February 24, 2017

Greetings Dynamic District 3!                                                         
 
We are just about to tear off another month on the calendar. Before more weeks go by, I do want to make it known how grateful I am to return to the Pierce County Council for one more term. Your confidence in the policy decisions I advocate for is most appreciated! Thank you!
 
My focus this year hasn’t changed.  Protecting property rights of the individual shall always be at the top of my list. Policies should reflect the protection of that unalienable right. 
 
Laws are passed to protect us against destructive behaviors. It is destructive for anyone to live on your property without your permission. It is destructive for people to live in a manner that deprives others from enjoying the use of their property, not to mention how the value of the neighborhood can be affected. We all see squatters violating laws. We see homes and neighborhoods demoralized by squatters. This “lifestyle” is enabled when laws are not enforced. You can count on me to continue touring the district, asking property owners to be proactive in managing their landscapes to be free from the brush that squatters seek for cover and as a dumping site. Fighting for public safety is always a work in progress.
 
Regulatory policies are also on my radar. The county’s Agricultural Resource Land (ARL) policy is close to being finalized. There will be one more informational meeting March 2, at the McMillin Grange in Puyallup, 5:30-7:30 p.m., to review the Planning Commission’s recommendations. On March 6, the Community Development Committee (CDC) will meet at 1:30 p.m. to review the policy, hear testimony and formalize the final hearing date, now slated for April 4 at the 3:00 p.m. council meeting.  
 
Something else I would like to highlight in my outreach to you is opportunities to engage in federal and state policies when they are brought to my attention.  Recently, I learned that the federal government is asking for your input regarding the EIS (environmental impact statement) of the grizzly bear in the North Cascades.  

You can comment on the National Park Service website. Apparently, four options are in play: A) no new management action; B)ecosystem evaluation—release up to 10 grizzly bears and monitor; C) reestablish grizzly bear by releasing up to 25 grizzly bears in 5-10 years and evaluate; D) bring in the grizzly bear to reach 200 in number in 25 years . The Executive Summary of the Draft EIS document better defines these options. Please let them know which approach you support before the March 14 deadline!

We have many issues to address this year and I hope you will find time to share your priorities or subjects you’d like to hear about,with me at [email protected].