Stories for Government
BusinessFest returns to University Place
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“Survivor UP” will be the theme for BusinessFest 2010 – the annual celebration of business in University Place. After taking a break during 2009 in recognition of the difficult economic climate, this gala event is returning to U.P. and this year it will be held at the Environmental Services Building from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2010. A light supper will be served.
BusinessFest 2010 is the premier business event in University Place. The event celebrates University Place as The Place for business and strengthens business fraternity in the City. It is a time for the business community to come together and celebrate past successes while looking forward to future opportunities. This year’s event will be the fifth BusinessFest held. Read More→
More needs to be done
Posted by | CommentsDespite significant changes made by the Washington State House of Representatives, a bill that would prohibit sexually violent predators at the state’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island from possessing or accessing a personal computer has been agreed upon by the Senate. It will become law unless vetoed by the governor. Read More→
Senate approves constitutional amendment to limit bail
Posted by | CommentsFinding a balance between public safety and constitutional rights, the Senate approved House Joint Resolution 4220 today to limit bail for suspects considered dangerous.
Lawmakers approve legislation to improve bail process
Posted by | CommentsHouse lawmakers, on March 8, approved legislation aimed at improving the way bail is administered in Washington. “Today, we’ve taken a clear step forward in limiting the number of dangerous offenders roaming our streets,” Rep. Troy Kelley (D-Tacoma) said.
Passing 92 to 4, House Joint Resolution 4220 amends the state constitution, allowing judges to deny bail to a person charged with an offense that could be punishable by life in prison. Under the current wording of the constitution, the only time a judge can deny bail is if a suspect is charged with aggravated murder. If not, the judge must set bail, and if the suspect posts bail, they are free until trial. Read More→
Carrell says bill constitutes largest tax increase in state history
Posted by | CommentsWith just five days left in the 2010 legislative session, the Washington State Senate passed Senate Bill 6143, which would create or raise 21 separate taxes. Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood, and member of the Senate Ways and Means committee, issued this statement after the measure passed today by a vote of 25-23: Read More→
Neary-Sighted: On Fire
Posted by | CommentsLakewood’s City Council meets in a joint workshop this evening with the elected governors of the Lakewood Fire District. This should be a good discussion since there is a lot of interest in plans to merge with University Place’s fire department. I don’t think there will be a lot of controversy; I just put the picture there on the right ‘cuz a fire seemed appropriate.
You won’t hear much from me during breaks because we’ll be meeting in the community room of the Lakewood Police Department building, where the bulletproof walls also block my access to Twitter. The meeting is 7 p.m. Monday at the station, 9401 Lakewood Drive SW. Read More→
House passes bill to address problems with interstate compact
Posted by | CommentsIn response to current problems with the interstate compact that allows the exchange of parolees between Washington and other states, Rep. Troy Kelley (D-Tacoma) takes another step to reevaluate Washington’s involvement in the compact. Read More→
Carrell says deal to close McNeil Island prison poses public safety risk
Posted by | CommentsWhile considering the Senate operating budget late Friday night several members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee struck a deal to close the McNeil Island prison entirely, but keep the Special Commitment Center for civilly committed sex predators open. In exchange, the Larch Correctional Center near Vancouver, in Clark County, would be kept open at maximum capacity. Read More→
UP Fire approves Lakewood merger petition
Posted by | CommentsAt a Special Board Meeting held Saturday, February 27th, the University Place Board of Fire Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the petition from Lakewood Fire Department to merge with University Place Fire Department.
The vote culminates a year long study by both departments and paves the way towards greater operational efficiencies and enhanced emergency services. Both agencies share a long history of collaboration in multiple areas. The merger requires a simple majority approval by the Lakewood voters, scheduled for April 2011. Both departments will immediately begin planning for the operational transition.
Lakewood Fire Chief Ken Sharp, thanked the University Place Board of Fire Commissioners for their time and patience during the year long study. He looks forward to a continued relationship as he and University Place Fire Chief Mitch Sagers work together to structure a merged fire department, “West Pierce Fire and Rescue.”
Letter: Police Guild to participate in ride
Posted by | CommentsOn 29 November, 2009 the greatest single tragic incident in Washington State Law Enforcement history struck our department. It was on this fateful day that we lost four officers and friends (Mark Renninger, Tina Griswold, Ronnie Owens and Greg Richards) at the hands of a violent criminal.
To honor our fine officers and friends we are participating in a 320 mile ride of support called the Police Unity Tour. The Tour is a Law Enforcement bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. Over 1,000 officers from around the country participate in this ride each year as, “We ride for those who died”. The ride ends at the National Law Enforcement Memorial where the lives of the nation’s fallen officers are remembered. As a participant in this ride we are required to raise a minimum of $1800 per rider. More information on the tour can be found at www.policeunitytour.com.
The funds raised go toward tour expenses, support of the National Law Enforcement Memorial and the future National Law Enforcement Museum. National Law Enforcement week is 9-15 May. During this week thousands of survivors of officers killed in the line of duty attend various ceremonies culminating in the National Peace Officers Memorial Day Service and Wreath laying Ceremony. It is also during this week that the names of our four fallen officers will be engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial. More information on the Memorial can be found at www.nleomf.com.
We will be the first police officers from the state of Washington to have ever participated in this event. We hold this as a tremendous honor. Your donation will go a long way in assisting us and honoring those that serve. The Police Unity Tour is a 501c3 and your donation is tax deductible. The tax ID number is 22-3530541. There is an April 12 deadline for us to have donations to forward to the national chapter.
Thank you,
Sgt. Mark Eakes, Sgt. John Fraser, Ofc. Charles Porche, Ofc. Michelle Hector
Questions can be directed to Mark Eakes (253.606.4175) or Charles Porch
Letter: Are you up for the “Take 10″ challenge?
Posted by | CommentsOn behalf of the U.S. Census Bureau, we are asking our partners to join us in making history by helping to boost the mail back participation rates across the Nation and in your community during the 2010 Census.
During each Decennial Census, the Census Bureau undertakes the count of every person residing in the United States, as mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. To encourage everyone to take 10 minutes to answer the 10 simple questions on the 2010 Census form, we are launching the “Take 10″ campaign. Through “Take 10,” you can visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/ to get updates on the proportion of households that have mailed back the 2010 Census forms. You also will be able to view differences between your community’s participation rates and those of neighboring communities or other areas across the country. Read More→
March 2 Flag Lowering
Posted by | CommentsGovernor Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, March 2, in
memory of Specialist William C. Spencer who died of injuries he suffered in Iraq on February 20. Specialist Spencer was assigned to
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery, Army National Guard, Olympia. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Tuesday, or first thing Wednesday morning.
