Month: November 2024

This is my final time to address you about this holiday that encourages us to take stock of our lives - and choose to be thankful. In many ways, this has been a challenging year for me personally. We lost my father-in-law at 87 years old last August.  Amid the loss, I am deeply thankful for the role he played in my life - both for raising my amazing wife, Lauren, and for all he taught me (He was a boat nut!).  Like many, we are supporting aging relatives, some with dementia and other challenges.  At the same time, my middle son and his wife are expecting their first child in January - granddaughter Number Four for me!  Phases of life… I hope you have time with family and friends…

Grabbing a shovel and helping turn the dirt that will become the Good Neighbor Village was a fantastic way to begin the holiday season. We are a week away from the day our nation sets aside to be thankful for the many blessings we enjoy.  However, for the men and women in our community trapped living on the streets, many with untreated mental illness and addiction, I suspect Thanksgiving may ring a bit hollow for them.  In many instances, bridges to family members and friends have been burned and they are isolated from true community. However, yesterday’s groundbreaking offers hope for those who may feel hopeless and alone.  A transformative community with services, supports, employment and 285 micro-homes for our chronically homeless neighbors is under construction. The Good Neighbor Village…

Many of us are drawn to public service out of a strong desire to make things better for the generations who will follow us.  I know I was. And that was long before my grandchildren arrived and made that perspective even more of an imperative. Caring for and supporting the children in our community helps set them up for a bright future.  Great early learning is shown to make a difference in the years that follow.  That’s why our Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (or ECEAP) is such an important County program for families who can use some additional support. I had a delightful tour of one of our ECEAP classes in Orting recently with a wonderful teacher, Miss Peggy.  Check out the video below to learn more about…

I think everyone is relieved when the general election is finally behind us. I suspect we're all tired of campaign commercials and streaming ads, tired of campaign mailers filling our mailboxes, and, this year, I'm especially tired of fundraising texts! While we now know definitively who our next president and governor will be, there are still several races too close to call. However, the final counts should be completed in the next few days. So, congratulations to President-elect Trump and Governor-elect Ferguson. And thank you to all the candidates who were willing to step up and run! I also know many people are frustrated with the results, whether at the state or national level. Like you, I had strong candidates I supported—some of whom won and some of whom lost.…

Native American Heritage Month, celebrated every November, is a time to honor and acknowledge the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in the United States. This dedicated month offers a powerful opportunity to highlight the strength, resilience, and diversity of Native American communities. Native American history is intricately woven into the fabric of the nation's past. Long before the arrival of European settlers, Native Americans inhabited these lands, cultivating advanced societies with their own systems of governance, languages, and cultural practices. Yet, their history also includes forced displacement, broken treaties, and systemic marginalization. Here in Pierce County, two boarding schools caused immeasurable trauma and pain. Native American Heritage Month helps ensure that this past is remembered and respected.  By celebrating Native American Heritage Month, we also foster a…