The Suburban Times

A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County.

DuPont City Administrator Friday letter, Oct. 4

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1.      Traffic Signal at Center & Bronson: In late August the contractors on the Amazon project completed the primary roadway construction and overhead work for installation of the new Bronson Avenue/Center Drive traffic signal.  The signal has been temporarily operating on a timed sequence due to delays in receiving the permanent controller components from the manufacturer.  This week the contractor notified the City that they will be coordinating with the Washington State Department of Transportation and the manufacturer to install the vehicle detection equipment on October 9th and 10th.  It is anticipated that the signal will be operating normally by the end of that week.  Drivers are asked to continue to drive carefully through the intersection as people become aware of and familiar with the traffic revisions.  The contractor would like to thank drivers for their patience throughout the construction process.

2.     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 and 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.  Come join the growing group of volunteers who are already being trained to provide this valuable City service!  For more information, please contact the Fire Station at(253) 964-8414.

 

3.     Upcoming Meetings – Week of October 7th – October 11th

  • Youth Council Meeting                                               Monday, October 7th at 6:00 PM
  • Park Agency Meeting                                                  Monday, October 7th at 7:00 PM
  • City Council Meeting                                                                  Tuesday, October 8th at 7:00 PM

 

4.     Council Agenda Items – October 8th, 2013                          

  • Recognition of Eagle Scouts
  • Presentation:  Park & Recreation Agency Annual Report
  • Appointments:  Civil Service Commission; Lodging Tax Committee; Tourism Board; Parks & Recreation Agency; Tree Board
  • Proclamation:  Domestic Violence Awareness Month
  • Consent Agenda:  Claims Vouchers
  • Discussion:  Skate Park Update
  • Mayor’s Report:  Mayor’s Preliminary 2014 Budget

 

* Council Agenda Packet is available on the City’s website.

 

5.     National Fire Prevention Week

National Fire Prevention Week is October 6th – 12th and your DuPont Fire Department would like to remind local residents to “Prevent Kitchen Fires”.  This year’s fire safety campaign is aimed on spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires – most of which result from unattended cooking – and focuses on teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.

 

According to the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires.  Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen – more than any other place in the home.  Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries.  Often, residents left the kitchen for only a few minutes, but that’s all it takes for a dangerous fire to start.  The NFPA hopes that Fire Prevention Week will help reach citizens before they’ve suffered a damaging lesson.

 

Among the safety tips that firefighters and safety advocates will be emphasizing:

 

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.
  • If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.
  • If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible.  Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.
  • When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.
  • Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop.
  • Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.

 

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country.  Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.  For more information on fire safety contact the DuPont Fire Department at (253) 964-8414.

 

6.     South Sound Heart Walk 2013

There is still time to support the City of DuPont employees who are participating in the South Sound Heart Walk scheduled for October 5, 2013.  This effort is another way of showing that the City is committed to help both its employees and the community become more aware of cardiovascular diseases and strokes, and support organizations such as the American Heart Association that seek ways to fight these diseases.  Register to join the team or help us with a donation by going to the website:  www.piercecountyheartwalk.org and look for the City of DuPont team.

 

7.     Fall Food Drive

The DuPont Fire Department and DuPont Lions Club have once again partnered together to run a Fall Food Drive just in time for the holidays.  Bring your canned goods or non-perishable items to the Pumpkin Patch Safety Fair on Saturday, October 19th or drop them off anytime in October to the Fire Department (1780 Civic Drive) to help with this worthy endeavor.

 

8.     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.

 

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”.

 

  • Downtown Trick or Treating – Join friends and local businesses on October 31st for a spooktacular time as local businesses in the downtown business district open their doors for a safe Trick or Treating experience from 3:00 – 5:00 PM.    Watch for a “Trick or Treat” sign in business windows to indicate participation in the event.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.  Put on your best Halloween costumes and join us for this annual tradition.  Many thanks to the DuPont Business Association for helping make Halloween in DuPont safe, fun and family friendly!

 

  • Youth Basketball Registration –Registration is now open for 2nd thru 8th grades for our Youth Basketball season.   Registration fees are $85 per player and include a uniform.  Registration ends at 4:00 PM on November 12th.  Once registration closes, families will be put on a waiting list and there are no guarantees for placement.  Please do not delay in getting your registration to City Hall during the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily.  The 2013-14 season runs from December 2nd – March 1st.  All practices will occur in Steilacoom and DuPont.  Some games may occur in University Place.   Volunteer coaches are still needed.  Please contact Youth Basketball Coordinator Larry Wilcox at l.j.wilcox@earthlink.net or at (253) 912-0639.

 

Kindergarten and 1st graders will participate in Little Hoopsters with registration opening October 8th.  The fee to participate is $45 which includes a tee shirt and a medal.  This program emphasizes developing skills with some scrimmages.

 

  • Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar – Plan to support local arts and crafts vendors by doing your holiday shopping at our 8th Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar.  Doors open for this popular event at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 16th at Pioneer Middle School.  Admission to the bazaar is free!  This has become an annual favorite for many families.  Get in the holiday spirit early and join the fun!

 

  • On your mark, get set, Register! – Registration is still open for fall Cross Country which runsMonday and Wednesdays from 5:00 – 6:00PM with meets on Saturdays.  The season runs thru November 25th.  Ages 7-18 are welcome.  Registration is $75 and forms are available online.   A $35 uniform fee also applies if you do not have your uniform from last year.   Contact Coach Mark Brinkhaus at (253) 948-2401 with any program questions.

 

  • Dance Classes – Registration is ongoing for dance classes being offered in partnership with Image Studio of Dance.  Classes offered include tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop and contemporary.  Classes 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.

 

  • Karate – Our fall karate session is now underway with classes on Tuesday and Thursdayevenings 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.

 

Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Yoga, Kidz Love Soccer,  and more!

 

10.  Pumpkin Patch Day

Come join in on the fun at the DuPont Fire Department’s 3rd Annual Pumpkin Patch Day!  This event will be held on Saturday, October 19th from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM at the DuPont Fire Station, 1780 Civic Drive.  There will be tours of the fire engines and fire station, free blood pressure checks, and bicycle and multi-sport helmets available for sale.  The smoke trailer will be open for participants to experience a fire simulation, followed by a safety talk of what to do and expect.  Try to hit a target with the fire hose when you bring canned foods to fill the fire engine to help families in need this holiday season.  Families will learn some basic safety tactics and the kids will each get to pick out a free pumpkin!  Remember to come early; the pumpkins are on a first-come-first-serve basis and are limited to one pumpkin per child.

 

11.  National Crime Prevention Month

October is National Crime Prevention month and the DuPont Police Department is encouraging everyone to take necessary precautions to prevent being victimized by crime.  Don’t leave valuables in your car and be sure to lock it when it is parked.  At home, be sure to keep your doors locked, your garage door shut, vegetation away from your windows, and don’t leave ground floor windows open at night or when the home is unoccupied.  If you leave on vacation be sure to have a neighbor check on your home and pick up your newspaper, and have outside lights on motion sensors and internal lights on timers.  If you are gone for an extended period of time, make arrangements to have someone cut your grass and pick up any flyers or packages which may be left at your front door.  Taking these steps can greatly lessen your chance of becoming a crime victim and makes our community safer.

 

12.  Point Defiance Bypass Project

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has approved track and signal design to proceed with the Point Defiance Bypass Project.  The project consists of railroad track and support facility improvements to reroute Amtrak’s intercity passenger rail and relocate the Tacoma Amtrak station to Freighthouse Square.  The project is located within Pierce County along an existing approximately 20-mile rail corridor between Tacoma and Nisqually that generally parallels and is west of the Interstate 5 (I-5) transportation corridor.

 

Any action to set aside, enjoin, review, or otherwise challenge this action on the grounds of noncompliance with the provisions of chapter 43.21C RCW (State Environmental Police Act) shall be commenced on or before October 30, 2013.  SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) documents can be viewed during regular business hours at WSDOT headquarters (310 Maple Park Avenue SE, Olympia, WA).  Contact the State Rail and Marine Office at (360) 705-7900.  The documents are on-line atwww.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/rail/pnwrc_ptdefiance/.

 

13.  Report Street Light Problems Online

As daylight hours are beginning to get shorter, it is a good time to check your neighborhood street lights and help us identify those that are not working and need to be repaired.  Citizens have the option for reporting street light problems via a web link through the City’s website which allows citizens to report street light problems directly to Puget Sound Energy for repairs.  To report a street light outage or other problem using the new online tool, please record the number on the pole along with the nearest street address, click on the link to the online reporting page, fill in the requested information and click “submit” to send in your request.  You will receive a confirmation email to notify you that the repair request has been received and is being processed.  In some cases you may receive a follow-up email or phone call if additional information or clarification is needed.  Repairs usually take 2-3 days to complete but can take up to one week.  If the repair has not been accomplished after a week, please do not hesitate to report it again.  Please call City Hall at 964-8121 if you do not have access to a computer or need assistance in filling out the repair request.

 

14.  Chloe Clark Fall Festival

Save the date of October 18th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM for the Chloe Clark Fall Festival.  There will be bounce houses, games and lots of yummy carnival food.  They are currently looking for sponsors and volunteers to assist with this event.  Local business owners who would like to partner with the Chloe Clark PTA to sponsor this event are welcomed.  If you are interested in volunteering for the night of the event or helping with planning the carnival, contact Brenda Andrews at BrendaAndrews24@gmail.comor call/text (727) 430-4017.

 

15.  Washington State Rail Plan

The draft Washington State Rail Plan is now available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Rail/StateRailPlan.   The purpose of the Washington State Rail Plan is to outline a strategy for addressing changes in rail transportation and provide a blueprint for ensuring the continued movement of people and goods on the rail system in support of a healthy economy.  Consistent with federal and state requirements, the plan describes what is working well, identifies the challenges, highlights policy priorities and sets a course for state action and investment to ensure that these vital services continue to meet transportation needs in the future.  The plan is based on technical analysis as well as input received from rail owners, operators and users, Tribes, government agencies, community groups and individuals during six workshops and more than 30 briefings.

 

The comment period is open through December 2nd.  Please use the comment form to provide any additional feedback at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Rail/Input.htm.  If you have questions, please call (360) 705-7900.  There will be an open house on November 13th in Olympia for anyone who would like to ask questions in person or attend via webinar.  More details will be provided closer to that date.

 

16.  Steilacoom Apple Squeeze

The Apple Squeeze is not just about apples.  In Steilacoom Town Hall you can watch demonstrations of weaving and spinning; at the Wagon Shop on Main Street you can examine vintage tools and carriages.  In the Steilacoom Historical Museum a wonderful collection of hats from the last century is on special temporary exhibit.  Several local and regional groups will entertain during the day.  Jeanlizabeth, Spot the Dog, Kristi and Steve Nebel, Alicia Healey and Eileen Cuba will be found under the band tent at the top of the Post Office steps.  Danny Marshall, leader of the Steilacoom Tribe, will tell tribal stories at 2:00 PMin the Steilacoom Museum Educational room.  The 2014 Museum Calendar will be hot off the press and available for sale in front of Town Hall.

 

Eating is a favorite pastime at the Squeeze and beyond the apple related foods will be roasted nuts, roasted corn and Indian fry bread.  But if apple flavors are still on your mind, the apple cider floats are like melted apple pie.

 

Along the street, fair booths will entice with pottery, jewelry, baskets, wood products, clothing, soaps and much more.  Children will enjoy activities designed just for them in the tennis court area, sponsored by the Steilacoom High School Key Club.  Pony rides will open at noon.

 

There is much to see and do at the Squeeze, but of course, apples will reign for the day!  Many volunteers will be donating their time to help you press apples into cider the old fashioned way.  You can also buy jugs of pasteurized award winning cider freshly made by Lattin’s Country Cider Mill.

 

And everywhere scarecrows will greet you as part of the look of fall in historic Steilacoom.  Get information at www.steilacoomhistorical.org or call (253) 584-4133.

 

17.  Fort Nisqually Candlelight Tour

Take a peek into the past during Fort Nisqually Living History Museum’s annual Candlelight Tours.  This glimpse into 1855, which is held after dark on Friday, October 4th and Saturday, October 5th, features a guided walking tour of the fort with only stars, campfires and candles to light the way.  While on tour visitors will encounter re-enactors portraying the laborers, servants, and gentlemen and ladies of the venerable Hudson’s Bay Company and eavesdrop on life as it was in 1855.  These people from the past won’t be aware of their 21st century visitors.  To them, tour groups are merely spirits from the future!

 

Tours begin every 15 minutes starting and last approximately one hour.  Ticket holders park their vehicles in the Point Defiance Zoo parking lot and take a quick shuttle ride to the Fort.  This helps set the time-traveling mood while minimizing vehicle noise and lights near the event.  Advanced ticket purchase is required for these popular tours which frequently sell out.  Tickets can be purchased at Fort Nisqually, located within Point Defiance Park, during open hours or by calling 253-591-5339 and leave your name, phone number, how many tickets you need, and for which night and time.  Calls will be returned in the order received.  Tour times are every 15 minutes from 7:00 to 9:30 PM on Friday and 6:30 to 9:30 PM on Saturday.  Tickets prices are $12 for ages 13 and up; and $8 for ages 4-12.  Tickets are available online through Brown Paper Tickets.    There is a small service fee.  For additional information please contact Fort Nisqually at 253-591-5339 or fortnisqually@tacomaparks.com.

 

We in DuPont realize, of course, that this is not the original Fort location as that is located in our City; however this is still a good educational tour for those who have not had the opportunity to experience it.

 

18.  Pierce County Library Card Drive

During Pierce County Library System’s seventh annual Library Card Drive – October 1st – 31st – get a free library card and enter to win a Kindle Fire HD.  Currently over 250,000 people have Pierce County Library cards.  With the card people get an array of free services, including access to:

  • More than one million books, movies, and CDs.
  • Online help in real-time from professional homework tutors and job coaches.
  • E-books, audiobooks and songs to download.
  • Computers.
  • Credible, reliable information from online e-sources – Consumer Reports, Morningstar Investment Research Center and Chilton car repair.
  • Passes to Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum.

 

People who already have a library card may enter the drawing to win a Kindle Fire HD by bringing a friend to a library and getting them a card.  Military personnel and families may enter the drawing by showing their military ID.  If you haven’t used your card in two years, the card is no longer active, so get a new card now. Adults and kids can get a card online 24/7 or at one of 18 libraries during open hours.  Also, yes, there’s an app for that.  People with smartphones can use a card app from either keyringapp.com/ or cardstar.com/ and take their library card everywhere on their phone.

People who live in or own property in unincorporated Pierce County, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Edgewood, Fife, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Milton, Orting, South Prairie, Steilacoom, Sumner, University Place, or Wilkeson; as well as people who live on a military base, tribal land or national park in the county, can get a free library card.  Through a borrowing agreement with Puyallup, Roy and Tacoma Public Libraries, residents in those cities may also get free cards.

More information about the card drive and getting a card can be found at Library Card Drive.