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Latest Blog Posts

Now they’ve done it

The year 2020 has thrown a lot at us. We started out with mudslides, shifted into a pandemic and we’re still recovering from last week’s wildfires. You may be asking, what could possibly happen, next? Well, sadly, this seemingly doomed calendar year...
Days to remember

Sometimes history focuses on the losses, like the number of buildings destroyed, the financial toll of a tragedy, and, most importantly, the lives lost. And while it is important to take in the gravity of these situations, it’s equally important to...
Guest blog: Caring for our seniors

Hello, from Aging and Disability Resources (ADR). I appreciate Heather giving me this opportunity to highlight the great work our team is doing. For some background, ADR is designated as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Pierce County. We are...
The power and importance of education

I don’t think I could believe more strongly in education. My life has been shaped by my education, from Mr. Dempsey’s 7th Grade class at Curtis Junior High to the Leadership Class at the U.S. Naval Academy, and from Construction Law classes at the...
Are you hungry?

COVID-19 has created terrible new problems and worsened some that we’ve already had in our community. One of the areas hardest hit over the last few months is the network of food support for those who are struggling to feed themselves and their...
Answer your phone!

Like many of you, I usually let unfamiliar phone numbers go straight to voice mail. But, these days we should all be a little more lenient on that – or at least check your voicemail frequently! That’s because you never know when that phone call may...
Technology, stock tips and COVID

I was really looking forward to my Tuesday morning. I have been office-bound by COVID, so the prospect of getting out with our Roads Crew doing chip sealing got me rev’d up! First, I was reminded just how big our county is. It took me nearly 45...
Give them a standing ovation!

Let’s face it. It’s been a rough few months. It’s been difficult to get and keep our bearings during the pandemic. But there are a few people and groups that not only held their own but found opportunity and creativity in this unprecedented time. ...
Summer Update

Happy Summer, Friends! I am proud of my twenty-five year career in public service, and if there’s a silver lining to all the uncertainty and fear around COVID, it’s that public servants like me really have an opportunity to step up. And step up we...
In the center of the storm

In the center of the storm So, we’ve all seen the memes that end with the blank stare on the person’s face because they just can’t process what they’ve seen or heard? You can almost hear the crickets … I’ve seen that look for years when I explained...
In it for the long-term

In it for the long-term Have you tried to buy a bike, lately? What about adopting a shelter pet for quarantine company? These and other popular items are in short supply, thanks to the ripple effect of the pandemic. In the case of abandoned...
A roller coaster ride

A roller coaster ride I like, but don’t love, roller coasters. I ride them mostly with my son, Colin, who loves them. The roller coaster rides that I hate are where you can’t see what is coming and have no ability to anticipate and prepare. Well,...
How are you?

Many people are facing incredible difficulties in the face of COVID. Some have lost loved ones, and even worse, have not been able to be in the room when they passed. In comparison, my loss was not as great, but it still hurt my heart – a lot. My...
Council Schedule Highlights Week of July 6th, 2020

Due to Governor Inslee’s Emergency Proclamations 20–05 and 20–28, in-person attendance by members of the public at meetings of the Pierce County Council is NOT permitted at this time. Public participation must be done remotely. Remote attendance and...
On second thought

On second thought In last week’s blog I mentioned our intention to file an application with the state Department of Health to enter Phase 2.5 of the Governor’s Safe Start Order. That was then, and this is now. Since that blog was posted, we’ve seen a...
Council Schedule Highlights Week of June 29th, 2020

Due to Governor Inslee’s Emergency Proclamations 20–05 and 20–28, in-person attendance by members of the public at meetings of the Pierce County Council is NOT permitted at this time. Public participation must be done remotely. Remote attendance and...
Lots of questions

Lots of questions This week I gathered with hundreds of you at our second Town Hall. Many thanks to those of you who took the time to submit questions and participate. There were many questions about the practices and protocols we’re putting in...
Human Services Committee Leadership

The Governor’s new order on public meetings allows local governments to resume non-COVID-19 business, while still operating remotely. That means committee meetings resumed this morning. At this afternoon’s Council meeting Councilmember Ladenburg and...
Some Good News

Some Good News From the pandemic to the daily protests rightly demanding equality and justice, we’ve been surrounded by a lot of unhappiness, grief and fear, lately. While it’s important to be mindful of the events around us, I thought I’d catch my...
Keep up the good work!

In case we haven’t met yet, I’m the new director of the Office of Disaster Recovery and I’m honored to draw on my background as an Army general, business leader and physician to help the County recover from the impact of the pandemic. I could almost...