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November/December President's Message

By Paula Reeves, AICP CTP

With the holidays upon us, I am thinking back over the past year and all that the Chapter has accomplished. 2016 has been full of member-led APA events and activities at the Section, Chapter and National levels. Just a few of the many highlights of this past year for me included:

  • Chapter endorsement of the first Carbon Tax Legislation in the nation. Although I-732 didn’t pass this year, it was a victory to get this groundbreaking initiative on the ballot and I am proud to say that APA Washington was a part of it.
  • Securing both Chapter and National APA funding ($50K) to support the “Collaborative Road Map,” a multi-agency/organization effort to objectively review and modernize Washington’s planning laws including GMA, SEPA, SMA, Water Coordination Planning, governance and finance.
  • Creation of the new South Sound Section and other efforts to incorporate and reach historically underserved parts of our state with APA events, activities, and education opportunities.
  • Development of a pilot Great Places in Washington Awards program.
  • Jointly hosting another APA Oregon-Washington Chapter Conference in Portland in October with record attendance and a jam-packed schedule of outstanding sessions and speakers. Several moments from the Conference are pictured here:

Photos courtesy of Michael Cardwell

The 2016 successes continue:

  • Chapter membership is up;
  • Our efforts to provide an increased number of high quality, affordable, and accessible events and education opportunities continues; 
  • Our Community Planning Assistance and Youth in Planning Committees are doing outstanding work across the state;
  • All Board of Directors positions are filled; and, 
  • We have elected an outstanding slate of new APA Washington Chapter Officers. 

This month, the Board is expected to approve a 2017 Chapter budget and associated priorities consistent with the feedback we have received from members and the Chapter’s 2016-2019 Strategic Plan. We would sincerely appreciate your input and feedback regarding priorities for 2017.

As always, I invite you to drop me a line or call me directly at [email protected] or 360-701-1943.

All the Best – Paula Reeves

Return to the November/December issue of The Washington Planner