Pierce County News

1. Public meetings to address surface water management issues

Surface water management issues in the Browns Point/Dash Point and Fife Heights areas will be discussed at two public meetings conducted by Pierce County’s Water Programs Division.

The first will be held Thursday, April 28, 2005 at the Browns Point Improvement Club, 201 Ton-a-wan-da Ave. N.E. from 7 to 9 p.m. The second meeting will be from 10 a.m. until noon Tuesday, May 3, at the Fife Community Center, 2111 54th Ave. E.

The presentation is part of the development of a basin plan for the two unincorporated areas that was initiated in 2003. “These meetings are important, because they provide citizens the opportunity to express concerns or provide other information at a key stage in the planning process,” said Harold Smelt, Water Programs manager.

Water Programs staff members and consultant Brown and Caldwell will present proposed solutions to surface water management issues that have been identified for the two areas with the assistance of residents.

Questions about the Hylebos/Browns Point/Dash Point Basin Plan should be directed to Ingo Kuchta, Project Manager, at 253 798-6165 or Janine Redmond, Senior Planner, at 253 798-7569.

Additional information is available on the Public Works and Utilities Water Programs Division website at http://www.piercecountywa.org/water.

2. Quasim to speak May 12 at Phoenix Housing Breakfast

Lyle Quasim, Chief of Staff for Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, will speak May 12 at the Phoenix Housing Network’s Spring Breakfast. The annual event will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at University Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 27th St. W.

“We All Need a Little Help on the Road to Success” will be Quasim’s topic. The former secretary of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services will discuss his life journey that began as a youth in Chicago. He also will offer a perspective on the efforts to end homelessness in Pierce County.

The breakfast is free, but attendees will be asked to make a donation to the “Healthy Kids, Healthy Lives” initiative. To reserve a place or ask questions, call 253-471-5340.

Homeless children often have emotional and mental health needs from family instability, violence or abuse in their histories and a lack of self esteem and hope for a better future. “Healthy Kids, Healthy Lives” provides training and counseling to help children overcome these challenges.

Phoenix Housing Network is an ecumenical network under the direction of Catholic Community Services which provides intervention and safe shelter to families with children while building skills to prevent future homelessness. Emergency overnight shelter and meals are provided by churches and schools in their own facilities, while classes, day care, rental, employment assistance and transitional housing are provided through the PHN Day Center.