Tacoma City Council strikes hard in billboard battle

After months of debate, feet dragging and indecision the Tacoma City Council took action Tuesday evening, passing an ordinance requiring the hasty removal of roughly 190 Clear Channel billboards. The new ordinance also bans message-cycling electronic billboards and potentially invites Clear Channel Outdoor into what could be 12 full rounds of knock-down-drag-out legal battle.

The new law was proposed by councilmen David Boe and Marty Campbell, and was approved 7-1 (Joe Lonergan entered the sole opposing vote, with Spiro Manthou absent). 

By passing the law Tacoma reneges on a settlement with Clear Channel Outdoor it reached last year allowing the instillation of digital billboards in exchange for the removal of traditional billboards deemed out of compliance with current city code.

From a citizen's perspective it seems as though Clear Channel broke the agreement long before the city by not removing non-compliant billboards. How Clear Channel can hold the city to an agreement and not hold its own end seems baffling. But the relationship between the two entities - as well as the agreement itself - is complex.

The Tacoma's billboard fiasco/debate/dispute/crisis may be far from over, but looks to be changing venues. 

Washam recallers playing to win

If you've attended any number of festivals or farmers markets this summer you were likely approached by an enthusiastic activist urging you to sign a petition to recall Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Dale Washam. What has seemed like an army of volunteers has spanned the county, soliciting signatures and testifying to Washam's missteps.

Thursday this army of activists marched 65,500 signatures into the Pierce County Elections Center. Elections workers are now faced with the arduous task of counting and verifying the individual signature sheers, which hold 20 signatures each.

In order to put the recall on this November's ballot, the recall effort needs collect at least 65,495 signatures. Though week's drop exceeds that number, all the signatures may not be valid. Activists will continue collecting signatures until the Aug 30 deadline, with 80,000 signatures expected in total according to the News Tribune.

Darnielle to seek state Senate seat

27^th Legislative District Representative Jeannie Darneille announced this week she will attempt a move to the state Senate. Darneille is the second person to declare candidacy for the position being vacated by retiring Sen. Debbie Regala. North End attorney Jack Connolly has already announced his candidacy. 

Darneille, a non-profit consultant by trade, has served in the Washington State Legislature for 11 years and has been an outspoken advocate for the poor and disabled. Among a variety of other legislative posts, Darneille is currently Vice-Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.