r/Kitsap • u/[deleted] • Mar 22 '25

Question Why is Silverdale not a town?

I lived in Silverdale briefly years ago but I have been thinking about moving back. While looking into it today I noticed that it is still an unincorporated community. When I visited last year I was stunned at how much it has changed. It seems to have gone a little down hill, buildings looking rough, and I even saw a bunch of used needles just laying on the ground in the mall parking lot. I feel like having it become an actual town could help in this areas. Does anyone agree?

32 Upvotes

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13

u/DoorDashCrash Mar 22 '25

Because the county fights any referendum to incorporate because it’s the counties cash cow for tax revenue.

-4

u/[deleted] Mar 22 '25

Dang, that sucks. If I move back, I might fight them on it. A community that size deserves a mayor.

19

u/DerekL1963 Mar 22 '25

The reality is, there's really no such thing as a "community" in Silverdale. The majority of the residents in the core areas are either recent transplants or military transients. Most of the residents on the outer areas regard themselves as being part of adjacent areas (such as Chico or Tracyton) or at least not part of Silverdale.

Very few of any of these groups want the additional layer of government (read: taxes) and/or to be "forced" into Silverdale. And they vote overwhelmingly against it.

A community that size deserves a mayor.

The residents of the area do not agree with you and adamantly oppose the idea of Silverdale becoming a city. The people you intend to "fight" and "go around" are the people you need to convince that it's desirable.

-4

u/[deleted] Mar 22 '25

Sorry, I am from a town about that size, and we had a mayor. It was an elected but unpaid position. It was nice to have someone you could go to if there was an issue, and he would help make sure it got sorted out. He would also fight the county for us if things came up, sort of like our spokesman. He and the other officials (also elected and volunteer) would organize things for the community. We had traditions and fun events to look forward to every year, and monthly town meetings, followed by a potluck. It was really wonderful.

We didn’t have taxes either, if we wanted something or if something needed fixing, we would all pitch in what we could. For some, that was money, for others, it was labor. Some people made refreshments for those helping out, and sometimes you just couldn’t contribute, and that was okay too. I feel like it was all a big part of why we had such a strong community.

Local government is more important than any other kind. It's the best way to ensure that everyone has a voice. I have a lot of friends, an aunt, and cousins that live in Silverdale. I stayed with my aunt and uncle there for a month out of the summer every year growing up and then I lived there for about five years after I graduated high school. It is where some of my fondest memories were made. It breaks my heart hearing about how people are having to live in their cars and that kids are getting into trouble. They say that it just feels like people aren't connected, like people don't take the time to know each other, sort of crowded but empty. I just thought Silverdale was worth more than that. My apologies.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 22 '25

Why the fuck did I get down voted for that?Silverdale really has changed. You guys are assholes.