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 C
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
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 even
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 pa
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
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
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 Latasha Palmer. 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 Latasha Palmer 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
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Whitney Steves. On the podcast, 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 Whitney Stevens 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 offic
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Anthony “Tony” Ginn. On the podcast, 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 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 park
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Anders Ibsen. On the podcast, 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 Anders Ibsen 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
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Steve Haverly. On the podcast, 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 Steve Haverly 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 a
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Jesse Carlos. On the podcast, 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 Jesse Carlos 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
The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Councilmember John Hines. On the podcast, 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 John Hines 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
What’s happening with Tacoma’s streets? An initiative would help fund continued street improvements. What happened with the last one? How are our streets doing? And what will it cost? Whenever we have transportation questions, we turn to Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker. Tune in. Links Kristina Walker Yes to Prop 1 Channel 253 membership
On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we sit down with Lowell Wyse, executive director of the Tacoma Tree Foundation. We talk about Tacoma’s urban forest, the canopy, protections for heritage trees, “Home in Tacoma,” making 2025 the year of the tree, and much more. Links Tacoma Tree Foundation Channel 253 membership
Longtime Channel 253 host Evelyn Lopez joins the podcast to look back at Tacoma’s 2024 and chat about the year ahead. We also look back at some highlights of the podcast Crossing Division. Note, we recorded this earlier in December before the board of Metro Parks called a special meeting to appoint Alisa Lee to the board. Evelyn was correct! They decided to handle this before they lost their quorum. Links Channel 253 membership
Sarah Rumbaugh represents District 2 in Tacoma. On this episode, we go on-location to Cremello Cafe to talk about vandalism and small businesses in Tacoma. We also discuss homelessness, grease traps, Tacoma’s tree canopy, “structural deficits,” and much more. Enjoy this episode with Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh. Links Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh Channel 253 membership
Sandesh Sadalge was appointed to represent Tacoma’s District 4 after the passing of Catherine Ushka earlier this year. On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, Councilmember Sadalge shares his story: what brought him to Tacoma and what’s happening in District 4 and on the City Council. We dive into grease traps (not literally), Home in Tacoma Phase 2, and Tacoma’s tree canopy. Enjoy this episode with Tacoma’s newest city council member! Links Councilmember Sandesh Sadalge Channel 253 membership
Today’s guest is Tacoma firefighter and union president Allyson Hinzman. She talks about how she moved from corporate America to firefighting in her hometown and then lays out the challenges she sees with Tacoma’s ability to respond to fires and medical emergencies, specifically in light of next year’s City of Tacoma budget proposals. Links Tacoma IAFF Local 31 Channel 253 membership
On this special edition of Citizen Tacoma, Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer joins the podcast to talk about election and ballot security with host Erik Hanberg and Sound Producer Doug. We discuss drop boxes, the security at the election center, voter tabulation, misinformation and much more. Linda also brings some trivia questions! Enjoy Links Pierce County Elections About Linda Farmer Channel 253 membership
We’ve got a pair of candidate interviews for you! We invited the two candidates for Assessor-Treasurer to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the role. This is an often overlooked race, but it’s just the kind of wonky civic topic we like to tackle at Citizen Tacoma. This interview is with Marty Campbell. Tune in to this interview and then check out all the rest of the candidates on CitizenTacoma.com or in your favorite podcast app. Links Marty Campbell Channel 253 membership
