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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Vol. CXXIV, No. 40
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OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
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Program offers UWT students paid internships at City Hall, United Way of Pierce County Posted online Tues., Feb. 26 Photo Courtesy UW Tacoma A new program at the University of Washington Tacoma aims to pair students with local agencies and businesses for year-long paid internships that emphasize community-based learning. The City of Tacoma and United Way of Pierce
Wash. insurance industry ďŹ ned $2M in 2012
Courtesy Photo The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner announced Thursday the department issued more than $2 million in fines against insurers, agents and brokers in 2012. "Ideally, we'd have full compliance and no fines," said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. KREIDLER "But the reality is that sometimes it takes a fine to get a company to address problems. And in many cases, these fines were accompanied by compliance plans aimed at making sure the problems don't recur." The fines totaled $2,033,990. Violations included charging customers for coverage they'd never agreed to, charging unapproved rates, allowing unlicensed staffers to sell policies and failing to register with the state. "Fortunately, these cases are the exception," said Kreidler. "Most companies, agents and brokers follow the rules." The agency posts all disciplinary orders, including those that don't include fines, online at insurance.wa.gov/orders/enforcement.asp. The total for 2012 was higher than the previous year's $1.4 million. Fines collected by the insurance commissioner's office do not go to the agency. The money is deposited in the state's general fund to pay for other state services. Over the past 12 years, the department has issued more than $15 million in fines for violations of Washington's insurance laws.
County will be the first agencies to officially participate in the Institution-to-Institution internship program. Each will take on two UW Tacoma students who will spend a year lending their skills to the institutions while learning to apply their education to the world around them. "These internships not only are a terrific new opportunity for our students, but they also are at the core of what it means to be an urban serving university," said Lisa Hoffman, UW Tacoma's special assistant to the chancellor for community engagement. "The university is committed to finding ways to work with dedicated community partners to establish new partnerships with mutual benefits." "Major institutions in the community have an important role to play in the education, professional development and continuing support of UW Tacoma students," added UW Tacoma Chancellor Debra Friedman. "We are pleased to formalize these partnerships." Internships are available at the City working with cybersecurity and in the City Manager's office. At United Way, interns will work in Social Media and Marketing and Community Education and Resource Development. Students who are accepted into the program will be paid through UW Tacoma to earn money to help fund their FRIEDMAN education. "We are excited to engage the UWT students, future community leaders, in philanthropy," said Maureen Faccia, Executive Vice President at United Way of Pierce County. "This experience will expose the students to hundreds of local area businesses and programs funded by the United Way Community Solutions Fund. They will understand the most pressing issues facing individuals in Pierce County and join in being a part of the solutions." The model was tested over the past year with internships at the Museum of Glass and Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound and is now being officially rolled out. The university hopes to increase the number of available internships by establishing
Key Center
Road project provides safer passage for Pierce County pedestrians Posted online Weds., Feb. 27 Photo Courtesy Pierce County Pierce County officials celebrated the completion of a new crosswalk in Key Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning. Pierce County installed a new mid-block crosswalk with a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon in December across the Key Peninsula Highway in front of Fire Station No. 46, located at 8911 Key Peninsula Highway KPN. Other improvements include installation of two LED luminaires and pedestrian signage. "The new crosswalk will increase safety for pedestrians and drivers," said Pierce County Councilmember Stan Flemming. "I am pleased we are able to make this improvement for the Key Center community." The project cost $43,000 and was funded with County Road Funds. partnerships with additional local businesses who are or wish to become a key partner with UW Tacoma. Each new partner will work with the university to develop the best content, structure and application process for student workers. Applications are now being accepted for students interested in one of the four available internships. To apply, contact Julia Smith at jbsmith@uw.edu or call (253) 692-5895.