Good morning neighbors,

I had never heard of a bomb cyclone, but the weather this weekend and early this week did some damage. I am hoping you and your family stayed safe and were not negatively impacted. I was ready with candles just in case, but unlike some of my neighbors there were just a few flickers. As the evenings get darker, we prepare for the 31^st of October and the fall weather headed our way.

Happy Halloween and COVID Safety

In three days, some will celebrate Halloween. Many took last year off due to the pandemic. If you are getting friends and families together this weekend, don’t forget a mask (the kind to protect from Covid) with your costume. Maybe skip the finger food and choose individually packaged foods or things that require utensils to serve.

For kids headed out we always warn them not to eat candy until an adult goes through it. This time, try to set aside candy until the next day or if they are being consumed that night, encourage washing of hands thoroughly beforehand and possibly help young children unwrap them.

Our schools are struggling to keep on top of the number of cases, including a school that I taught at for two years that shut down for a week to allow staff and students to get tested and for those who were sick to stay home. We do not want this happening in more schools, but people continue to think it won’t happen to them.

It takes all of us to keep COVID at bay, so enjoy this weekend but please remember to mask up (beyond a Halloween mask) and if you have the option to get vaccinated please think about doing so. There is still time to be fully vaccinated by the holidays.

Executive’s Budget Wonders

I have received a lot of feedback around the proposed 2022-2023 budget, and I want to clear a couple things up about the process.

First, at this point all documented legislation, fees and ideas have come from the Executive. What is before Council is just a proposal. It is now up to Council to conduct its in-depth review of the proposal, including speaking with department directors.

From these conversations and our review of the proposal, Council will then shape a budget that it feels best balances a multitude of factors, including fulfilling mandated functions of the county and its policies, providing much-needed services to the community, and addressing Council’s priorities.

One example that I know has the attention of residents in my district is a proposed ferry fare rate increase.

Council's Economic and Infrastructure Development Committee recently heard the proposed ferry fare increase legislation, ordinance 2021-102. Here the ordinance as proposed was explained, committee members asked questions, and the public had a chance to weigh in. You can watch a video from that portion of the meeting over at my blog: The Hitchen Post.

The same day at a Council Study Session the Executive provided his reasoning for his proposed ferry rate increase of 15.5% every year for eight years. I know from conversations with those in my district that these proposed increases would negatively impact those who live on Anderson and Ketron islands, degrading their quality of life and in some cases forcing people to move off the islands.

I am aware of these concerns and I am working with my colleagues on a counter proposal.

Another example in the proposed budget that caught my eye is setting aside $26 million for land acquisition. Initially, it was a line item in the budget document. But Council wants to know more about what the plan is for this money and the land. We will hear the details Friday in a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting when the director of Human Services shares the budget details for this department.

I am taking in the details, asking questions of staff, reading through comments from community members and looking at the historical uses of funds. If you have thoughts, concerns or ideas please reach out.

Tax Townhall

The state organized a Tax Structure Work Group to explore changes to Washington’s state taxes. They want to hear from you! You are invited to join two session for our region on Nov. 3 at 2:30-4 p.m. or from 6:30-8 p.m. Register for the Tax Town Hall here.

The Tax Structure Work Group is a bipartisan collection of policymakers working together to develop recommendations for making our state’s tax structure more fair, stable, adequate, and transparent. Community voice will provide valuable feedback when developing legislation in 2022. If you have the time and interest, please join the conversation.

Community Connections

• Downtown Trick or Treating in DuPont: This free event along Wilmington Drive is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29.
• Lakewood Playhouse presents “An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe”: Oct. 29 & 30 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for this event and several upcoming events that kick off the holiday season.
• Visit the Stars: Pierce College provides public shows that allow visitors to enjoy a cloud free view of our night sky. They have a variety of shows available, but on Friday, Oct. 29 they are featuring “Haunted Night Sky, A Children’s Planetarium Program”.
• Fantasy Lights: Tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 1 for this year’s Fantasy Lights drive-through light display at Spanaway Lake Park. This year’s even runs Nov. 26, 2021 to Jan. 2, 2022. New this year, tickets must be purchased in advance, online. They will not be available at the event.
• Election Day: Nov. 2 is election day, and many local races that impact your neighborhood, cities and towns, schools, parks and community are on the ballot. If you are missing information or need help please reach out to our Auditor’s office.
• Lakewood Community Cleanup: This event happens two times a year in Lakewood, and the weekend of Nov. 6 residents can bring bulky items or extra junk to get it disposed of correctly. Please review the rules and Covid precautions.

Thank you to all that continue to engage me with your ideas, concerns and questions. It has been a pleasure thus far to do this work on your behalf.

Stay safe, warm and dry.