The News Tribune endorsements: Our pick for Metro Parks Tacoma Board of Commissioners

Tacoma’s parks and recreation centers are easy to take for granted. Residents depend on them for the open spaces and opportunities they provide, but when it comes to maintaining them — and providing the local programming that brings them to life — it’s work that happens largely behind the scenes.

But there’s more to guiding Metro Parks Tacoma than mowing lawns and shagging balls. With a recent budget of roughly $250 million — all of it courtesy of taxpayers — transparent, responsible stewardship is essential.

In this year’s general election, Matt Mauer and Tony Anderson are vying for Pos. 5 on the Metro Parks Board of Commissioners. It’s a seat that has most recently been held by Michael Liang, who was appointed in early 2022 to serve the rest of longtime parks commissioner Erik Hanberg’s term following his departure from the commission.

Mauer, who spent roughly a decade serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve and has more recently worked as the Government Affairs Manager for the Port of Tacoma, earns our strong endorsement.

At a time when Metro Parks is facing more challenges than ever, whether it means better serving populations that have historically been ignored or contending with the same crime and violence that’s increased across the city, he’s clearly the best candidate for the job.

Mauer, 36, is raising a 2-year-old son with his husband, and told The News Tribune Editorial Board that the closest park to his home is the recently renamed Senator Rosa Franklin Park in Central Tacoma. It’s fitting, given Franklin’s long body of work leveling the playing field. Mauer is passionate about increasing accessibility for every local park user through smart, inclusive design. If elected, he noted, he’d be the only parks board commission member with a young child.

“I do believe that representation does really matter, especially on a parks board where they have a lot of interaction with our children within our community,” Mauer said during the endorsement interview. “I (also) believe my experience both in the military private sector and government sector has prepared me to be on this board.”

Mauer said one of his main inspirations for entering the race dates back to 2018, when a teenager and a toddler were hit by an oncoming driver while crossing a nearby street. Both sustained serious injuries.

He told The News Tribune Editorial Board that the intersection’s lack of a crosswalk is a failure since it’s a “major access point to the park,” and that addressing these system shortcomings — which often require communication and collaborations with partners at the city and school district — will be one of his top priorities if elected.

“For pedestrians and cyclers and people that are not in a car, access to our parks is insufficient,” Mauer said. He also noted that creating inclusive spaces that are consistent with the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act is equally important.

“I feel like that’s something that needs to be addressed,” Mauer said.

Anderson, 66, has spent a lifetime in Tacoma, living in many parts of the city – from the Eastside and South End to the city’s West Side, where he currently resides. Along the way, he has regularly volunteered his time for worthy causes. Anderson is a past president of the Tacoma Athletic Commission and an active member of the local and national branches of the Sons and Daughters of Italy.

Anderson is also a self-described man of action, with a keen eye for fiscal responsibility. As he stated with understandable pride during the endorsement interview process, he helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars roughly two decades ago for the redevelopment of the Heidelberg Davis Complex on South 19th Street. Today, the facility includes the lighted Bob Maguinez Field, which was built in honor of his late friend.

Anderson believes it’s a good example of what can be accomplished when the community comes together and the parks board makes good decisions with taxpayer money.

As an Editorial Board, we were impressed by Anderson’s enthusiasm and desire to serve his community. There’s no denying his passion, or the impact he’s had. We hope he keeps at it.

Still, Mauer is the more well-rounded candidate, in our view, and the person best suited to guide Tacoma’s parks into the future.

Andrea Smith is running unopposed for Metro Parks Board Commissioner Pos. 4.

Smith currently serves as Metro Parks Board President.