By Marianne Lincoln Let me be clear. If Spanaway and Parkland do not decide to incorporate as communities, Pierce County is on its way to decide to make you part of a big city called Frederickson. Are you Parkland? Or, are you a suburb of Frederickson? You are going to need to make that decision…
Tag: politics
SB6181 needs work
By Marianne Lincoln I testified in Olympia today in front of the Local Government Committee. I also had a chance before the meeting to chat with one of the bill sponsors, Senator Conway. I sent Senators Conway and Nobles a copy of my testimony with suggestions and details about an incorporation campaign that may need…
Fed shutdown & layoff help at ESD
Federal shutdown, private-sector layoffs lead to increase in unemployment claims OLYMPIA – As the federal government shutdown continues, more federal workers are applying for unemployment benefits with the Employment Security Department. Through Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1,184 federal workers (about 79 per day) in Washington state applied for benefits. Unemployment claims for federal employees are a…
Veterans Town Hall and a Women Veterans Forum
Walla Walla County – Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) will host a Women Veterans Forum from 8:30 to 9:30 and a Veterans Town Hall from 10:00 to 12:30 on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Mathew Fazzari VFW Post 992, located at 102 N. Colville St., Walla Walla 99362. If joining virtually, please register now….
West Coast Health Alliance
Washington, California and Oregon to launch new West Coast Health Alliance to uphold scientific integrity in public health as Trump destroys CDC’s credibility WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: In response to recent federal actions that have undermined the independence of the CDC and raised concerns about the politicization of science, Washington, California and Oregon Washington are…
August 19 County Council meeting at Frederickson – Opinion
By Marianne Lincoln, editor Tuesday, August 19, 6:00 pm, is an in-district County Council meeting in Frederickson at the Pierce County Public Works Central Maintenance Facility – Elk Plain Meeting Room 4812 196th St. E. Spanaway, Washington. Agenda here. Here is a historical article about Frederickson from CM Amy Cruver. Also, here is an updated census report she provided….
Questions about WA Cares Fund?
Pierce County’s Aging and Disability Resources (ADR) is announcing a new initiative to educate residents, community organizations, and employers about the WA Cares Fund, Washington’s first-of-its-kind public long-term care insurance program. ADR is offering expert-led informational presentations, available in-person or online, to clarify benefits, eligibility, and the future of long-term care for Pierce County residents….
Effective homeless family program to expand
By Marianne Lincoln Over a month ago, the board of Family Promise of Pierce County voted to add a dba (doing business as) name to its license. The name Family Promise of Puget Sound was added due to interest from Kitsap, Thurston and King Counties, in the project started in Spanaway. With all the noise…
Candidate filing week begins Monday, May 5 and ends Friday, May 9
Candidate filing week begins Monday, May 5, 2025. Offices open for election this year include:Pierce County Council District 5Pierce County Charter Review CommissionPort of Tacoma CommissionersCities and Town Mayors and Council MembersSchool District DirectorsFire District CommissionersPark and Recreation District CommissionersWater District CommissionersSewer District CommissionersThis year, 231 nonpartisan local offices and one partisan office are up…
Washington tax on self storage? Write your legislators
[Editor: I received this note from my storage facility. This is provided as information you can choose to act on or not. But you should be aware. It apparears the bill that is actually moving is SB5711. It has a hearing on March 13. 4 p.m. You can comment or testify at this link.] Subject:…
Pierce County offers free property tax exemption seminars
Seniors and people with disabilities are invited to attend free Property Tax Exemption Seminars hosted by the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer’s office, in partnership with the South Sound Housing Affordability Partners (SSHA³P) and Pierce County Human Services. Seminars are designed to provide valuable information on tax relief programs. Attendees will learn about eligibility requirements for property…
Council passes ordinance to lengthen time taxpayers have to claim refund on property tax errors
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, the Pierce County Council passed Ordinance No. O2024-572 to expand the time property owners have to request a refund for manifest errors in property tax assessments – such as an incorrect square footage listing or an error in the number of rooms – moving it from three to five year…
Legislative smiles and assistance
By Marianne Lincoln It was a cold, February, Tuesday afternoon. Julie, Michelle and I piled into the car and drove to Olympia. We arrived a few minutes early and had a chance to check out the Capitol Gift Shop and peek into the Rotunda before heading to Room No. 4 in the Cherberg Building. There,…
2025 – Pierce County Charter Review
Do you like how Pierce County does business? Or are you frustrated with some of the processes, procedures, and methods used? How Pierce County does business is laid out in the County Charter. From time to time, there are ways these processes can be improved, but the Council will not vote for the change. That…
Will a divided County Council fill the 5th District seat today?
The Pierce County Council currently has six members. Three are Democrat and three are Republican. That split is preventing the election of a Council Chair. That split is also preventing organizing the Council, choosing committee assignments and more. The Council has up to 60 days to choose the person who will fill the seat. As…
County Council set to refill Marty Campbell’s seat in District 5
UPDATE: The Council conducted interviews on January 7, and went into Executive Session for about 45 minutes. When they returned a motion was made and passed to put the decision off to next week on January 14. ##### Resolution 2024-268: A Resolution of the Pierce County Council Appointing ________________ as Pierce County Councilmember, Representing Council…
New Councilmember for District #5 to be appointed
Since Marty Campbell has officially won the Assessor Treasurer seat, his seat, County Council District #5, is open for an appointment. Any registered voter that professes to be a Democrat can apply to the Pierce County Democrat Party for that opportunity. Here is the process: The Democrat Party of Pierce County will choose 3 people…
Groundbreaking for Good Neighbor Village draws supporters and protestors
By Marianne Lincoln Good Neighbor Village, the village of tiny homes that the Tacoma Rescue Mission and the Pierce County Executive’s office are trying to build in Spanaway, had a groundbreaking today, November 21, 2024. The event was an invitation only event at the farm site near the intersection of 176th and Spanaway Loop Road….
CDEC to Hold Public Hearing on Comprehensive Plan Update Proposal
The Council’s Community Development and Environment Committee (CDEC) will hold its first public hearing on the proposed 2024 Comprehensive Plan update on Monday, Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m. in the Pierce County Council Chambers. The CDEC will likely continue its deliberations on the Comprehensive Plan update to its Monday, Nov. 18 meeting to allow time…
Volunteers needed for Parkland Haunted House
The Haunted Parkland School will appear October 25 and 26 this year. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can stop by, purchase a ticket, and enjoy the thrill of being in a historic building with ghosts, ghouls and other things that bump in the night. No guarantees that some real Parkland spirits won’t make…