Select Better Choices in the Primary

Dear Chamber Member,

Time is drawing near for the deadline to return your ballot for the August 4 primary election. 

This year, many local offices and key issues are on the ballot, including seats on the Tacoma City Council, Pierce County Charter Review Commission, Port of Tacoma Commissioner and school board positions throughout the region. There are also votes for the 30^th Legislative District and the Pierce County general administration building.

CITY OF TACOMA

This election cycle, we have the rare opportunity to create and ensure the security of a prosperous and healthy city. Tacoma often sets the tone for our region when it comes to local policies, which is why the Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance, a political organization of local businesses, some of which are Chamber members, has solely focused on these races.

For this year's primary, the Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance has endorsed the following candidates for the Tacoma City Council primary:

·         District 1: John Hines, Tara Doyle-Enneking

·         District 3: Keith Blocker, Kris Blondin, Valentine Smith

During the Business Alliance’s interview process, the above candidates all demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities in Tacoma, particularly when it came to the issues that are important to Tacomans:

1.      Bring and keep jobs in Tacoma by installing sound economic policy, ensuring the creation of a reasonable minimum wage proposal, and working alongside business instead of against them.

2.      Fix Tacoma roads and infrastructure to help move people and goods around the city faster.

3.      Foster economic growth and sustainability by helping grow local businesses and encouraging the creation of economic policy customized to the needs of Tacoma.

These elections matter, and you can support the goals listed above by supporting the candidates endorsed by the Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance. Your support can be manifested in two ways: First, by personally supporting the above candidates during the primary election. Second, by donating HERE to the Business Alliance. Donations allow the Business Alliance to strategically back candidates and issues important to Tacoma in these key races.

PIERCE COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW

Pierce County voters have the once a decade responsibility to elect freeholders to the Pierce County Charter Review Commission. The Charter Review Commission is made up of 21 elected members, with three candidates elected in each of Pierce County’s seven councilmanic districts.

The Charter Review Commission creates amendments and replacements to the County Charter, which serves as the Constitution for the County. Their recommendations will go directly to the voters without vetting by the County Council or the County Executive.

The primary serves as the only vetting process for the general election candidates. The Chamber encourages everyone to research and vote for the candidates that best serve the community and its interests. 

We encourage you to keep the above issues in mind as you fill out your ballot—our region’s continued competitiveness depends on them. Remember, you must return or mail your ballot by Tuesday, August 4.

Best Wishes,

Tom Pierson
President & CEO
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

Tacoma Council to Appoint Interim Councilmember

The City of Tacoma’s Council has decided to appoint an interim to fill the council position unoccupied with the Leave of Absence of Councilmember Anders Ibsen.

Councilmember Ibsen has requested Leave, according to the provisions of state law, for his volunteer service with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Map of District 1.

The appointed interim councilmember would serve during the approximately 11 months of Councilmember Ibsen’s Leave of Absence, although the actual term is indeterminate as Councilmember Ibsen could return earlier.  There will be approximately one year from the anticipated end of the interim position, after Councilmember Ibsen returns from his Leave of Absence, until the Councilmember would stand re-election in 2015.


APPLICATIONS  ARE ACCEPTED THROUGH DECEMBER 12.


For advice on applying, candidates may contact Mike Weinman, Weinman Consulting, Federal and Local Issues Manager for the Chamber.

Qualifications for Office and Responsibilities of the City Council
The City Charter provides that citizens seeking to run for City Council must be qualified electors and City residents for two years immediately preceding the time of filing. In addition, if a citizen
is running for a district position, he or she must be a resident in this District 1 for one year immediately preceding the time of filing.

The Council is responsible for enacting all legislation, developing policies, and making general policy decisions for governing the City. Council duties include adopting and amending City laws; approving the budget; establishing City policies and standards; approving contracts and agreements; and representing the City. The Council meets every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, first floor, Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street. Five Council Members constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Compensation Council Members:
Effective Jan. 1, 2014, Council Members will receive an annual salary of $42,411.20.

Business Alliance PAC Congratulates Its Winning Endorsed Candidates

The Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance Political Action Committee is pleased to announce results of the candidates endorsed by the PAC for the 2013 General Election.

Comprised of business leaders from a variety of industries in the region, it is the mission of the Business Alliance PAC to promote candidates who support economic growth, jobs creation and business interests in the local area.

After interviews with candidates for Tacoma City Council and Port of Tacoma Commission, the PAC endorsed the following candidates:

•    Robert Thoms, Tacoma City Council, Position 2
•    Joe Lonergan, Tacoma City Council, Position 5
•    Victoria Woodards, Tacoma City Council, Position 6
•    Connie Bacon, Port of Tacoma Commissioner, Position 1

 “Considering this is our first year of involvement in local politics,” said Toby Murray, President of the Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance PAC, “we feel positive about this slate of candidates and the results of the election.  Their ability to work with the business community on economic development, job creation and sustainable infrastructure will be critical.  All of these elements are vital to having a strong quality of life for everyone in our community.”

The Tacoma-Pierce County Business Alliance PAC opposed the Tacoma’s Prop 1 increasing utility taxes. With early results showing Prop 1 failing at the polls, the PAC expresses its thanks to the voters for maintaining a business environment which will increase jobs and grow the economy.

For more information, please email tpcbizpac@gmail.com.

Community-Generated State-Wide Voter's Guide Goes Live

Washington State's Living Voter's Guide (LVG) is an online resource that invites participants to discuss statewide and local ballot measures together, to explore one another’s positions, and to build a personal, customized platform that will inform their final vote.

 

This voters’ guide is co-created by everyone who participates and evolves as users across the state consider the trade-offs for each measure. To see how the Living Voters Guide works, click here to check out a short video.

 

LVG is an online tool created by CityClub (Seattle) and researchers at the University of Washington's Department of Computer Science and Engineering that aims to help build an informed electorate and support healthy civic dialogue in our state. Their continuing partnership with the Seattle Public Library has made this resource even more helpful and trusted by over 30,000 users across the state. 

 

Click here for the guide.

Special Filing Period for Open Seats

The Pierce County Auditor has announced a 3-day filing period for open seats that have not received any candidate filings during the regular filing period.

A special 3-day candidate filing period will be held June 5-7, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. State law requires a reopening of the filing period when no one files for a position during the regular filing period.

Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted for the following offices:

• City of Roy - Council Position 3
• Town of South Prairie - Mayor and Council Position 5
• Dieringer School District No. 343 - Director District 1 and 2
• Eatonville School District No. 404 - Director District 2
• Crystal Mountain Fire District No. 25 - Commissioner Positions 1, 2 and 3
• Greenwater Fire District No. 26 - Commissioner Position 2
• Ashford Water District - Commissioner Position 1
• Burnett Water District - Commissioner Positions 2 and 3
• Clear Lake Water District - Commissioner Position 2
• Elbe Water District - Commissioner Positions 2 and 3
• Elkhorn Water District - Commissioner Positions 1, 2 and 3
• Kopachuck Ridge Estates Water District - Commissioner Positions 1, 2 and 3
• McKenna Water District - Commissioner Position 2
• Valley Water District - Commissioner Position 3
• Crystal Mountain Sewer District - Commissioner Position 2

To file your declaration of candidacy go to www.piercecountyelections.org and choose the “Candidates” link.

Online filing ends June 7 at 4:00 p.m. In-person filing ends June 7 at 4:30 p.m. at the Pierce County Election Center located at 2501 S. 35th St., Suite C, Tacoma.

After filing, candidates will be provided a link to submit a statement and photo for the General Election Local Voters’ Pamphlet. The statement and photo must be submitted online by 4:30 p.m. on June 10, 2013. Candidates filing for these offices will appear on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot.

The Pierce County Auditor's Office is responsible for elections, licensing services, a variety of public records and animal control services. More information about the office is available at www.piercecountyauditor.org.

Candidate Filings Began Monday

Candidate filing began Monday, May 13 with the Pierce County Auditor’s Office.

Offices open for election this year include:
•    26th Legislative District Senator – Files with the Office of the Secretary of State
•    Port of Tacoma Commissioners
•    City and Town Council Members
•    School District Directors
•    Fire District Commissioners
•    Park and Recreation District Commissioners
•    Water District Commissioners
•    Sewer District Commissioners

Online candidate filing opened Monday, May 13 at 9 a.m. To file your declaration of candidacy go to piercecountyelections.org and choose the “Become a Candidate” link. Besides the candidate filing link, this site includes a list of open offices, filing fees, additional candidate information and will include a list of candidate filings.

After a candidate files for office, he or she will receive an email instructing them how to submit their picture and voter pamphlet statement online. Email updates will also be sent to a candidate as other candidates file against them.

“This truly is the year for citizens interested in participating in local government to get involved. Many local races in city government, school districts and fire districts are up for election this year. Filing your candidacy is the first step.  We're here to help you get off on the right foot,” said Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor.

Filing week runs through Friday, May 17. Online filing closes at 4 p.m. In-person filing ends at 4:30 p.m. at the Pierce County Election Center, located at 2501 South 35th St. Suite C in Tacoma.

The Pierce County Auditor’s Office is responsible for elections, licensing services, a variety of public records and animal control services.