Crossing Division

Hello from post-election Tacoma! So many interesting races; so much tea. Justin Camarata joins host Evelyn Lopez to run through all the local elections, consider the impact (or lack thereof) of independent expenditure campaign ads, and focus on why local elections really do matter. We are looking forward to new ideas from our newly elected public officials and charter review commissioners!

If you have thoughts on this episode, send us an email: [email protected], or find us on social media.

Thanks for listening!

Election Day 2025 approaches, and it’s a big one for Tacoma! We are electing a new Mayor. four City Council members, Port and Parks Commissioners, and there is a County Charter Review Commission, which we only see every 10 years. So, we thought a Crossing Division and Nerd Farmer collaboration was in order. This is a two part podcast because there are A LOT of positions to talk through.

Part 2: Tacoma Mayor, Tacoma City Council, Tacoma Civil Service Board, Tacoma School Board, and the Metro Parks (Parks Tacoma) Board. Some of these candidates are the future leaders of our state. Let’s elect the people that our city needs to move forward!

Note: Please vote early! Election day is November 4, but if you drop your ballot in the US Mail there could be delays due to the federal shut down. Drop your ballot in a ballot box, or make sure it is postmarked before Nov. 4.

Crossing Division: Evelyn and Joe Lopez     Nerd Farmer: Nate Bowling

Election Day 2025 approaches, and it’s a big one for Tacoma! We are electing a new Mayor. four City Council members, Port and Parks Commissioners, and there is a County Charter Review Commission, which we only see every 10 years. So, we thought a Crossing Division and Nerd Farmer collaboration was in order. This is a two part podcast because there are A LOT of positions to talk through.

Part 1: Initiative 8201, a Senate race for Legislative District 26, a County Council race for District 5, all the candidates for the Pierce County Charter Review Commission, and the three Port of Tacoma Commissioner races. Let’s elect the people that our city needs to move forward!

Note: Please vote early! Election day is November 4, but if you drop your ballot in the US Mail there could be delays due to the federal shut down. Drop your ballot in a ballot box, or make sure it is postmarked before Nov. 4.

Crossing Division: Evelyn and Joe Lopez     Nerd Farmer: Nate Bowling

Well, it has been a while since the last Crossing Division podcast. We felt we were becoming too cynical about our local government, and we needed a break (check out Kitchen253.com). But these are hard times in our country, and information about local civic action is critical to safeguarding our community. So, here we are…

Host Evelyn Lopez sits down with Rob Huff from the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance to discuss a proposal to expand Tacoma’s “camping ban” to cover almost all of downtown Tacoma and many areas that were not covered by the 2022 ban. A camping ban is not about s’mores and ghost stories around the campfire. It’s about criminalizing living unhoused, on the streets. It’s about making the poorest in our city criminals simply because they have run out of options. It is not compassionate. It is not kind.

Rob describes the reality of available shelter beds and emergency facilities for winter extreme cold days. There are not many, and this ban would make things much worse. People are dying, and this ban will not do anything to help.

The proposal comes before the Tacoma City Council for their October 14, 2025 meeting. The prime sponsor is Councilmember Hines, who is running for Mayor. Is this all just a campaign stunt in the week before ballots drop? Or does it reflect a new level of callousness on our city council? Listen to the discussion and let us know what you think.

Evelyn Lopez:  [email protected]  or find me on social media @true_tacoma

Well, here we are, three weeks from the general election. So many critical races, so many huge issues! This episode of Crossing Division is a companion to the Nerd Farmer voters’ guide podcast. We will cover the Supreme Court positions, and then we will go local, super local.

Because in addition to all the national and state campaigns, we have Tacoma election issues too.  Specifically, six proposed amendments to the Tacoma City Charter. Boring? No. Infuriating? You bet!

Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez review the proposed charter amendments, compare them with the recommendations of the Charter Review Committee, and consider whether any should be approved. (Spoiler: none of them.)

If you have not received your voters’ guides, you can find them here:

Voters Pamphlet 2024 – Edition 09 – Pierce.pdf (wa.gov)

2024 General Election Voters’ Pamphlet by Pierce County – Issuu

It can be hard to make friends, connect with your town, feel like you are part of positive changes. Volunteering can help open doors to finding your people and putting down roots in your community. But to be honest, some volunteer activity just sucks the life out of you. How do you find a way to engage that is nourishing and meaningful?

Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez sit down with Dorian Waller, who has been active in local political and social justice groups. Dorian talks about how to get involved, and how to assess whether an activity is good for you, for your health and for your soul.

Let us know what you think. You can email us at [email protected], or find us on social media @True_Tacoma.

Tacoma, we love you, and your political controversies never disappoint. Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez sit down with Justin Camarata to discuss, and dish, the city council appointment process to fill district 4, the difficult issues facing Congressional candidates for WA=6, and the wild election season ahead.

We are always interested in your thoughts and feedback. Email us at [email protected] or find us on social media @True_Tacoma.

Every ten years, the City of Tacoma engages in a Charter Review. It’s time again, and hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez review and discuss the most significant changes recommended by the Charter Review Committee. Are they good ideas? What happens next?

Here is the April 29 Draft Recommendations–it’s a lot of information, but worth the read:  City of Tacoma Charter Review Committee Recommendatons

If you have questions or comments, please get in touch!  Email: [email protected], or find us on most social media as @True_Tacoma.

After a hiatus to clear our heads and figure out what we want to still talk about, Evelyn and Joe Lopez are back in the studio to talk about local developments in Tacoma with the LNG Plant, PSE billing plans, Point Ruston drama, local politics, and other odds and ends.

As discussed in the podcast, here’s a link to a recent article in the Seattle Times about the LNG Plant, violations of clean air laws, and a very fishy financing scheme to use their land customers to pay for a marine fuel terminal. Shenanigans!  Puget Sound Energy facility has violated air permit over a dozen times | The Seattle Times

We will try to keep to a more regular recording schedule, maybe every other week, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on our format and topics. You can email us at [email protected] or find us on social media @True_Tacoma.

Well, there are still some ballots left to count, but most races have been called. Tacoma City Council Position 7 will remain with incumbent Councilmember Olgy Diaz, and Tacoma will welcome new District 3 Councilmember Jamika Scott at the beginning of 2024, And Tacoma’s Tenants Bill of Rights is passing; it’s close, but it’s passing.

Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez review the election results that consider what the results signal about Tacoma in 2023. Listen and let us know what you think.

Email:  [email protected]   Social Media: @true_tacoma