University Place residents will get the first of two chances to voice their thoughts on the city’s proposals to pay for police, streets and parks Thursday.
All options to fund the three services require voters raising taxes.
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The University Place City Council appointed Caroline Belleci to fill the vacant seat once occupied by the late Jean Brooks.
Belleci won the appointment on a 4-2 vote over Ross Hjelseth tonight. Mayor Debbie Klosowski, along with Council members Gerald Gehring, Denise McCluskey and Eric Choiniere voted for Belleci; Council members Ken Grassi and Javier Figueroa voted for Hjelseth.
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University Place and Lakewood fire officials say merging the two districts makes sense financially, but some residents are questioning whether their tax dollars would be spent wisely.
On Tuesday, about 60 people attended the University Place Fire District 3 board meeting to discuss the proposed merger.
Some residents said they support the move; others argued against it.
“I firmly believe this is a good deal for Lakewood,” said Scott Stephen of University Place. “I do not believe this is a good deal for University Place.”
Bill Bush, UP’s former fire chief, said the two districts have common interests. This isn’t the 1990s either, he said, referring to previously failed efforts to merge the districts.
“As far as a ‘them-us’ mentality — please. We’ve been down that road before and it serves no purpose,” he said.
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Residents interested in the proposed merger between the Lakewood and University Place fire districts can attend the first of two open house meetings tonight.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. today at the Evergreen Primary School cafeteria in University Place, 7102 40th St. W.
On Jan. 25, the Lakewood Fire District Board of Commissioners voted in favor of a merger following a yearlong study of regionalization options. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, East Pierce Fire & Rescue and South King Fire & Rescue made similar mergers.
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University Place has whittled the field of candidates for the vacant position created by Jean Brooks’ death to six.
In alphabetical order, the remaining candidates are: Caroline Belleci, Frank Boykin, Kenneth Campbell, Ross Hjelseth, Mark Kahley and Cliff Quisenberry.
Here’s more from the city’s Web site:
A Candidate Forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters, will take place on Wednesday, January 20 at 7 pm at City Hall. The City Council expects to appoint a new Councilmember to Position 7 in early February.
University Place will hold a meeting Thursday about beach access on Day Island.
I wrote about the issue in May.
The meeting starts 6:30 p.m., at the Day Island Clubhouse, 1965 E. Day Island Blvd. W.
Here is the press release that University Place sent:
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