Month: June 2024

While much of my adult life has been spent in public service, I must confess that I can be uncomfortable when the spotlight shifts to me. In this blog I much prefer placing the focus on you and the great work you’re doing for our residents! That’s why I’m a little sheepish with this week’s blog topic – which is all about me. Years ago, when we started Inside Pierce County - our video series that takes folks behind the scenes at the County - I didn’t anticipate that I would one day film a segment about what it’s like to serve as the Executive. But I must admit that when I’m out in the community I am frequently asked about what a typical day in my work looks like…

As I have mentioned before in this blog, the Executive Team is moving.  Next Tuesday will be our first day in our new home – 1501 Market Street! To prepare for the move, we’ve been going through closets, cabinets and drawers to determine what items need to make the move with us.  If you’ve moved recently, you can appreciate how much stuff there is to go through - and some of the interesting things you discover.  But the item we found in a hard-to-reach spot really surprised all of us! This silver goblet was awarded to the winner of the 1915 Pacific Northwest Golf Association Women’s Champion – Mrs. T. E. Curran!  It was awarded 100 years before we hosted the USGA Men’s U.S. Open Championship in 2015!  The 1915…

Next Wednesday our offices will be closed.  While a day off is often a cause for celebration, June 19th has much more significant importance: Juneteenth. Juneteenth, observed every year on June 19th, commemorates the pivotal moment when Union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, to proclaim the end of slavery in the state.  This proclamation, arriving over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and following the end of the Civil War, symbolized not only the legal end of slavery but also the emancipation of African Americans within the region. It marked a profound juncture—a moment of liberation, hope, and the dawn of a new era for countless individuals who had long endured the shackles of bondage. But I think Juneteenth also represents the reconciliation…

Apologies to Sally Field and her infamous Academy Award speech but it feels awesome when outside people or organizations recognize your work. This week’s decision by the Hearing Examiner to approve the Conditional Use Permit and deny the appeal of our SEPA (State Environmental Protection Act) mitigated determination means the Tacoma Rescue Mission's (TRM) Good Neighbor Village for chronically homeless individuals can move forward! The Hearing Examiner wrote a very thorough and thoughtful decision after hearing seven days of testimony from the applicant, the appellant, our staff, and nearly 50 members of the public. His decision is 79 pages in length (excluding more than 350 exhibits), and is exhaustive in detail and description.  It includes 33 conditions, but gives TRM a very clear path ahead with construction starting later this…