Disqus - Latest Comments for MarcusGCroman

Re: 4,000 pounds of rib-eyes, other beef recalled; mad cow disease a concern

MarcusGCroman — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 12:11:06 -0000

"The USDA requires brain and spinal tissue be removed from meat products
from cattle 30 years and older because it can carry the protein that
causes mad cow disease."

Please tell me that's a misprint, cows only average 15 years for a lifespan. Requiring removal in ones that are 30 seems... ridiculous.

Re: What A Week Of Groceries Looks Like Around The World

MarcusGCroman — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 10:04:29 -0000

Unless a bear or raccoon is pouring fluoride down my well in middle of the woods, I'm pretty sure there's nothing added to it.

Be careful when you use such broad sweeping statements like "all tap water is bad".

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors - Kingston Community News

MarcusGCroman — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:30:48 -0000

Why is it never reported that ShareNet/Bayside Community Church operate under the same TID umbrella?

http://sos.wa.gov/charities...

This entity is not required to register with the State because it is operated as a church.

Now, please don't take this the wrong way, I'm not slamming ShareNet, they do a lot of good, but people who donate should know that their donations go to a church that is not required to report where any of their donations are going. I'm not suggesting that there is any wrongdoing, but there is no guarantee that donations to ShareNet don't go directly into the church coffers.

Those donating should encourage ShareNet to join the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) as well as acquiring a Charity Seal Holder of Better Business Bureau Foundation.

I'm a big believer in public disclosure for all public charities, this is not an attack on anyone, there's just so many fundraisers out there in our little town and hardly ever any follow up with where the money went.

Re: Students briefly return to school - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:00:23 -0000

Could have saved just as much as those furlough days do by cutting administrative salaries to ones that are more in-line with Kitsap County salaries.

Median HOUSEHOLD (2 working persons) income in this county is $60,673/year and per capita income is $29,659, but our district level administrators and their assistants make over $100k/year, each. A first year assistant Principal in a NKSD elementary school has a base salary of $82,545/year and a $391.21 per diem rate. This is the lowest paying NKSAA job there is, they all go up from there, to as high as $114,618/year base and $523.37 per diem for a High School Principal. Do we deserve quality administrators in NK, absolutely, but incomes for these individuals MUST match what the County can sustain. They currently don't and as a result, we see furlough days, early dismissals and classroom educators being cut completely.

Here's their contract: http://www.nkschools.org/15...

Re: Kingston Middle School students promoting a positive school culture - Kingston Community News

MarcusGCroman — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 09:04:01 -0000

Um 100 watts for $40? And $80 for 220 watts. That's a lot of money to run a few lightbulbs. You sure you're not talking volts? And wouldn't that be 110 not 100?

Come on KCC, do some editing before you publish.

If that is true, and the guy charged $40 for 100 watts, he's nuts!

Re: $997,000 grant for SoundRunner will be used to join regional transit fare system, retrofit dock - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:51:03 -0000

"Rouser didn’t have any cost breakdowns"

Wouldn't those breakdowns have to be in the grant application?

According to the application guidelines the federal portion of this grant can only cover up to 80% of the project, so that $200k Port commitment will certainly be used.

"She said remaining funds could be used to retrofit the boats to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements"

I'm no grant expert, but in looking over the criteria here http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/dis... it states on items:

10: Proposed Work - Describe the scope of work that is to be completed with these funds

16: Project Purpose & Benefits - Each State's request for ferry boat discretionary funds must
describe the project purpose and benefits.

Am I missing something or shouldn't everything this grant is paying for have already been decided and detailed in the application? You can't pick and choose what you COULD do after getting it can you?

(I'm just curious)

Maybe SoundRunner should just make the application that won them the grant available on their website for download.

Also, am I missing something else? According to the press release here: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pre... Access improvements and renovation of the Port of Kingston for this grant was only $764,000, not $997,000.

Where's the other $233k?

Re: Keeping Kingston a special place to live - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:21:59 -0000

Always happy to lend a hand, Kristine! Thank you to all the volunteers in Kingston who make this the best place to live.

Re: A bargain hunter's bounty: Hansville rummage sale begins Saturday - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:19:27 -0000

My kids and I attended yesterday. Parking was a nightmare but well directed by volunteers. We had a good time and found some good buys.

Re: Former Poulsbo Police clerk charged with theft of firearm - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:18:24 -0000

"Dixon and her parents declined to comment"

She's 22 and full-time employed with a police department, why would her parents comment?

"Charges have not been filed by the Prosecutor’s Office on the drug offenses."

Of course not, why would they, she wasn't running a hair salon and selling pot, she was just ripping it off from her employer and giving it away.

"Dixon was arrested for the firearms offense after an
interview July 29 at the Sheriff’s Office and released from jail on her
own recognizance by District Court Judge Marilyn Paja Monday evening"

Someone steals a firearm and has possible ties with drugs and they get released on their on recognizance? Let me take that back, not just someone, but a member of public service who held a position of trust with the people to protect the evidence she was in charge of. A major breach of public trust, not just felony theft but she gets released?
"full-time police clerk April 16, 2008. Her duties as a
police clerk included “assisting in the destruction or returning of
items in following the established procedures for the property room.”"

Wait, what? Don't state and federal laws require that individuals be 21 to purchase and possess a handgun? How could she have these duties if it involved handguns? She wouldn't have been old enough to do that until 2010...

"Theft of a firearm is a felony punishable by a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine."
When it comes to matters like this, when a public servant breaks the law, I believe a MINIMUM sentence should be in effect. Just because she CAN get 10 years/$20k, doesn't mean she will. She could get off with a slap on the wrist.

Re: Kingston Middle School students promoting a positive school culture - Kingston Community News

MarcusGCroman — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:38:23 -0000

I agree, unpaid offices can be a sacrifice that those who are willing to make should be praised for doing so.

Unfortunately, School Board positions are often used to just springboard larger political ambitions.

It's a great feather in the cap of anyone looking to be a "career" politician.

Re: Relay For Life begins today at North Kitsap High School - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 11:42:15 -0000

William Barram,
Past National VP, Division Services
American Cancer
Society

$2,428,592

Includes
$1,096,232 in supplemental executive retirement plan and $866,041
deferred compensation. CEO John Seffrin earned $1,316,356, including
$386,562 in deferred compensation.
April/May 2011

The ACS is THE wealthiest not-for-profit in the world. How much of that $2,428,592 in compensation/contribution to Mr. Barram could have gone to research? What if you took just $1,000,000 of it and distributes it to the families and children with cancer at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma? How would that change their lives forever?If folks want to donate to the ACS, they are free to do so, it's your money...

Re: Port of Kingston suspends passenger ferry service for repairs - Kingston Community News

MarcusGCroman — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:24:49 -0000

We want to believe... We want to support it but we are losing faith...

Don't call the VE a backup boat if you can't use it. Why was none of this tested before purchase of the boats?

Where is the citizen oversight of this entire project. Some in the community feel it's slipping right into the same type of system as the WSF, a system that has no concern for passengers and is politically controlled.

As I've always said, I want this to be a success but we MUST have better communication from those in charge. The community needs to know what's going on and the community needs to be involved.

What can we do to help you SoundRunner? This is Kingston, all you have to do is ask and we'll be there for you. Stop going at it alone.

Re: Wind and waves force SoundRunner to cancel sailings Monday - Kingston Community News

MarcusGCroman — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:07:36 -0000

Tad,

That's sort of funny.

The boat doesn't run for regular service on the weekends, seems like there's plenty of time to train on the VE. Are they doing it?

If the engines didn't get repaired last Thursday and Friday like they were supposed to, what did they do with their time?

If there are problems with the VE being able to dock, this wasn't discovered BEFORE the boat was purchased? You don't buy an 18 wheeler when all you can fit in the garage is a minivan.

I would like nothing more than to see the SoundRunner be a success. As a local business owner, it can do nothing but good for us if it works. But, as a long-time WSF commuter, if I were left standing on the Colman dock last night, I'd be angry beyond words.

The State ferries go down and cancel too, but not like this.

5 weeks into service, what's the crew turnover rate? How many cancelled runs have there been?

10 days ago, you wrote an article about Cpt. Arnold taking the helm and Commissioner DeBoer was reported as saying the earlier cancellations were a reason for dismissing Cpt. Osnes. Cpt Arnold was quoted saying: “My main goal is to help keep the service running and avoid cancellations”.

10 days later, runs get cancelled...

Cancelling runs, untrained crews, 4 engined boats running on only 3, galley service about to leave...

There are some major issues that need to be corrected if SoundRunner and the Commissioners expect this community to continue supporting it. We all have hope, but we also need reassurance.

Re: Wind and waves force SoundRunner to cancel sailings Monday - Kingston Community News

MarcusGCroman — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:02:03 -0000

Still negotiating with the engine warranty company?

It broke, make them come fix it.

Also, and please correct me if I'm wrong, it's not that the Victoria Express isn't certified, it is. It's that there isn't anyone on the crew certified to pilot it.

This is certainly a rough start for the SoundRunner and there are many of us locally that really want it to succeed but there are so many things going in internally that are being completely ignored it is destined for failure.

I wish that weren't the case and it can be fixed with a lot of determination and some staff members that would be willing to lay down the law.

Re: New Poulsbo city hall hours stir debate

MarcusGCroman — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:47:55 -0000

Most businesses, who are in the business of serving their customers, tailor their hours around what works best to serve the most customers.

For instance, I own a coffee shop, we're open from 5:30AM to 7:00PM. If I were only open from 8-4:30..., the amount of customers I see come through my front door would be cut in half and I would go out of business.

Oh, wait, that's what's happening to the City and the County... here's a thought, adjust your hours to serve the largest customer base.

How about 10AM-7PM? 11-8? Then you can be open when most people are off work or at lunch... Do the same with the courts and fewer people are missing out on work, which means they have more money to spend at local businesses, more money to spend means more taxes collected and more businesses that will open their doors, all of whom require City permits which they can conveniently get because of the new hours...

Just a thought...

Re: Commuter for a day

MarcusGCroman — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:54:51 -0000

You should tag along on a Kingston/Edmonds run in the afternoon. Many of us also commute to Seattle, we just can't take the BI traffic jams. Any boat between the 4:45 and the 7:00 out of Edmonds, especially on a Thursday or Friday.

The 4:45 will leave at 5, the 5:15 will leave between 5:30 and 5:45 and the 6:15, you just never know...

Of course, I'm on a motorcycle so I don't experience the lines but there is typically a 2-3 boat wait. If you show up for a 4:45, you're not going anywhere until the 7:00.

The morning runs are pretty tight and stay on schedule, the afternoons are a nightmare.

Getting to work isn't the problem. It's getting home.

Most of the schedule nightmare is directly related to the crews on the boats and the motorcyclists can instantly spot which crew is working which run. There is no load/unload consistency between the crews, even where they park the motorcycles changes from boat to boat.

Re: Parks district: Homeowners shouldn't foot the bill - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:40:53 -0000

Your math is flawed. I'm pretty sure that 100% of the occupied homes were owned, just maybe not by the occupants.

Every rental home has a landlord. That landlord will pay the tax bill and that landlord can add it to the rent the occupants pay.

If the $60/year figure is accurate, renters should expect their monthly rent to increase $5/month.

If you feel that these renters won't be paying anything then I would say that every landlord/rental property owner is a horrible business person.

Re: Parks district: No to the Kingston PUD - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:37:35 -0000

How about YOU join the volunteer groups with their fundraisers?

Yes, there are many volunteer groups doing fundraisers in Kingston but if you look closely, it's the same 20-30 people working for each one. Some of us are tired...

20-30 people can't do it alone.

Re: Going mobile to feed homeless youth - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:20:25 -0000

Thanks Tad for the great article. It was a pleasure to meet with you and I'm glad you decided to include the issues of my past.

Just a clarification, the spanking incident that resulted in my misdemeanor DV charge was during a custody battle that my wife had with her ex-husband, not my ex-wife.

I spanked their son, my step-son, which was the fuel that her ex-husband needed to win that fight. Even after this incident there were repeated calls by him to CPS and every case was closed by them as being unfounded, it got bad enough that CPS had to issue him a letter about false reporting.

Unfortunately, my admission of spanking my step-son was also considered an admission of guilt in the eyes of the court. I was ordered to attend parenting and anger management classes and wear an ankle bracelet for a few weeks. It was a very unfortunate and terrifying incident, one that I would never wish upon anyone but it also opened my eyes to what is happening in the community, especially among the youth as many in those classes were where some of these kids are today.

This December I will be asking the courts to expunge this charge from my record. I am a father/step-father of 4 beautiful children and there has never been any abuse in our household.

As regretful as the entire incident was, I never dismiss the mistakes of my past, even when the charge is expunged, it still makes me who I am today and ignoring that means I'm ignoring who I am.

The felony from when I was 19 was probably the stupidest thing I've ever done in my life and it has effected every day of it since. I can only hope that I can convey this to the youth in our community. Don't be stupid like me, one wrong move can follow you for a lifetime.

When on a mission such as this to help those in need, having skeletons in your closet is the last thing anyone wants. I never hide from my past and I am always willing to talk about it openly with anyone, please, if anyone has any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at any time.

Re: Food with a side order of faith - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:21:41 -0000

They plan on opening a kitchen in kingston? Sure would be nice if they talk to those who are already making efforts to do just that... http://www.kingstonrescue.org or maybe show up to a Rotary, Chamber, or Kiwanis meeting to meet with the community first. Never hurts to have more than 1 kitchen in town, I look forward to hopefully working with these folks in the future but there is little information about them.

Re: Just because you have a place to sleep at night ... - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:06:12 -0000

Absolutely insane that millions of dollars are sent to a foreign country (which will most likely vanish into their corrupt government) to aid them in their time of need yet we have homeless and starving children right in our own back yard.

Re: Gregory has edge in North Kitsap Fire and Rescue race - Kingston Community News

MarcusGCroman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:37:25 -0000

What a wonderful experience this has been or me. Very interesting to learn about the process and I look forward to doing it again on a larger level, those of you that supported me, you have my thanks and be prepared for the next election, we're going to rock the boat a bit...

The only negative thing I can say about it all is, unfortunately, against the voters.

35.79% voter turn out? That is saddening. More than 35.79% of the people I see every day complain about politics. More than 35.79% had something to say about Referendum 71. More than 35.79% are fed up with what is happening in this country...

In a county were all you have to do is draw a line, sign your name and put a stamp on an envelope, I would have thought that more than 35.79% would have taken 5 minutes to actually do it.

I hope that number climbs when this is all said and done, but in my mind, anything less than 80% is shameful... I hear day in and day out how the United States is or should be a beacon for democracy throughout the world, well, it would appear that someone needs to change the light bulb because our beacon has burnt out...

Re: The Smith Act paved the road to interment | A Glance at the Past | November - Kingston Community News

MarcusGCroman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:06:33 -0000

Ummm.... The Smith Act paved the road to interment? Don't you mean interNment?

Re: Kitsap County announces first death from H1N1 - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:59:51 -0000

How many have died in kitsap county from non-H1N1 influenza?

This article is worded more like a scare tactic to get people to immunize instead of providing in-depth information.

Any death is sad and my thoughts are with the family and friends, but what were the conditions? Was he hospitalized? Was there any other complication that resulted in him being hit harder by H1N1 than a healthy adult male?

The link in the article is broken and again, lacks depth... There are investigative journalists there, right?

Re: Eglon has a port — and a contested race - North Kitsap Herald

MarcusGCroman — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:52:33 -0000

I had extensive correspondence with your predecessor, none of which ever saw ink...

Your email (there was only one, not two), was responded to within 5 minutes of receipt only to once again, fall on blind eyes at The Herald, which seems to be all too common when it comes to issues that really matter. 12 months ago I attempted to bring attention to the Port of Eglon only to be dismissed by your paper so that more "entertaining" articles could be written.

After my initial response, I never heard another word from you until your phone calls which happened to come during a week in which I was not available until late hours in the evening.

I appreciate the coverage, albeit, poorly written, that the Port of Eglon has received from this article. I am certain that someone living within the Eglon community now knows that there is a Port here.

Best of luck to you, Joyce. Regardless of the outcome, I wish you and yours all the best and look forward to talking with you more at Beach Nights next year.