Lakewood City Manager Andrew Neiditz weekly report to council from November 19, 2010:
* City staffmember honored at Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Symposium: Melody Perrussel of the City’s economic development staff was honored at the Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s (TRCVB) Tourism Matters Symposium on November 17th with the “Pierce County Tourism Community Unity” award. She was nominated for her excellent work with the Lodging Tax recipients and working with the various tourism partners to aid Lakewood’s exposure to grow tourism in Lakewood and Pierce County. TRCVB is launching a new program called “Undercover Tourism” that is designed to help people throughout our region to discover tourism “gems” and destinations all in short distances from home. Further information is available at www.traveltacoma.com
* Veterans Recognition and Welcome Reception for 4th Stryker Brigade: Colonel John Norris, commander of the 4-2 Stryker Brigade, gave a presentation highlighting the “Raider” Brigade’s historical deployment to Iraq during the council meeting on November 15th. The 4-2, which has a Community Connector relationship with Lakewood, was the last Stryker brigade to leave Operation Iraqi Freedom. A group of local scouts were on hand at the council meeting to observe and to interact with soldiers from Lakewood’s adopted brigade. The items donated to the City by the brigade will be posted in city hall, such as the “Phase Line Lakewood” sign that had been posted at the border between Iraq and Kuwait. The City also paid tribute to local veterans; photos of the reception can be viewed under “latest news” at www.cityoflakewood.us. Colonel Norris was also the featured speaker at the Lakewood Rotary Club on November 12th.
* Towne Center properties coordination: As a follow up to a previous meeting last year, the city manager and senior economic development staff met with the managers of the properties in the Lakewood Towne Center to discuss issues of mutual concern. The agenda included updates on the various properties, needs and opportunities, security, parking, and shopping carts. Of particular interest was the report on the effectiveness of increased security, and the response to groups of young people loitering, especially with the upcoming holiday shopping season. There are 14 distinct properties of which seven were represented at the meeting.Your browser may not support display of this image.