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Latest Blog Posts

Dollars and sense

It’s been said that how you spend your money reflects your values. That’s certainly true of the proposed biennial budget I presented to the Council earlier this week. I’m very proud of how all of you have responded to and cared for our residents...
Biennial Budget Priorities for Pierce County

This afternoon Executive Dammeier will kick off the Council’s biennial budget process by introducing his own budget recommendation. Over the next two months, the Council will conduct frequent public meetings establishing its priorities, holding...
It’s a sign

I really enjoy sharing some of the amazing things our colleagues do through the Inside Pierce County video series. We paused some of those videos during the pandemic while we shifted to helping our community get though COVID. While the pandemic isn’t...
Never forget

Tomorrow we will mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Looking back, it’s almost impossible to imagine the devastation of that day, and the effects that reverberate to this day. I remember the shocking images of...
The power of a name

I was blessed to have a third granddaughter born last month. Her parents considered many potential names – and her sisters had their own favorites too. I was in the hospital room holding her for the first time when they made it official – Maggie...
September is Recovery Month

September is National Recovery Month! The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) started the National Recovery Month in 1989 to bring awareness to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. This year’s focus is...
Engineering success

Women’s Equality Day commemorates the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. Additionally, it is a day to recognize women’s achievements, specifically in the efforts to gain equality with men. At Pierce County, we have...
Take a walk

You may have heard that the month of August is “Walk Everywhere Month” in Pierce County. I’ve used that declaration as inspiration to walk more myself. I don’t know that I’ll win any prizes from the Pierce Trips Walk Everywhere Challenge, but it...
A gold medal team

It’s been said that “teamwork makes the dream work.” Unless you are Bruce Wagner, you probably never dream about roads, but I wouldn’t blame him if he did! Summertime means lots of things – kids out of school, time spent relaxing at beaches...
Please stop the ride….

As a kid growing up in University Place, I loved going to the Puyallup Fair. Hobby Town, the Dairy Barn, the Pig Palace, scones, and exhibits – I loved all of it. I also liked the rides – at least most of them. Once, after visiting one too many...
Worth waiting for

Last Saturday morning I arrived at the new Stan & Joan Cross Park in Frederickson well before the ribbon cutting was scheduled. That was when I was reminded just how special this place is. I bumped into Ben Heeb, who I have known for over...
Improving Processes and Engaging Residents

A note from Heather: “As we shift back into more in-person interactions in our post-COVID world, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our newer leadership team members, Nelly Mbajah. Nelly joined PCHS in February 2021,...
A very good – and important – summer read!

As most of you already know, I love reading. A good story can take me back in time and educate me. A great story can also broaden my understanding and change my perspective. Bestselling author Daniel James Brown is a gifted storyteller who can...
My “why”

I’m right back where I started. Well, kinda. When many people think of working for local government, job security and good benefits come to mind. To be honest, that’s why I initially applied to Pierce County over 22 years ago. I first joined the...
The Case for a COVID-19 Commission

While COVID-19 will be with us for a long time, recovery is underway, and it’s time to learn from the pandemic to improve our public health system and prepare for future emergencies. – Derek Young, Pierce County Council In late February of last year...
Are we on track?

Since 2017 we’ve had a strategic plan that identified our mission, vision, values, and several key objectives designed to address the needs of our residents. Now that we’ve had the benefit of more than four years of seeing the plan in action, I’m...
Pierce County Council Pride Proclamation

– Derek Young, Pierce County Council This afternoon the Council will, for the first time, vote on a Pride proclamation. It’s an honor to chair the Council for a moment like this and something I believe is long overdue. It celebrates our LGBTQ+...
Harvesting our recovery

While the COVID-19 virus has not been fully eradicated, we are seeing exciting milestones that signal we are on a brighter path. The governor officially “opened” the state this week, ending many of the restrictions that had been put in place. On...
Pride

Among the descriptions listed by Webster’s, the word “pride” is defined as “a sense of one’s own worth” and “noble self-esteem.” That makes me picture a person standing firmly with their head held high and their shoulders back – confident in...
Expiring Eviction Moratorium & Rental Assistance

Governor Inslee’s moratorium on evictions is set to expire on June 30. While the Governor has indicated he may institute a revised version as a stopgap measure until counties can get their rental assistance programs more fully up and running, the...