Franklin Pierce Routs Eatonville 78–14 in Homecoming Matchup
By Skip Smith
The defending 2A South Puget Sound League champion Franklin Pierce Cardinals showed exactly why they hold that title Friday night, steamrolling the Eatonville Cruisers 78–14 in a one-sided Homecoming game at Yelm High School Stadium.
From the opening kickoff, Franklin Pierce (3–2) wasted no time asserting dominance. The Cardinals scored touchdowns on their first nine possessions, racking up points in rapid succession and leaving the Cruisers reeling before halftime.
Franklin Pierce’s first drive began at its own 47-yard line and ended just minutes later with a 17yard touchdown pass to open the scoring. After a quick Eatonville three-and-out, the Cardinals struck again on the next play — a 49-yard touchdown run — to go up 14–0 less than three minutes into the game.
The onslaught continued. A 35yard rushing touchdown and a 42yard scoring run on back-to-back possessions gave Franklin Pierce
a 26–0 lead midway through the first quarter. Eatonville finally found life late in the period when quarterback Cole Fowler connected with Jackson Doll for a
19-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 26–7 with 2:07 left in the quarter.
Any momentum Eatonville (3-2) hoped to build quickly vanished.
Franklin Pierce answered immediately with a 39-yard touchdown reception to close the first quarter up 34–7. The second quarter was all
Cardinals. Fowler threw two interceptions in the span of three minutes, both leading directly to Franklin Pierce scores. Running back Bryson Allen powered in a 9-yard touchdown to make it 50–7 midway through the quarter, and another rushing score extended the lead to 58–7 with just over two minutes left before halftime. Moments later, a bad Eatonville snap resulted in a fumble that set up perhaps the game’s biggest highlight — a 78-yard Franklin Pierce touchdown run on the very next play, capping a dominant half with the Cardinals ahead 65–7. Franklin Pierce continued to pile on in the third quarter with two more long touchdown runs, including a 42-yarder that pushed the lead to 72–7 early in the period.
Eatonville’s lone second-half highlight came late in the fourth when Fowler found Jacob Simons on a 39-yard touchdown pass after the Cruisers recovered a muffed punt, making it 78–14, the final margin.
Despite the lopsided score, the
Lawmakers Revisit WA’s Plastic Bag Restrictions
The fee for a plastic shopping bag is set to rise to 12 cents in January
By Emily Fiztgerald Washington State Standard
Washington shoppers will pay 4 cents more per plastic grocery bag starting in January. But the bags themselves won’t get any thicker for at least another two years as lawmakers fine-tune the state’s single-use plastic bag restrictions.
The price increase is a part of a law passed in 2020 banning some thinner, single-use plastic bags statewide and creating regulations for retailers offering carryout bags to customers.
“Unsettled questions remain about imposing requirements for thicker bags.”
Approximately 80,000 Washington businesses are affected by the law, according to the state Department of Commerce. Under the law, paper and plastic bags have to be made with 40% recycled content, and plastic bags must be 2.25 mils thick and marked as “reusable.” The standard thickness for plastic grocery bags was previously 0.5 mils.
Customers are required, under the law, to pay a fee for a paper or plastic bag. The
revenue from bag fees stays with the retailer to help cover the costs of meeting the state requirements. The law also allows for singleuse compostable bags, which don’t have a per-bag fee.
The law set the initial fee for both paper and plastic at 8 cents per bag, but prescheduled a price increase for plastic bags
to go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Once in effect, plastic bags will cost 12 cents per bag, while the fee for paper bags will stay at 8 cents.
The 2020 law also scheduled an increase in the required bag thickness, from 2.5 mils to 4 mils, to take effect in January 2026. But legislation passed this year delayed that increase for two years.
The delay gives the Legislature time to revisit the state’s reusable bag policies and make further adjustments, lawmakers said.
To deter retailers from making the switch to thicker bags early, retailers who sell bags thicker than 2.5 mils between 2026 and 2028 will be penalized 4 cents a bag on top of the standard 12-cent fee beginning in January.
The penalty was part of the amendment to the bag law that lawmakers passed this year. Under the law, the penalty will be passed
to the customer, increasing the total per-bag price to 16 cents. Revenue from the penalty will be deposited into the state’s waste reduction, recycling and litter control account.
The 4 mil-thick bags are not widely used and retailers will “do everything they can” to avoid the penalty, Brandon Houskeeper of the Northwest Grocery Retail Association said during a House Environment and Energy Committee work session on Monday.
Houskeeper and Department of Ecology Solid Waste Program Manager Peter Lyon each confirmed Monday that, while Ecology has received over 800 complaints of bag ban violations since the law went into effect in 2022, no businesses have been fined for non-compliance.
Ecology staff and retailers have been successfully working together to address violations as they occur, Houskeeper and Lyon said.
Even though the bag fees have helped offset some of the costs, businesses are paying substantially more for the bags than they make back from the fees.
Depending on the manufacturer, plastic bags cost between 10 and 39 cents per bag to make and paper grocery bags can cost between 15 and 30 cents per bag.
The bag fees also don’t account for bags given to customers on food assistance programs who, under the law, are exempt from paying the bag fees, or bags that are stolen from self-checkouts.
A Washington State University study released this week found that, since the 2020 law went into effect, Washington saw a 50% decrease in the amount of plastic bags distributed, but a 17% increase in the total amount of plastic used.
In other words, shoppers were using fewer bags with the fee in effect, but the requirement for thicker bags was requiring more
Eatonville receiver Jackson Doll hauls in a Cole Fowler 19 yard pass and drug the Franklin Pierce defender with him into the end zone for the Cruisers first score of the night.
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Savvy Senior: Is Long-Term Care Insurance Worth It?
by Jim Miller
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My husband and I have been thinking about getting a long-term care insurance policy, but we hate the idea of paying expensive monthly premiums for a policy we may never use. Is long-term care insurance worth it?
—Approaching Retirement
Dear Approaching,
There are two key factors you need to consider that can help you determine if purchasing a long-term care (LTC) insurance policy is a smart decision for you and your husband. One factor is your financial situation and second is your health history. Currently, around 7.5 million Americans own a policy.
WHO NEEDS LTC INSURANCE?
As the cost of LTC – which includes nursing home, assisted living and in-home care – continues to rise, it’s important to know that most people pay for LTC either from personal savings or Medicaid when their savings is depleted, or through a LTC insurance policy.
National median average costs for nursing home care today is over $100,000 a year, according to the Genworth Cost of Care survey. Assisted living facilities and home care aides average more than $65,000/year.
While national statistics show that about 70 percent of Americans 65 and older will need some kind of LTC, the fact is, many people don’t need to purchase LTC insurance. The reasons stem from a range of factors, including the fact that relatively few people have enough wealth to protect to make purchasing a policy worthwhile.
Another important factor is that most seniors who need LTC only need it for a short period of time, for example, when they’re recovering from surgery. For those people, Medicare covers in-home health care and nursing home stays of 100 days or less following a hospital stay of more than 3 consecutive days.
SO, WHO SHOULD CONSIDER BUYING A POLICY?
LTC insurance make the most sense for people who have investable assets of $500,000 to around $2 million that they want to protect. Anything less, and you will likely deplete your resources and go on Medicaid for LTC coverage. Anything more, and you can probably afford to pay for care yourself.
disabling health condition, and do you have a family history of longevity?
You also need to factor in gender too. Because women tend to live longer than men, they are at greater risk of needing extended LTC.
CHOOSING LTC COVERAGE
After evaluating your situation, if you’re leaning towards buying a LTC policy, be aware that premiums can vary widely. According to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, premiums for a policy bought by a couple who are both age 65 for a benefit pool of $165,000 each, with a 3 percent inflation rider, ranged from $7,137 to $8,493 a year.
“You can buy LTC insurance from an insurance company or through an agent”
You can buy LTC insurance from an insurance company or through an agent. Or you might also be able to buy a policy at work. Be sure to get quotes from several sources for the same coverage to compare prices. There are two main types of long-term care coverage you’ll want to consider. Traditional LTC insurance, which is “use it or lose it.” And hybrid policies that combine LTC coverage with life-insurance benefits. These policies promise that if you don’t end up needing long-term care, your beneficiaries will receive a death benefit. Both types
of policies require medical underwriting to qualify.
Another factor to weigh is your personal health and family health history. The two most common reasons seniors need extended long-term care is because of dementia and/or disability. And, almost half of all people who live in nursing homes are 85 years or older. So, what’s your family history for Alzheimer’s, stroke or some other
Another hybrid product to consider is an income annuity that includes a provision to increase your payout if you need LTC. However, the payout may not cover the full cost of care, and the added cost of this provision, known as a rider, can reduce the standard payout from the annuity.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Eatonville Swim Team Dominates Foss, Battles Hard Against Fife in First Road Meets of Season
By Skip Smith
The Eatonville High School girls swim team hit the road for the first time this season and came home with a convincing win and a hard-fought loss in a busy week of competition.
The Cruisers opened the week Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Foss High School, cruising to a 124–27 victory. Head Coach Andrea Stammen said the meet was a chance for the team to try out some new events, a move that paid off handsomely.
“We swept up first place in all but one event,” Stammen said. “It was great to see the girls push themselves outside their comfort zones and still find success.”
“Senior captain Nicole Tomyn led the charge”
Senior captain Nicole Tomyn led the charge, dominating the 50-yard freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Freshman standouts made their mark as well, with Katie Funk winning the 200 freestyle, Grace King claiming first in the 200 individual medley, and Riley Frey touching first in the 100 butterfly.
Senior captain Annika Howard continued her strong season, earning automatic district
qualifying times in both the 500 freestyle and 100 breaststroke after already qualifying in the 200 IM and 100 fly the week prior.
Eatonville also swept the relays, winning all three events, the 200 medley, 200 freestyle, and 400 freestyle behind solid swims
from a combination of Tomyn, Howard, King, Funk, and underclassmen Clara Forsman, Amelia Palfenier, and Lily Hays.
Just two days later, the Cruisers faced one of their toughest tests yet on Thursday, Oct. 2, traveling to Fife for a competitive matchup
Eatonville Battles Through Challenging Week Under New Interim Coach Susie
Danielson
By Skip Smith
The Eatonville Cruiser girls’ soccer team faced a week of transition and tough competition as they played their first two matches under interim head coach Susie Danielson, who stepped in following the abrupt resignation of former coach Michael Dieckman due to family health issues. Despite a pair of difficult road defeats, the Cruisers showed flashes of promise, heart, and resilience that bode well for the program’s future.
On Tuesday, September 30, Eatonville traveled to rival Orting High School, where they fell 6–1 in a hard-fought match. The Cruisers generated consistent offensive pressure, recording seven shots on goal, and were rewarded when Kalli Olson found the back of the net for Eatonville’s lone score.
Goalkeeper Savannah McCandless anchored the defense
with another strong performance, tallying 16 saves against Orting’s relentless attack. Her composure in net kept the Cruisers in contention, while Eatonville’s energy and persistence on offense stood out despite the scoreboard. The team continued to press until the final whistle, showing effort and determination throughout.
Two nights later, on Thursday, October 2, Eatonville hit the road again—this time to face a powerhouse Steilacoom Sentinels squad ranked among the state’s best. The Cruisers fell 8–0, but the score didn’t reflect their grit or the standout performances on the field.
Eatonville came out strong, creating early scoring chances before Steilacoom struck in the 4th minute. The Cruisers nearly answered back with a penalty kick that narrowly missed high. McCandless was sensational once again, racking up 28 saves—including
17 in the first half—to frustrate the Sentinels’ potent offense. Up front, Olson and Ryleigh Chopic combined for five shots on goal, pushing the attack against one of the toughest defenses they’ve faced all season.
Despite battling injuries and limited substitutions, Eatonville never stopped working. Every player contributed to a relentless team effort that reflected Danielson’s emphasis on toughness and pride.
The Cruisers will look to regroup and build on the positives from their opening week under new leadership when they travel to Fife to take on the Trojans on Thursday, October 9.
Photo Caption: Eatonville's Kalli Olson takes a shot in a match earlier in the season. Olson would score the Cruisers only goal in their two matches last week.
that ended in a 100–70 loss. Despite the setback, Eatonville showed grit in what Stammen called “a guaranteed good meet.”
“Our teams are so evenly matched,” Stammen said. “At our last competition at home, we pulled off a win. This time, with Fife’s home advantage, they won the day but our girls definitely put up a strong fight.”
Howard added another district qualifying time by winning the 200 freestyle, while King delivered thrilling victories in both the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke — each decided by razor-thin margins.
Tomyn continued her impressive senior campaign with a narrow 0.26-second victory in the 50 freestyle and capped the meet with her first district qualifying time of the season in the 100 backstroke.
“Every race mattered,” Stammen said. “There were several heats that came down to the final touch. The energy on deck was electric.”
The Cruisers will look to build on their strong performances when they travel to face Clover Park on Thursday, Oct. 9.
Photo Caption: The Eatonville High School girls swim team gathers for a photo during last week’s meet against Foss. The Cruisers showed strong team spirit and continued to build momentum early in the season as they tested their skills in a variety of events on the road.
Eatonville Boys Take Team Win, Girls Place Third at Orting Meet
By Skip Smith
The Eatonville High School cross country teams turned in standout performances Wednesday at the 2A SPSL League meet hosted by Orting High School, with the boys squad capturing the overall team victory and the girls narrowly missing first by just seven points.
On the girls side, Hannah Bieker led Eatonville with a first-place finish, clocking 21:57. Senior Bridget Stumph earned third with a time of 22:17, and Jenny Lowe took fifth in 23:41.
Senior Colton Rush led the Eatonville boys to the win, finishing first overall with a time of 17 minutes, 49 seconds. Teammate Titus Lowe, a junior,
“On the girls side, Hannah Bieker led Eatonville with a first-place finish”
followed close behind in 18:51 for third place, while Corey Dempsey claimed sixth in 19:06. Stephen Patton and Blayne Cabana rounded out the team’s scoring in 20:02 and 20:48, respectively, sealing the win for the Cruisers over Orting, Fife, and Foss.
FOOTBALL
From page 1
Despite strong top-five finishes, Eatonville’s depth runners — Alice Alexander (33:36), Savanna Price (35:21), and Madi Sarpy (39:03) — couldn’t quite close the gap as the team finished third overall, just seven points shy of the top spot.
Eatonville head coach Geoff Olson praised the effort of both teams, noting the consistency and leadership shown by the upperclassmen.
The Cruisers will look to carry their momentum into their next race when they host Clover Park, Orting, and Steilacoom at their home course at Camp Arnold on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Cruisers played with heart in front of a packed Homecoming crowd, fighting to the end against one of the state’s most explosive 2A teams. Fowler threw touchdown passes of 19 and 39 yards, both deep strikes that accounted for nearly all of Eatonville’s offensive production. Eatonville will look to regroup next week when they travel to Fife to face the Trojans at 7 p.m. Friday.
Kalli Olson captured Eatonville's only score.
Northwest Trek Wins National Award for Discovery Tram Tour Station
Staff Report
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park has earned national recognition for its innovative Discovery Tram Tour Station, receiving the Significant Achievement Facility Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The honor was presented in mid-September at the 2025 AZA Annual Conference. The award highlights excellence in design and construction for non-exhibit projects that elevate operations, improve the guest experience, and advance sustainability. Northwest Trek’s project was praised for its focus on accessibility, environmental stewardship, and immersive visitor engagement.
“Congratulations to the team at Northwest Trek for their hard work and dedication in achieving this remarkable recognition,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of AZA. “This award recognizes the best of the best in the global aquarium and zoo community. The work being done at Northwest Trek further strengthens the impact of our entire community and is something the Puget Sound region can be proud of.”
The new station serves as the gateway to Northwest Trek’s iconic Discovery Tram Tour, which carries visitors through 435 acres of free-roaming wildlife, including bison, elk, and mountain goats. At a cost of $2 million, the project is the park’s largest capital improvement since it opened in 1975. Funding came from a 2014 voter-approved
Parks Tacoma bond, supplemented by the park’s operating budget.
Among its many features, the facility includes ADA-accessible infrastructure, immersive landscaping with native plants, and panoramic views of Mount Rainier. The station also debuts a fully electric tram fleet, eliminating more than 14,500 gallons of propane use annually while reducing emissions and operational costs. The quieter, cleaner vehicles improve the experience for both guests and wildlife.
Alan Varsik, director of Northwest Trek and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, said the project “marks a transformative step
ShakeOut Earthquake Drill Set for October 16
On Oct. 16, students, families and folks in businesses will drop, cover and hold on for the Great Washington ShakeOut, part of the country’s largest earthquake drill. The event also includes a tsunami siren test and evacuation drills in some schools.
Leading up to ShakeOut Day will be chances to interact with scientists and preparedness experts.
At 10:16 a.m. on Oct. 16, you’re invited to drop, cover and hold on wherever you are –whether it’s at work, home or school. Practicing builds muscle memory for when the real earthquake comes. We created a drill recording to help with the experience. At about the same time, more than 120 Washington tsunami sirens along the inner and outer coast will be tested using the real wailing sound of a tsunami warning, not the Westminster Chimes that are typically used during the monthly tests.
PLEASE DO NOT CALL 911.
This year’s ShakeOut theme is “Be Alerted.” There are many different ways to get important emergency alerts. Besides the tsunami sirens, those who have downloaded the free MyShake Earthquake Early Warning App on their phones will also get a test. Some local jurisdictions will test their reverse 911 and optin text alerts. NOAA Weather Radios will also sound an alarm. To make sure you’re signed up for alerts, visit https://mil.wa.gov/alerts.
There WILL be a test of the Emergency Alert System on radio and television this year. The Wireless Emergency Alert text system on cell phones will NOT be tested. Lahar sirens in Pierce County will also not be tested.
More than 1 million Washington residents have registered to participate in the earthquake and tsunami drill so far. Registration isn’t required but it helps with understanding how effective outreach is. It’s also free and easy to register at https://www.shakeout.org/washington
forward for Northwest Trek, setting a new standard in immersive, inclusive, and sustainable wildlife experiences.”
In addition to environmental benefits, the station emphasizes inclusivity with sensoryfriendly certification, accessible signage, and design elements that welcome diverse audiences.
Northwest Trek, a 725-acre wildlife park managed by Parks Tacoma, is home to grizzly bears, bald eagles, cougar cubs, American bison, and more. The park is open Friday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details on the Discovery Tram Tour and the electric trams, visit nwtrek.org.
EVENTS FREE Webinar: Noon, Wednesday, Oct. 1. Join our hazard and preparedness experts as they discuss the science behind earthquakes and tsunamis, their potential impacts, and
what to expect when they happen. Most importantly, the team will provide insights on what you can do to prepare, and how to keep yourself and your family as safe as possible when these events occur someday.
Reddit Ask-Me-Anything session: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 9, 2025 with scientists and preparedness experts. A free Reddit account is needed to participate, but not to read
PHOTOS BY KATIE G. COTTERILL
Turkey Chili with Vegetarian Option
Perfect comfort food for a brisk Fall day
By Freida Mackleman
Turkey chili is the warming, savory dish my family craves as the weather cools. We avoid beef but you could substitute ground beef for turkey here, of course. This starts out as a vegetarian chili, with no need to add the turkey at all, but if you use turkey just put it in after the chili is cooked - no need to brown it first because ground turkey is so low in fat.
Chop your fresh chilis, onions
and garlic and sauté in olive oil until soft. Remove seeds from your dried chilis and soak in hot water. Liquefy in a blender and strain through a mesh colander. Add everything to a pot with your tomatoes and water or chicken stock. Cook for one hour. Add ground turkey and cook another ten minutes. Add additional spice or salt to taste.
Add a starch on the side! We like cornbread, but you could serve
rice, saltine crackers or a good crusty sourdough too.
Serve with the hot sauce of your choice so your guests can control their own heat. We like Crystal or green Tabasco for their mildness but there are hundreds of other options.
We all need a little, or should I say a lot, of comfort food during these trying times.
Soak and blend some dried peppers.
TURKEY
CHILI (Serves 6-8)
Primary Ingredients:
• 2 large yellow onions
• 5 cloves garlic
• 2 fresh jalapeno chilis and a few other assorted fresh chilis
Oktoberfest Returns to Eatonville at Mill Haus Cider Co.
Mill Haus Cider Co. is kicking off its annual Oktoberfest celebration Oct. 10–12, transforming the cidery into a lively hub of music, games, and Bavarianinspired fun.
The three-day festival features classic Oktoberfest traditions alongside local twists. Guests can test their strength in the stein-holding competition, join the crowd-favorite strudel walk, or take part in the pretzel toss and pong toss contests. Those who arrive in full Bavarian costume will even have a chance to win prizes. Families will also find plenty to enjoy, including pumpkin decorating, Bavarian hat making, and other festive surprises. A Pretzel Necklace fundraiser adds to the celebration while supporting local causes.
Music will set the tone each evening, with live performances ranging from Leenie Tunes on Friday to Jonathan Harris and Leah Justine on Saturday, plus more acts on Sunday.
With hearty food, flowing cider, festive competitions, and community spirit, Mill Haus promises a weekend full of “Bavarian fun” for all ages. For more information visit Mill Haus Cider Co. online at https://www.drinkmillhaus.com/.
EVENT LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS
Friday, Oct. 10
• 5–8 p.m. Pop-Up Printed Photo Booth
• 5–8 p.m. Stein Painting (Distillery)
• 6:30 p.m. Strudel Walk (Lawn in front of stage)
• 6–8 p.m. Leenie Tunes (Main Stage)
Saturday, Oct. 11
• 2 p.m. Strudel Walk (Lawn in front of stage)
• 2–7 p.m. Pop-Up Printed Photo Booth (South Pond)
• 4 p.m. Pretzel Toss Competition (Main Lawn)
• 5 p.m. Stein Holding Competition (Main Lawn)
• 6–8 p.m. Live Music with Jonathan Harris and Leah Justine
Sunday, Oct. 12
• 12–4 p.m. Pumpkin Decorating (South Pond Canopies)
• 2
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 3 cups of chicken stock or water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup corn
Spices:
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon of chili powder
2 tablespoons chicken bullion powder (optional)
Serve with:
Cheddar cheese
Sour cream or plain yogurt
Chopped white onions and or green onions
Chopped cilantro
Sliced avocados
Sliced jalapenos
Summer Veggies Meet Fall Flavor
WSeptember arrives, it’s finally time to dust off those fall recipes. This Zucchini Chicken Bake is a perfect blend of summer veggies
and warm, fall flavor, ideal for those hot days that turn into chilly evenings. Visit Culinary.net to find more family recipe inspiration.
and chicken into bite-sized pieces. Place in 9-by-13inch baking dish. Sprinkle with minced onion, Italian seasoning and paprika then drizzle with avocado oil. Mix well with spoon. Cover with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes. ZUCCHINI
courtesy of “Cookin’
Heat oven to 375 F. Cut zucchinis,
CHICKEN BAKE
Sliced avocados sprinkled with chili powder are a perfect side to serve with chili
Caliente! Onion, garlic and four kinds of chili peppers.
MATTHIAS
BÖCKEL
Council Begins Budget Deliberation Process
The Pierce County Council extended its gratitude to Executive Ryan Mello and County staff for the work that went into preparing and presenting the proposed 2026–2027 Biennial Budget.
Introduction of the Executive’s budget proposal marks the start of the Council’s formal review and deliberation process.
Over the next eight weeks, the Council will carefully review the proposal through a series of public committee meetings, presentations, budget retreats, and public hearings, culminating in the adoption of a budget.
Key dates include Oct. 8-17: presentations from Sheriff & Corrections, Human
Services, Planning & Public Works, District Court, Juvenile Court, Human Resources, Medical Examiner, Superior Court, Prosecutor, and Assigned Counsel; Oct. 2223: presentations from Parks & Recreation, Clerk of Superior Court, Auditor, AssessorTreasurer, Economic Development, Emergency Management, and Facilities Management; Oct. 29-31: budget retreat; Nov. 6, 7, 13, 14: Committee of the Whole deliberations and possible actions on budget ordinances and resolutions; Nov. 18: first reading of the budget ordinance at Council meeting; Nov. 25: final action on the budget ordinance and related items
“On behalf of the County Council, I want
to thank the Executive and all County staff and separately elected officials who dedicated their time and expertise to preparing this proposal,” said Council Chair Jani Hitchen. “Budgets aren’t abstract; they shape our daily lives in ways seen and unseen. This is the foundation for the important work ahead as we engage the community, our individual districts, and weigh decisions that will shape Pierce County’s future.”
The highest priority of the Pierce County Council is to maintain the core functions of county government at a level that sustains the efficient and effective delivery of county services and meets all legal and regulatory requirements.
The goal of the process is to ensure that the budget reflects Council priorities, addresses community needs, and manages taxpayer dollars responsibly.
The Council encourages residents to follow and participate in the budget process. Opportunities for public input will be available at Council and committee meetings throughout October and November. Final adoption of the biennial budget is expected on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
For more information about the Council’s budget deliberations, including ways to stay informed, finding meeting schedules, and identifying opportunities to provide comment, visit piercecountywa.gov/council.
“As representatives of the communities we serve, it’s our job to focus available funds on what is most important to our residents,” said Councilmember and Executive Pro Tempore Robyn Denson (District 7). “I encourage everyone to share their perspectives throughout this process. By providing critical services throughout the County that are accessible, equitable, and balanced, we all move forward together.”
PLASTIC BAGS
From page 1
material, the study said.
Paper bags saw a 22% decrease, the researchers found.
The study also said that customers were not reusing plastic grocery bags enough to compensate for the higher plastic volume and the higher cost of producing them.
“The fact of the matter is, individuals aren’t reusing them seven to 12 times,” Department of Commerce representative Kirk Esmond said during Monday’s work session.
The study authors acknowledged that they struggled to obtain comprehensive data due to the pandemic and a lack of cooperation from some distributors.
However, they recommended that the Legislature remove the 4 mil bag thickness requirement entirely, and consider lifting the single-use plastic bag ban and allow retailers to again offer 0.5 mil-thick singleuse plastic bags.
Commerce and Ecology representatives agreed with the recommendation on the 4-mil-thick bags, but disputed the proposal to lift the single-use bag ban.
“It certainly contradicts the law’s goal and the environmental factors that are associated with that,” Esmond said, calling the issue “very complex.”
Mello’s proposed budget includes a 3 percent increase for safe communities, housing, youth programs, behavioral health, and reliable infrastructure.
Harold Moss: A True Political Trailblazer
By Bill Barasma
(Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s Sesquicentennial. On Nov. 12 this year, the Tacoma Historical Society will be joining with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in holding Tacoma’s 150th birthday celebration at the new APCC building. Ticketing information will be forthcoming.)
Over its 150 years, Tacoma has experienced high hopes and, at times, deep disappointments. In this regard, the following article tells the story of one of Tacoma’s true political trailblazers: Harold G. Moss. The next will feature Dr. Dolores I. Silas.
TACOMA WASN’T READY
Harold Gene Moss, a founder of the Tacoma Urban League and past president of the Tacoma branch of the NAACP, was supremely confident of victory on election night Nov. 4, 1969. His good friend Thomas Dixon had raised enough money to run a truly modern local government election campaign. In fact, Dixon was able to raise more money than any prior campaign for a seat on the city council. Moss was deeply disappointed when his good friend and civil rights worker Dennis Flannigan lost out in the September primary. But Flannigan’s army of volunteers soon shifted their allegiance to the Moss campaign. Every one of the campaign’s priority precincts were doorbelled and then leafleted. There were finely crafted advertisements in the News Tribune and direct mail was sent to the most likely voters. Jack Gamble, the candidate the Moss campaign feared most, lost in the primary. Gamble was hand-picked by mayoral candidate Senator A. L. “Slim” Rasmussen to be on his slate of council candidates. Gamble was the only one to lose on that slate that also included George Cvitanich, Fred Dean and John O’Leary. Importantly, Moss was to win the primary over nine opponents scoring more than a thousand more votes over second place finisher John Jarstad. Moss was to say in testimony given at city council meetings: “My white and Black friends had coached me on lowering the hostility level in my comments.” During the campaign, he met with a host of predominately white groups, Lions Clubs, Rotary and Kiwanis International. “We wanted the white community to see and hear the case for new laws supportive of equal rights for all people of Tacoma,” Moss observed. Although many whites joined with Blacks at council meetings to testify in support of equal rights, Moss believed that a Black man
was now needed to be on the other side of the dais, in an elected position.
Moss had a diverse group in his multiracial self-described kitchen cabinet. It included Ruth Fisher, who became a powerful member of the state House of Representatives, and Barbara Bichsel, who later served for 10 years on the city council. That group was deeply troubled at first then brushed aside a poll conducted by Action Committee for Tacoma. The poll showed Moss trailing his opponent, Jarstad. A majority of the city voters polled were simply not ready to cast ballots for a Black candidate for city council.
Opponent John Jarstad’s name identification was equal if not greater than anyone on the ballot. He was known by radio and television viewers as the voice of the Washington Huskies and Seattle Rainiers and the host and producer of KOMO television’s widely viewed program, “Let’s Go Skiing and Fishing at Westport.” He owned and skippered a charter boat, was a communications lecturer at the University of Puget Sound, at one time edited the union newspaper “Labor Advocate,” and was a successful business owner.
Jarstad’s campaign was hardly sophisticated, and he didn’t have an army of volunteer campaign workers. He won the election, defeating Moss by nearly 4,000 voters. (Vote totals: Jarstad 23,440; Moss 19,893) Moss and his campaign team were devastated. Moss found out later that some of his business backers had encouraged Jarstad to run for fear that Moss couldn’t defeat white candidate Jack Gamble. The story does not end here.
MOSS COMES TO TACOMA
Moss was born on Oct. 1, 1929, in Gilmer, Texas, to John Harris Moss and Ida Belle Wright -Moss. In 1935, John Moss moved his family, which included Harold and his twin sisters, Dorothy and Martha, out of the Jim Crow south to Detroit, Mich., where he eventually established a successful autobody shop. The elder Moss wanted his only son to be a lawyer and bought law books for that purpose. But Harold had no interest in being a lawyer. He dropped out of business school and found a profession he liked: being a dental technician and later a dental ceramist and licensed denturist.
In 1950, Moss joined the Michigan National Guard which was activated during the Korean conflict. During this time, his sisters introduced him to high school classmate Williebelle “Bil” Stringer and after a short courtship, the two were married. Moss’s unit was assigned to Fort Lewis and Harold and Bil found living accommodations in Tacoma’s Hilltop.
Once Moss’s two years of active duty ended in 1952, the couple chose to remain in Tacoma where they attempted to buy a home outside of the Hilltop area. They were discriminated against at every turn through redlining. At one neighborhood gathering the two were told: “Why don’t you people just stay up on the Hilltop, where you have already run out the Swedes and Norwegians and ruined the K Street Business District?”
Thus, Harold decided that buying a home in a desired neighborhood was going to be a constant and unending battle. So, he chose to build one in Tacoma’s West End. It was a struggle, but he managed to buy a residential lot, hire a contractor, secure financing, and build his dream home where he and Bill raised their family. This whole experience, among others, led Moss to conclude that a Black man needed to be sitting at the city council dais for the first time in Tacoma’s history.
MOSS MAKES A POLITICAL COMEBACK
On Sept. 15, 1970, Tacoma’s voters removed five council members from office through the recall. (The five were George Cvitanich, Tony Zatkovich, Fred Dean, John O’Leary and Becky Banfield.) Thus, Mayor Gordon Johnston and the remaining council members had to fill the council vacancies by appointment. On Oct. 13, 1970, Moss was appointed to the city council becoming its first person of color. In 1971, he ran for the council seat where he once again faced his former foe Jack Gamble. This time, he settled the issue of whether a Black man in Tacoma could win election over a white opponent, prevailing by a vote of 17,947 to 14,073.
Moss resigned from the council over a potential conflict of interest with the position he held with the Urban League. He later left the League, was once again appointed to a council vacancy, and won election in 1987 and 1991. Moss worked closely with council colleague Jack Warnick to become among the first elected officials in the state to support anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people. He also helped strengthen the city’s Human Rights Commission.
In 1994, Moss, who was serving as deputy mayor, made history after the unexpected death of his good friend and newly elected
mayor Jack Hyde. His council colleagues by unanimous vote appointed him as Tacoma’s first Black mayor. Moss was the city’s 34th. In the two years Mayor Moss served, he helped launch the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and signed an agreement that brought the Seattle Sonics to the Tacoma Dome for a season. Also, during this time, the city broke ground on the massive environmental cleanup of the Foss Waterway. After leaving the Tacoma council because of term limits, Moss made history again by being elected as the first Black person to the Pierce County Council. He chaired the council for three years and during his tenure was chosen by his statewide peers to be president of the Washington Association of Counties. He ended his public service in 2004. On May 17, 2009, the University of Puget Sound conferred upon Moss an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during its commencement.
One of Moss’s proudest achievements was helping put lights on the East 34th Street Bridge. It seemed fitting, then, that the city would name that bridge for him on his 90th birthday, Oct. 1, 2019. Mayor Moss died on Sept. 21, 2020. He left quite a legacy.
Postscript: Much of the information in this piece comes from Harold Moss’s excellent self-published autobiography, “Fighting for Dreams that Mattered.” The direct quotes are from Harold’s book. Much of the author’s research was done in the writing of Harold Moss’s biography for BlackPast. org – the largest online encyclopedia of Black history. The extraordinary BlackPast. org website was developed by the late distinguished UW Professor of History Dr. Quintard Taylor.
Here are the Black city council members who have served following Harold Moss’s history making election in 1971: Dolores Silas, Marilee Scarbrough, Bil Moss, Marilyn Strickland, Victoria Woodards, Keith Blocker, Kiara Daniels and Jamika Scott. James Walton, a protégé of Harold’s, served as city manager.
Upon his passing, Harold Moss was survived by his wife Genie Jefferson; two sons from a prior marriage, Dean and Michael; sisters Dorothy Toliver and Martha Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Moss was the first Black man on the Tacoma City Council, the first Black mayor of Tacoma, and the first Black member of the Pierce County Council.
Harold Moss, Gerald Maule and Philip Schroeder take the oath of office after the great recall, 1970.
