Roots of Pierce County homelessness
Tracking our homeless crisis, TNT compares homeless rates here in Pierce County with same-sized Snohomish County. Ours are high and climbing, theirs are going down. Why? Comparing the two counties, TNT reports an expert’s judgments that our Pierce County efforts, “lacked direction, accountability, and transparency,” and “lacked performance metrics to determine if programs are cost effective.”
The folks who work every day on the streets with our homeless know the roots of the real problem: for many years the Pierce County Department of Human Services has mismanaged our homeless prevention and outreach programs, obscured homeless data and torpedoed the federally chartered Continuum of Care.
The next county executive needs to clean house, starting with an order to Human Services to support the Continuum of Care with good data and dedicated staff. With proper communication and a clear strategy, the good-hearted souls and community organizations of the Coalition to Prevent Homelessness are ready now to make Pierce County a national model for reducing homelessness.
Larry Seaquist, Gig Harbor
Ballot question misleading
“Limitations upon sale or transfer of waterfront property” is very misleading.
This change would instead allow for the sale or transfer of city-owned waterfront property.
For decades, our charter has stated: “The City shall never authorize the sale or disposition of any waterfront property...”
The Charter Review Committee upheld “never” selling, yet City Council ignored them
Selling/transferring Point Defiance is no “small” change as the proponents claim. Park Boards have reversed promises, selling property despite prior plans.
The broad wording gives no clarification of “park purposes” (could mean development, entrance fees, selling for profit as has previously been done with city and parklands) which could certainly change environmental and access protections.
City of Tacoma seems attempting quick budget fixes but (having acknowledged protection of First Peoples’ stolen land, accepting county levy funds and ignoring federal shoreline regulations) sales/transfers open potential lawsuits and could cost us more in the long run.
To guarantee public access “forever” we must retain city ownership, especially of precious waterfront. Vote no!
Heidi Stephens, Tacoma
Thornton would make good judge
As a retired judge who had the honor of serving Pierce County and the state of Washington for over 20 years, I am writing to encourage your readers to vote for Philip Thornton for Superior Court Judge, Department 10. I can attest that throughout his career as an attorney, Philip earned high respect from judges wherever he practiced. This is because he is intelligent and thoughtful, and he understood every aspect of his cases. Now that he is a court commissioner, his reputation as a gifted judicial officer is widespread. He comes to court prepared, and his decisions are fair, based in common sense and well-grounded in the law.
Importantly, Philip is the only candidate in the race who has served Pierce County for decades, as an attorney, judicial officer and volunteer. He has deep knowledge of the local practices and the legal community. He has cared about the people of Pierce County for years.
Philip’s ratings of “Exceptionally Well Qualified” by seven separate bar associations illustrate his commitment to this community, as well as to hard work and fairness. Please vote for Philip Thornton.
Lisa R. Worswick, Puyallup
Local News