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Latest Blog Posts

Not just another day off

At the “Juneteenth Lunch and Learn” last Tuesday, Delbert Richardson, the guest speaker, was asked, “how can someone who is not African American participate in Juneteenth?” I loved his response. He challenged us to both acknowledge it and...
Protecting and serving

There is an old saying that you don’t really know another person’s life until you “walk a mile in their shoes.” I didn’t exactly walk in the shoes of our Sheriff’s department last week, but I got awfully close. Thanks to Sergeant Mike Blair, I...
Happy Pride Month!

I love seeing all of the celebratory social media posts recognizing June as Pride Month. I live just around the corner from The Mix, one of Tacoma’s busiest gay bars, and I look forward to the annual Pride festival they host. Like everything else,...
How do you really feel?

As we approach the opportunity to “open up” and return to the office, we knew you and your colleagues would have some questions. And, you did not disappoint! I received a record number of questions from folks in advance of the Town Hall, and you...
Epic

More than two years ago we made a decision that, in retrospect, was a pretty good one. Let me give you a bit of background: those of you who remember the 2015 U.S. Open Championship probably remember it as much for the terrible putting greens...
Getting closer

I suspect many of you woke up last Tuesday morning and didn’t feel much different. The CDC and the Governor had announced changes in masking guidance for those who are fully vaccinated, and Pierce County was moved to Phase 3. But those of you...
The power of play

Summer is coming and when I was a kid that always meant lots of time playing outside. I would spend time in the woods next to my house, play “kick the can” with our neighborhood kids, and ride bikes to Point Defiance. The last school bell of the...
Including everyone saves lives

Including everyone saves lives I’m glad we are finally at the point where everyone who wants a vaccine can get one – and hopefully the Pfizer vaccine will be approved for middle schoolers next week! Between the Tacoma Dome mass vaccination site to...
What could possibly be behind that locked door?

What could possibly be behind that locked door? Many of us spend countless work hours in our County-City Building (CCB). But I’ll bet most of you rarely give a second thought to the complex systems that lie behind that locked door at the end...
Our First Stimulus Fund Investments

Yesterday’s County Council meeting was a big deal. We allocated $50.5 million of the $175 million we are receiving from the federal stimulus bill known as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Some highlights of the investments are in the below press...
Stronger together

Each May, the American Public Works Association (APWA) dedicates one week to educate the public about the value that local public works departments provide to their communities. This year, National Public Works Week will be from May 16-21 and the...
One step backward, two steps forward

One step backward, two steps forward Well, Monday was a tough day for Pierce County. As you undoubtably know by now, we’ve been moved back to Phase 2. The more restrictive rules go into effect today. Like many of our residents, I was frustrated by...
Valor

One week ago, I had the honor of attending and speaking at the ceremony for the first group of graduates of the Veterans Treatment Court program. Like everything else, COVID had delayed the celebration for a year until we could safely gather in a...
How are you doing?

This week, several hundred of you joined me for a virtual Employee Town Hall. I always appreciate being able to update you on County priorities and hearing your thoughts and questions – unvarnished and direct! I can always count on a few of...
Shining a spotlight

As promised in last week’s blog, I want to give you a glimpse into some amazing people who serve our residents. Last weekend we held a virtual celebration for the people who graciously volunteer their time and talent to support County programs. In...
Hope and healing

Last Friday was a great day in Pierce County! Not only did we continue getting vaccines into the arms of our residents, but we held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Crisis Recovery Center (CRC) in the Parkland/Spanaway area. For those of...
Rental and Utility Assistance in 2021

Greetings, friends and colleagues! When a coworker pointed out my last blog post was back in December, I was astonished. Where did the first ten weeks of 2021 go? I don’t know about you, but time feels like it drags by and disappears in an...
Restart, recover and reform

When I look back on the last year, COVID had a lot of control over our lives. It controlled where we worked, how we interacted with family members and friends, where our kids went to school, how we shopped, and more. We had to react and respond to...
Rental & Utility Assistance is Here!

I have heard from so many community members who have lost their job as a result of the pandemic or experienced significantly reduced hours and income. Especially folks who cannot work from home safely, such as our neighbors in the hospitality...
Home is my __________

On Tuesday, I attended Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s “Changing Lives Lunch-IN” virtual fundraiser. One of their engagement activities displayed an image of a house with the words “Home is my _______.” COVID has certainly...