Puyallup City Council’s vision is so far unclear
The Puyallup City Council’s regular council meeting on Feb. 7, was full of examples of how truly different the new council is as a unit.
Two major points of discussion — one on the River Road Corridor Plan and the other on the potential move of the Puyallup Police Department into City Hall — resulted in little to no action.
Based on one city council meeting, some residents may come to the conclusion that the group is a “do nothing” council, especially if they compared it with previous councils, which often would pass policy in short order and with little deliberation.
But if we believe that, at this juncture, that assumption would be ill-stated and premature.
What residents see before them in Mayor Rick Hansen’s council are seven distinct personalities through which they see Puyallup with different prisms. We believe Hansen carries a soft stick. He’s a facilitator, not a dominator.
As this new city council progresses and evolves, it will be interesting to see how Hansen’s passive approach plays out. It could very well work against the council’s productivity.
Certainly, Hansen should allow council members to have their voice, but he also will need to stand up and help to mold a clear vision.
As mayor, he’ll need to be able to steer discussions, when needed. To end a meeting with two major issues unresolved was unexpected.
It’s great that this council wants to deliberate on the issues, that it’s not a rubber-stamp council. But it was apparent that the council was not unified in its vision last week. The disparate personalities and voices were clear.
We hope the city council’s retreat Feb. 24 at the Hampton Inn will be productive and that council members will walk away from that day with a clear direction in mind.
That includes leadership, whether it comes from Hansen, as it should, or from another council member.
Thank you city council for investing in public safety
Our hats are off to the Puyallup Police Department. In 2011, it successfully made 400 DUI arrests during its emphasis patrols on our streets.
A big thank you also goes to the Puyallup City Council for executing a two-year interlocal agreement to continue the partnership between the Puyallup Police Department and the Tacoma/Pierce County DUI Task Force. The agreement also comes with an option for a two-year extension.
Public safety comes first in Puyallup, and we’re pleased to see that action continue.
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Editorials, Feb. 15
What residents see before them in Mayor Rick Hansen’s council are seven distinct personalities through which they see Puyallup with different prisms. We believe Hansen carries a soft stick. He’s a facilitator, not a dominator.
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