Gig Harbor Community Member

Letter to the Editor | Is the DeMolay Sandspit really ‘developed’ property?

Apr 02, 2024

The PenMet Board, at its last meeting, and Steve Nixon in an email to a resident living in the district both stated that the newly adopted Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve Master Plan is a plan simply to improve on what is already “developed” land.  That seems to be contradictory to the property’s name (which

Letter to the Editor | Concerns about PenMet leadership

Apr 01, 2024

As with many other folks in the greater Gig Harbor area, I am increasingly concerned about the direction of the current PenMet Parks leadership, with respect to the size & scope of recent levy proposals (reference the proposed 30% increase last November 2023 that fortunately failed), and now the most current proposal being studied for

Letter to the Editor | Options for the April 23 property tax proposition

Mar 29, 2024

Dear Gig Harbor neighbors, I’ve been answering a lot of questions about the proposed Property tax increase you will see on your April 23 ballot. Proposition 1 will be on the April 23 ballot for your Gig Harbor Citizens’ vote. The proposition asks property owners to vote to increase your Gig Harbor property taxes 57%

Letter to the Editor | More options for ADA compliance in parks

Mar 28, 2024

I read with interest the letter from Craig McLaughlin regarding the Fox Island Sandspit Park. I agree, less intrusion into this natural area, less expense and construction traffic in the area is desirable. I think there may be many more options for ADA compliance in our parks. There are several assistive Off-road wheelchair devices that

Letter to the Editor | A suggestion for the DeMolay Sandspit

Mar 25, 2024

First, let me add a caveat here:  As I said in an earlier Letter to the Editor, the acoustics at the last PenMet Board meeting were terrible for me and for others.  I don’t have the best hearing anyway, but I found it extremely difficult to hear every word being said.  If anything I say

Letter to the editor | PenMet meetings should be audible as well as open

Mar 21, 2024

I want to address a major procedural and potentially legal issue arising from the last PenMet Board meeting. I attended a Board meeting back in January at the new headquarters building for PenMet at the Community Recreation Center. It was difficult to hear what the Commissioners were saying because there was no sound system amplifying

Guest column | North Creek: Quality over quantity

Mar 20, 2024

An article titled “Idle incubator largely responsible for absent chum run” was posted online by Gig Harbor Now on Jan. 16.  The article quotes a source who describes North Creek as a “glorified drainage ditch” and implies the watershed is incapable of supporting fish populations without the help of the remote site hatchery “incubator” at

Letter to the Editor | Is the Sports Complex too expensive for Gig Harbor?

Mar 13, 2024

The City of Gig Harbor’s Resolution 1309 (adopting the Gig Harbor Sports Complex Phase 2 and 3 Feasibility Study) states that the need for athletic fields in the Gig Harbor area has been documented for many years, including in the City’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan. Yet, the PROS Plan states: “Residents generally feel

12 from GHFMO climb 1,356 steps in blood cancer fundraiser

Mar 11, 2024

Congratulations to your Local 3390 Firefighters! Twelve members of Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One & Local 3390 conquered the 2024 Firefighter Stairclimb on Sunday, March 10, with grit and determination, reaching new heights not just in the Columbia Center but in their commitment to making a difference in the fight against blood cancer. Their

Letter to the Editor | Peninsula High Key Club collects 950 pounds of pet food

Mar 05, 2024

To Best Friends Doggie Day Care, Bayside Animal Lodge, Gig Harbor YMCA, and Gig Harbor community. On behalf of Peninsula High School’s Kiwanis Key Club and our community service project, Paws-4-a-Cause, we extend our deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity and support. Your contributions have made a significant impact on our mission to provide for