TACOMA WATER TECH CLUSTER EARNS SPECIAL DESIGNATION
The Washington State Department of Commerce announced this week that Tacoma's "clean water cluster" will be designated an Innovation Partnership Zone. This Department of Commerce classification doesn't come with new state funding, but was sought by the city in hopes it will assist them in marketing the development of the area.
The city has big plans for its "clean water cluster" -just east of Thea Foss Waterway - including expanding the Center for Urban Waters, partnering with UW Tacoma and hopefully attracting both public and private water researchers.
CITY INTRODUCES NEW POTHOLE ALERT HOTLINE
This week the City of Tacoma introduced a new "pothole hotline" - easily allowing citizens to report problem potholes 24 hours a day. The new number is 253.591.5161. Tacoma's new-media buffs can also tweet pothole locations to @cityoftacoma.
How calling this hotline is any easier than emailing your City Council representative is a mystery to me. However, the new hotline does manage to remove the City Council person as an unnecessary middle step in the pothole report process, which will hopefully increase the pace in which potholes are filled.
PCTV & TV TACOMA WIN AWARDS
Apparently Pierce County TV and TV Tacoma are the gold standard for local government informational broadcasting. Both were victorious in multiple categories at the recent 26th annual National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors video awards in San Francisco.
According to the press releases, PCTV won ten awards and TV Tacoma won five. Each station placed first in one category, PCTV in the community event coverage category for coverage of the lead up to the 2010 Amateur Championship at Chambers Bay on the show "Pierce County News," and TV Tacoma in the public education category for the story "Tacoma's Recycling Habits," which aired on the show "CityScape." PCTV also took home second place in the news series category for its "Pierce County News."
TACOMA SEEKING CITIZENS REVIEW PANELISTS
Tacoma is again searching for residents to serve on a volunteer panel. The Citizen Review Panel has been expanded from five to seven members, and the city is searching for interested citizens to fill the two new seats. The panel advises the Tacoma City Council on matters relating to Tacoma Police Department Policy. For the full scoop go here.
NEW BLOG TO COVER CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Earlier this week I was hipped to a new blog called Round About Tacoma (.com) that, from the looks of it, will join Exit133 and Tacoma Mama in covering city politics and community happenings. The local political blogs often provide different perspective than the more traditional local newspapers. I am a frequent visitor to the two veteran blogs, and will be adding Round About Tacoma to the mix.