Month: September 2021

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 over the last 18 tumultuous months, and that important work will continue. At the same time, we have significant needs in our community, made even more critical due to the devastating effects of the pandemic.   We are building on the innovation and partnerships that were key to our success in supporting our community. As I mentioned to the Council, we have focused on three important priorities: public safety, housing and homelessness, and behavioral health. The proposed $3 billion budget makes unprecedented investments in creating new…

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 behind us yet, I did just dust off a video we created right before  COVID changed our world. In early 2020 I visited the Sewer & Traffic Operations (STOP) facility to see how we make the myriad of signs that help our residents stay safe on our streets and trails. That’s why you won’t see any masks in the video - what a marker in time! Anyway, my thanks to Steve Martin, a maintenance supervisor in PPW. He gave me a great tour and even let me help…

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 planes colliding into the World Trade Center and stunned survivors emerging from the buildings.  At the same time, I recall the concern and pride I felt seeing brave first responders rush into the burning towers to save anyone they could. The courage they displayed was humbling and inspiring.  And then the towers collapsed. The stories of bravery of the airline passengers on Flight 93 became legends.  We all tragically learned some of their last words were “Let’s roll!” as they gamely attempted to take control of the doomed plane. …

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 Joy Dammeier.  As I looked down at Maggie, I was struck by the miracle of her birth – and wondered about the life she had before her. That memory came rolling back, as I sat and heard the names of nearly 170 people read aloud as they were buried in a communal plot in Gig Harbor.  I could not help but think about the miracle of each of their births and how their parents came up with their names.  Hearing their names spoken aloud acknowledged…