Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Most Thorough History of Early Lakewood
In 2005, Steve Dunkelberger and I contributed to a photo history of Lakewood. Steve and I hoped the Lakewood book would shed light on our community's rich history. Now comes a titan: a major work on a key aspect of Lakewood history by a group of historians with a long record of accomplishment in Tacoma and throughout Washington. They prepared the report because the folks who operate Western State joined with other state agencies to commission a major study of the most historic grounds in Lakewood: the Fort Steilacoom District which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The major landowner right now of that district is Western State Hospital, hence the name of the report. Thus the report chronicles not only the pre-pioneer and pioneer periods, but also the history of mental health treatment in America.
It's all part of a major effort under way to figure out how to preseve and interpret the amazing history here for this and future generations. Some of us will NEVER give up on the dream, for example, that this is the place that children should learn the sobering story of Chief Leschi. It's a story that only becomes more important every time there is a case of racial and ethnic injustice in the world.
But the question of what to do with these lands and who should run and pay for all of it is a question for another day. Right now, you should download this file (and it could take awhile; this is a biiiiig report) and see what's got to be the most comprehensive work ever compiled about Lakewood history.
Enjoy: Western State Hospital, A Cultural Landscape Assessment
Monday, February 02, 2009
Bits and Pieces
Yes, that's a Mardi Gras celebration you see there. I thought I'd include it to add some visual interest to the Neary blog. Learn about the senior Mardi Gras and more in the Lakewood city manager's weekly report, always an informative read.Tonight's Meeting: The Lakewood City Council will hear comment tonight about a moratorium about mini-casinos. This is a big subject that defies the simplicity of one blog posting, but I mention the meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in case anyone wants to listen. What should be interesting tonight is that we will likely hear from the folks who operated Happy Days on Bridgeport. They want to reopen. I look forward to hearing from all sides on this one.
Police funding: A national website dedicated to information about police products used Lakewood as a case history in the financing of police technology. It's interesting reading in that you rarely see anyone write about such a subject in detail.
Blogging by elected officials: Those of you who recall my little blogging wardrobe malfunction of awhile back might be interested in a thread out of Olympia about their City Council, which apparently actually sends emails during meetings. I jotted down a few thoughts about government blogging, and the original post and the comments are all interesting.
What do business owners think?
It took me a couple days too long to figure this out, but it's really local business owners who ought to be speaking out on the question of whether Fort Lewis should build a mall. I posted a couple thoughts on that subject under The News Tribune's well-reasoned editorial on the topic.
I've come to this conclusion for two reasons. First, I'm supposed to be a 'small government' guy, and that's what I believe in. It's why I'm against the federal government building a mall. So why should a city government be getting involved in something business owners should care about? It's the business owners who should be taking a lead on this subject, if they do in fact see a problem.
Second, the effect on taxes should be a secondary issue. No one should do anything just because of how it affects taxes. It occurred to me that I'd never tell an employer, hey, you should decide to come to Lakewood because we can get more taxes. That would be silly. Employers have to decide to locate where it makes business sense for them to locate. And thousands of employers have already invested based on what made sense of their business, and wisely did not worry or care if the tax dollars they generate went to Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup or Lacey.
Of course, those are existing businesses. As the private sector prepares to invest millions in a revitalized Tillicum and other parts of Lakewood .... and for that matter, invests every day in Tacoma, the rest of Pierce County, and Thurston County ... the question of how a Fort Lewis mall will affect them is a very, very real question. This is not a question for just the city of Lakewood; the city should be a minor player. I'll be interested in hear what business owners think of the federal plan, and I will be interested to hear what they say to their members of Congress and Fort Lewis.
Of course, it occurs to me that a lot of businesses might be reluctant to speak out because they don't want to offend members of the military. I've been astonished at the number of people who've told me, 'Hey Walter, it's the Army that wants to do this, shut up.' I'm not sure there will be a full and vigorous debate. But whether they will or not, it's the business owners who should lead any charge.
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I've come to this conclusion for two reasons. First, I'm supposed to be a 'small government' guy, and that's what I believe in. It's why I'm against the federal government building a mall. So why should a city government be getting involved in something business owners should care about? It's the business owners who should be taking a lead on this subject, if they do in fact see a problem.
Second, the effect on taxes should be a secondary issue. No one should do anything just because of how it affects taxes. It occurred to me that I'd never tell an employer, hey, you should decide to come to Lakewood because we can get more taxes. That would be silly. Employers have to decide to locate where it makes business sense for them to locate. And thousands of employers have already invested based on what made sense of their business, and wisely did not worry or care if the tax dollars they generate went to Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup or Lacey.
Of course, those are existing businesses. As the private sector prepares to invest millions in a revitalized Tillicum and other parts of Lakewood .... and for that matter, invests every day in Tacoma, the rest of Pierce County, and Thurston County ... the question of how a Fort Lewis mall will affect them is a very, very real question. This is not a question for just the city of Lakewood; the city should be a minor player. I'll be interested in hear what business owners think of the federal plan, and I will be interested to hear what they say to their members of Congress and Fort Lewis.
Of course, it occurs to me that a lot of businesses might be reluctant to speak out because they don't want to offend members of the military. I've been astonished at the number of people who've told me, 'Hey Walter, it's the Army that wants to do this, shut up.' I'm not sure there will be a full and vigorous debate. But whether they will or not, it's the business owners who should lead any charge.
