Peninsula

The Peninsula Section of the Washington Chapter of the APA was formed in 1993 and includes the area covered by Clallam, Jefferson, Mason and Kitsap Counties.

The purpose of the Section is to: (1) perform as a section of the Chapter pursuant to Chapter Bylaws; (2) provide members local/regional expression of APA purposes and objectives; (3) provide a local/regional vehicle for APA members involvement in the affairs of the APA; (4) advance the art and science of planning; (5) encourage the exchange of planning information and experience; (6) generally function as a professional planners organization; and (7) coordinate and cooperate with governmental entities, allied professions, other planning/environmentally concerned groups.

The Section Bylaws were updated in 2006.

New Items

Results are in for the fall 2007 elections for the Peninsula Section Executive Committee. See the information under the Executive Committee heading below.

Clallam County Representative Dennis Lefevre has been appointed by the President as the interim Professional Development Officer (PDO) for the Pen Section. Dennis will be our Section's liaison to the Chapter for addressing the issue of providing AICP Certification Maintenance opportunities, among related continuing education activities. Contact Dennis if you have any input or concerns. The Executive Committee may decide to amend the Bylaws and create a distinct EC post for the PDO. There is also interest from the Chapter to have each Section provide a Legislative Liaison to participate in activities of the Chapter's Legislative Committee.

Tentative dates have been selected for the quarterly Planners Forums for 2008. See the information that follows. We hope to see you there!

If anyone has any questions, comments, concerns or ideas, please feel free to contact any member of the Executive Committee. Email links are provided below.

Peninsula Planners Forums

The Peninsula Section helps coordinate quarterly Planners Forums along with the State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). The plan for 2008 is to combine the Friday Planners Forums with Executive Committee and general Section meetings, including social events following the Forums. The content of the Forums will include items of interest pertinent to the host area. For example, if the Forum is in Port Angeles, the agenda will include activities and field visits that are informative about the community planning goings-on in the Port Angeles area.

Mark your calendars for the 2008 Peninsula Planners Forums. Final agendas will be posted here when available, and/or on the CTED Short Course / Planning Education webpage.

January 18 - Port Angeles (Clallam County and/or City of PA hosting)

April 18 - Port Orchard (Kitsap County hosting)

July 18 - Port Hadlock, Port Ludlow or Quilcene (Jefferson County hosting))

October 17 - Suquamish (Suquamish Tribe hosting)

The County Representatives for each member county of the Peninsula Section will help plan the Forums with CTED. If you have ideas for the Forums or wish to assist with logistics, please contact the County Representative associated with each Forum (email links under Executive Committee below) and/or Tim Gates of CTED.

The 2007 Planners Forums were held as follows:
January 19 - Sequim
April 20 - Bremerton
July 20 - Port Townsend
October 19 - Shelton - event doubled as Annual Conference

Annual Conference

The WA-APA Peninsula Section's Annual Conference for 2008 has yet to be scheduled. It will likely be held in conjunction with one of the quarterly Planners Forums listed above. Check back here for updates and registration information.

The 2007 Annual Conference was held at the Shelton Civic Center on October 19. The theme of the conference was "The Evolution of Community Planning in Washington State," to coincide with National Community Planning Month.

The 2006 Annual Conference was held on June 16 in Bremerton. The theme of the conference was "Defining Urban and Rural on the West Sound."

Executive Committee

The Peninsula Section Executive Committee organizes section activities, such as quarterly Planners Forums and the Annual Conference, and the President serves as a liaison to the WA-APA Board. The 2008-2009 Executive Committee members are as follows:

Meetings

The Executive Committee generally holds meetings in association with the quarterly Planners Forums. Announcements for additional meetings will be posted here. All are welcome to attend. The Executive Committee is continually planning future activities. Your input is appreciated either at meetings or by email to President Barry Berezowsky.

Elections

Elections for the Peninsula Section Executive Committee (EC) are held in the fall of odd-numbered years. All APA members registered within the Peninsula Section (Mason, Kitsap, Jefferson, Clallam counties) are eligible to vote for and run for the offices of the Section Executive Committee. Officers serve two-year terms beginning on January 1st of even numbered years.

An election was held in the fall of 2007 for the 2008-2009 term. The results are reflected in the Executive Committee list above. Former President-Elect Barry Berezowsky replaces former President Josh Peters (who replaced former President Bob Fink...and so on). The President Elect serves a two-year term and then assumes the President position for the following term. Rick Sepler joins the EC as President-Elect and will assume the presidency in 2010. Jim Rogers joins the EC as Kitsap County Representative, replacing Keri Weaver, who chose not to run for re-election. All other EC members were re-elected. Congratulations to all members of the 2008-2009 EC!

The next election is anticipated for the fall of 2009. The Peninsula Section will be looking for new candidates for the EC, including a new President-Elect who would assume the presidency in 2012. If you have any questions about the challenge and satisfaction of serving on the Executive Committee, please contact any member of the EC for insight.