Why It Matters
Many do not understand what our Charter is or how it works. The Pierce County Charter is like our neighborhood’s rulebook. It’s like our county constitution, operating under the state and federal constitutions. Our charter impacts local taxes and community services. During the review process, changes can be made upon voter approval. The Charter Review is the process of reviewing what changes might improve our county government.
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A Safe Place to Live
The peace officers serving Pierce County are the sheriff and the deputy’s. Ensuring they serve the public interest by allowing the citizens to elect the sheriff. They are deployed to protect all Pierce County citizens, protecting private property and public safety. The Charter protects our County Law Enforcement.
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Affordable Homes
Pierce County is becoming an expensive place to live. The cost of buying a home is increasing making it difficult for new families to find affordable housing. The county impacts home prices through regulations that increase the building costs, increasing the price of new homes. The Charter allows the council to mange these regulations.
Business Friendly
Regulation also impacts businesses in the county, vital for the community to thrive, offering jobs and local resources for everyone. The Charter allows the council to determine how friendly the regulations will be to our businesses.
Everyone is Welcome
Pierce County is the place we call home. The dignity of all people should be valued and everyone should be welcome. No one class or catagory of citizen should be elevated above another. Our Charter can help support that goal.
I became more than a voter when the government was used to force masks and vaccines, determine which businesses were essential, restrict people from being outside, and when churches could and couldn’t sing. That is when I began to study our structure of government and learn how it was designed to limit the power of those who control government and protect the individual rights of its people.
Since then, I’ve learned the Pierce County Charter is our county constitution, serving the people by limiting the power of those who control the county government. Every ten years a commission is elected to review the charter and suggest any changes that might enable it to better serve the citizens.
Government is an essential service of our communities. It doesn’t fix itself. Our county government operates within the limitations of our charter framework and we elect people to serve in the capacity of fixing it.
I am seeking a position on the Charter Review Committee to reflect the common sense views of our county. It should be safe for our kids to play outside, housing should be affordable for families, businesses should not be over regulated, and everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of Pierce County. That makes sense to me. If that makes sense to you, I would appreciate your vote.