Citizen Tacoma

Welcome back to another episode of Citizen Tacoma! Michelle Douglas joins the podcast to discuss hunger in Pierce County. She gives an update on some of the ways Emergency Food Network and the food pantries across the county are serving those who need food. We also check-in about the arts, the economy, downtown Tacoma, and more. Enjoy! Links Emergency Food Network Channel 253 membership  

Did you know that Tacoma is governed by a "charter?" And that every ten years, a group of citizens gets together to review it and propose new changes. It's true! Steve Wamback is the chair of the committee that is tackling this process. With more than 50 meetings planned in six months, they have a big workload ahead of them. So what are they looking at? How does the process work? And how can you share your input? All that and more on the next episode. Links Tacoma's Charter Review Committee Flyer for extended public comment session on Monday, February 26 (.pdf file) Support Channel 253 as a member

Welcome back to another episode of Citizen Tacoma! Melissa Malott joins the podcast to discuss the health of Commencement Bay and what's threatening it. She gives an update on some of the industrial uses in the port and the work CHB is doing on that front. We get into the proposed rebuilding of the animal rendering plant and much more. She also speaks a little bit about the Tacoma Charter Review Committee and what's happening there. Enjoy! Links Melissa Malott at Communities for a Healthy Bay Tacoma Charter Review Channel 253 membership  

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland joins the podcast to talk about the recent speakership elections, government shutdowns, conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, bridging the digital divide, her view on what's at stake in the 2024 elections, and more. Links Marilyn Strickland Channel 253 membership

On this episode, we welcome Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker, who is a commissioner with Pierce Transit and a board member with Sound Transit. We discuss what's happening with transit in Tacoma and the wider region. We focus on the opening of the extension of the Link T Line in Tacoma. We also look at bus rapid transit, access to transit, and we check in on projects in Seattle and on the Eastside of Lake Washington. Links Kristina Walker Channel 253 membership

Korey Strozier, one of the five Tacoma school board members, joins Citizen Tacoma for a Back-to-School-themed episode. We check in on what's happening with the district, including technology, high schools, leadership, budget, trans students, and much more. Links Korey Strozier and the school board Channel 253 membership

On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we check in with County Councilmember Marty Campbell. What's the county up to? What's happening with Pride Month, homelessness, public safety, bike and pedestrian safety, and more? Are elected officials on the West Coast "incompetent?" Tune in for a wide-ranging interview. Links Marty Campbell, District 5 Channel 253 membership  

We've got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with John Frazier. We talk about what she sees as the top issues affecting the district and how she sees herself working with the council. We also ask every candidate to fill in the blank. "Tacoma just wouldn't be Tacoma without......?" And get some interesting answers! Tune in to this interview and then check out all the rest of the candidates on CitizenTacoma.com or in your favorite podcast app. Links Jamika Scott for Tacoma City Council, District 3 Channel 253 membership

We've got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with Malando Redeemer. We talk about what he sees as the top issues affecting the district and how he sees himself working with the council. We also ask every candidate to fill in the blank. "Tacoma just wouldn't be Tacoma without......?" And get some interesting answers! Tune in to this interview and then check out all the rest of the candidates on CitizenTacoma.com or in your favorite podcast app. Links Malando Redeemer for Tacoma City Council, District 3 Channel 253 membership

We've got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with John Frazier. We talk about what he sees as the top issues affecting the district and how he sees himself working with the council. We also ask every candidate to fill in the blank. "Tacoma just wouldn't be Tacoma without......?" And get some interesting answers! Tune in to this interview and then check out all the rest of the candidates on CitizenTacoma.com or in your favorite podcast app. Links John Frazier for Tacoma City Council, District 3 Channel 253 membership

We've got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with Chris Van Vechten. We talk about what he sees as the top issues affecting the district and how he sees himself working with the council. We also ask every candidate to fill in the blank. "Tacoma just wouldn't be Tacoma without......?" And get some interesting answers! Tune in to this interview and then check out all the rest of the candidates on CitizenTacoma.com or in your favorite podcast app. Links Chris Van Vechten for Tacoma City Council, District 3 Channel 253 membership

Filing week is coming up in Washington State, which is when candidates file for office. This year, we are electing candidates to parks, schools, ports, city councils, and other "nonpartisan" seats. Rosie Ayala ran for office (and won!) in 2021 to become a commissioner on the Metro Parks board of Tacoma. She joined the podcast to talk about that experience and give notes to anyone considering running for office this year (or another). Links Channel 253 membership

On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, Commissioner Rosie Ayala joins the podcast to talk about what's happening with Metro Parks: playfields, natural resources, climate change, and more! Give it a listen. Links Commissioner Rosie Ayala Channel 253 membership

Citizen Tacoma continues its five-part "Better Know a District" series! This episode, Joe Bushnell joins the podcast to talk about what's happening in District 5. We check in on what's happening on Hosmer Street, growing jobs in Tacoma, tree canopy, policing in Tacoma, and where "Tacoma's Tacoma" is. Check it out! Links Joe Bushnell Channel 253 membership 

Citizen Tacoma continues its five-part "Better Know a District" series! This episode, Sarah Rumbaugh joins the podcast to talk about what's happening in District 2. We check in on downtown, the camping ordinances, the port of Tacoma, and more. We also look more broadly at what she's tracking in Tacoma this year. Links Sarah Rumbaugh Channel 253 membership