At the recent State of the Cities address hosted by the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce, attendees got a little taste of Top 40 radio via Mayor Dave Enslow of Sumner as he took to the podium and spoke about everything from transportation, the expectation of government, Orton Junction and the welcoming of the future to come.
Enslow started out the gate with ?I Would Walk 500 Miles,? by The Proclaimers, preceding his discussion on matters of transportation.
?Sumner residents may have to walk 500 miles now,? he said, jokingly.
Enslow was referring to the Pierce Transit Transportation Improvement Conference excising Sumner from the transportation benefit area.
?Pierce County had taken away all of our service,? he said. ?What we?re left with is the train and the 578 bus.?
Enslow encouraged those attending to get the word out about Sound Transit?s 578 bus. It shuttles passengers from Puyallup through Sumner and up to Seattle and back during times the train is not running.
?We need to demand good transportation and then use it,? he said.
Enslow was accompanied by Mayor Rick Hansen, who gave a presentation on the past year successes in Puyallup.
Hansen highlighted the City of Puyallup?s discussions on parking management with Sound Transit and also the importance of continued investment in the extension of State Road 167.
?The extension of SR 167 is still there and is important for our community,? he said.
Hansen said the state passed a transportation budget that includes $3 million in seed money to help with the extension. In 2012 dollars, the total cost for the extension is estimated at $1.2 billion.
Hansen also mentioned flooding management to be an important issue in Puyallup. He touted successful efforts the city has had in applying porous asphalt and rain garden projects in targeted neighborhoods.
Enslow told chamber members he was glad that Sumner had not experienced a major flood during the past three years.
?If Sumner floods, commerce stops, he said. ?This is a regional issue.?
Enslow said he supports Pierce County?s proposal for a flood control utility taxing district to support continued efforts to mitigate flooding in the region.
?This would be a good thing, even though I?m an anti-tax guy,? he said.
Hansen and Enslow were both positive on jobs and the economy.
In Puyallup, Hansen said the economy is moving with recent openings: two business grand openings at Benaroya on South Hill, the unveiling of the Good Samaritan Medical Center in late January, Fairfield Inn and the Hampton Inn, the anticipated opening of BJ?s Restaurant at the South Hill Mall and the development of a 52,000-square-foot Group Health Medical office building.
Also, Hansen was excited to announce the expected arrival of Southern Wine and Spirits in Puyallup. This distributor company will occupy a 300,000-square-foot warehouse on Valley Avenue and add 200 additional jobs. Applicants can visit www.southernwine.com to apply.
Enslow said the Manufacturing Industrial Center in north Sumner is moving forward. This manufacturing center employs 9,000 skilled workers. It is considered by the Puget Sound Regional Council as a huge boon to the overall regional economy. With its overlay designation, the MIC leverages Sumner opportunities for future grants to improve and maintain infrastructure in the zone.
Hansen closed with comments regarding the Puyallup City Council retreat. He said he is proud of the work being done by the seven council members.
?We have an opportunity to get into the issues in a quicker way with good dialogue,? he said. ?We are here to serve the business community and the residents,? he said.
Reporter Andrew Fickes can be reached at 253-841-2481, ext. 313, or email him at andrew.fickes@puyallupherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @herald_andrew.
brandon lloyd notorious big biggie smalls lyrics azores emmylou harris disco inferno b.i.g
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.