By Marianne Lincoln

The Parkland-Spanaway-Midland Community Plan Area is an unincorporated part of Pierce County, but it is growing by leaps and bounds due to the housing shortage. The worst of it all, is that the three are older communities and lack the infrastructure to deal with the new growth. Sidewalks streetlights, traffic signals, doctors, dentists, libraries, recreation, hospitals, and more, are missing from what a typical urban area should have.

To help bring together the voices of the community, the Superintendents of Bethel and Franklin Pierce School Districts and Pacific Lutheran University’s President have been meeting with community members in leadership roles for a number of years. These include State Legislators, County Council Members, County Executives, County and State Department chair like WSDOT, for Planning and Public Works, the Auditor, Sheriff’s Department, Pierce Transit, Health Department and various non-profit organization leaders.

It is an early morning meeting, and PLU generously provides some refreshments and beverages. Originally organized by Tom Seigel from Bethel, the baton has been handed to Lance Goodpastor of Franklin Pierce to carry on the organizing and agenda.

Today’s topics included:
Franklin Pierce School District Update, Lance Goodpaster, Superintendent
Bethel School District Update, Brian Lowney, Superintendent
PLU / MultiCare Update, Allan Belton, President
South Pierce County Activity Coalition, Paul Marquardt – BSD Operations Exec. Director, Roxanne Miles – PC Parks Director
Blue Zones, Queena Tupou, Deputy Director
Pierce County Dept. of Transportation Six-Year Plan, Letticia Neal, Transportation Improvement Manager
Pierce County Elections, Emma White, Elections Outreach and Education Specialist

The next meeting is at the end of January, 2025. Before that time, ideas for additional topics and presenters will be taken.

Additional mention should be made of the presentation by Bethel Superintendent Lowney, who quoted from the Pierce Prairie Post article about the Faith Leader meeting last week. He was impressed that his sense of humor was appreciated. As PLU President Allan Belton followed with his presentation, he drew a chuckle from the audience, specifically pointing out to this reporter that he, too, has a sense of humor. I hope they don’t try to one up each other with a juggling act in January.

All humor aside, getting projects to happen in our unincorporated urban mid-County area is a challenge. Funds seems to always run out just before infrastructure in our area begins. The sewer closure of Spanaway Loop Road this week was noted, however. The County Transportation presentation did give dollar figures for the sidewalk projects requested last year by Tom Seigel.

For a community without an incorporated city, this group of leaders is doing a fairly good job of getting our needs noticed. Thank you to those who put this together so our area gets some attention. This is real leadership in action.

And, there was a surprise visit from Eatonville Superintendent, Jay Brower who was an early organizer of this committee years ago. Jay, you just couldn’t stay away. We know when we’re loved. <wink>