Dispatch News 09-11-2024 by Pacific Publishing Company

Fowler leads Cruisers to season opening victory

By Skip Smith Contributing Writer

In a thrilling season opener at B.W. Lyon Stadium, the Eatonville Cruisers claimed a hard-fought 34-28 victory over the Cascade Christian Cougars, exacting revenge for last year’s 26-0 loss. A packed house witnessed a rollercoaster of a game, filled with big plays, momentum shifts, and standout performances—none more so than Eatonville’s first-year starting quarterback, sophomore Cole Fowler.

Head Coach Rex Norris praised the crowd and the team’s effort.

“What a great crowd to start off the season, especially on a Thursday night. Our rivalry with Cascade Christian was true to form as both teams played hard,” Norris said. Fowler, despite a rocky start that saw his first pass intercepted, bounced back to lead the Cruisers with a stellar performance. He completed 21 of 33 passes for 365 yards and five touchdowns. First year Offensive Coordinator Jazel Riley praised Fowler’s resilience.

“His ‘big’ mistakes could have crushed some QBs and made them get tentative, but he just kept slinging it and we all saw the result,” Riley said.

Pierce

After Fowler’s early interception, the Eatonville defense immediately stepped up, forcing the Cougars to turn the ball over on downs. Fowler then redeemed himself, going 4-for4 on the next drive and connecting with wide receiver Ky Nation for a 15-yard touchdown to give the

Cruisers a 6-0 lead. The defense stayed strong, and Fowler continued to shine, orchestrating a six-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a 24yard touchdown pass to Riley Hill, extending the lead to 14-0.

The Cougars, however, wouldn’t go quietly. After forcing another

Eatonville turnover, Cascade Christian’s Lucas Matthews ran in a 6-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 14-8. But Eatonville responded swiftly. Two plays later, Fowler found Oscar Garcia on a swing pass,

announces bus shelter upgrades, new projects

By Tacoma Weekly

Across Pierce County, Pierce Transit makes more than 2,000 stops throughout its 292 square mile service area and more than 500 of these stops are at bus shelters. With a notable portion of these shelters situated in areas without much foot traffic or activity happening around them, it is important that they are kept as safe waiting places and well maintained for riders’ comfort and sense of security.

On Aug. 28, elected officials, dignitaries, Pierce Transit employees and riders gathered at one of Pierce Transit’s new shelters on Bridgeport Way West in Lakewood to celebrate the kickoff of a systemwide bus stop shelter upgrade project. Many are more than 20 years old and are showing signs of wear and tear, their larger glass panes are expensive to repair or replace, and most shelters lack any type of lighting.

The shelter renewal project replaces current shelters with new, redesigned shelters that specifically protect against

vandalism. This includes equipping the new bus shelters with stronger and less breakable glass panels. The new shelters feature smaller panes of glass which make repairs more affordable and are easier and faster to install. The shelters also include a bench seat and solar lighting to improve the customer experience, as well as making it easier for bus drivers to see those waiting at the bus stop after dark. The new shelters are updated with a sleek black design and are sized to use the former shelter’s concrete pad, making for a simpler installation process.

The new shelters are being distributed across the Pierce Transit service area, prioritizing installations in locations with low and very low equity designations. By the end of this year, 93 upgraded bus shelters will be installed around Pierce County. Pierce Transit has a goal of replacing about one-fifth of its bus stop shelters each year with the upgraded design, provided funding

Transit

Courtesy Trinity Potter

Eatonville's Cole Fowler drops back to pass as a Cascade Christian defender bears down on him. Fowler would lead his team to an exciting victory in the Cruisers' season opener.

Tacoma Weekly

Cutting the ribbon for Pierce Transit’s sweeping bus shelter upgrades were (from left) Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, Tacoma City Council member Kristina Walker, Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen, and Pierce Transit CEO Mike Griffus.

Join us Sunday at Home Spun

ALCOHOL ANONYMOUS MEETINGS OFFERED

Alcoholics Anonymous is available for people who have a problem with alcohol. Meetings begin at noon Wednesdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at the American Legion Hall/ Lions Club, 123 Rainier Ave. N.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Graham-Kapowsin Community Council's Center at Evergreen on the Graham Hill has a new free Taichi class from 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday that is especially good for balance. It also could lengthen your life, it's healthy for your heart, can boost your immunity and helps your brain function faster than other exercises. In addition the line dance classes start up again on Thursdays 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.

ALANON HELP

Alanon is available to help people struggling with a loved one’s drinking. Call 425-830-0314.

LEARN ABOUT FRIENDS OF EATONVILLE LIBRARY

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

CATHOLIC CHURCH

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Reverend Dominic Chikankheni

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Reverend Dominic Chikankheni

253-875-6630 ext. 127

253-875-6630 ext.

229 Antonie Ave. N.

253-875-6630 ext. 127

229 Antonie Ave. N.

360-832-6363 or 253-875-6630

Saturday Mass...........4:00 p.m. Wednesday.................6:30 p.m.

The Friends of the Eatonville Library operates as a fundraising group to assist the Eatonville community. Primarily, it does so by accepting books and other donations and conducting book sales during the year. All of the funds are used to supplement the various library programs that enrich the local community.

To learn more about the group, contact Mike Eaton at 253-310–7709 or reach him in person at the library any Friday. There is no obligation. Application forms to join the organization are available at the library.

Saturday Mass...........4:00 p.m. Wednesday.................6:30 p.m.

Also, The Friends of the Eatonville Library Group is currently operating with only two members — in contrast to 10-13 members in the pre-Covid era. The group seeks members and volunteers. Contact Mike Eaton.

Submitted

Library makes back to school easier Superintendent Brower welcomes students back to school

Add a Pierce County Library card to the back to school list and access the Pierce County Library System’s Tools for Students for free. With access to live tutors 24/7 and in-depth research and study tools, students will start the school year strong.

Tools for Students is a suite of online tools to help with reports, science experiments, world languages and more, and all of these services are available outside of the library.

“We know filling those back-to-school backpacks is costly. The Pierce Library has a no-cost array of services to support students all year and they can access them 24 hours a day,” said Pierce County Library Executive Director Gretchen Caserotti. “We're dedicated to help equip students with the tools they need to succeed, whether they access these resources in a library, at home or in school.”

Tools for students includes:

• Live tutors available 24/7, in English and Spanish.

• Research databases for world cultures, historical figures and science.

• Reference content such as newspaper and magazine articles and videos.

• Ideas for science fair projects, STEAM

activities and science research.

• Practice tests and study guides for standardized tests.

• Tips to help complete financial aid applications.

• Learning assistance for more than 160 languages.

In addition to these tools, many library locations have in-person classes and events to help get back into the swing of the school year including:

• Intro to Homework Resources

Saturday, Sept. 28, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Bonney Lake Pierce County Library, 18501 90th St. E.

• Homeschool Meet-Ups

Thursday, Sept. 12, noon-1:30 p.m.

Summit Pierce County Library, 5107 112th St. E.

Thursday, Sept. 19, 10:15-11:15 a.m.

Sumner Pierce County Library, 1116 Fryar Ave.

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1-2 p.m.

South Hill Pierce County Library, 15420 Meridian E.

The Pierce County Library has a vast supply of books and other materials to support students. Explore these materials and more at mypcls.org.

Budget makes progress on homelessness, opioid crisis

By Tacoma Weekly

The Pierce County Council’s Committee of the Whole passed an amended version of the County Executive’s proposed summer supplemental to the 2024-2025 Biennial Budget out of Committee with a do-pass recommendation on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Proposed Ordinance No. O2024-543s then headed to the full council for a public hearing and final action on Aug. 27.

On Monday, Aug. 12, the Pierce County Council introduced the Executive’s proposed supplemental budget that included 10 items to revise American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in response to the Dec. 31, 2024, deadline to obligate all ARPA funding. The version the Committee of the Whole passed contained 16 items that addressed ARPA funding but also included investments aimed at addressing pressing community issues such as homelessness, affordable housing, and the opioid crisis.

The Council’s proposed supplemental budget includes the following key appropriations: Affordable Housing: An additional $1.865 million will be allocated to support the construction of 500 new permanently affordable housing units through the Tacoma Housing Authority’s Aviva Crossing project, addressing major cost overruns. This funding was included in the Executive’s proposal; the only change made by the Council is the source of funding (utilizing Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act Sales Tax rather than ARPA interest earnings).

Homelessness Solutions: The $2.5 million in ARPA funds for stability sites is reallocated. Instead, $2.5 million of ARPA interest earnings is used to develop one or more temporary micro-communities outside the City of Tacoma. These communities

will provide stable, temporary housing options for those living in unsanctioned and unsheltered encampments. Priority is given to communities that provide services such as substance use disorder treatment and employment programs to help residents achieve and maintain permanent housing.

Homelessness Intervention Services: A $3.2 million increase in funding for homelessness intervention services, including outreach, case management, and emergency shelter, to enhance support for vulnerable populations and move people off the street. The Executive allocated only $635,000 for this purpose, but the need is much higher. For example, less than half of the funding requested for shelter services ($6.5 million was funded; $19.6 million was requested) was awarded in the most recent procurement for the Homeless Housing Program.

Opioid Crisis Response: $2 million is allocated to establish new mobile medically assisted treatment services for individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. The Council has been waiting since March for the Executive’s opioid spending plan. Between January 2021 and June 2023, more than 800 Pierce County residents lost their lives to drug overdoses, including those involving stimulants, and those are the ones we’re aware of. The crisis is most rapidly growing among young adults aged 18-24, both in Washington State and Pierce County. Fentanyl-related overdose deaths are a crisis in our community, and we can no longer wait.

Economic Development: The Executive's proposal to increase funding for the Community Navigator Program, emphasizing support for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) organizations in helping businesses through start-up and growth phases, is included.

As we embark on another exciting school year, I want to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude and admiration for our tremendously dedicated staff. This summer, they worked tirelessly to prepare for the nearly 2,000 students who will walk through our doors. In addition to their summer preparations, our staff devoted the past week to professional development and team collaboration, ensuring that they continue to grow professionally and are ready to support our students' achievement. I couldn’t be more proud of our 260-plus staff members, who embody the spirit of excellence and dedication.

Equally impressive are our students, who are second to none in their desire to serve others and achieve academic excellence and lifelong success.

I want to highlight Bailey Andersen, our Senior School Board Student Representative, who spent several hours this past week helping to build safety buckets for each classroom in our district. These buckets are crucial for ensuring the safety of our students and staff in emergencies. Bailey’s actions are just one example of how our students are always ready to support others and our community.

This year, academic success and wellness remain at the forefront of our efforts. We will be guided by our strategic plan, which reflects the voices of nearly 1,500 students, parents, staff, and community members.

Our collective vision is clear: “Together with our families and community, Eatonville schools will empower students to achieve excellence in education and future success.”

You’ll see this vision proudly displayed on the Eatonville Strong tee shirts worn by our staff, a constant reminder of our shared commitment to our students' futures.

One of the strongest indicators of student success is simply showing up to school each day and doing our best.

Years ago, I asked a high school valedictorian what his secret was to achieving such academic success.

His answer surprised me: “Well, Mr. Brower, what I figured out is if you show up and kind of pay attention, you will probably do pretty good.”

This simple but powerful truth will guide us as we encourage regular attendance. With our exceptional teachers and staff, we are ready to support our students every step of the way on their academic journey.

Lastly, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our community for placing their trust in us by approving a replacement levy and a capital projects levy. Your support is vital to ensuring the success of our students, and we are committed to honoring that trust by doing all we can to help every student achieve academic success.

Together, we are Eatonville Strong!

Superintendent Jay Brower

Welcoming Week starts at the Moon Festival

By Tacoma Weekly

In cities and towns across the United States, Welcoming Week is held each September to celebrate the work in communities to be welcoming places for all, including refugees and immigrants. Tacoma’s Welcoming Week begins on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Tacoma Moon Festival, and the public is invited to come and take part in welcoming local refugees and immigrants who have just recently attained their U.S. citizenship.

For the past several years, the Moon Festival and the start of Welcoming Week at Tacoma Community House have overlapped so it became apparent that there was an opportunity for collaboration and partnership.

“It just so happened the Welcoming Week began during the weekend that we have the Moon Festival so we let Tacoma Community House know that we have the festival and that we would welcome everybody to join us to celebrate,” said Theresa Pan Hosley, president of the Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation that has brought the Moon Festival to Chinese Reconciliation Park since 2012. “Our planning committee was very gracious to revamp our vendors location, site map and program so that we can be together now.”

Tacoma Community House

Executive Director Aimee Khuu said she couldn’t be more pleased with the arrangement to welcome new citizens that have benefitted from the programs and services at Tacoma Community House.

“One of them just got citizenship on Tuesday so these are people who just recently got their citizenship and we want to recognize them and celebrate them as a community,” she said. “It’s a powerful collaboration as we think about how the Chinese were treated, the work of the Chinese Reconciliation

“Disaster Preparedness Training” FALL TRAINING SESSION

September 21st and 28th, 2024

South Pierce Fire & Rescue invites citizens who live or work in the Eatonville & Roy communities to attend our next session of “Disaster Preparedness Training” classes. Aimed at preparing our local citizens to be ready when disaster strikes, the classes will follow a model developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and offered in cities across the United States.

This long-trusted model is designed to teach you and your family & friends how to help each other in the first few minutes, hours, or days following a disaster – before emergency responders are able to get to you and render professional help.

In the classes, each student will gain hands-on skills and knowledge in Incident command structure, How to use a fire extinguisher properly and put out small fires, How to perform Triage & render first aid in a disaster situation, How to perform light search and rescue, along with other topics.

The series of classes will be held on Two consecutive Saturdays, from 8:30 am – 5:00pm

Classes will be held at Home Spun Ministries, 37117 103rd Avenue Court East. Eatonville WA 98328.

The classes are free!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th

#5 Light Search & Rescue #6 Disaster Psychology /

Order of classes may change to meet each instructors availability!

We will accept up to 25 students in this series of classes. There is no prerequisite, other than a desire to learn and help others. It is important that if you enroll, you be available to attend all sessions to receive a certificate of completion. To enroll, go to www.SPFR.Org/DisasterPreparedness or contact South Pierce Fire & Rescue, Chaplain Larry Dorothy at (253) 888-2563 or LDorothy@SPFR.Org

Project Foundation, and the work today of celebrating and honoring immigrants and refugees. It’s really turning a new page in our city if you think about the history and where we are today.”

The history that Khuu refers to is the “Tacoma Method” used to expel Chinese residents from the city in 1885. This term came to define how an angry mob forced the Chinese from their homes and pushed them away with no concern for where these families would go. Fast-forward to 2024 and Chinese Reconciliation Park is the epicenter of inclusion and embracing all people as blessings upon us as a human race.

“It is important that we work together to bring harmony to our community,” Hosley said. “Violence has no place in anybody’s life. All human beings have a right to equality and every individual must be treated with dignity and respect. By creating harmony in our community, we can achieve that and create a bright future and prosperity for all of us.”

Serving as emcee again this year will be Maricres Castro, newly appointed manager of Asia Pacific Cultural Center’s Mental Health Program. She also serves on the City of Tacoma’s Commission for Refugee and Immigrant Affairs.

“I’m so excited and proud of it too,” she said of the festival and its welcoming of new citizens. “In Tacoma, we’re really trying to help people feel that they can truly participate in our democracy and community and find their place here, that we’re trying to make that more structured and enhancing that structure every year. It’s an honor to be part of this.”

This year’s Moon Festival puts a special focus on Tacoma’s Mexican and Latinx communities and traditions alongside those of Asian Pacific Islander communities. It kicks off with the crowd favorite Mak Fai Lion Dance Association at 1 p.m. and what follows will be an international cultural experience.

Seattle’s Tlalokan will bring the

splendor and power of Mexico’s indigenous Anahuac dance and music; Tacoma’s own Sabor Flamenco will perform Spanish and Cuban Flamenco dance; and the youthful Mariachi Almanueva and Mariachi de Pacifico de PLU will combine to demonstrate the embrace of this joyous Mexican music by the next generation.

More nations will be represented by the Karisma Dancing Group showcasing contemporary Vietnamese dance; Cambodian Classical and Folk Dance of the Northwest; and Guma Imahe presenting the song and dance traditions of the indigenous Chamorro people of the Mariana Islands in the Pacific.

New citizens will be recognized at 6 p.m. and Khuu will be there to address the audience. The Hwa Sheng Chinese Opera Club will close the stage with performances, in full makeup and costume, of arias from famous scenes of Chinese Opera. The anticipated lantern parade at 6:45 p.m. will be led by the Moon Princess and is always a magical experience for kids and a great photo opportunity for parents.

WELCOMING WEEK BEGINS

“We’re really excited to coordinate with the Moon Festival then have a full week teaching our community and honoring our immigrant population by identifying ways to celebrate our community,” Khuu said.

On Monday, Sept. 16, Tacoma Community House will host a free screening of the documentary, “To the State of the Good Life,” an intimate exploration of the American Dream through the eyes of Raúl Arcos Hawkins, a community leader and DACA recipient in Grand Island, Neb. Hawkins will be attending the screening for a Q&A afterward.

“We’ll talk about the effect of DACA on young people,” Khuu said. “We have about 600,000 young people in our country who are DACA recipients but whose lives are in limbo. They aren’t eligible for federal benefits, Social Security that they have been paying into for years, or unemployment… They’re really living in the shadows and at the whim of our policymakers when it comes to what’s going to happen to DACAs. This is going to be an important conversation for our community to have.”

A citizenship clinic will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Tacoma Community House with about 15 of its clients being helped through the process of becoming U.S. citizens. The general public is invited to a restaurant takeover all day at La Ca Bar, 606 S. Junett St., and a networking session there from 4:30-6:30 p.m. La Ca Bar’s owner will be giving 25 percent from all earnings that day to Tacoma Community House.

Photos by Tacoma Weekly

The Moon Festival lantern parade led by the Moon Princess is a favorite among children.

and Garcia dashed 64 yards for a touchdown to push the lead to 20-8. The Cougars trimmed the margin again before halftime with a 1-yard Matthews run, bringing the score to 20-14 at the break.

The third quarter began with both teams struggling offensively, trading punts and turnovers before Fowler reignited Eatonville’s attack. With 1:26 left in the quarter, Fowler hit Cole Bamford on a screen pass, and Bamford raced 30 yards for a touchdown, making it 27-14. The Cougars answered with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Grant Johnson to Chace Jenkins, narrowing the gap to 27-20.

Fowler’s connection with Bamford proved lethal again in the fourth quarter. This time, Fowler orchestrated a 7-play, 70-yard drive capped by another screen pass to Bamford, who scampered 44 yards to give Eatonville a 3420 lead with 7:17 remaining. Fowler’s smart use of screen plays earned high praise from Riley.

“If you get Bamford in space, good things happen. So between him and the efforts of the O-Line, we were able to take advantage,” Riley said The Cougars refused to fold, though. Johnson hit Ben Dewey for a 30-yard touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion, cutting Eatonville’s lead to 34-28. The Cougars had one final chance to tie the game after Eatonville turned the ball over on downs. Starting at their own 32-yard line with 1:32 remaining, Cascade Christian quickly moved the ball into Eatonville territory. But with less than a minute to go, Ky Nation came up with his second interception of the game, sealing the victory for the Cruisers.

“We felt like we were in control of the game, but we let them back in late, so we still have a lot to learn when it comes to protecting a lead,” Norris said. “Overall, this game was a big step for our players and staff as we head into the season.”

Norris praised his defense, which has nine new starters this season.

“The defense played well early, stopping Cascade Christian on downs in the first three possessions. This allowed

the offense to get an early lead,” he said. “In the 2nd half, we were able to come out and keep them scoreless in the 3rd quarter, which was huge. They found some success, but we finally got some turnovers to stop 3 of their drives.”

KEY PERFORMANCES

Cole Fowler: 22/32, 365 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs

Riley Hill: 9 catches, 123 yards, 1 TD

Cole Bamford: 3 catches, 91 yards, 2 TDs

Oscar Garcia: 3 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD

Ky Nation: 2 catches, 34 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs

Wyatt Weichsler: 8 rushes, 49 yards, 1 INT

Nick Shipman: 1 Tackle For Loss

Ethan Rogers: 1 Tackle For Loss

Connor McIlraith: .5 Tackle For Loss

Isiah Whatley: .5 Tackle For Loss

Jameson Beckord: 1 Sack

MOVING AHEAD

After the game, coach Riley reflected on his offense’s performance.

“For our first time under the lights this year, I thought the offense did some good things. A lot of things to fix, but definitely a good jumping-off point,” Riley said.

He also credited the linemen and coaching staff for their preparation, especially the improvement in the screen plays that led to two crucial touchdowns for Bamford.

In what was a highly anticipated opener, the Eatonville community came out in force to support their team, and the Cruisers delivered in a big way.

“All I can say is that Coach Norris and this staff have built a strong foundation with these kids and this program,” Riley said. “We all felt that on the field last night, and I am glad that we could deliver a big win.”

With their first win under their belts, the Eatonville Cruisers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season, aiming for greater heights after this confidence-boosting victory.

Up next, the Cruisers will host the Black Hills Wolves at B.W. Lyon Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 12, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Fans are eagerly anticipating another exciting matchup as Eatonville seeks to continue their winning ways in front of their home crowd.

TRANSIT from Page 1Æ

is available.

The upgrades to bus shelters throughout Pierce Transit’s service area are made possible in part through a Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending grant award of $2.5 million in federal dollars supported by both Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland and Senator Patty Murray. The Puget Sound Regional Council’s Federal Highway Administration Equity Pilot Program grant award of $945,820 and some Pierce Transit local funds will also support the project.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Pierce Transit CEO Mike Griffus welcomed Strickland; Lakewood Mayor and Pierce Transit Commission Vice Chair Jason Whalen; Tacoma City Council member and Pierce Transit Board Chair Kristina Walker; Pierce County Council member and Pierce Transit Commissioner Marty Campbell; Pierce County Council member Jani Hitchen; Puyallup City Council member Lauren Adler; Lakewood Deputy Mayor Mary Moss; Lakewood City Council member Mike Brandstetter; University Place Mayor Pro Tem Ed Wood; Tacoma Deputy Mayor and Pierce Transit Board Member John Hines; University Place Assistant City Manager Eric Falson; Juan Beltran-Gonzales from Sen. Patty Murray’s office; and several representatives from the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce including its president and CEO Linda Smith.

Pierce Transit employees were also among the guests of honor and were thanked for their service to the transit system.

“I would like to give a real shout-out to the Pierce Transit employees who have been working on this project for the last couple of years,” Griffus said, and Whalen echoed these remarks.

“Much of the work Pierce Transit does for our riders and this community takes place behind the scenes,” Whalen said. “Every day, Pierce Transit employees clean bus stops, maintain vehicles and manage ride share groups. They arrange paratransit rides, they balance the agency’s budget, and they set up and maintain our significant technology systems to make all this work.

“While most of us are sleeping at night, Pierce Transit employees are wide awake washing, fueling and cleaning all of these incredible busses, making sure they’re ready to roll that next morning.”

Whalen pointed out that in contrast to this behind-the-scenes work, the milestone being celebrated at the ribbon cutting is very much in the public eye. He said that for a transit system, bus stops are one of the things people see most often, second only to seeing a bus roll by.

“A bus stop is even more visible when there’s a shelter sitting next to it or adjacent to it. As we all know, if the shelter is attractive and well cared for, one is more inclined to engage in transit or enjoy transit. If it’s downtrodden and looks in disrepair and not safe, you’re likely not going to engage in transit as you might otherwise do it. In the case of these new shelters, if it has great lighting powered by

solar power, the more the better,” he said. He spoke of how a well-lit and attractive bus shelter impacts the public’s perception of transit and the surrounding area. “It also enhances that perception of transit for those of us considering riding as well as for those who already do,” Whalen said. “We know from community engagement surveys that it really is the perception of safety and reliability that triggers whether or not one is going to try transit for the first time or be a consistent rider.”

Before closing his remarks, Whalen said that over the next several years, Pierce Transit will be rolling out additional improvements that will enhance the customer experience. One of these will be to increase the frequency of service on many of Pierce Transit’s highest ridership routes as staffing and funding allows. Another is that Pierce Transit is preparing to launch an updated website that will be easier to navigate and will provide more information to aid riders in planning trips. More forthcoming initiatives include a pilot project to install new tactile wayfinding aids for the visually impaired and providing real time arrival information at some bus stops and not just at the transit centers to enhance the customer service experience. In addition, Pierce Transit is preparing to launch a program pairing a Pierce Transit public safety officer with a mental health specialist as a rapid response team to help people in crisis within the Pierce Transit system.

Walker highlighted Pierce Transit’s six-year strategic plan with its first goal to adopt a customer first mindset “to ensure that Pierce Transit riders’ needs, comfort, safety and satisfaction are part of everything we do,” she said.

“Our plan is to replace about one-fifth of the shelters every year with this new upgraded design so they will be fully installed within five years. Importantly, we are starting these installations in areas with low or very low equity designations and making sure that those who are most dependent on public transportation and likely ride more often receive the new shelters first.”

Strickland noted that amid all these improvements and programs, Pierce Transit does not use the full authority of its taxing options.

“Every transit agency in the state can have up to nine-tenths of 1 percent of sales tax. Pierce Transit operates at six-tenths, so they don’t even use their full taxing authority and they’re still innovative, still doing new things, and that is a testament to their creativity and dedication to their riders,” she said.

Strickland told the crowd that she is a staunch advocate for public transportation going back to when she was a child in South Tacoma taking the bus with her mom for some downtown shopping.

“I want you to know that I will continue to advocate for Pierce Transit because when we have good transit investments in the community, it’s good for the people who live here – our students, seniors, veterans, for business – it serves the entire community.”