By Dawn Masko, City Administrator, City of DuPont
1. Police Chief Recruitment Update: Message from Mayor Michael Grayum – “We have several great candidates applying to be our next Police Chief. Many thanks to the ten volunteer panelists who helped interview the applicants. Thank you also to the City Council, who conducted another round of interviews, and the many residents and business owners who came to our community forum last night to meet the applicants and provide feedback.
I conducted final interviews today and will now consider all feedback received. I plan to make a hiring decision after all the appropriate background checks are completed. We will continue to keep you informed. Please stay tuned and have a great weekend!”
2. Parks & Recreation Auction
Many heartfelt thanks to the numerous businesses and residents who participated in this year’s auction benefiting Parks & Recreation. Together we were able to raise $11,000 to help support recreational programs and events throughout the City of DuPont. Staff and volunteers worked tireless to help support this annual event. Many thanks to CalPortland, the primary sponsor of the event and the DuPont Fire Department for their fantastic hospitability. We are already looking forward to next year!
3. Memorial Day Ceremony
The City of DuPont’s annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Ross Plaza on Monday, May 27th at 11:00 AM. Join friends and neighbors as we pay tribute to our fallen soldiers and remember with special significance those from our DuPont community who are honored on our Memorial Wall.
Our guest speaker this year will be Lieutenant General Robert B. Brown. A reception will follow the ceremony at the DuPont Forza, located directly across from the plaza.
4. Parks Agency Vacancy
The City is seeking interested residents for appointment to the City’s volunteer Parks & Recreation Agency. Eligible applicants must be residents of DuPont for at least one year. Please submit a letter of interest that includes your relevant professional experience, your reasons for desiring to be appointed to this position, and your thoughts on the most significant parks and recreation issues facing the City in both the short and long term, to the City Clerk at City Hall, 1700 Civic Drive, DuPont, WA 98327.
5. Upcoming Meetings – Week of May 20th – 24th
- City Council Workshop scheduled for May 21st has been cancelled.
6. Safe Kids Day
On Saturday, May 18th the DuPont Fire Department, along with Safe Kids Pierce County, will be holding a custom-fit bike helmet sale behind the McDonalds on Wilmington Drive. Come by from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM to learn about helmet safety and how to help prevent head injuries and pick up any size bike helmet for $7 each.
7. Community Development Update
- Duke Realty – On April 18, 2013 Duke Realty submitted a request to amend the DuPont Municipal Code regarding signage. The Notice of Proposal was issued on April 25th. The comment period closes on May 24, 2013. The proposed land use code amendment can be viewed on the City’s website.
- Creekside Village – The developer notified DuPont that the tentative start date for the Center Drive left turn lane is May 28th. The date is tentative because developer must complete several items prior to start of work including, construction sequence document, traffic control plan, preconstruction meeting, and official notification prior to commencement of construction actvitieis in DuPont.
8. National Trails Day
Help celebrate National Trails Day by walking the Sequalitchew Creek Trail on Saturday, June 1stfrom 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Volunteers will be strategically placed along the trail to point out historical points of interest and natural vegetation. Trail maps are available at the beginning of the walk. There will also be bird walks with Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge volunteers. Bring a friend from out-of-town and experience all the beauty DuPont has to offer. Snack packs will be available for purchase. As a reminder, there are no restrooms or trash cans at the bottom of the trail, so please pack out what you pack in. Upon completion of the trail walk, make plans to attend the Safety Fair beginning at 10:00 AM.
9. Spring Safety Fair
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 1st from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM for this year’s Spring Safety Fair. Join the City of DuPont Fire Department, Police Department and Public Works Department for a family day out, coinciding with National Trails Day. This is a FREE event, featuring safety awareness activities, bike helmet sales, and the opportunity to see equipment like fire trucks, police cars, and Public Works vehicles up close. There will also be disaster preparedness information, a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) booth, and plenty of games and giveaways! This event is held at the Public Safety Building, 1780 Civic Drive.
New at the Spring Safety Fair this year will be the Cascade Regional Blood Service blood mobile! Did you know that someone needs blood every 3 seconds in the U.S.? Or that even 1 teaspoon of blood can save a baby’s life? 37% of the U.S. population can donate blood, yet only 5% does. Donate blood on June 1st and help save a life. To sign up, call the Fire Dept. at 253-964-8414.
10. Memorial Day Run
Wear blue run to remember has their Memorial Day run scheduled for Monday, May 27th at 9:00 AM at DuPont PowderWorks Park. Participants can run or walk. There is no entry fee. They request that you pledge how many miles you will be running or walking on their website.
11. Women Veterans Summit
Washington State Women Military Veterans are encouraged to attend the Women Veterans Summit on Saturday, June 29th from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, WA. This free conference will provide women veterans with information about opportunities and challenges women veterans face today, as well as information on benefits and services they might be entitled to. Register for free today at www.dva.wa.gov/
12. Parks & Recreation
Please call (253) 912-5245 or go to the City’s website at www.ci.dupont.wa.us for registration information, questions on Parks & Recreation activities, or for volunteer opportunities. Want to know more? Like us on Facebook at “City of DuPont Parks, Recreation & Tourism”.
- 4th of July 5K Dynamite Dash – Registration is officially open for the July 4th 5K Dynamite Dash. This event is open to all ages. Registration must be received by June 14th in order to receive a tee shirt, which will be handed out the day of the event starting at 7:00 AM. The course begins and ends at Clocktower Park. Registration information can be found on the City’s website.
- Volunteer Officials Needed – The DuPont youth sports programs are always in need of volunteer officials. We are currently seeking umpires for the baseball playoffs in late June and football and soccer officials for upcoming fall programs. If you are interested in volunteering for these much needed roles please contact Tom Bradbury attbradbury@dupontwa.gov.
- Youth Acting Studio Summer Program – The Youth Acting Studio’s summer program starts on Saturday, June 1st. Two new classes have been added this session.
§ Music & Make Believe is a preschool class for ages 2ish – 5ish. This class is held on Saturdays from 9:00 – 9:45 AM. Cost: $40 (8 classes).
§ Youth Studio 101 is our popular “tween” class for ages 9-13. This class is held on Saturdays from 10:00 – 11:30 AM. Cost: $100 (10 classes & Showcase).
§ Youth Studio 102 is a new “teen” class for ages 14-17. This class is held on Saturdays from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Cost: $100 (10 classes & Showcase).
Registration forms are available on the City website. Additional information:YouthActingStudio@wordpress.
- Adult Co-Ed Softball –Adult Co-Ed Softball registration is now open. The season will run July 7th thru August 4th at DuPont PowderWorks Park and will include 8 games. Each team will consist of 12 adults, with 4 members of the opposite sex on each team. The fee to participate is $595 per team or $50 per individual. Interested participants may register at City Hall from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Questions? Please contact Tom Bradbury at (253) 282-2189 or tbradbury@dupontwa.gov.
Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Karate, Yoga, Track, Kidz Love Soccer, Dance4Life, and more!
13. Puget Sound Starts Here Month
Pierce County residents are invited to celebrate Puget Sound during Puget Sound Starts Heremonth in May. Organizations in Pierce County and across Western Washington are hosting a variety of events to teach residents simple ways they can protect Puget Sound, local rivers, lakes and streams. A complete list of events is available at www.PugetSoundStartsHere.org.
- May 16th at 7:00 PM: Puget Sound Starts Here Night with the Tacoma Rainiers at Cheney Stadium. Buy discount tickets online at tinyurl.com/c4geew9 and use promotional code “pugetsound” for discount tickets.