By GORDY HOLT
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Bremerton as a location for more technology companies is a theme heard from the Chamber of Commerce and beyond.

For example, take Applied Technical Systems Inc. Company head Rick Leenstra describes his business as building "maintenance and support systems for things like aircraft carriers and nuclear power plants." It also designed and developed the computer system that catalogs the art collection of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

"That is to say," Leenstra says, "when Bill Gates needed a problem solved, he had to come to Bremerton to get it solved."

Writer-publisher Fredi Perry, who is working on a history of Bremerton, likes the Gates connection, points to its deepest roots and wonders why Kitsap County hasn't seen more of the Gates.

"Of course, we know that Billionaire's father was born here and went on to become a Seattle attorney," she says. "But did you know that Billionaire's great grandfather William Henry Gates -- the first -- came here to run a drug store?

"I think it's time Billionaire came back and opened a service center here. The housing is still affordable and the views are terrific."