Politics & Government
CITY MANAGER'S INFOBULLETS: Sounder Testing, Senator Murray & Squatters
Here is the weekly report from City Manager Andrew Neiditz for the week ending Aug. 17.
- CSRT provides abatement and enforcement training to Kenmore and Wenatchee: The Community Safety Resource Team (CSRT) staff are working with staff and leaders of the cities of Kenmore and Wenatchee to discuss abatements and multi-agency enforcement strategies for problem properties and businesses. The two cities were referred to Lakewood by other agencies who stated that Lakewood has a reputation for its expertise in these areas and for the success of the CSRT.
- Senator Patty Murray visits Lakewood City Hall to announce OEA Grant award: The steering committee of the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership met on August 14th and was joined by Senator Murray. An overview of the JBLM growth coordination planning process was presented to the Senator, who is chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. She discussed her priorities about veterans’ service programs with group, which included the SSMCP elected officials council chairs – Mayor Doug Richardson, County Executive Pat McCarthy, and Thurston County Commissioner Cathy Wolfe. She also notified the group that the continuation grant of $235,000 from the Defense Department’s Office of Economic Adjustment was approved.
- Police Chief is speaker at Lakewood Rotary: Chief Bret Farrar was the guest speaker on August 17th at the Lakewood Rotary Club. He provided an update on new programs in which the Police Department is involved, and addressed numerous questions from the members.
- CSRT secures abandoned house from squatters: Officers arrived at a residence on Glenwood Dr SW on August 14th to evict the occupants who were determined to be squatters in an abandoned house. LPD had been receiving calls for service about loud parties. After extensive research, the actual owners of the home were contacted, and they authorized the City to take steps to secure the house so no one else could gain illegal access. The house will be secured and if the original trespassers are located they will be arrested.
- Sounder testing underway: Sound Transit continues its testing of the new commuter rail service to Lakewood in anticipation of official start of service in October. Motorists are advised to obey all traffic signals around railroad crossings. (Photo below from 108th St courtesy of Marc Amrine.)
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here