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When the public speaks, all of us in government should listen carefully. We are public servants who owe our greatest respect to our fellow citizens and taxpayers. Last Tuesday the public we serve spoke loudly and clearly when they voted to approve Initiative 976, which reduces the cost of car tabs. In Pierce County, it was approved by nearly two-thirds of the voters and, remarkably, was passing in the vast majority of precincts in Pierce County (see below). The statewide measure also passed in nearly every county in Washington, except for King, Thurston, and four other counties. [caption id="attachment_2082" align="aligncenter" width="762"] Credit: Joe Izenman[/caption] Before the election, King 5 reporter Drew Mikkelsen asked me if I was going to vote for the initiative. I said “yes” because I’m frustrated that…

On Wednesday, we gathered as a community to symbolically break the ground that will form the foundation of the new Crisis Recovery Center (or CRC) that will be built in Parkland. It’s been estimated that 1 in every 5 people will experience a behavioral health challenge at some point in their life. That’s why I’m so grateful to know that help is on the way for our friends, neighbors and family members in crisis. The video below will tell you more, but I want to take a moment to recognize the many groups and individuals who came together to create a place of healing and wellness for our community. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC3tzg5BYnQ[/embedyt] Steve O’Ban on the Executive team headed up the effort to secure funding and get the project off the…

Most of you know that I am inherently optimistic. I look for and hope for the best in people and situations.  However, in this job I have had to adjust my approach slightly to “hope for the best but prepare for the worst!” For example, I am very excited that our local wildland fire season has ended with the fall rains and cooler weather.  It was a very mild fire season and we did not have either the fires or smoke in Pierce County like last year.  (Please keep our friends in California in your thoughts as they are battling several serious fires and related power outages.) But as the fire season fades into the background, floods and winter storms step up to take its place! That’s why I’m especially…

One of my favorite events of the year took place this week. I love going to the Employee Recognition Reception each year.  It’s great fun to co-host with Chair Doug Richardson and Maura Maye – both of whom are quick-witted and have a great sense of humor! But, my favorite part of the night is recognizing the people and teams that really exemplify our values and culture at Pierce County. This year’s honorees are no exception. I know that I previously blogged about the award recipients, but the videos shared at the reception were so powerful that I knew you would want to see them, too. So, for those of you who weren’t able to join us at the reception, here are the videos with five great reasons to be…

  Our Sheriff’s department has an amazing set of “tools” to help keep us safe – and help us when we need it most. In a previous blog I introduced you to their swiftwater team and Councilmember Dave Morell did a great profile of the marine services patrol unit:   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5phZmFoa9k[/embedyt]   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqX0wmNy-10[/embedyt]   I recently had the great opportunity to take a flight on a beautiful sunny day with Deputies Robert Malloy and Emily Holznagel of the Sheriff’s aviation team to learn more about what they do from their perch in the sky. Come take a ride via this video: [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E71X_v5DVzo[/embedyt] Here are a few other interesting facts about our aviation team: They have two Cessna 206 aircraft, which are very cost-effective and allow a long…

The month of October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  You may not have heard of that recognition before, but it has been celebrated for 70 years! Dictionary.com defines the word "ability" as: “competence in an activity or occupation because of one's skill, training, or other qualification.”  You’ll notice there was no mention made of one’s physical mobility or sensory capability. As you are likely aware, we have made Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) a priority at Pierce County.  This week’s blog focuses on the inclusive part of that initiative. Being an inclusive employer means people get to belong and contribute – regardless of physical capability or perceived limitation. Having a more inclusive work environment gives us the opportunity to benefit from the contributions of all of us. Having said that,…

Those of you who have seen me “out and about” in our County know that I strongly believe that some things can only really be appreciated by seeing them firsthand.  Whether it's a needed repair at a ferry dock, a sewer wet well, or Baby Court, just reading about something does not give you the complete picture.  Seeing with your own eyes is essential to gaining a full understanding! That is why when the Seattle Chamber of Commerce announced their annual “in-state study mission” trip was planned for Pierce County, I was excited to help host.  The Chamber selects a different community each year for a study trip to learn best practices and strengthen its regional ties. For two days last week, Seattle and King County leaders, mostly from their business…

I had the honor and privilege of presenting our first-ever biennial budget to the Council this week. As you will hear me say in the brief video clip below, I believe budgets reflect our values.  And, this proposed budget is no exception. (more…)

There is a common thread that weaves this year’s Standing Ovation Award winners together – leadership.  In each instance, our colleagues stepped forward and didn’t wait for someone to tell them what to do.  Their award-winning work illustrates their success in being proactive, creative and innovative. In the Vibrant Communities category, we recognized two projects:  The replacement of the Heritage Recreation Center Field and the Pierce County LIFE program. If you have athletes in your life you are probably familiar with the health concerns over crumb rubber playfields. They have been the subject of medical research for those who come into contact with the little black rubber pellets that kick up when you land on the turf or save a goal. In light of these concerns, Benjamin Barrett in Parks…

Two key surveys have recently been fielded to a couple of very important groups: our employees and our residents.  The results have been compiled, and I want to let you know what we heard. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) survey was sent to County employees so that we could learn more about your thoughts on this important initiative.  We had a tremendous response! We received nearly 1,000 responses and thousands of written comments – in fact, there was a total of 153 pages.  You clearly had a lot on your mind. I’m grateful to all of you who took the time to respond and provide your thoughts – I personally read each and every one of them. I was especially impressed  that when we asked you to define “diversity”…

I am a huge believer in the power of transparency.  Being able to see something clearly, gives understanding and builds confidence.  Those two principles are core to why transparency to our residents and taxpayers is so critical to the work we do.  Accountability and trust go along with it - especially in a government setting.  An increasingly important part of our work is to be transparent with the public. It’s not always easy to shed light on the operations and actions of a government entity - especially one as large and complex as Pierce County. It requires a significant amount of time. Plus, sometimes it’s downright uncomfortable.  But we need to stay vigilant in our obligation to being transparent and accountable to those we serve and who fund our work.…

As I’ve mentioned in this blog many times, I’m a boat guy. I love being on the water.  Whether as a kid sailing with my family, during my time in the Navy, or in the San Juan Islands with my family this summer.  While I believe any day on the water is better than any day on land, I also have a serious respect for the sea – including the waters of Puget Sound.  The key to a safe and successful voyage is to always have the right sized boat for the trip – especially when you confront a storm. Recently, my wife Lauren and I, along with Bosco, were out on Eld Inlet in a 10-foot rowboat when the wind picked up – a little over 10 knots.  This…

I toured a fascinating new facility in Pierce County this week. You may have noticed a big, white cube on the outskirts of Fircrest.  Thanks to the Economic Development Board (EDB), Chair Richardson, Councilmember Morell and I had the chance to peek inside the building. The building, owned and managed by NewCold, is a cold storage facility that houses seafood and produce.  Their primary customer is Trident Seafoods, one of the largest companies that fish in Alaska. NewCold is based in The Netherlands and the Tacoma location is its first in the United States. They also have a Burley, Idaho facility that focuses on potatoes – naturally! I was thrilled to hear company officials talk about how their search for a site south of Seattle led them to Pierce County.…

You’ve probably heard the stories of victims who unwittingly become trapped in human trafficking schemes. Sometimes, a victim of trafficking is a vulnerable person trying to escape a difficult or dangerous life in their homeland. They fall prey to false promises of help, a job and a fresh start. Or, the victim could be a young girl who decides to run away from home, thinking that life with a charming man who showers her with gifts is sincere in his attention.  The tragic reality is that he is grooming her for an unspeakable life forced into sex work and torn away from her friends and family. Sadly, Pierce County is an especially attractive region for trafficking due to our proximity to an international airport and the Pacific Rim. In fact,…

I first learned of a problem with the Steilacoom/Anderson Island ferry service at 7:23 on Sunday night. Fresh off my own vacation, my mind immediately went to the folks spending a beautiful weekend on the island and wondering whether they could get home. At 9:37 p.m., Toby Rickman of Planning and Public Works called with an update. Two of the three hinges on the ramp apron on the Anderson Island ferry dock had failed and we could not safely load cars on or off the ferry. Pierce County engineers recognized repairing the 13-ton ramp would require a specialty marine contractor. I initiated an emergency contract to conduct the repair without delay. I anticipated a repair of that magnitude would take some time and it was possible that the island would…

Did you know that in Pierce County we have 330,000 properties on our tax rolls that generate about $1.4 billion each year?  And, were you aware that the Assessor-Treasurer’s (ATR) office collects taxes on behalf of 75 taxing districts in the County? I recently had the chance to learn all about how the ATR team of appraisers determines the value of any given property.  My tour was especially timely as the updated property value statements were recently sent out to property owners. Come ride along as Skylar Wicklander teaches me the art and science of appraising! https://youtu.be/-33RwAX_C-s My thanks to Mike Lonergan, our Assessor-Treasurer, and Skylar, for their willingness to take us behind the scenes as they ensure the taxed properties in Pierce County are accurately appraised and assessed. Have…

I frequently brag about the natural beauty in Pierce County!  From our islands in the Sound to Mount Rainier, it can hardly get better.  But, occasionally I like to get even more remote - and sometimes that leads me north to Canada. There are times when you need to get away from work to really get the chance to re-connect and have fun with family and friends.  To have those experiences and build memories.  So, this year I am taking my vacation with family, then friends, then more time with family up around Desolation Sound off of Vancouver Island. My vacation started off with a long weekend with my immediate family - of course, that included Blair and Lucy.  We spent plenty of time playing in a pool and going for little boat…

Early last year, Executive Dammeier and Council Chair Richardson proposed, and Council approved, the funding needed to create a new memorial for Pierce County’s fallen first responders. Too many of our police officers, fire fighters and military police have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives protecting our community. The memorial at the County-City Building is designed to provide a fitting and publicly accessible place to honor their memory and valor. With the help of Councilmember Ladenburg and leadership from first responder agencies, the Facilities Management team set to work to find a great location and come up with an appropriate design. The advisory group ultimately selected a plaza configuration featuring natural stone plinths to be placed at the CCB’s second floor entrance. Construction is on track to begin…

As a school board director, I came to appreciate the challenge of naming a new school or prominent facility.  I can think of no higher honor than to have your legacy immortalized by a community.  The naming demonstrates a community’s values and character.  This honor is doubly important when the honoree is still living. This week the University Place (UP) School Board chose wisely by naming the field at Curtis High School's Stadium in honor of long-time Coach Bob Lucey. [caption id="attachment_1819" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Coach Lucey and the UP School Board. Photo courtesy of T'wina Nobles.[/caption]   I can personally testify to the impact Coach Lucey had on many young men, because he was my football coach when I played at Curtis (Go Viks!).  Coach taught me about leadership, determination,…

Whew – what a day! It started early and ended late! My morning was spent representing Pierce County in the classic Independence Day parade in DuPont.  Council Chair Doug Richardson was also “repping” since DuPont is in the Mighty 6th.  This community has the strongest connection to JBLM - filled with active duty, civilian employees, and veterans.  Red, white, and blue was everywhere - flags, bunting, t-shirts, hats, and even on dogs!  I was joined by my family - and Blair, Lucy, and Bosco were a hit with the spectators! Next stop was a celebration/reunion with Lauren’s family.  We had nearly 30 folks from three generations on the deck of the family beach cabin - which has been in the family since 1948.  This reunion was a little bittersweet since…