By Heidi Wachter, Interim City Manager
Lakewood Selects John Caulfield as new City Manager: City staff was excited to learn about the Lakewood Council’s unanimous vote last night to appoint Mr. John Caulfield as Lakewood’s next city manager, pending a contract agreement. This morning, Mr. Caulfield remarked he was “honored to have been chosen as Lakewood’s city manager and truly appreciates the support and confidence of the Lakewood City Council. This is a great opportunity and I look forward to working with citizens, businesses, employees, and the Council to achieve the City’s goals.” The City’s news release is online.
Permit Counter to Close at Noon on Wednesdays: Due to an acute staff shortage, the second floor counter for the Planning, Building, and Public Works Departments will be closed on Wednesday afternoons. Staff expect this to be a temporary measure, but may last a few months. The closure will allow the limited staff to process those permit applications that have been submitted. The second floor front counter will be open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 8:30 to Noon on Wednesdays. The City appreciates the patience of our residents and businesses during this period.
Council Priority: Maintain and enhance public safety
Dower Elementary Safe Routes to School Project: Construction of sidewalks on John Dower Road from Custer Road to 78th Street West will begin Monday, June 24. Construction includes curb, gutter, sidewalk (on the school side), enhanced crosswalks with rapid-flashing beacons, and hot-mix asphalt overlay. We will complete construction in August and will require temporary lane closures during the day.
Council Priority: Sustain regional leadership and coordinate with military partners
Raider Brigade Update: This Sunday, 343 soldiers from the 4-2 Stryker Brigade (Lakewood’s adopted brigade) will return to JBLM from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. After this group arrives, half of the brigade will have returned home with the remainder coming home through July. City staff delivered donations from citizens and city employees this week to the brigade’s headquarters. The brigade’s family support groups will distribute the donations to returning single soldiers living in JBLM barracks. The City and the brigade appreciate the generosity of those who contributed.