Murray against meth

“Useful.” “Eye opening.”



These be just two o’ t’ ways that U.S. Sen. Patty Murray characterized her stop in Tacoma on Tuesday, July 1. Murray was in this port known as Tacoma to discuss t’ area’s gang and meth problems, and fer a few hours at t’ Tacoma Police Department Headquarters she held court — wit’ many o’ important face in area law enforcement in attendance. Murray be specifically interested in how Tacoma be handling gang and meth issues since she be currently lookin’ fer $1.5 million in federal doubloons to combat t’ problem. Murray’s request be currently sitting in t’ U.S. Senate, but if it be passed, $500,000 be earmarked specifically for Pierce County’s gang and meth problems. T’ other million doubloons be going toward Washington state’s anti-meth initiative.



As dis pirate noted above, many mateys in Tacoma’s fight against gangs and meth were t’ crowd Tuesday fer Murray’s stop. These mateys included Sheriff Paul Pastor and Pierce County deputy prosecutor Greg Greer.



Two viewpoints seemed most obvious from t’ crowd. First of all, t’ main concern be keeping kids away from both drugs and gang activity. While Tacoma’s gang issues may have decreased since t’ mid ’80s, there still be significant gang activity in Grit City — especially on t’ addled East Side. More focus be needed on that area in particular. Number two, if Murray and t’ lasses other powerful friends in t’ U.S. Senate and House of Representatives keep pumping t’ doubloons toward Pierce County fer anti-gang and drug programs, Pierce County be glad to keep receiving t’ help. Specifically, Pastor (who now be famous for his blood donating as well as his Sheriff work) promised that if Murray keeps helping with t’ resources, Pierce County will use t’ resources effectively. — Mad Syd Dawkins

Terrrm limits up for vote

As she been wantin’ to do since early May, Councilwoman Connie Ladenburg from this port known as Tacoma got her bilge-sucking wish Tuesday night. That be when t’ Tacoma City Council voted by t’ wee margin o’ 5-4 to allow voters to decide this November whether to abolish term limits for t’ mayor and members o’ t’ City Council. Right now, t’ Tacoma City Charter limits folks who be in t’ mayor’s chair or sittin’ on t’ City Council to a maximum of 10 years o’ service. According to Ladenburg, who be in her second term herself, that be just not enough time to accomplish t’ tasks that modern mayors and council members be faced with.

“It’s not a hobby,” said Ladenburg to t’ Weekly Volcano in early May, noting under t’ current rules council members are often forced to choose between a better paying job or serving on t’ City Council — because there be not enough time fer both.



“We’re getting to the point where (being a City Council member is) demanding more and more.”



Looks like Tacoma be gettin’ to t’ point where voters will decide in November whether to abolish term limits or not. Votin’ in favor o’ t’ idea on Tuesday night was Ladenburg, Jake Fey, Spiro Manthou, Rick Talbert and Lauren Walker. Voting against t’ idea was Mayor Baarsma, Julie Anderson, Marilyn Strickland and Mike “Executive Excellence” Lonergan. — Cannon-Balls Benjamin