ISSUE 14
April 2, 2025
50¢
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Protecting Pierce County’s interests in a shifting federal landscape By Jani Hitchen and Paul Herrera Pierce County Council
Growing up, many of us learned about the three branches of our federal government: the Executive (President), the Legislative (Congress), and the Judiciary (Courts). As adults, we tend to pay closer attention to the other Washington come the mid-terms and presidential election years. Otherwise, our day-to-day focus remains on the issues that directly impact our lives and communities here at home. In recent months, however, there has been a significant uptick in national attention directed toward the White House, largely because of the number of executive orders coming from the White House. Executive orders are a common tool Presidents use to implement their policy objectives, but we normally don’t pay attention because their impact isn’t usually very direct. This time, though, some of them have hit locally, especially the freezing of up to $3 trillion in congressionally appropriated funding for projects and grants. This action has created uncertainty, and some could have tangible impacts on our communities. In Pierce County’s 2024-25 Biennial Budget, federal funding accounts for $197.5 million – approximately 6% of the total $3.2 billion budget. Of that amount, $123.5 million is planned for 2025 expenditures. Additionally, concerns have been raised around veterans’ benefits, causing stress for our fellow community members. Pierce County is home to more than 90,000 veterans alone, with many depending on veterans’ benefits. Our county veterans
COURTESY
Council member Paul Herrera (right) is united with council chair Jani Hitchen in supporting veterans. service officers are ready to support members with questions and concerns. It’s hard to predict what will result from this. What we do know is this: Bipartisanship remains a cornerstone here on the Pierce County Council. At a time when political divisions dominate national headlines, your local county government continues to be a place where collaboration remains not just possible,
but essential. Together with our colleagues on the County Council, we will work collaboratively to address issues that directly impact our neighbors – public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and social services. Although we don’t always agree on the best path forward, we are committed to ensuring that our decisions reflect what is best for Pierce County as a whole.
As your elected representatives, we are committed to representing Pierce County’s interests and advocating for our individual districts while working collectively at the state and federal levels. While we may hold different perspectives, our shared responsibility is to bring forward thoughtful ideas and solutions that result in balanced policies and legislation. With that in mind, we are
closely monitoring developments in Washington, D.C. These past six weeks underscore the importance of stability in local governance. While national decisions can have ripple effects on our community, we remain committed to proactive leadership—assessing potential impacts, adapting as needed, and ensuring Pierce County residents continue to
LANDSCAPE, 2
Eatonville’s Ethan Carter sets another school record By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
With severe weather threatening their home meet against Washington High School, Eatonville’s track and field team took an early approach to competition. Head coach Geoff Olson opted to have the pole vaulters compete on Tuesday, March 25, ahead of the storm. The precaution proved necessary, as the full meet scheduled for Wednesday was ultimately canceled. Despite the adjusted schedule, Ethan Carter delivered a standout performance, breaking his own school record in the pole vault for the second time this season. After setting a new Eatonville record at 14 feet, 6 inches in the season opener, Carter cleared 15 feet to surpass his previous mark by six inches. His vault currently ranks first in Washington’s 2A classification and second across all divisions, trailing only Camas’s
Chase McGee, who cleared 16 feet. Two other Eatonville vaulters set personal bests. Mark Devera cleared 9 feet, improving his previous mark by a full foot, while Kaelic Stecker posted a new best of 8 feet.
FULL RESULTS: BOYS Ethan Carter – 15’0” Mark Devera – 9’0” Steven Haas – 8’6” Kaelic Stecker – 8’0”
GIRLS Caelyn Schneider – 6’6” Ava Tatro – 6’0” Eatonville’s full team returns to action on Wednesday, April 2, traveling to Orting to compete against the Cardinals and the Emerald Ridge Jaguars. Events begin at 3:30 p.m.