1. Patriot Day Ceremony (9/11 Remembrance). This Wednesday will mark the passing of twelve years since the terrorist attacks on American soil occurred the morning of September 11, 2001. In recognition of those who lost their lives during these attacks and the events following, DuPont citizens will be joining others around the country to recognize Patriot Day. Communities and places of worship around the country, including the City of DuPont, will participate in a commemorative ringing of bells and chimes on Wednesday in observation of Patriot Day. As part of this act of national recognition our DuPont Clock Tower will ring out a series of five chimes at each of the following local times which are the exact Eastern Standard times each event occurred:
· 8:46 AM – in remembrance of those who died when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
· 9:03 AM – in remembrance of those who died when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
· 9:37 AM – in remembrance of those who died when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon.
· 10:03 AM – in remembrance of those who died when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania
· Noon – in remembrance of all those who have lost their lives in acts of terrorism.
As each chime rings out, please stop to remember the significance and honor those lives lost.
2. Resignation Announcement
It is with mixed feelings that I submitted my resignation notice this past week to accept another job. I consider myself fortunate to have worked with such a dedicated, professional staff and passionate, engaged City Council for the past 9 years and the experience has certainly been both rewarding and challenging. This decision was not an easy one, and while I am looking forward to the next adventure in life, it will be bittersweet leaving DuPont. I have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know so many community members and business owners over the past years and am proud that I have been able to work together with so many of you to help make DuPont the wonderful city that it is!
I will be working with the Mayor to ensure a smooth transition process as the City moves forward with the recruitment of a new City Administrator. My official last day and more details on the recruitment process will be forthcoming soon.
3. Community Development Update
Bank of the Pacific – Fisher and Sons Incorporated was issued a building permit by the City on August 26th to modify the tenant space at 1520 Wilmington Drive, Suite 200 for the Bank of the Pacific.
4. Police Citizen’s Academy
There is still time to register for the Police Citizen’s Academy beginning on September 12th! The Academy will run for 10 weeks on Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Graduation will be held on November 14th. This is a great opportunity to learn how your Police Department operates and to meet our Police Chief and police officers. Applications are available on the City’s website or at the Police Department (1780 Civic Drive). For additional information visit the City’s website, or contact Police Chief Bob Sheehan at (253) 964-7060 or Bob.Sheehan@SouthSound911.org.
5. Volunteer Coordinator
The City is pleased to announce that Events & Recreation Coordinator Amy Walker will now also be serving as the City’s Volunteer Coordinator. The City has been working on a more streamlined process for our volunteer program and having a single point of contact will help simplify the process for those seeking to utilize their skills and talents to help benefit their community. Volunteer opportunities are available in a variety of areas including office/clerical work at the Police Department and City Hall, EMS Reserves, Adopt-a-Street or Park, fire hydrant painting, and assisting at community events. Additional information and volunteer forms are available on the City’s website or by contacting Amy Walker at awalker@dupontwa.gov.
6. Upcoming Meetings – Week of September 9th – 13th
Youth Council Meeting Monday, September 9th at 6:00 PM
Planning Agency Meeting Monday, September 9th at 7:00 PM
Parks Agency Meeting Monday, September 9th at 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting Tuesday, September 10th at 7:00 PM
Tourism Board Meeting Wednesday, September 11th at 9:30 AM
7. Council Agenda Items – September 10th
Executive Session – 6:30 PM
Introduction: AmeriCorp Volunteer
Oath of Office: Police Chief Bob Sheehan
Presentation: Senator O’Ban
Consent Agenda Items: Claims Vouchers
Discussion: Update: Ongoing Conversations with Department of Retirement Systems
Unfinished Business: Sign Code Amendment Ordinance – 2nd Reading; Marijuana Moratorium Ordinance – 2nd Reading
* Council Agenda Packet is available on the City’s website.
8. Civil Service Commission Vacancy
The City is seeking interested residents for appointment to the City’s volunteer Civil Service Commission to fill the remainder of a 6-year unexpired term ending June 30, 2017. Duties of the Commission relate to the selection, appointment, and employment of DuPont firefighters and police officers. The Commission is made up of three members and meets as needed at 6:00 PM on the first Wednesday of each month at City Hall. Eligible applicants must be a citizen of the United States, age 18 or older, and must have been a resident of the City of DuPont for at least three years immediately prior to the appointment. Per RCW, at the time of appointment, no more than two of the commission members may be “adherents to the same political party.” Commission members serve without compensation.
Interested applicants need to apply no later than 4:00 PM on September 13, 2013. Additional information and applications are available on the City’s website.
9. Parks & Recreation
Please call (253) 912-5245 or go to the City’s website at www.dupontwa.gov 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”.
Cross Country – Registration is now open for fall Cross Country. The program is scheduled to run September 23rd thru November 25th. Runners will meet at the DuPont Civic Center, 1700 Civic Drive, on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. The fee to participate is $75, which does not include post season meets. A $35 uniform fee also applies if you do not have your uniform from last year. Sign up information is on the City’s website.
Dance Classes – Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce its partnership with Image Studio of Dance. Together we will be offering a wide variety of dance programs this fall. Classes offered include tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop and contemporary. Classes begin October 1st and will run through June. Registration information is available on the City’s website. Please contact Image Studio of Dance at (253) 566-4546 or info@imagestudioofdance.com with any questions regarding the program.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar – Save the date for the 2013 Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday bazaar scheduled for Saturday, November 16th at Pioneer Middle School. Vendor applications are available on the City website. The fee to participate this year is $35 and include a 10 by 10 space, advertising, and a boxed lunch. This annual event fills quickly so don’t delay in submitting your application. Please contact Holiday Bazaar Coordinator Anna Skretting at (253) 964-4944 with questions.
Youth Acting Class – Registration is now open for our fall Youth Acting Class. Classes begin September 14th and run through November 16th. Classes are available for ages 7-15 years. Class fees are $100 which includes a fall showcase on November 16th. More information is available on the City’s website.
Karate – Our fall karate session is now open for registration. Classes run Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Pioneer Middle School. The registration fee is $50 per month. Classes are for ages 6 thru adult. Registration forms are available on the City’s website. Contact karate instructor Skip Ettinger at (253) 209-5287 with any questions.
Fall Kidz Love Soccer – Registration for the fall session of Kidz Love Soccer is now open. The fall session runs from September 18th – October 23rd at Clocktower Park. This program is a non-competitive, instructional based program and is open to kids ages 2 thru 10. Registration is $52 for ages 2-6 and $63 for ages 7-10. A soccer jersey is included for ages 7 thru 10. Registration forms are available online.
Youth Soccer – Fall soccer game schedules are now available on the City’s website. Families are encouraged to check the website and communicate with their coaches for updated information.
Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Karate, Yoga, Track, Kidz Love Soccer, and more!
10. Historic Hose Cart Shed
The historic hose cart shed restoration is now complete and has been moved to its permanent location next to the Fire Department. A dedication is being planned for September 24th at 6:30 PM.
11. City Seeking EMS Volunteers
The DuPont Fire Department is currently accepting applications for motivated and career-minded EMS volunteers to help staff the Aid Car, assisting with patient care and transport. The reserves will be EMT’s who will supplement our career staff and help enable the fire engine to stay in DuPont and staffed during transport situations. Currently there are fewer private ambulance transport units available to the citizens in DuPont due to growing demand in other areas of the county which absorbs the use of Rural Metro and AMR. Volunteers need to be Washington State certified EMT’s who will work a minimum of three 12 or 24 hour shifts per month. Reserve EMT’s are volunteers who will be supplied with uniforms. A small stipend is available. They will not participate in suppression activities due to the high cost of uniforms, equipment and training. For more information, please contact the Fire Station at (253) 964-8414.
12. Semi-Annual Yard Sale
The Northwest Landing ROA’s Semi-Annual Citywide Yard Sale is Saturday, September 14th. The sale runs from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM and occurs throughout the city. Any unsold items will be happily accepted by Tacoma Goodwill’s donation trailer between Noon and 5:00 PM at Chloe Clark Elementary. Are your bookshelves full and ready for a clean-up? Consider donating any new or gently used books to DuPont’s Friends of the Library who will be on site as well from 1:00 – 3:00 PM to collect any gently used or new books for the library. Drivers are reminded to proceed with caution as they drive through town. Many participants are from out-of-town and are unfamiliar with their surroundings. Be patient, slow down and proceed with caution.
13. Aphid Tree Spraying
Information is available on the City’s website regarding an option to help control aphids on street trees. A local resident arranged for this program last year and those who participated received noticeable results. This in-ground treatment program is being offered again this year at a group rate discounted price of $50 each for one to two trees and $40 each for three or more trees. The typical price for this type of treatment is about $60 to $70 per tree. Interested homeowners need to contact the tree company no later than October 11th to participate in the program.
14. Fall Festival
Join your friends and family at the Northwest Landing ROA Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, September 28th at Clocktower Park. This year’s event is scheduled from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Festivities include pony rides, live music, arts and crafts, and much more! Plan to shop for your holiday decorating at the festival. Mums, pumpkins and other decorative items will be available for purchase. Volunteers are needed to help make this event a success. Please contact ROA Volunteer Coordinator Linda Cumberbatch at lcumberbatch@hotmail.com to volunteer.
15. Raider Brigade Welcome Home
On Sunday, September 15th the City of Lakewood and the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) will host a parade at 9:00 AM and community festival at 12:00 PM to honor and welcome home the soldiers of the 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (known as the Raider Brigade), based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Nearly 2,000 soldiers, 13 military vehicles, and the America’s Corps Band will be marching from the Lakewood Police Station to Lakewood Towne Center. The public is invited to bring your American flags to wave to show your support for the service and sacrifice of the soldiers and families. Family members of the four Raiders who lost their lives in the recent deployment to Afghanistan will be honored, as well as Gold Star Families of soldiers lost in the unit’s previous two deployments to Iraq. Volunteers age 18 and over are needed to serve in various roles along the parade route. Please call or email Weston Ott at (253) 983-7725 or wott@cityoflakewood.us to register. More information is available at this link.
16. Military Family Day
The Hawks Prairie Rotary is sponsoring the 11th annual Military Family Day on Saturday, September 7th from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM at the Cabela’s in Lacey. The event offers free food, activities, entertainment and displays from Army and Air Force units for military families and the local community to enjoy. A helicopter candy drop is scheduled for noon. This event is sponsored by local businesses throughout the Puget Sound area and all funds raised are given to military-affiliated organizations to help support military families. Cabela’s is located off of I-5 exit #111 in Lacey. Learn more about this celebration and support of military families at www.militaryfamilyday.org.
17. Sounder Train Service to Fair
Sound Transit’s popular Sounder event trains will serve people attending the Washington State Fair on September 14th and 21st, making it easy for North and Sound Sound residents to “Do the Puyallup!” and avoid gas and parking costs. Free shuttle service between Puyallup Station and the fairgrounds will also be provided. A total of six Sounder trains will operate between Lakewood and Puyallup.
Riders can buy their train tickets from ticket vending machines at any Sounder station. Fairgoers should select “Puyallup” as the destination. Regular fares apply. More information on special Sounder train service to the fair is available at www.soundtransit.org/Schedules/Event-services/Washington-State-Fair.