Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Rest of the Story: Power Outage
If you were like me, you had to wonder why your electricity went out on the nicest day, so far, of 2008. The News Tribune has an explanation. I had a project to work on, and so had to drive quickly to my office in Puyallup to get electricity while pondering the mysteries of Tacoma Power.
Funny enough, yesterday was the day that our ancient cherry tree set to bloom. So I had already been thinking quite a lot that morning of Tacoma Power. My loyal readers, both of you, will recall that it was Tacoma Power's pruning group that went through our yard and savaged the property, especially that tree. As I have said at numerous times, if this group was in charge of trimming trees throughout the city, we would have to change the name of our community from Lakewood to Lake.
The excuse at the time was that trees can jump and even branches far below a power line pose a threat to Tacoma Power (I can't honestly say that Tacoma city representatives put it quite as directly as I just did). Every spring, I look out at the poor tree, still majestic though more than halved in size. And I ponder the damage that arrogance, fueled by the twin powers of arrogance and monopoly, can do. That residual feeling of violation is one of the the things that fuels me as an elected official. We who are supposed to serve a greater public good must always remember that government can, in big and small ways, change property and lives without caring or asking. The ability to do that, alone, is cause for reflection and concern.
But yesterday, Tacoma Power did get energy restored within a couple hours. So let's conclude on a note of gratitude. Tacoma Power crews would probably have rather been doing something else on a lovely day; so let's give thanks for hard working men and women on the front lines who keep our cities going.
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Funny enough, yesterday was the day that our ancient cherry tree set to bloom. So I had already been thinking quite a lot that morning of Tacoma Power. My loyal readers, both of you, will recall that it was Tacoma Power's pruning group that went through our yard and savaged the property, especially that tree. As I have said at numerous times, if this group was in charge of trimming trees throughout the city, we would have to change the name of our community from Lakewood to Lake.
The excuse at the time was that trees can jump and even branches far below a power line pose a threat to Tacoma Power (I can't honestly say that Tacoma city representatives put it quite as directly as I just did). Every spring, I look out at the poor tree, still majestic though more than halved in size. And I ponder the damage that arrogance, fueled by the twin powers of arrogance and monopoly, can do. That residual feeling of violation is one of the the things that fuels me as an elected official. We who are supposed to serve a greater public good must always remember that government can, in big and small ways, change property and lives without caring or asking. The ability to do that, alone, is cause for reflection and concern.
But yesterday, Tacoma Power did get energy restored within a couple hours. So let's conclude on a note of gratitude. Tacoma Power crews would probably have rather been doing something else on a lovely day; so let's give thanks for hard working men and women on the front lines who keep our cities going.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Helping Soldiers with Care ... Packages
In order to get this up quickly, I will borrow wording from the city manager's report, which some readers probably get separately. The Army brigade that was officially adopted by Lakewood, the 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, begins returning from Iraq next month after 15 months there.
The city is seeking your help in giving them some extremly simple comforts to come home to.
The 4-2 has about 2,000 “unaccompanied” soldiers, the technical term for soldiers that have no immediate family to come home to at Fort Lewis. As a simple gesture of “thanks,” the City, through Councilmember Helen McGovern, agreed to coordinate 2,000 care packages for these young warriors.
Citizens are asked to bring the packages (about the size of a shoebox) to any receptionist at City Hall. Arrangements can be made for pick up by calling 253-380-6720. Staff will coordinate transportation to the brigade’s rear detachment at Fort Lewis. The packages will then be placed in individual barracks rooms.
Suggested items:
Packaged crackers and cheese
Energy drinks, juice, bottled water, soda
Discount coupons to movies or for pizza
gift cards, calling cards
goodies-gum, candies, chips, granola bars, etc.
towel/washcloth
toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash
shampoo; deodorant; razor/shaving cream
bars of soap; foot cream
candles-they miss good smells
nail clippers/files
a personal note of “thanks”
Separate yet also sorta related: A citizen who has been seeking homes for animals, many of whom belonged to soldiers, is looking for help adopting them out. If you might be interested in helping, please call Melody at City Hall (253) 589-2489 for more information.
In case you are wondering, the item about the soldiers has sort of a complicated history. The person has helped hundreds of soldiers by taking their pets, but the person did not have a kennel license for their neighborhood. So the animals are being adopted, thanks in large part to her amazing efforts ... but folks are needed to take some more cats.
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The city is seeking your help in giving them some extremly simple comforts to come home to.
The 4-2 has about 2,000 “unaccompanied” soldiers, the technical term for soldiers that have no immediate family to come home to at Fort Lewis. As a simple gesture of “thanks,” the City, through Councilmember Helen McGovern, agreed to coordinate 2,000 care packages for these young warriors.
Citizens are asked to bring the packages (about the size of a shoebox) to any receptionist at City Hall. Arrangements can be made for pick up by calling 253-380-6720. Staff will coordinate transportation to the brigade’s rear detachment at Fort Lewis. The packages will then be placed in individual barracks rooms.
Suggested items:
Packaged crackers and cheese
Energy drinks, juice, bottled water, soda
Discount coupons to movies or for pizza
gift cards, calling cards
goodies-gum, candies, chips, granola bars, etc.
towel/washcloth
toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash
shampoo; deodorant; razor/shaving cream
bars of soap; foot cream
candles-they miss good smells
nail clippers/files
a personal note of “thanks”
Separate yet also sorta related: A citizen who has been seeking homes for animals, many of whom belonged to soldiers, is looking for help adopting them out. If you might be interested in helping, please call Melody at City Hall (253) 589-2489 for more information.
In case you are wondering, the item about the soldiers has sort of a complicated history. The person has helped hundreds of soldiers by taking their pets, but the person did not have a kennel license for their neighborhood. So the animals are being adopted, thanks in large part to her amazing efforts ... but folks are needed to take some more cats.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
The Move for Big Government in Lakewood
Lakewood has traditionally been thought of as a pretty libertarian place. It was the place you moved to, years ago, when you did not want to live within Tacoma and be part of a city. I have always thought of Lakewood as a sort of 'live and let live' sort of community. That does not mean it is as politically conservative as some folks think; it's fascinating we are one of the few places in the state to approve the recent transportation proposal.
This whole feeling of 'live and let live,' of course, colored the cityhood debates that began decades ago. Plenty of folks did not want additional government.What happened, of course, was that we learned we needed at least some additional government. And by now, most folks would say that Lakewood has benefited from parts of cityhood: the lack of strip clubs, the addition of dozens of police, the cleaning up of junked neighborhoods, the numerous improvements to streets and parks ...
Where the whole past and present come into conflict is when you continue to extend government. It fascinates me that 'my' little 'live and let live' city is considering two big government moves: telling people they can't gamble, and regulating breeds of dogs.
I originally thought of writing a parody column about how the anti-gambling folks are so persuasive, I now support extending government into new areas: banning French fries to prevent childhood obesity, and banning alcohol and tobacco to prevent alcoholism and cancer. The image of putting Lakewood city staff into Burger King to check the fat content of the super-sized meals would be a nice funny bit. And honestly, obesity is a huge public health problem that costs us a fortune as a society. But by writing such a parody column, I would do a disservice to the absolute sincerity of those who think a Lakewood ban on minicasinos would accomplish something.
Of course, it would not. A ban on minicasinos would only teach our youth that adults focus their political efforts on meaningless statements that make us feel better, but accomplish nothing in the real world except shut down legitimate businesses and throw people out of jobs. Gambling would continue. Heck, the entire state of Washington sanctions gambling to help pay for schools, of all things, via the Lottery. I drive past an "Indian casino" when going to work every day, and there are more cars parked there in the early morning than I have ever seen at a Lakewood minicasino. A ban on Lakewood minicasinos would be pointless.
But this is where big government - 'government as solution' - comes in. There are plenty of folks who think government can solve gambling, or can solve the problem of stupid pet owners, or what have you. And it's only fair for them to raise the question. We do look to government for answers in ways I just described ... through more police, through regulation of strip clubs, etc... Lakewood has and will do a better job of zoning for minicasinos. And there are enough complaints that we need to take another look at animal control rules. I don't think of someone like Councilman Ron Cronk as being a big government guy, so maybe it makes sense that he be the one to stick his neck out and propose a change to Lakewood's approach, much like it took Nixon of all people to go to China. Whatever the subject, it's thrilling that others in the community are going to take the city's new "initiative and referendum" system for a test drive.
So no more jokes. This is serious stuff. Let's find out how big Lakewood wants its government to be.
Forward this post
This whole feeling of 'live and let live,' of course, colored the cityhood debates that began decades ago. Plenty of folks did not want additional government.What happened, of course, was that we learned we needed at least some additional government. And by now, most folks would say that Lakewood has benefited from parts of cityhood: the lack of strip clubs, the addition of dozens of police, the cleaning up of junked neighborhoods, the numerous improvements to streets and parks ...
Where the whole past and present come into conflict is when you continue to extend government. It fascinates me that 'my' little 'live and let live' city is considering two big government moves: telling people they can't gamble, and regulating breeds of dogs.
I originally thought of writing a parody column about how the anti-gambling folks are so persuasive, I now support extending government into new areas: banning French fries to prevent childhood obesity, and banning alcohol and tobacco to prevent alcoholism and cancer. The image of putting Lakewood city staff into Burger King to check the fat content of the super-sized meals would be a nice funny bit. And honestly, obesity is a huge public health problem that costs us a fortune as a society. But by writing such a parody column, I would do a disservice to the absolute sincerity of those who think a Lakewood ban on minicasinos would accomplish something.
Of course, it would not. A ban on minicasinos would only teach our youth that adults focus their political efforts on meaningless statements that make us feel better, but accomplish nothing in the real world except shut down legitimate businesses and throw people out of jobs. Gambling would continue. Heck, the entire state of Washington sanctions gambling to help pay for schools, of all things, via the Lottery. I drive past an "Indian casino" when going to work every day, and there are more cars parked there in the early morning than I have ever seen at a Lakewood minicasino. A ban on Lakewood minicasinos would be pointless.
But this is where big government - 'government as solution' - comes in. There are plenty of folks who think government can solve gambling, or can solve the problem of stupid pet owners, or what have you. And it's only fair for them to raise the question. We do look to government for answers in ways I just described ... through more police, through regulation of strip clubs, etc... Lakewood has and will do a better job of zoning for minicasinos. And there are enough complaints that we need to take another look at animal control rules. I don't think of someone like Councilman Ron Cronk as being a big government guy, so maybe it makes sense that he be the one to stick his neck out and propose a change to Lakewood's approach, much like it took Nixon of all people to go to China. Whatever the subject, it's thrilling that others in the community are going to take the city's new "initiative and referendum" system for a test drive.
So no more jokes. This is serious stuff. Let's find out how big Lakewood wants its government to be.
