This episode, Citizen Tacoma is joined by two community leaders—Joe LeRoy of Hope Sparks, and Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff of Pediatrics Northwest. We discuss the overall state of children’s mental health in Tacoma and Pierce County, and we also dig deep on an innovative model between Hope Sparks and Pediatrics Northwest that attends to children’s mental health as part of regular pediatric visits. This collaboration could be a template for more services to youth in the region and beyond. Links A Team Approach for Behavioral Health Care at Pediatrics Northwest (.pdf) Hope Sparks Pediatrics Northwest Channel 253 membership

Matt Mauer, President of the Board of Commissioners of Tacoma Parks, joins us to talk about the budget challenges at Parks Tacoma. What happened, what is the board doing about it, and what can the public expect going into the future? Links Channel 253 membership

Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker sits on the board of Sound Transit and Pierce Transit. In this episode, we check in on what’s happening with Sound Transit, including the future of light rail connection to Tacoma. We also preview Pierce Transit, a possible ballot initiative in November, and finish up with Tacoma’s grown bike and pedestrian network. Enjoy! Links Channel 253 membership  

On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we’re joined by Sherrana Kildun, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity. We discuss the housing affordability crisis and what can be done to address it. Sherrana also shares information about the work Habitat is doing in Tacoma and Pierce County around homeownership. And, Habitat is looking for owners for some of their projects! Check out this episode and the links below to learn more. Links Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity Own in Pierce Channel 253 membership

On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we are joined by Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. In the first half, we discuss the current government shutdown, the fight over health care, and the rule of law under the Trump administration. In the second half, we look ahead to what Tacoma’s next mayor will face. Links Channel 253 membership

In this episode, we sit down with Silong Chhun, running for Tacoma’s City Council seat representing District 4. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Silong Chhun Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I’m Erik Hanberg! I’ve hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate in the race the same set questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one got the questions in advance and since I airing them all at once, no one was able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

In this episode, we sit down with Sandesh Sadalge, running for Tacoma’s City Council seat representing District 4. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Sandesh Sadalge Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I’m Erik Hanberg! I’ve hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate in the race the same set questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one got the questions in advance and since I airing them all at once, no one was able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

Let’s talk parks! As a former parks commissioner myself, I was excited to talk to some candidates for the parks board of Tacoma for the first time. I decided to focus on Position 3. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Pete Reyes. We talk about the state of our parks, climate change, serving youth, and more. Check it out! Links Elect Pete Reyes Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I’m Erik Hanberg! I’ve hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate in the race the same set questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one got the questions in advance and since I airing them all at once, no one was able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

Let’s talk parks! As a former parks commissioner myself, I was excited to talk to some candidates for the parks board of Tacoma for the first time. I decided to focus on Position 3. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Bronwyn Clarke. We talk about the state of our parks, climate change, serving youth, and more. Check it out! Links Clarke for Parks Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I’m Erik Hanberg! I’ve hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate in the race the same set questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one got the questions in advance and since I airing them all at once, no one was able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.

There’s an “open” seat on the City Council, which means the incumbent isn’t running. Position 6 is a “city-wide” position, which serves all of Tacoma. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Jessica Johnston. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Jessica Johnston Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I’m Erik Hanberg! I’ve hosted the Citizen Tacoma podcast for the last four years. Before this, I served in elected office as a parks commissioner for 12 years and I was the executive director of City Club of Tacoma, where I also helped put on civic events and moderated debates. I deeply enjoy this work. I think of these candidate interviews as a public service to the community. I don’t get paid for this. I’m curious about these candidates as much as you are. Forums and debates are great. But this kind of conversation gives you a different sense of the candidates. I think it’s so interesting to hear candidates speak without a timer. Ok, quick overview of my rules: When I choose a race to cover, I email an invitation to every candidate in the race. I ask every candidate the same set of questions, though sometimes I asked some clarification questions depending on their answers. No one gets the questions in advance and since I air them all at once, no one is able to listen ahead. If you enjoy this interview, please check out the interviews with the other candidates at citizentacoma.com or in your podcast app. And don’t forget to vote! Ballots are mailed in mid-October and the primary is November 4.