Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid The voice of the Vaughn, WA 98394 Key Peninsula Permit No. 2 BOX HOLDER Vol. 31 Issue 4 From The Key Peninsula Civic Center Circulation 7,800 APRIL 2004 all contracts are off and we’re going to In this issue Metropolitan Park District: have to raise fees,” Salatino told Little League representatives at a February park Bringing in needed money, with strings attached board meeting. The creation of a government body f approved by the voters in May, a metropolitan parks board called a Metropolitan Park District (MPD), would have the power to raise taxes and issue limited bonds which would receive some of the zoo/trek without taxpayer approval. If not approved, current commis- sales tax that currently goes to the county, has the overwhelming support of the cur- sioners say they may close the parks. The voters will decide. rent park board and community members I who say that without it the future of Key By William C. Dietz and Rodika Tollefson about $11,000—the district is running out Peninsula parks is uncertain. Based on KP News of money. population, Key Pen parks would receive Park board Chair Mike Salatino said in an estimated $100,000 per year from Erlene Twidt is KP Citizen With the failure of the park levy last fall, February he will work with the county to money residents are already paying as part Key Peninsula Park and Recreation District extend the payment terms, but if the elec- of the sales tax but is now supporting parks of the Year page 2 officials say the park board is left with very tion bill had to be paid immediately, the programs elsewhere. Thanks to that few options and could even close doors. district might be going out of business. money, supporters say, the local parks With less than $15,000 left in the bank “In the event metro (the proposed would finally have the financial muscle account at the end of February—and with Metropolitan Park District) doesn’t pass (See PARKS, Page 22) A computer a pending bill from previous elections for and we (the current district) are still here, guru with a soft heart page 12 The Jewells of teaching Local family carries passion through generations By Hugh McMillan and Andrea’s sister, Judy Watt, occa- KP News sionally have all been in the same stu- dent-filled room at the same time, The Jewells are well named. They some as volunteers, some on official News are just that. And our community’s duty, assisting one another and the KP Council is official . .3 kids are the better for it. kids in the learning process. Garden wins award . .6 In many cases, this dynamite local “Every day is uplifting and positive SR-302, part 2 . .7 family of five sharing careers in teach- because of the children and the sup- Photo by Rodika Tollefson Private school to open . .10 ing has been working side-by-side— port of families, both ours and the The “Jewells” family at the Citizen of the Year Burger King on the way . .11 literally. John Jewell, artist and retired families of the children we serve,” Banquet, where John was one of the nominated From pioneer stock . .18 principal; his wife, Andrea; daughter (See TEACHERS, Page 15) volunteers: from right, John and his wife, Andrea, Sustainable living . .19 Laura Stafki; son-in-law Jeff Stafki; with daughter Laura Stafki and son-in-law Jeff. KP Seniors meet and play .20 Spring Fling recap . .25 Two dances planned . .26 KP Middle School selected for NASA project Cootiettes host event . .28 Livable Community Fair . .30 By KP News staff According to NASA, during the partnership Out & About . .32 “the NES teams acquire and use new teaching The Key Peninsula Middle School became resources and technology tools using NASA’s the first and only school in the state to be unique content, experts and other resources.” Sections selected to participate in the NASA Explorer Schools may get the chance to “participate in Peninsula Views . .4 School program. The three-year program is a authentic experiences with NASA science and Schools . .8 partnership between NASA and 50 schools technology; apply NASA science, mathematics, selected from around the country each year. and technology knowledge to real-world issues Business . .11 The program will begin during the 2004-05 and problems; and participate in special events Community Works . .16 Photo by Rodika Tollefson school year. KPMS science teacher Kareen and other opportunities.” KPMS science teacher Kareen People & Lifestyles . .18 Borders said she and the other 49 team leads The official announcement was made just as Borders, seen here with seventh will fly to Cape Canaveral in Florida in May for the Key Peninsula News was going to press. Arts & Recreation . .25 graders, also recently received two a five-day leadership institute and orientation Read upcoming issues for details on this excit- Religion . .31 grants from the SHOPA Foundation that will officially kick off the program. ing news. for Education Excellence. 2 Key Peninsula News Citizen of the Year celebrates volunteer leaders By Irene Torres summary of several projects in store for KP Citizen of KP News the Key Peninsula, and how he is working the Year Erlene to secure funding for them. Twidt visited Volunteers. They are everywhere on the “Key Peninsula residents no longer have with Gov. Gary Key Peninsula. Usually, one or two or to travel to Tacoma for traffic court Locke and three at a time, they seem nearly invisible appearances, thanks to a partnership with Rep. Pat Lantz to the casual observer. But not so on a the county and the city of Gig Harbor,” during a bill recent Saturday night at the KP Civic Lee said of one such project. He quipped signing Center. Nearly 50 of them were gathered that he had been the first to appear before ceremony in a single place. Hosted by the Key a District Court judge in the new decen- in Olympia. Peninsula Lions Club members, and sur- tralized traffic court, for a parking cita- rounded by their friends, family, and visit- tion. He added, “With law enforcement a ing dignitaries, they were honored for priority, there are plans to reassign eight Photo by Hugh their incalculable contributions at the trained deputies to the Gig Harbor and McMillan 20th annual Citizen of the Year Banquet. Key Peninsulas when Lakewood’s contract With pomp and circumstance, Boy Scout with the county for sheriff’s services comes Troop 220 presented the colors. The to an end.” Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of a patri- Lee encouraged citizens to become otic song, and an invocation kicked off the involved in Key Peninsula comprehensive The winner of the 2003 Citizen of the fight against domestic violence. “The gov- celebration. Event Chairman and Master planning and the KP Advisory Year award, Erlene Twidt, summarized the ernor was very kind and accommodating. of Ceremonies Hugh McMillan gracefully Commission, both efforts in the works, magnitude of their collective volunteer He congratulated me on being named handled a few minor technicalities with the “to be prepared for the ribbon-cutting on work in her acceptance: “Don’t think that Citizen of the Year and referred to me as sound system, while Lions Club President the second Tacoma Narrows Bridge and one single person can’t make a difference ‘the guest of honor.’ He even demon- Pat Medveckus juggled selling raffle tickets the influx of population and urban devel- in the quality of life of others. Indeed, strated how to pose and position my with arrangements for ample seating and opment that is inevitable for this vulnera- they’re the only one who can.” (read more plaque for better photographs... It was a extra table settings to accommodate the ble and accessible community.” of her words on volunteering on page 4) wonderful experience.” buzzing crowd, nearly 220 strong. Individuals and groups, including sever- Twidt told KP News after the ceremony, At the Civic Center banquet, Lantz was Keynote speaker Terry Lee, Key al members of the KP Community Council “I want to thank the Lions Club for provid- in attendance along with Rep. Lois Peninsula’s representative on the Pierce Organizing Committee and Fire District ing a venue to validate the important vol- McMahan, school board officials, and unteer work being done in this communi- local dignitaries. McMahan said, “I look “The governor was very kind and accommodating. He ty. I think it is wonderful that they do this forward to this event every year.” One congratulated me on being named Citizen of the Year without any political ties.” attendee commented, “The quality of this This amazing woman, who had recently event was better than any Citizen of the and referred to me as ‘the guest of honor.’” been struggling with health problems, was Year banquet I’ve attended.” -Erlene Twidt, Key Peninsula Citizen of the Year later invited by Rep. Pat Lantz to attend a The delicious dinner was catered and ceremony at which Gov. Locke signed served by Lisa’s Deli and volunteer staff, County Council, read a letter from Gov. 16, were nominated as Citizen of the Year. three legislative bills into law. The new followed by a rousing vote of confidence Gary Locke, acknowledging the volunteer The Lakebay Community Church was laws, related to domestic violence preven- that they should prepare all future Citizen spirit on the Key Peninsula. Locke’s letter well-represented with nominees, and the tion and mandatory police training, will of the Year banquets. Tracy Manning and referenced words first spoken by the Rev.