City of Lakewood announcement.
Lakewood native Trestin Lauricella was selected Monday by the Lakewood City Council to fill the Position 6 vacancy. He will hold the position until the November general election. That is when voters will decide who will assume the office for a new term. The position was vacated when Linda Farmer was elected Pierce County Auditor.
“We are pleased to welcome Trestin to the City Council,” said Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen. “While there is much work to be done, we look forward to his voice and participation in furthering the policy goals and objectives established by the Council. Members were impressed with his passion to serve Lakewood, as well as his professional background, expertise, and skills that he brings to the role.”
Lauricella is a graduate of Clover Park High School. He received his associates degree from Pierce College, a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from St. Martin’s University and a master in business administration from Seattle University. He currently works for Boeing, where he has been employed for more than 17 years.
“As a lifelong resident of Lakewood, I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve our city,” said Lauricella. “I will celebrate Lakewood’s history and beautiful, diverse community while leading the charge to ensure everyone’s voice is heard while we make positive changes for our future together.”
Lauricella was selected from a pool of eight candidates. Interviews were conducted in special public meetings with the City Council on Feb. 28 and March 1.
Congratulations! Not only to the candidate but for the Council actually selecting a true Lakewood citizen.
However, I will continue to beat the dying horse that the Council, to be truly representative of the community, that the positions must be districted. The City as a whole will never have equal representation when a majority of Council position holders live in one geographic area. If districting is good enough for the school district, the County Council and even the City of Tacoma, why would it not be beneficial for the City of Lakewood?
Thanks Paul. One of the major areas I want to focus on is ensuring that our under-represented communities have the opportunity to have their voices heard. Please reach out to me directly so we can discuss ways to make it happen now, as well as look into longer-term opportunities to engage all of our neighbors.
My parents grew up in Woodbrook and Tillicum, and I have family members in Oakbrook, but in order to represent all of Lakewood, we need our citizens to show up and speak out so we can represent your interests in our decision making.
Congratulations to Mr. Lauricella! He was my top pick because of his analytical management experience and depth of his responses.
Until Council elections (and Clover Park School District Board elections) require residence in districts and VOTE by district we will continue to have lopsided representation in high voting districts and apathy in the rest. This issue was raised by Lakewood CARES early on in the mid 2000’s with Council and now again in2020’s with the CPSD. Unfortunately those in power often pay lip service to representation while systemically holding on to that power by limiting representation.
Candidates go where the votes are and tend to ignore low voting areas: common sense if you want to win. District residence coupled with by district voting would require that candidates focus on their district for success. Had this been the case in 2021 school board election, Director David Anderson could have door-belled District 4 (Tillicum, etc.) numerous times over instead of barely once. This close and continual contact with the voters of politically under-served districts is exactly what’s needed to overcome apathy and generate healthy participation in the political process. Perhaps that’s exactly the reason districting isn’t pursued!
Lakewoodcares.org
info@lakewoodcares.org
We need to remind the City Council Chapter 29A.92 RCW VOTING RIGHTS ACT gives the right for local jurisdictions the ability to make changes (such as creating districts) but also great guidelines.
I’m a concern senior tentent of a apartment complex in Lakewood Washington.
I’m living over in the area of Boston Ave where all the drug dealers are plus the rents are horrible they have gone up ever year.
I’m on disability income an my rent is more then my income yeah lovely.
I’ve sign up for section 8 an I’ve been on a waiting list this year will be 4 yrs waiting. Things are are getting tight. My food stamps have been cut because I’ve been told I make too much money yeah my income is taken by my rent an that it.
I just wanted too say something any other resources don’t have any kind of donations.
So a senior is supposed too live on the streets that is so insane I’m just saying what is on my mind.
Thank you listening.
Holly Corbin