Tuesday, May 30, 2006
SURVEY ABOUT LAKEWOOD
It's time for another of Walter's Lakewood surveys. Can I borrow a little of your time? This survey has to do with Fort Steilacoom Park; a vision for Tillicum; conflicts of interest; and the public comment portion of council meetings. If you think someone else might be interested in any or all of these topics, feel free to forward this message to them.
You can fill it out at (August 06: the poll has since closed, with results to be announced in the columns section of my web page)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
How many times have you heard that phrase? But the city of Lakewood really does need volunteers, and for a very important responsibility.
The council recently voted to create an advisory board about matters of public safety. Our city already has advisory boards related to various subjects: boards for parks, for land use, for transportation, etc... These boards give citizens a chance to bring their interests and expertise and opinions to help city government conduct its work.
All of these boards are important. But recruiting volunteers for a police board is extra important for two reasons. First, you could argue that public safety is Job 1 of city government in Lakewood. And two, I am a little concerned about who else will be applying for this board.
Boards like this in many cities attract people who don't like police - people who want a forum to beat up on police officers either because they don't like cops or they do like criminals. (Well, OK, that's an oversimplication...)
I went along with this board because it would be great if dedicated citizens provide guidance and advice to our police and courts system. It's very important that we include citizens with a balanced perspective. It sometimes seems in Lakewood these days if you want to criticize something, you wage a war of harassment. Our police don't have time for that. Public safety is too important for that.
So Lakewood needs you. Here's part of the official notice about the board. The deadline to apply is June 12.
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The City of Lakewood is accepting applications to fill no less than seven (7) no more than fifteen (15) vacancies on the Public Safety Advisory Committee.
DESCRIPTION: The role of the Public Safety Advisory Committee is to provide citizen input and advice to the City Council in developing and monitoring public safety policies. The Committee will report to the Council and will also assist the Council in assessing whether department resources allow for compliance with City and department policies.
The Public Safety Advisory Committee shall annually provide to the City Council a report on progress made in carrying out the Committee’s responsibilities. Additional reports may be deemed appropriate by the Public Safety Advisory Committee and/or the City Council.
QUALIFICATIONS: Members shall be residents of the city of Lakewood.
COMPENSATION: None.
MEMBERSHIP: Members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
TERMS OF OFFICE: For the initial appointment, at least three (3) members shall be appointed for three (3) year terms; at least three (3) members shall be initially appointed for two (2) year terms; and at least one (1) member shall be initially appointed for a one (1) year term.
INTERESTED? You can download an application at http://walterneary.net/documents/application_for_appointment.doc
I apologize in advance if you apply after seeing this notice and do not get appointed. I have a funny feeling we will get a lot of applications. You may not be selected in what's admittedly a pretty subjective process. But please, if you are interested, apply.
OTHER INFO:
Be sure to read about the fuss about the Sound Transit station, if you have not followed that saga:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/lakewood/story/5744302p-5140175c.html and the very thoughtful editorial at http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/5747851p-5142414c.html
Of course, talk radio got all excited about the symbolic aspects of the Lakewood sculpture. Personally, I think the artwork is peaceful and just enough like a garden in its shapes to be interesting. I don't see the whole sex thing.
But regardless, the real issue here is that Sound Transit has already gone ahead with a contract for the sculpture. They've told us that they have already designed the station around the sculpture's base, a big circle. The Sound Transit empire has this position: To hell with the Asian-American community that has invested millions in that area.
But there is an easy and inexpensive solution. The solution is simple and elegant. We do not erect a sculpture at all. We leave the base in the ground. Seen from the side and above, it will look like a big
0
In words, it will represent a big zero.
That's the art. We title it: "Sound Transit's Record of Bringing Train Service to Lakewood."
This big zero in the ground will become a famous work of art because it will be inspirational. The big zero will inspire countless bureaucrats to soak taxpayers for money to build little empires without actually providing good service. Regular busloads of tourists will come from Olympia, other state capitols and Washington D.C. for contemplation.
Naturally, the trips will be paid for by taxpayers. So the visits will be a steady source of income for Lakewood.
An interpretive center can explain how train service to Lakewood got delayed for several years because ... gasp ... Sound Transit has learned that there is a grade in Tacoma. The interpretive center can explain how this knowledge from the 19th century disappeared until a new government empire went digging at taxpayer expense.
The economic benefits will snowball. The artwork will be a great location for Tim Eyman to hold news conferences to criticize government! Then all the reporters will stop for meals in Lakewood and, like the visiting bureaucrats, funnel dollars into the economy. Think of all the restaurants this will support. With agencies like Sound Transit around, we can expect lots and lots of these news conferences.
Hey, I can solve any problem this quickly. Just ask.
HISTORY UPDATE: Good news about a local landmark (you have to read a bit to get to the Lakewood angle of this story): http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/story/5760121p-5151639c.html You can read the Washington Trustfor Historic Preservations 's news release at this link. Again, you have to scroll down a bit. My thanks to the trust for accepting my nomination of this important site for their list.
USEFUL LINKS
Don't forget you can get more news about Lakewood by bookmarking these links: http://www.thesubtimes.com/thesubtimes/lakewood/index.html and http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/lakewood/
DISCLAIMER: these are statements, opinions and assorted ramblings from a member of the Lakewood City Council who speaks only for himself, and in no way, shape or form for the city or the council. The purpose of this newsletter is solely to provide unofficial information from an individual’s perspective. The city's Web site is http://www.cityoflakewood.us/
Forward this post
It's time for another of Walter's Lakewood surveys. Can I borrow a little of your time? This survey has to do with Fort Steilacoom Park; a vision for Tillicum; conflicts of interest; and the public comment portion of council meetings. If you think someone else might be interested in any or all of these topics, feel free to forward this message to them.
You can fill it out at (August 06: the poll has since closed, with results to be announced in the columns section of my web page)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
How many times have you heard that phrase? But the city of Lakewood really does need volunteers, and for a very important responsibility.
The council recently voted to create an advisory board about matters of public safety. Our city already has advisory boards related to various subjects: boards for parks, for land use, for transportation, etc... These boards give citizens a chance to bring their interests and expertise and opinions to help city government conduct its work.
All of these boards are important. But recruiting volunteers for a police board is extra important for two reasons. First, you could argue that public safety is Job 1 of city government in Lakewood. And two, I am a little concerned about who else will be applying for this board.
Boards like this in many cities attract people who don't like police - people who want a forum to beat up on police officers either because they don't like cops or they do like criminals. (Well, OK, that's an oversimplication...)
I went along with this board because it would be great if dedicated citizens provide guidance and advice to our police and courts system. It's very important that we include citizens with a balanced perspective. It sometimes seems in Lakewood these days if you want to criticize something, you wage a war of harassment. Our police don't have time for that. Public safety is too important for that.
So Lakewood needs you. Here's part of the official notice about the board. The deadline to apply is June 12.
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The City of Lakewood is accepting applications to fill no less than seven (7) no more than fifteen (15) vacancies on the Public Safety Advisory Committee.
DESCRIPTION: The role of the Public Safety Advisory Committee is to provide citizen input and advice to the City Council in developing and monitoring public safety policies. The Committee will report to the Council and will also assist the Council in assessing whether department resources allow for compliance with City and department policies.
The Public Safety Advisory Committee shall annually provide to the City Council a report on progress made in carrying out the Committee’s responsibilities. Additional reports may be deemed appropriate by the Public Safety Advisory Committee and/or the City Council.
QUALIFICATIONS: Members shall be residents of the city of Lakewood.
COMPENSATION: None.
MEMBERSHIP: Members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
TERMS OF OFFICE: For the initial appointment, at least three (3) members shall be appointed for three (3) year terms; at least three (3) members shall be initially appointed for two (2) year terms; and at least one (1) member shall be initially appointed for a one (1) year term.
INTERESTED? You can download an application at http://walterneary.net/documents/application_for_appointment.doc
I apologize in advance if you apply after seeing this notice and do not get appointed. I have a funny feeling we will get a lot of applications. You may not be selected in what's admittedly a pretty subjective process. But please, if you are interested, apply.
OTHER INFO:
Be sure to read about the fuss about the Sound Transit station, if you have not followed that saga:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/lakewood/story/5744302p-5140175c.html and the very thoughtful editorial at http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/5747851p-5142414c.html
Of course, talk radio got all excited about the symbolic aspects of the Lakewood sculpture. Personally, I think the artwork is peaceful and just enough like a garden in its shapes to be interesting. I don't see the whole sex thing.
But regardless, the real issue here is that Sound Transit has already gone ahead with a contract for the sculpture. They've told us that they have already designed the station around the sculpture's base, a big circle. The Sound Transit empire has this position: To hell with the Asian-American community that has invested millions in that area.
But there is an easy and inexpensive solution. The solution is simple and elegant. We do not erect a sculpture at all. We leave the base in the ground. Seen from the side and above, it will look like a big
0
In words, it will represent a big zero.
That's the art. We title it: "Sound Transit's Record of Bringing Train Service to Lakewood."
This big zero in the ground will become a famous work of art because it will be inspirational. The big zero will inspire countless bureaucrats to soak taxpayers for money to build little empires without actually providing good service. Regular busloads of tourists will come from Olympia, other state capitols and Washington D.C. for contemplation.
Naturally, the trips will be paid for by taxpayers. So the visits will be a steady source of income for Lakewood.
An interpretive center can explain how train service to Lakewood got delayed for several years because ... gasp ... Sound Transit has learned that there is a grade in Tacoma. The interpretive center can explain how this knowledge from the 19th century disappeared until a new government empire went digging at taxpayer expense.
The economic benefits will snowball. The artwork will be a great location for Tim Eyman to hold news conferences to criticize government! Then all the reporters will stop for meals in Lakewood and, like the visiting bureaucrats, funnel dollars into the economy. Think of all the restaurants this will support. With agencies like Sound Transit around, we can expect lots and lots of these news conferences.
Hey, I can solve any problem this quickly. Just ask.
HISTORY UPDATE: Good news about a local landmark (you have to read a bit to get to the Lakewood angle of this story): http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/story/5760121p-5151639c.html You can read the Washington Trustfor Historic Preservations 's news release at this link. Again, you have to scroll down a bit. My thanks to the trust for accepting my nomination of this important site for their list.
USEFUL LINKS
Don't forget you can get more news about Lakewood by bookmarking these links: http://www.thesubtimes.com/thesubtimes/lakewood/index.html and http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/lakewood/
DISCLAIMER: these are statements, opinions and assorted ramblings from a member of the Lakewood City Council who speaks only for himself, and in no way, shape or form for the city or the council. The purpose of this newsletter is solely to provide unofficial information from an individual’s perspective. The city's Web site is http://www.cityoflakewood.us/
