jan Angel Responds

Tom and Maryln Nelson, in a letter to the Kitsap County Commission, said former Commissioner Chris Endresen and her replacement Steve Bauer have done a great disservice to the north end of Kitsap County.

Commissioner Jan Angel (pictured) responded: "Commissioner Endresen insured us, there had been community meetings and this is what folks wanted, even if it appeared to be outside the policy of the public works department. Now it is done - - - and folks do not appear to want or need them."

Click here to see the Nelson's letter and Angel's response.

Committee Member Responds to Bauer's 'Conditions'
County Residents Deserve Far Better Says Wiegenstein

See John Wiegenstein's full reply to Kitsap County Commissioner Steve Bauer's comments on the What You're Saying page or just click here.

Regarding Speed Bumps Commissioner Bauer Tells Committee Member He Will 'Confine Himself' to Work Only With Constituents Who Meet His Conditions

John Wiegenstein, a member of the Road Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), received a response from Commissioner Steve Bauer that Wiegenstein said amazed him. Click here for Bauer's response to Wiegenstein.

Bauer told Wiegenstein in the email, "I am happy to work with any of my neighbors and constituents. However, on this topic [speed tables], I will confine myself to working with folks who: 1.) Acknowledge that speeding is a problem, 2.) are committed to seeking cost effective solutions to the problem (even if they are different than the speed tables), and 3) are willing to work through the Traffic Safety Committee and GHAAC."

Wiegenstein said he found Bauer's comments amazing. "Also," Wiegenstein continued, "he seems to think that it is my obligation to address his concerns, not the other way around, which seems to me to be a complete reversal of roles in the process. Bizarre."

"The more I read his email the more it simply looks like 'if you don't agree with me, and if you don't channel yourself through the RSAC and GHAAC, then you can just shut up.' I can't believe it." Wiegenstein said.

Weigenstein urged North Kitsap County residents to attend the Dec. 4 RSAC meeting at 7 p.m. at the Driftwood Key Clubhouse.

Steve Bauer continues to ignore all email and voice mail messages left for him by authors of this website. Bauer's email address is SBauer@co.kitsap.wa.us.

Speed Bumps "Set Precedent We May Regret," Public Works Director Tells Endresen a Year Ago

Former Kitsap County Commissioner Chris Endresen (pictured here) was already

appeasing speed bump advocates on Twin Spits Road in October of 2006.

In an email, released last week by Elizabeth Watkins, the county's public records officer, Endresen told Randy Casteel, director of public works, that Hansville should be an exception to the county's policy against speed bumps for "collector" roads that serve as thoroughfares.

Casteel told Endresen of the speed bumps, "This may set a precedent we may regret." Click here for a copy of the email.

The "Facts" from GHAAC?
You Decide

Beep4bumps.com visited www.hansville.org, the website apparently run by the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC). On it they posted a letter written by the advisory group but it contains no names so we don't actually know which individuals it represents or where they live.

Despite an email link in the letter saying you can write to them to get more information, we've received nothing from them after requesting information at that email address. If you get a response from them, let us know at info@beep4bumps.com

The GHAAC claims to have the 'facts" about the process that brought us all these bumps. We read the letter very carefully and didn't see much in the way of facts, but plenty of preaching. And we think greater Hansville residents deserve more.

Click here to see a copy of their letter with our questions and comments added in red. North Kitsap County would like answers from this anonymous group of non-elected, self-appointed road engineers who seem to know what's best for all of us.

Traffic Advisory Committee Hears Complaints by Area Residents
Click here go go to our new "Committee Watch" page where you can keep an eye on the folks making public policy for you since it appears they don't answer to anyone but themselves.

County Records Show Bumps Inappropriate for Hood Canal Drive and Twin Spits Road

Kitsap County Public Records, obtained by the creators of Beep4Bumps, show that these speed bumps were "speedily" shoved through the County Commission in June just before former County Commissioner Chris Endresen left her commission post to become State Director for US Sen. Maria Cantwell.

Records also show that the county's public works department recommended against them, saying, "Traffic calming measures are most effectively employed on local access roads, not roads that are expected to move higher volumes of traffic from residential areas to the arterial network." Visit our new Public Records Page.

Beep4Bumps asked Endresen's replacement, Kitsap County Commissioner Steve Bauer, for all county records pertaining to the speed bumps on thoroughfares in North Kitsap County. He has ignored our requests. And continues to ignore emails and phone calls.

However, after filing a public records request with the county, we received a nearly four inch thick stack of documents that show:

The county's public works department said, "Hood Canal Drive NE is a Minor Collector and therefore does not qualify for our Traffic Calming Program."
County Resolution 395-1976 established 35 miles per hour speed limits for Hood Canal Drive and Twin Spits Road and 25 MPH for Twin Spits Road at Point No Point. It does not permit 30 or less for any portion of Hood Canal Drive.
There is no evidence that the county ever held a public hearing specifically on the installation of the speed bumps.
The Greater Hansville Road Safety Advisory Committee was "aware that the classification of our roads may not conform with the county's guidelines for installation of speed tables."

Poulsbo resident Endresen was in frequent e-mail contact with residents along Hood Canal Drive discussing the how to get the speed bumps pushed through while ignoring the advise of professionals that warned against the "speed calming" devices.

Beep4Bumps is not interested in having you take our word for it. We will strive to provide as many public records as we can and make them available here for your convenience. Be patient as it may take some time go get them scanned and organized. It's a very time consuming process.

Driftwood Key Board Drafting
Letter to GHAAC and All Local and County Officials

December 9, 2007 -- In an email to Driftwood Key Board of Trustees President, Bill Buegel, John Hostvedt of beep4bumps said, "I would hope DK could be a catalyst in demanding that GHAAC be transparent and above board in its activities since they have the ear of County Government (for now). We already know that they ignore state laws regarding open records and meetings. Let's at least try to keep them from making more harmful decisions that degrade our quality of
life."

Hostvedt was responding to an email forwarded to him that contained a comment from an RSAC committee member saying that advance public notice of impending speed bumps was widely publicized in Keynotes, the Driftwood Key newsletter. On further examination, Hostvedt noted, most comments were contained only in an "electronic" rather than the printed and mailed version of Keynotes. And most reports weren't published until after decisions and deliberations regarding the bumps were over.

Mr. Buegel responded in an email saying, "John, a letter from the DKC [Driftwood Key Club] board is being drafted at this time regarding your above comment. The letter will go to the GHAAC and all local and county officials involved with N Kitsap business. As to the Keynotes [Driftwood Key's Newsletter], there should have been no difference in content between the mailed version and the electronic version as they both come off the same program. I will look into this further. Regarding the speed bumps and the board, as I've said before I nor any member of the board past and present has any recollection of this issue being brought before us for consideration. That being said, in hindsight we should have been totally involved with any decision making process involving our community and I can guarantee that from this point forward we will. Any chance you'd like to help us in this regard?
Thanks -- William Buegel"

For the entire email exchange, click here.

Kitsap Resident Suggests Speaking Out at Dec. 11th GHAAC Meeting

Hansville Log Newsletter Reports "No Comments" on Speed Bumps from Nov. 13 Meeting; Minutes Ignore Comments from Nov. 6 RSAC Meeting

December 9, 2007 -- Brad Christofeson, a Hansville area resident, said in a Dec. 6th feed back note (See Give us Feedback) on beep4bumps, "In reading the December 2007 issue of the Greater Hansville Log, I noticed that in the meeting notes of the last GHAAC meeting, when attendees were asked to speak, no comments were made regarding the speed bump issue. I think we need to attend the next GHAAC meeting scheduled for December 11, 7:00 pm at the Greater Hansville Community Center."

Poulsbo Public Works Said 'No' to Speed Bumps for Their City in July, Hansville Resident Tells RSAC

"Speeding is an enforcement problem, not an engineering problem."
-- Andrzej Kasiniak, City of Poulsbo Public Works Engineer

December 9, 2007 -- Therese Reilly, resident of Driftwood Key, told the Road Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) at its Dec. 4 meeting that the City of Poulsbo rejected a move for speed bumps.

Citing official Poulsbo documents, Reilly said, "These are the minutes of a meeting that are not from the other side of the country or even, for that matter, the other side of the state. These are meeting minutes from the City of Poulsbo from our own county."

Reilly explained that in a discussion on city policy, Jeff Bauman, of Poulsbo's public works department, is on record in the July 25, 2007 public works committee minutes as opposing speed bumps.

The document attributes Bauman as stating: "Speed bumps don't work and speed reader boards work well."

Contrary to what occured in Hansville, Poulsbo's Bauman proposes that that the public works professionals review road criteria eligiblity before any committee or council can initiate a request for the installation of traffic calming devices such as speed bumps, Reilly said.

Poulsbo records show that Chris Morrison, of the Poulsbo Fire Department, told city officials that the long-term maintenance of fire and water trucks would be impacted by speed humps.

Further, Morrison said, speed humps will interrupt care to patients in EMT vehicles and that such vehicles should move as quickly as possible through city streets.

For a complete copy of the July 25 meeting minutes, click here.

--NEW--
Wiegenstein Reaches Out to Commissioners Brown and Angel: Give Careful Consideration to Communications from Hansville Citizens Aggrieved by 'What Was Done and How it Was Done' Going into 2008

December 27, 2007 -- John Wiegenstein (pictured), an outspoken opponent of the speed bumps, wrote to the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners -- directing his comments primarily at Commissioners Jan Angel and Josh Brown. He stressed that despite what their fellow Commissioner Steve Bauer (former member of the citizen's committee that urged the speed bumps and now chairman of the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners) might be suggesting, opposition to the speed bumps is not comprised of "one or two unhappy cranks who probably find fault with anything the county does."

Said Wiegenstein, "You may have concluded that such persons and views are isolated and not representative of more widely held public opinion. I have no doubt that this is Mr. Bauer’s view, and I would guess that he has encouraged Ms. Angel and Mr. Brown to see this the same way.

"I respectfully suggest that Mr. Bauer is quite wrong in that assessment, if that is indeed his assessment, and I respectfully encourage all of you to give your careful consideration to the ongoing communications which will be directed to you as we move into 2008, and to the concerns of the numerous Hansville area citizens who are aggrieved by what was done, and how it was done."

Bauer was appointed to fill the unfinished term of former commissioner Chris Endresen when Endresen left to take a job with US Sen. Maria Cantwell's office. Before being appointed, he and Endresen advocated for the speed bumps and other "traffic calming" measures in sharp contrast to County Public Works policies that prohibit these devices on county collector and arterial roads.

Wiegenstein goes on to inform the commissioners of the lack of records responses from the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC). He encloses records request letters, dated Nov. 17, 2007 and Dec. 3, 2007, addressed to the soon-to-be GHAAC Chair Judith Foritano. Wiegenstein tells commissioners that the requests have not been granted by Foritano or the GHAAC.

"If these aspects of community advisory councils generally, and the GHAAC in particular, are to be given detailed scrutiny in both the political and/or judicial forum, it seems to me that the Board of Commissioners would prefer that to happen in a setting where the community council in question has truly put its best foot forward, by demonstrating the existence of a truly inclusive, well publicized, democratic process in which the bedrock concept of “one person, one vote” has actually been observed and maintained." Wiegenstein writes, "Although investigation and analysis are, of course, ongoing, I expect that the GHAAC and its Hansville speed bump project will prove to be poor candidates for such a showing."

For the complete text of Wiegenstein's letter and attachments, click here.

Local Engineer Makes Inquiry to Kitsap Public Works: Where Was 'Sound Engineering Judgement?'

December 9, 2007 -- Brad Luton, a local resident and licensed engineer who attended the Dec. 4 RSAC meeting, has written to the Kitsap County Public Work's Department OPENLINE to inquire about the engineering standards and judgement used when installing North Kitsap County speed bumps.

For the full text of his inquiry, click here, and stay tuned. Beep4bumps will make available the department's response or let residents know if there is no response.

Kitsap County Public Works
The Open Line
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940

GHAAC Leader Continues to Stonewall; What's Next, Depositions?

February 8, 2007 -- GHAAC leader, Judith Foritano of Hood Canal Drive, continues to ignore information requests from a member of one of GHAAC's own committees.

John Wiegenstein is a member of the Road Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) and strong opponent of the speed bumps advocated by the committee prior to his serving on the group. He has asked for a membership list and other basic information about GHAAC but his letters have gone ignored.

Wiegenstein is among many North Kitsap County residents questioning the legitimacy of GHAAC given its strange voting scheme and consistent refusal to respond to information requests.

In the letter, Wiegenstein writes, "I cannot fathom why you will not provide me with the basic information I have requested."

And he goes on to explain to Foritano that providing information now "...pales in comparison to having to provide it in the context of a lawsuit, where you would have to give a deposition under oath and not only provide the information, but explain why you did not provide it sooner in response to the multiple written inquiries you had received."

To review the letter, click here.