TACOMA, Wash. – “As Mayor of Tacoma, and District 4 City Council Member and Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health, we place a high priority on the health and wellbeing of our community. During this global pandemic, our concern has been heightened and we are deeply dismayed by the Pierce County Council’s recent actions to rush consideration of legislation dissolving the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
The City of Tacoma was not consulted as a stakeholder and partner in this policy move, nor were any other cities or towns in Pierce County. Fast-tracking the dissolution of our community’s public health authority during the current public health and economic crisis does a disservice to our constituents. We call upon our County Council colleagues to pause their deliberations and engage with stakeholders before making any drastic decisions that could result in negative impacts on public health.
Proponents of this proposal argue that the County Council is an adequate representative voice for governance over a health department within the Pierce County organization. This argument fails to acknowledge that the current Board of Health is apolitical and comprised of medical professionals and elected officials representing jurisdictions throughout Pierce County. The current Board of Health provides balanced perspectives that set partisan politics aside and put the health of the people first.
We urge the Pierce County Council to reconsider the timeline for consideration of this legislation, thereby avoiding undue chaos and uncertainty for Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department staff and the community at large. We must work together as partners if we are to tackle this type of major decision that will have far-reaching impacts into the future.”
Toni Searles says
Like everything else in this state, people think because this is what they want, they can do without any consideration into the big picture! This action by the Health Department does not surprise me. Thinking they can get away with a notion without first consulting all involved parties. I am seeing a control situation by the health department, including the almighty, financial gain.
Like the governor who thought he could control the pandemic by “quarantine”, and closing businesses, no thought was given to the domino effect it has caused. Close businesses, people lose jobs, families are effected, product distribution lose business, truck drivers lose, the effect goes all the way. This is without thought and consideration to all parties involved, but because of power and control.
I hope The City of Tacoma fights this, they have stake in all our health and welfare!
Toni Aulerich Searles says
Like everything else in this state, this is a case of, “this is what I want so I can do it!” What happen to talking to all involved parties to make a mutual agreement? Like Jay Inslee, doing things his way or the highway, there are more variables at stake than “what you want!” Did the Health adept think the City of Tacoma would not notice? Shame on you PC Health Dept.! You are no better than the czar of our state. Grow up and become adults and talk. I’m looking at it as it including the root of all evil, the almighty dollar, another words, financial gain. I hope the city fights this.
Aa says
Do you even understand what the proposal is? Obviously not.
nan peele says
I am in complete agreement with the perspective of the City of Tacoma as described in this article. The timing and method of introducing this proposal raises my suspicions as to its purpose. IF the proposal has merit, it can be evaluated after the department has served the community through this pandemic. Introducing bureaucratic chaos into this tragic time would be insane!!
Janet K Runbeck says
Unless the change includes a plan that would demonstrate improved health outcomes of the people of Pierce County, there is no gain in this proposal.
This is the same County Council that spent over 2 years studying instituting a mental health tax plan, the only major county in Washington that has no such initiative. Its only response to the major mental health crisis in Pierce County was to send it back for more study. Yet, the decision for this drastic proposal is to be pushed through in 2 weeks time.
The T-PCHD ain’t broke. Don’t “fix” it.
Alex in Steilacoom says
The headline is misleading, actually not true. The proposal is not to dissolve the health department, it is to separate Tacoma from Pierce county. You can read the actual proposal here online.co.pierce.wa.us/cfapps/council/model/otDocDownload.cfm
I would say that there are significant differences between the community health needs of Tacoma, and the needs in unincorporated Pierce County. It makes sense to haver separate governing bodies for distinct populations. The differences can be readily seen in the covid map here piercecowa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Embed/index.html?webmap=5de9dea701b34a529631ede5aff6899f&extent=-122.6574,47.0516,-121.9681,47.3568&home=true&zoom=true&scale=false&search=true&searchextent=true&legendlayers=true&disable_scroll=true&theme=light
The timing might not be ideal, but apparently it takes a crisis to see how the needs really are different.
Dan says
I don’t see the difference that you claim exists between Tacoma and the other relatively heavily populated areas of the county to the southeast, including unincorporated areas. It would appear that the only correlation is to population density.
John Bartley says
The above link to the proposal was somehow inaccessible.
I found another county reference to the amendment at
online.co.pierce.wa.us/cfapps/council/model/otDocDownload.cfm?id=13117428&fileName=2020-136%20Ordinance%20with%20Exhibit.pdf
Dr. No says
When something does not make sense think politics.
Seems some have not yet learned the disastrous consequence of mixing politics into public health.
But if – as such a proposal now suggests – people are expendable, why, mix away.
Judi says
This is exactly what it seems, a political ploy. The TPCHD had not needed any changes. Why would this be shoved through without any stakeholder input??? Shame
Gigi says
This should not be able to happen especially now with everything going on. TPCHD have programs the community needs. It’s on the city council to do the right thing it should not be about Politics. But about community service stop being sneaking with stuff. And let people know what’s going on and why in short little time that this is coming up. Think about the whole picture how this can effect the the community. And what’s the whole plan anyways this is ridiculous and needs to be stopped #SAVETPCHD
Scott Anderson says
This divisive mayor continues down a path of splitting up a city that was once great and further fracturing ties with the County. Instead of discussing this resolution behind doors, she wants to bring it into the open to divide us all further.
Not everyone is ignorant to the fact that TPCHD does nothing more than track disease and try to raw-raw the public into thinking that they are an essential agency. In this time of financial crisis for businesses and local governments, I applaud this resolution.
Diane says
TPCHD does more than track diseases. Are you aware of the many different arenas which make up the health department and what their functions are, how they help the community, what services they do provide? It is far more than just keeping track of diseases. My husband worked for the TPCHD for 20 years before he retired. I myself at first was unawares of what vital role TPCHD played. From inspecting clean water, vital records, drug help, community safety and health, seminars for safety, going into schools and talking about good hygiene, sexual transmitted diseases and the list goes on. The TPCHD not only services Tacoma residents but surrounding communities as well.
Scott Anderson says
I’m aware that they do 3 things, all of which can be brought under jurisdiction of Pierce County to serve the County better:
1) Septic and water quality permitting and auditing.
2) Education and auditing food service.
3) Keep statistics and educate people on disease.
All can be done better and cheaper.
Sean says
Wow, if the comments here speak to the IQ of the average Pierce County citizen, we are pretty ****** (edited by Publisher).
The “person” (bot, me thinks?) above who stated “TPCHD does nothing nothing more than track disease and try to raw-raw the public into thinking that they are an essential agency” has obviously never set foot in the building.