Neary-Sighted

It's so moving to see the young people of Clover Park High out in the bright morning sun. They are laying out the neat rows that become a powerful memorial to those who died in service to our country and to freedom. I live just a couple doors down from the school and this weekend will watch many people wander among the names, and/or hunt for a specific name. The Clover Park Memorial will surely get more visitors this year, as it should. Other scenes from last year's event, such as the one at right, can by seen by clicking here.
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One of the cool things in Lakewood is a youth council, a group of high school-age youth who model the city council in providing recommendations about public policy and perform community service.

We've received some applications, and the first round of interviews has been held. The founder of the program, City Councilwoman Claudia Thomas, says they are great youth who want to give back. The program has two purposes: give the city a pipeline to what youth are thinking and feeling, and help the youth channel their energies toward public service.

The odd thing this year is that they are ALL from Lakes High School. (and they are mostly girls, which is apparently a bit normal year to year)

Well, Lakes is a great school and the largest. But we got others that Lakewood youth attend. The most obvious is Clover Park High School, but in previous years we've had youth from Bellarmine Prep, the A.I. School, Harrison Prep, Charles Wright, and home schools. We've also had youth from Steilacoom High School because part of the Oakbrook neighborhood is within the Steilacoom district.

So ... well ... help! Know of any youth who might be interested? The letter that we sent to schools follows. Sorry for the length, but I figured it would be easier than something you'd have to download.

POSITION: Youth Councilmember to the Lakewood City Council

DATE OPEN: Monday, March 30, 2009
DATE CLOSED: Friday, June 19, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

TERM: September 2009 through July 2010

BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of a designated City Councilmember, convey to the City Council issues having city wide impact to youth; research, collect, analyze and compile data and information for inclusion in reports; maintain records and files related to youth issues and youth programs.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: Convey to the Mayor and City Council, through oral and/or written presentations at City Council meetings, issues impacting youths that may have city wide impact; assist other students to become involved in their communities; prepare a variety of correspondence, reports and other materials. Maintain records of all communications between Youth Councilmembers and City Council; provide summary status reports relating to issues presented to Council and resolutions, if any. Organize and coordinate youth forums and activities; communicate with youth throughout Lakewood as well as to citizens, community groups, Human Services Collaboration members and outside organizations. Interact with principals and students of designated public and private schools in person and on the phone. Participate on a variety of City committees, study groups and task forces; attend a variety of meetings as assigned. Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination equivalent to: an entering High School student in good academic standing, including a good attendance record. Past leadership experience and/or involvement in school or community organizations and/or events desired. Must attend a school in Lakewood or reside in Lakewood.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
ENVIRONMENT: Business and school environment. Able to attend Lakewood City Council meetings on the first Monday evening of each month at 7:00 p.m. and Youth Council meetings on the first and third Monday evenings of each month at 6:00 p.m.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES: Hearing and speaking to exchange information.

TO APPLY: Submit a letter of interest stating a) why you want to be considered and b) any past/present/future involvement in your school (i.e. clubs, student government, etc.) or community to: City Manager’s Office, Attn: Deanne Wegmann, Executive Assistant, Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499-5027 by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Please include your contact information on the letter.
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Lakewood city government is bringing back the popular "Lakewood 101" class, a shorter version of "Lakewood University." Citizens can get firsthand information about the important issues of the day with detailed handouts and clear explanations. These courses have been popular because there's time to talk specifics as well as the context of important subjects. I've yet to meet anyone who didn't rave about these classes because the classes offer all the specific information you ever wanted, without filters.

Previous sessions included an introduction to several aspects of public policy and ran over a couple of evenings. The latest version of Lakewood 101 demands less time, but should still be very informative. This year’s focus will be on public safety and economic development. Because of that specialized focus, and because it's been awhile since the last classes, previous Lakewood University students are welcome to attend and should certainly benefit.

It's all on one evening, 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3. The class will be at the new police station, 9401 Lakewood Drive SW.

RSVPS are requested at 589-2489 or citymanager@cityoflakewood.us. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with refreshments. 
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Hundreds of children from throughout Puget Sound found fun and education in Lakewood over the weekend during the return of the Civil War Re-Enactment.

The news media was really kind to this event. I am floored by the wonderful video that KING TV photojournalist Ron Sanford put together. Check it out on the KING website.

There were some other great reports in The News Tribune, such as a blog posting in advance of the event by Brent Champaco and an article by John Gillie. Funds raised covered expenses (insurance, portable toilets, etc...)

We had been a bit concerned that Mother's Day might put a damper on attendance, but attendance was great on Sunday. There were a lot of happy-looking moms! Good weather and our lovely Lakewood setting had to help.

I was a bit surprised and embarrassed about how many Lakewood residents grumbled to me and my fellow ticket-takers about paying for admission. There were hundreds of re-enactors who traveled on their own dime to be there and perform. It would never occur to me to demand the Lakewood Playhouse or the movie theaters give me free admission because I live in Lakewood. But I guess this event seemed different to people because the event was staged in a park. I hope people realized the money covered expenses as well as the restoration of Lakewood's wonderful pre-Civil War treasure, Fort Steilacoom.
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Interesting window in the ongoing battle against property crime today from the Lakewood city manager's report ... Quoting the article ...

In September 2007, the Police Department’s Proactive Property Crimes Unit (PROAC) started an investigation into a subject that was paying boosters to steal DVDs from area retailers so that she could resell them at the Starlite Swap Meet. The subject was eventually identified and located. Several boosters were arrested during the past year who confirmed they were stealing DVDs for this subject but would not cooperate further with the investigation.

In March 2009, PROAC was able to identify a person that was willing to sell DVDs to the suspect, presenting them as stolen. The 150 plus DVDs needed for this operation were provided to us by Target Stores Investigation Division, who also assisted with video surveillance during the controlled exchanges. The PROAC unit secured a court order for body wires and audio surveillance was conducted as well.

The suspect was recorded ordering DVDs, telling them what stores to avoid and reminding the boosters to not get caught.

The investigation netted 3 search warrants, a residence, a vehicle and the swap meet location. The search warrants brought the recovery of over 1,500 DVDs still in the factory wrappers, and the suspect was arrested at the swap meet. This investigation revealed that the subject had cost area retailers between $800,000 to $1,200,000 in product loss and lost sales. The investigation is continuing into other subjects engaged in the same criminal activity based out of other retail locations in Lakewood.

The arrested subject was charged with Organized Retail Theft, Possession of Stolen Property and Trafficking in Stolen Property. The Prosecutor’s Office is also exploring the charge of Leading Organized Crime.

$800,000 to $1.2 MILLION? That's real money that belongs to business owners and companies for investment and payroll. It's good the priority in town is the battle against violent crime, but this goes to show crimes against businesses and property do real damage too.
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Among my fondest memories of working at the University of Washington were the opportunities to represent the UW School of Public Health and to meet a couple times the science writer Laurie Garrett.

Anyone who has read "The Coming Plague," and everyone should, must have extra interest and awareness as the nation finds itself in the middle of swine flu furor. I do know firsthand there are some wonderful people working in the field of public health. They're sure not motivated by money. What I mostly remember is that the School of Public Health never got anywhere near the dollars that doctors get when they do research on cancer, heart disease or surgery. People like to give money to fight diseases, not to help the folks who try to prevent disease. And yet it is the army of folks in the field of Public Health who we are all relying on now.

How suddenly that was so. This morning, my son and I were joking about whether his school would close because of swine flu panic. And then a few hours later, a friend posted on Facebook that she knew one of the children at Lakes High School now being tested for that condition. She said the youth were in an intensive care unit and at least one of them had been to Mexico. The story she told on Facebook has since been amplified by the local paper. And I felt that odd little rush ... like that little rush I felt the day driving into the Federal Way Park and Ride when the radio said someone had crashed a plane into the World Trade Center.

Lord knows, I know not to panic. I worked too often with folks in public health to expect this is anything but a scare, a warning, and isolated set of incidents. No reason to think it's the plague. That's panic. That's just silly.

And yet.

This is the school where some of my son's oldest and dearest friends go to school. This is close to home. Panic? No. Worry? Yes.

What do we do? Pray.

Update at 7:30 p.m. .... Whew

Tacoma, WA - May 01, 2009 -
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department received news late this afternoon
from the state Department of Health that the two hospitalized students from
Lakes High School suspected of possibly having Human Swine Influenza have
been confirmed as negative for swine flu. The third student showing milder
symptoms, tested negative by rapid influenza testing and was not hospitalized.
The samples were tested through two different measures and both tests
indicated that swine flu was not present in these cases.

Director of Health for Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Dr.
Anthony Chen said, "This is the best possible outcome. Superintendent
Debbie LeBeau was very wise and prudent in her decision to close Lakes
High School until the results of the test were clear."

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