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Port Orchard: A Natural Disaster Essay

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Port Orchard, Washington is a town overflowing with rich forests, fresh air, and spectacular views. As Isaac Suttle walks from his front door, he can see the Two Brothers to the west and Mt. Rainier to the east. His home sits quietly in an area of Port Orchard surrounded by trees, the nearest neighbor hundreds of feet away. Like that of most western Washington, the weather is cool and rainy throughout the year with little relief in the summer. The drizzly rain can last for months; Isaac can remember a time when it persisted for 93 days straight. Though at times the weather can be miserable, it keeps the forest green and the air clean and refreshing.

Traveling ten miles out of his hide away home, Isaac …show more content…

The lack of adequate facilities attests to the fact that the county was unprepared for the quick increase in population.

As more people settle into Port Orchard, more commercialized businesses are moving in as well. This once untouched wilderness is being tainted by companies looking to expand in every corner of the country. Wal-Mart has been able to push its way into the small town, with promises of more jobs and low prices. Local business owners are feeling the strain. They are now fighting against an expansion of the current Wal-Mart to a Super Wal-Mart. Large signs advertising Starbucks and Burger King are in stark contrast to the environment around them.

The jobs being offered by these large companies are hard to say no to by the residents of Port Orchard. A low to middle class population, they find good jobs are hard to come by close to home. Most work at the giant shipyard in the next town, or commute to larger surrounding cities like Bremerton, Tacoma, or Seattle. A ferry travels from Bremerton to Seattle on the hour everyday. It is one of the few ferries in the United States that are used frequently by commuters.

Though Port Orchard is growing, the excitement of the metropolitan across the water is still a great stimulus for residents. Many of the youth take the ferry to Seattle on the weekends to find entertainment not available in their small town. Concerts,

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