Month: February 2018

Executive Dammeier asked me to reminisce over my last 30 years at Pierce County as I’m preparing to retire.  I’ve been doing a lot of that as I clean out files and turn projects over to various folks.  I’ll start at the beginning . . . One of the reasons I was hired was because Daisy Stallworth, then Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development, was impressed by my “apparent computer prowess.”  I prepared my resume using Lotus 123 on a dot matrix printer and she was impressed with my use of technology.  Daisy thought I would bring some process improvements to the loan program (which, by the way, was operated from a hand-written checkbook register). Back then, Frederickson was a big field at the end of 2-lane…

I recently helped facilitate a new agreement between the City of Ruston, City of Tacoma and the Point Ruston developers. My goal was to find a solution that would get the huge waterfront project moving forward for the benefit of our residents. If you’ve had a chance to visit the restaurants, movie theater, shops or play spaces, you can appreciate the fantastic jewel that has emerged from the former Asarco Superfund site. When Point Ruston and the transformational work at Point Defiance are both done, it will be an amazing spot for locals and visitors alike! However, disputes over permitting had slowed the largest development in Pierce County history down to a halt. Fortunately, after some marathon negotiations, we were all able to come together and find a path to…

My core values as a leader include being transparent and open.  That’s why it’s important to me that you are aware of an important new study that will begin later this spring. When I joined the County last year, I was surprised to learn we have not looked at how we classify and pay most of our employees since 2002. (To put that in historical perspective, in 2002 we were still reeling from the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center and the second movie in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy was released.  Both the iPhone and the Great Recession were still 5 years in our future.) Given how much has changed since 2002, it is time to evaluate how we place people in job classifications and compare our…

Have you ever faced an obstacle that seemed impossible to overcome?  Maybe it’s those last 10 stubborn pounds to lose (I am working on that!). Or quitting smoking. Perhaps your garage needs a complete cleaning so you can get your car back inside. The experts say that the key to tackling a big, seemingly overwhelming goal is breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks.  The small victories give you encouragement and hope as you take on the next step.  Furthermore, every task is easier if you are working alongside someone – many hands make light work! At this point you may be asking what this has to do with Pierce County.  Fair enough. Right now we are facing one of the largest and most challenging issues I’ve ever seen…