School starts Sept. 2 Non-Profit Org. U.S. K EY P ENINSULA Postage Paid Vaughn, WA•98394 Permit No. 2 BOX HOLDER KP Parks, page 18 NEWSThe voice of the Key Peninsula www.keypennews.com Vol. 37 Issue 9 • Circulation 9,000 INSIDE ONLINE SEPTEMBER 2009 Mighty Mites mighty good Peninsula Youth Football provides the early training that can instill basic skills and ready the athlete for high school level. By Ted Olinger, KP News No one can read the expression behind Coach Doug Laird’s wraparound sunglasses, but he can’t help smiling when he talks about his new football team. The Mighty Mites are the beginner year divi- sion of the Peninsula Youth Football League, which has been training young players from both the Key Peninsula and Vaughn Elementary could Gig Harbor for 33 years. But this fall marks the third season of PYF’s new rela- lose enrollment tionship with the Peninsula High Seahawks and Gig Harbor Tides. Under this arrangement, PYF players as young as ◗ KP horse handler works miracles 9 years old can join teams according to ◗ Local espresso shops the high school they will eventually feature themed baristas attend, allowing them to advance with the ◗ KP fire under investigation same kids year after year. ◗ Photo gallery “We teach exactly the same techniques and principles taught at their high Photo courtesy of Doug Laird (See FOOTBALL, Page 19) Peninsula Youth Football players at a practice in August. News CAC continues ....................3 KP Parks Master Plan seeks input Camp gets new name ..........7 Sculpture unveiling on hold..9 By Marsha Hart, KP News “There are 800 acres of property on the BOX: KPCC candidates ................10 Key Peninsula under our control,” Now that Key Pen Parks has acquired Gallacher said. Public meetings: Out & About ........................21 another 400 acres of property on the Key The plan will focus on Volunteer Park, Key Pen Parks Commission meeting Peninsula, it is time to take a close look but in doing so, he said the other parks Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and develop a master plan, said Scott will benefit. Master Plan Meetings Scheduled: Gallacher, executive director. “We need to know what other things Sept. 24, Oct. 22 and Nov. 19—each Sections The parks district acquired Maple the public would like to see at Volunteer meet 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Key Center Peninsula Views . .4 Hollow and 360/Horseshoe Lake proper- or at other parks,” he said. “We need to Fire Station Community . .5 ties in July through the Department of know if there are things they want to For more information: 884-9240 Community Works . .12 Natural Resources Trust Land Transfer make it better, or if people in the commu- Program. The land is valued at over $8 nity want us to leave it alone.” desire is to provide the best possible Parks & Rec . .18 million, and the leases are no-cost 50-year So far the public has not provided a lot recreational activities to the Key Obituary . .26 leases with an option to purchase. In the of input or shown much interest, but Peninsula, and he said it is important to past year, the district has gained more Greg Anglemyer, vice president of KP than $10 million worth of property. Parks, wants to see that change. The (See PARKS, Page 25) 2 www.keypennews.com • Key Peninsula News teaching staff, and local legend in college second-hand products or re-sales. This BRIEFS coaching ranks. For details please call event SOLD OUT in 2009, so vendors are Help Wanted at the PSEF president John Purbaugh on 253- encouraged to sign-up early. For more news 858-3309 or board member Hugh information, call 253-884-3456 or visit McMillan at 253-884-3319. www.kpciviccenter.org. Fire levy fails Local residents needed for Traffic signal progress The FD16 Fire Suppression Lid Lift disaster drill examined by KPC Levy failed at the ballot box with 56 percent of the voters voting against. At a St. Anthony Hospital is looking for The Key Peninsula Community specially called board meeting held on volunteers to play the part of patients for Council has received a response to the Aug. 19, the Commissioners confirmed a disaster drill Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to letter they sent to the county, and is plan- that the same levy will appear on the noon. ning another community forum Sept. 9 ballot again in the November General Interested parties should contact Tracy to examine the progress of the traffic election. Nagy, the volunteer coordinator for the signal in Key Center. The meeting will be Staff writer hospital, at 581-6415. held at 7 p.m. in the VFW Room at the volunteer position Local legend to speak at Key Peninsula Civic Center. education fundraiser Act early for Winter Warm-up The council continues to work with the Craft Fair and Chili Cook-Off county and councilman Terry Lee on the Distribution The Peninsula Schools Education subject. While some KP residents have volunteer position Foundation, dedicated to providing VAUGHN, WA-Key Peninsula Civic expressed an opinion and object to a funds for enhancement of teaching Center invites artists and crafters of all traffic signal, want only turn lanes and programs within the Peninsula School kinds to participate in the 2nd Annual traffic calming devices, others are in favor District, will hold its annual fund-raising Winter Warm-Up Craft Fair and Chili of a roundabout in place of the signal. Advertising Rep breakfast at the Canterwood Golf and Cook-Off on Saturday, November 14. paid position, Country Club, Tuesday, October 6 at 7:00 Vendors who offer handmade and one- commission based am. This year’s speaker will be Frosty of-a-kind local crafts and creations, and To submit a news brief, contact editor Westering, a well-known motivational live in the Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor Marsha Hart at [email protected] or call speaker, parent of one of the PSD area, may sell their wares at the event. No 253-884-4699. EY ENINSULA To subscribe, please write, Executive editor: Marsha Hart Colleen Slater, Frank Slater, Irene K P call or fax: Assistant editor: Danna Webster Torres, Mindi LaRose, Karina Key Peninsula News Ad sales: Lori Boll, Laura Mosley Whitmarsh, Sharon Hicks, Lori Colbo, 17010 S. Vaughn Rd. Community pages editor: Donna Smeall, PJ Kezele, Kevin Reed, Connie Renz Ted Olinger P.O. Box 3, Vaughn, WA 98394 Production: September Hyde, Distribution: Vic Renz, Phil Bauer Phone (253) 884-4699 NEWSwww.keypennews.com Chip Butzko Contributors: Jeanette Brown, Jerry Fax: (253) 884-4053 Unsolicited submissions deadline including press releases: Interim web master: Rodika Tollefson Libstaff, Rick Sorrels, Marilyn Newton, 15th of each month Email [email protected] Staff: William C. Dietz, Hugh McMillan, Jud Morris, Angelique Knapp Key Peninsula News is published monthly by the Key Peninsula Civic Center Association at the Key Peninsula Civic Center in Vaughn, Washington. Copyright 2009 with all rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic contents in any manner without permission is prohibited. Annual subscriptions (12 issues) are available for $25.00 and are mailed first class. Copies are mailed presort standard to residents and post office box holders of the Key Peninsula. Single copies are available at the newspaper office in the basement of the Civic Center annex and at various distribution points located on the Key Peninsula. Approximately 18,000 people live in the distribution area. STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, AND OPERATION OF THE KEY PENINSULA NEWS 1. THE KEY PENINSULA NEWS is a community newspaper, owned and published by the KEY PENINSULA CIVIC CENTER ASSOCIATION, a nonprofit, 501-C3, corporation with main offices in Vaughn, Washington. The name, goodwill and any copyright assets that may exist pertaining to the NEWS are among the financial assets of the KEY PENINSULA CIVIC CENTER ASSOCIATION. 2. The objective of Key Peninsula News is to support and create community by reporting news and features and providing a forum for local information. News and editorial coverage focuses on the Key Peninsula and immedi- ately adjacent areas within Fire District 16. OUR GRATEFUL THANKS TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE KEY PENINSULA NEWS! The opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or staff. All letters to the editor must be signed and include a daytime phone number for verification. No anonymous letters will be published. Submissions are used on a space available basis and may be edited if used. THE KEY PENINSULA NEWS reserves the right to edit all submissions for length and content. Mail letters to: P.O. Box 3, Vaughn, WA 98394, or email to [email protected] $5.95 July 2009 • www.keypennews.com 3 KP Citizens Against Crime continues By Danna Webster, KPNews membership and keep this membership going,” he said. Charter member Hugh McMillan stepped forward. Charter members stepped forward to preserve the “Janice (McMillan) and I want to invite everybody here, Citizens Against Crime organization in August. The and more, to celebrate the 22nd year of this organiza- decision to dissolve the organization was reached by the tion. I have been tied up (this year) and not paid as executive board and members at their July meeting. A much attention as I should have.” McMillan said it is decline in membership and a reduction in requests for “vital to ourselves and our community that all of us get service were some of the reasons for their decision. together. We can’t let this device go away.” At the August picnic meeting, CAC president Pat Citizens Against Crime and Citizens’ Patrol began by Latshaw reviewed the decision and outlined some volunteering to help with simple office duties at the Pierce internal conflicts that also led to it.