Month: October 2022

Hope is powerful.  Without it, despair sets in.  But with hope, nearly anything is possible.  This week I witnessed that power in our community - not once but twice! As you may have seen in the recent news release, this week we presented to the Council a bold and smart plan to create a new community for chronically homeless people in the county.  A place where people trapped on the streets, many with untreated addiction and mental illness, can be restored and recover. Modeled after the successful community outside Austin, Texas, this village of microhomes with supportive services, gathering spaces, healthcare, and microenterprises would bring dignity, hope and a home for about 270 people who have been without a stable home for years. You can read more about the plans…

There’s an old nautical expression you don’t hear much anymore.  When a ship is ready or prepared for action, she is described as “yar.” (Not to be confused with the better-known pirate saying “Arr!”) Last Sunday, Pierce County welcomed a new teaching vessel, and she is yar, indeed. The MV (motor vessel) Doolin-Rogers arrived at her new home on the Foss Waterway, escorted by the Pierce County Sheriff’s boat, the Mundell (named for Deputy Kent Mundell), as well as the Tacoma Police and Fire boats.  She was greeted by boats from the Tacoma Yacht Club lining the waterway.  The afternoon was gorgeous and the Doolin-Rogers and many of her greeters were “dressed” for the occasion - nautical for displaying their signal flags in a decorative fashion. The new vessel, owned…

We are in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month, where we recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of the Hispanic culture and community to our nation.  In Pierce County, two people who exemplify those contributions are Councilmember (CM) Paul Herrera and Deputy Ernest Cedillo. I’m thankful for both their service and leadership at Pierce County, and for inspiring young people - especially Latino kids - to aim for a career in public service. They got together recently to talk about their shared Mexican heritage and what it means to them, both personally and on the job. Take a look: [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZojT3mx3zI[/embedyt] As he mentioned in the video, CM Herrera is the first Hispanic member of the Council.  He is also the only veteran among the seven councilmembers. In fact, his…