Noteworthies with a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Navy Rear Adm. William D. French for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and for assignment as commander, Navy Installations Command, Washington, D.C. French is currently serving as commander, Navy Region Southwest, San Diego, Calif.

Rear Adm. French previously served as Commander Navy Region NW in 2007.

First Honored for Business Support of Military

For the first time, the Tacoma-Piece County Chamber honored a local business for its support of the military in our community. Award sponsor the Port of Tacoma, represented by Commissioner Connie Bacon, made the first presentation to America’s Credit Union.
Pictured:  Lorraine Chambers, Ambassador, Diane Branson, ACU and Tom Pierson, Chamber Pres./CEO.

America’s Credit Union‘s motto is “We do things a little differently around here.” Since establishing itself in 1954, they have grown from one branch to 11 branches; from 3 employees to over 135 and from 150 members to over 37,000 members. In spite of these tough economic times, they are not only doing things a little differently, but doing them well.

Their leadership believes in sharing their success with Joint Base Lewis-McChord and local communities. Whether it’s sponsoring the fireworks for Freedom Fest or helping a food bank in Roy, their contributions are commendable.

Thanks to the generosity of ACU staff, members, volunteers and leadership team ACU annually makes significant contributions to the JBLM community and Army related events, totaling over $157,000. ACU also makes a yearly $15,000 donation to the Pierce Military and Business Alliance (PMBA). This organization has made many contributions to the Army and Air Force units on JBLM.

ACU not only supported troops and families through the partnership with PMBA but also contributed and raised funds through their own efforts including:

• 10th Annual Holiday Troop Support Golf Tournament- a full time employee is committed to garner sponsors and coordinate this annual event. This past year, the tournament raised over $40,000 and the money raised went to The Food Basket, Santa’s Castle, The Madigan Foundation and to Reflection Park.

• Reflection Park Fund: $30,000 was raised through ACU’s coordination of the Reflection Park Golf Tournament. This Park is a war memorial for all fallen soldiers who have ties to Washington State. Ken Leonard, President/CEO, worked closely with COL. Cynthia Murphy to develop this Reflection Park Fund to create this war memorial.

• St. Martins Scholarship Program: ACU funded the scholarship with $10,000 to be given to a soldier from the WTB for continuing education at St. Martins University.

• Launched Junior Achievement Program in several local schools with the Clover Park, North Thurston and Steilacoom School Districts.

• Supported over 40 community events in the areas surrounding 8 branches located off JBLM with donation dollars totaling over $35,000.

The Spotlight! On Business awards recognizes the accomplishments and civic contributions that Chamber member businesses make to the community. The judging committee, made up of volunteers, based their choices on the following five criteria: staying power, growth in employees, evidence of contributions to community-oriented projects, innovativeness of product or service and response to adversity.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert announced today the following assignment:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Douglas J. Asbjornsen will be assigned as reserve deputy commander, Navy Region Northwest, Bangor, Wash. Asbjornsen is currently serving as reserve deputy commander, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, San Diego, Calif.

Vet Owned Business Makes Spotlight

Koreen (the vet) and Erle Thompson, Home Makeovers Made Simple received the newly added category, Port of Tacoma Presents “Business Supporter of the Military,” as announced at the recent Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s awards luncheon.

The Spotlight! On Business awards recognizes the accomplishments and civic contributions that Chamber member businesses make to the community. The judging committee, made up of volunteers, based their choices on the following five criteria: staying power, growth in employees, evidence of contributions to community-oriented projects, innovativeness of product or service and response to adversity.

Photo: Chamber Pres./CEO Tom Pierson, Erle and Koreen Thompson, Home Makeovers Made Simple, Lorraine Chambers, Ambassador.

Today, value has changed from looking at a house from strictly an investment perspective to transforming a house to a home. Home Makeovers Made Simple, a Tacoma based remodel company executes detailed preparation and professional supervision to ensure every project designed works in harmony with clients’ lives and actually enhance the way they live them. Home Makeovers Made Simple stays current with design trends, colors, resources, and suppliers to offer clients the most up-to date choices and best values within the market place. The goal is a long term client relationship built on trust, accountability and a positive remodel experience worth sharing.

To the Chamber's delight, Darrel Bowman, last year's recipient, during the presentation of the award to this year's recipient mentioned that because he was recognized with the Chamber's 2010 award and "spotlighted," he was nominated and then received SBA's national Veteran-owned business award (in other words, he credited the Chamber's Spotlight award for his national "win").

AUSA Raffle for Soldiers

Career Day Success

Over 500 vets preregistered for interviews with over 30 companies exhibiting at  Career Day at Cheney Stadium earlier this month.

The Chamber joined other presenters for the event organized by Hire America;'s Heroes and sponsored by many businesses for this first time event.  The Tacoma event is one of a series of similar job fairs being held throughout the nation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, its local chamber partners and associated organizations.

Pictured are exhibitors and vets & families sneaking a peek at the Tacoma Rainiers play field at Cheney Stadium. Vets got to attend that evening's game between the Rainiers and the Fresno Grizzlies.  Photo courtesy of Tacoma Rainiers Professional Baseball.

Proposed Rules Against MARAD Ships

Washington State, through its Shoreline Management Act, requires all jurisdictions to develop a plan for managing shorelines. Shorelines are the area from the water's edge for 200 feet inland.

Tacoma is in the final stages of its Shoreline Master Program Update. The Tacoma Planning Commission has recommended the Tacoma City Council adopt a land use zoning regulation that would negatively impact the MARAD vessel moorage at Sperry Ocean Dock.

These vessels are actively used for training and support of the JBLM mission, as well as a number of operational and training uses for military, security, law enforcement and firefighters. Much myth-information about these ships is used by opponents of their continued operations here.

The most critical issue is the recommendation to move the boundary between the zoning area Shoreline-6 District (for pedestrian and recreational use) to include lands currently in the zoning area Shoreline-7 District (for industrial and terminals use). That move will cause the Sperry Ocean Dock property, leased for MARAD ships, to become a non-conforming use, subject to harmful constraints on future financing, leasing and permitting.

You are urged to oppose this action and keep Sperry in the Shoreline-7 District. You may comment at a final public hearing on:

September 27, 5:30 p.m.
Tacoma Council Chambers
747 Market Street, Tacoma 98402

. . . or write or email your concerns to:

Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Councilmembers
City of Tacoma
747 Market Street, Suite 1200, Tacoma, WA 98402
Email: Marilyn.Strickland@cityoftacoma.org

The final vote for adoption is scheduled for November 22.  Don't delay as your support in needed now.

WNG Job & Resource Fair

Weekend of Rememberance

Sept. 11 is Patriot Day

Just a reminder that September 11 is annual Patriot Day (Public Law 107-89), and all flags should be at half-staff.

For Washington State Agencies that do not have personnel available to lower flags on Sunday morning, it is permissible to lower flags to half-staff tomorrow afternoon and raise them back to full-staff first thing Monday morning.

AUSA Minuteman Chapter Takes Over