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Trapped

Did you know that we live in one of the worst places in the nation for human trafficking? Due to our proximity to an international airport, JBLM, I-5, and the Port, the state of Washington is the second worst state and Tacoma is seventh worst city...
Umoja

I learned a new word – from a different culture – reflecting an important value that is critically needed in our community, country and world. Everywhere I go, I talk with people who are tired, frustrated and, frankly, cranky. Two...
Let’s chat

It has been a wild two weeks for many of our County colleagues. Getting snow off miles of our county roads and protecting our unhoused community from subfreezing temperatures took the urgent efforts of many in our Planning & Public Works,...
Oh, the weather outside is frightful

It is the season for holiday songs on the radio, Pandora, and Spotify. I can’t imagine you haven’t heard “Let is Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow” at least once. This iconic song starts out with these lyrics: “Oh, the weather outside is frightful But...
What we’ve learned

We all know that 2020 was a difficult, exhausting year. I know I expected 2021 to be a bit easier, with us well on our way to recovery. As I wrote in last week’s blog, I was wrong! The past 12 months have taught or reinforced important lessons...
Not quite what I was expecting, but….

At the end of the year, I always take the time to reflect back on the challenges we faced and what we accomplished. For 2021, I thought back to where I was a year ago, with 2020 finally wrapping up and looking forward to the new year. Here are...
Holly, jolly

One of the old classic holiday songs made memorable by Andy Williams describes this month as “the most wonderful time of the year.” (If you have no idea who Andy Williams is, you can Google him!) And, it is a wonderful time of the year, thanks to...
Investing in yourself

On Tuesday, I joined a group of our County colleagues who are investing in themselves and our ability to better serve our community – at the latest “graduation” from our Leadership Certification program. This talented group of employees...
An attitude of gratitude

It’s easy to focus on everything we have lost over the last two years or so. There’s no question COVID has robbed us of many things – most terribly, people we love. None of us will emerge from this time unscathed or unchanged. We’ve all...
Equity works!

In last week’s blog I wrote about the important work we are doing to reform our criminal justice system to be more equitable for all members of our community. There are many other facets of our society that are ripe for reinvention and reinvestment...
A window into law enforcement and our community

The people of Pierce County need our criminal justice system to ensure all our communities are safe and that the system is fair, just and equitable for every resident. A milestone in this effort, the County’s first-ever Use of Force report was...
Veterans, Caregivers, and our Community

Given that November is National Family Caregiver’s Month, Military Family Month, and November 11th is Veterans Day, Heather gave me the opportunity in this month’s blog to recognize our local military community. That community doesn’t just include...
Way to go!

I have two favorite work events each year. One is when we celebrate our incredible volunteers! The second occurred this week – our annual Employee Incentive & Recognition event where we recognize outstanding employee accomplishments and thank...
Partnership means more shelter beds for Pierce County

Today a big step was made by Pierce County and our partners at the cities of Tacoma and Lakewood and the Low Income Housing Institute: A 94-room hotel was purchased to provide more shelter beds to our region. The need to address our homelessness...
Dead men do tell tales

I recently spent a few hours with Dr. Karen Cline-Parhamovich and the Medical Examiner Team. I learned that there is quite a bit you can learn from a decedent. She considers herself a “family practice doctor to the dead,” and with her team of...
Findings of independent investigation into Sheriff ‘serious and disturbing’

Tuesday Council received the results of a months-long independent investigation into the actions and conduct of Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer stemming from an interaction he had on Jan. 27, 2021. I read the entirety of the report – all 48...
Learning from the past

Back in February I decided to dive into a well-regarded series on the U.S. Navy in World War II – Ian W. Toll’s “The Pacific War Trilogy.” Toll goes beyond the traditional look at the people, strategy and tactics of the battles. He gives...
Harvest time

I have always loved Fall – the change in the weather, fall leaves, and visits to Spooner Farms with my granddaughters! Seeing pumpkins reminds me of all the work that farmers put into them before they end up decorating our porches. Planting the...
Not invisible anymore

Next Monday is Indigenous People’s Day around the nation. It is an opportune time to raise awareness of a nationwide crisis tribes face – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). It’s tragic, it’s unbelievable and it needs to be addressed...
A place to remember

Sadly, there are too many news stories that remind us of the dangerous jobs our first responders have. Earlier this month, a Fircrest police officer was sprayed in the face with bear mace during a traffic stop. Last month, Central Pierce Fire &...