Ruston Connection

Tacoma AND Pierce County Library? Not.

When the TNT put a front page story last month that Pierce County and Tacoma Public Library systems have agreed to a reciprocal services agreement, I took it to mean that if you have a library card with either system, you will be able to use the services of, and borrow materials from, the other system as well.

Label this â��Win-Winâ��

It is possible to support your local school without spending one thin dime. The Campbell's Labels for Education project trades product labels turned in at school for computers, programs, technical support items, digital equipment and much more.

Democrat delegate update

note from Michael Wilson -- Hello Ruston Connection! First of all thank you for recognizing me in the March 2008 publication. I was mentioned as one of the County Delegates nominated and elected to represent the Democratic Party of our district.

Ruston residents represent Democrats and Republicans as delegates

Ruston had a good showing of approximately 50 residents who attended the Democratic caucus at Truman Middle School and the Republican caucus at the Tacoma Dome, both held on February 15. Six citizens emerged as County wide delegates: Ed Algeo, Michelle Ruiz, Michael Wilson, Vidya Thirumurthy and Sue Hines, Democrats; and Jane Hunt, Republican.

Fire chief calls for emergency replacement fire truck

Fire Chief Don Torbet has requested an emergency replacement fire truck, citing problems that render the department’s second fire truck unreliable to perform as a back up vehicle in an emergency. He recommended acquiring a used 1989 Beck Ottawa Pumper available through Fire Trucks Plus, Inc.

Should Ruston put a L.I.D. on it?

The developer of Point Ruston seeks approval by the Town Council to create a Local Improvement District (LID) in order to help finance as much as $16 million in improvements related to the changes to Ruston Way and Baltimore Street. At the Town Council meeting scheduled for February 19, 2008, Ralph Rodriguez of the City of Tacoma and Attorney Hugh Spitzer provided general information about Local Improvement Districts and their benefits and risks.

Newly appointed interim police chief

Sharon Tolton-Reese was sworn in as Ruston’s interim police chief at the February 25 Town Council meeting. She assumed her duties officially on March 10.

2008 Pancake Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt

Don’t miss this annual event which takes place on the Saturday before Easter, March 22. Bring the kids or grandkids for the egg hunt which takes place early Saturday morning on Winnifred Street near Town Hall. Even if you don't have children in the event, you will enjoy watching the spectacle. Sherri Forch is organizing the Easter egg hunt and is seeking volunteers to prepare the eggs, hide them and chaperon the event.

Point Ruston EIS

There's still a little over two weeks left to provide public comment and Pt Ruston is hoping to reach as many interested citizens as possible. In case you've already been to the Point Ruston EIS website www.PointRustonSEIS.com, a new spreadsheet was posted today entitled "Comparison by Intensity." It compares the various alternatives discussed in the 1997 EIS with the 2008 DSEIS now being reviewed.

(info from J.J. McCament, Pt Ruston)

Rules of Engagement

During the past two years Ruston Town Council has had a progressively diffult time getting the town's business done. At last night's council meeting new rules of order were put into effect until further notice. If you'd like to hear the audio recording of the 20 minute free-for-all that precipitated these new rules of engagement, click here. A letter from Councilmember Huson was distributed to the residents attending the meeting to further explain his reasons for proposing these remedial meeting procedures. Both the rules and the letter follow.