Minus kind of week

Weekly Volcano’s quality of life meter in Pierce  County



Like Friday’s Nose column in the New sTribune stated: Some of the greatest men in history have been named Don. Knotts, Rickles, Ho, Perignon (what?). Add Don Lloyd to the list. Well, maybe not the greatest in history, but great enough to earn The Rotary #8 Rotarian of the Year for 2007-08. Besides his job as Director of Development for Rushforth Construction and his good work with Rotary, Lloyd contributes ample time to local charities, including the Heart walk. PLUS 1



It was announced this week that the popular cholesterol lowering drug Vytorin doesn’t work. Not even a little. This is undoubtedly bad news for the throngs of Tacomans who’ve been convinced by their doctors (or even worse TV commercials) that the combination of Zetia and Zocor in one pill will prevent heart disease. In actuality, the Vytorin they swallow daily isn’t doing a damn thing. MINUS 2



Ports of Tacoma and Seattle met this week to discuss beginning to explore the possibilities for several cooperative efforts. The meeting occurs during public discussions regarding merging of the two ports — an idea that Seattle officials contend would strengthen both ports in the face of increasing competition from other West Coast ports. Port of Tacoma officials have consistently pooh-poohed the idea. Meeting topics included air-quality cooperation, transportation, co-promotion and marketing, and security. Hey, it’s a start. PLUS 2



Officials from the private and public sectors this week presented Russell Investments executives with a package of options designed to keep the international investment manager from leaving Tacoma. The package includes millions of dollars in tax breaks and creation of a $65 million-plus, city-funded downtown financial services zone. Mmmmm … we smell pork barrel. MINUS 2



It snowed. It snowed in late fucking March. At the end of March, even! How screwed up is that? We all thought it was spring, and then it went and snowed. Totally harshed our mellow. MINUS 2



Citizens of the tiny, overpopulated, suburban town called DuPont are in an uproar. Glacier Northwest, a local gravel pit, promised the City of Dupont in writing many years ago that they would never expand the size of their current gravel pit. Unfortunately, county permits have been granted to the DuPont located gravel and cement producers, and soon trees will be relocated and a creek will be set on a new course.  MINUS 2



Total Pluses: 3       

Total Minuses: 8



This Week’s Total:  MINUS 5     

Last Week’s Total:  MINUS 3