Citizen Tacoma

Dec 30 2024 100 ep. 46 mins 165
Citizen Tacoma Podcast artwork

Citizen Tacoma explores how Tacoma's local politics function and how regular people get involved to make change. We talk to elected officials, candidates, activists, organizers, and learn how to engage and make government work for us.

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Looking back at Tacoma’s 2024, with Evelyn Lopez

Dec 30 2024 63 mins  
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

Representing Tacoma’s District 2, Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh

Dec 16 2024 43 mins  
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

Representing Tacoma’s District 4, meet Councilmember Sandesh Sadalge

Dec 11 2024 36 mins  
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

Tacoma Fire, with Local 31 president Allyson Hinzman

Nov 28 2024 32 mins  
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 membe

Election security with Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer

Nov 01 2024 28 mins  
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 L

Marty Campbell, candidate for Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer

Oct 07 2024 22 mins  
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 can

Kent Keel, candidate for Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer

Oct 07 2024 31 mins  
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 Kent Keel. Tune in to this interview and then check out all the rest of the candidat

Back to school with Director Lisa Keating, Tacoma Public Schools

Sep 07 2024 49 mins  
Lisa Keating, one of the five Tacoma school board members, joins Citizen Tacoma for a Back-to-School-themed episode. We check in on what's happening with the district, including graduation rates, online schools, meals, the partnership with the Port, school calendar and holidays, and much more. Links Lisa Keating and the school board Channel 253 membership

Talking transit (again!) with Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker

May 19 2024 38 mins  
On this episode, we welcome Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker, a Pierce Transit commissioner and a Sound Transit board member. We discuss what's happening with transit in Tacoma and the wider region. We focus on the bus driver shortage that is affecting the 590 and 594 routes, light rail, the PT Runner service, the "Stream," and much more. Links Kristina Walker Channel

Michelle Douglas—Emergency Food Network

Mar 13 2024 38 mins  
Welcome back to another episode of Citizen Tacoma! Michelle Douglas joins the podcast to discuss hunger in Pierce County. She gives an update on some of the ways Emergency Food Network and the food pantries across the county are serving those who need food. We also check-in about the arts, the economy, downtown Tacoma, and more. Enjoy! Links Emergency Food Network Channel 253