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January President's Message

By Paula Reeves, AICP CTP

Happy New Year APA Washington! We are ringing in 2016 with inspiration and continued positive change. On January 6th, 2016 APA Washington hosted a Curbside Chat with Charles Marhon, Strong Towns founder and President at the South Puget Sound Community College, Lacey campus. This event marked the initiation of the new South Sound Section of APA Washington and expanded opportunities for planners in this historically underserved portion of the state. Seattle Greenways Alliance filmed the event, so make sure to check our website in the coming weeks for the video in case you missed it. Planners in the South Sound, look for more information and an event calendar soon. If you are interested in serving on the new Section Board or volunteering, contact Rick Walk at [email protected].

Jan. 6 Curbside Chat


Planning for the 2016 Annual Conference is underway. This year’s conference will be held in partnership with APA Oregon Chapter in Portland this October. If you are interested in getting involved in conference planning, please contact me at: [email protected]

Be sure to check the APA website for more information or to submit session proposals.

Climate change continues to be a focus in the new year. APA Washington is considering hosting a dialog in early 2016 with sponsors of Washington climate initiative(s). We want to learn more and share this information with membership. I would appreciate hearing your feedback and ideas about how this could best be accomplished.

Reflecting back over 2015, it was a great year for the organization and planning. We have a lot of new APA members and long-time members that are engaged and continue to support the Chapter. The 2015 National Conference in Seattle was a success thanks to so many dedicated volunteers.  2015 also marked the 25th Anniversary of our State’s Growth Management Legislation and the Chapter and partners celebrated with a very well attended, engaging, and thought provoking one-day conference.

In addition to these major milestones, the Chapter has done so much great committee work this past year. A few highlights include:

  • Adopting a new 2015-2017 Strategic Plan,
  • Publishing a new Biennial Report with input from each and every APA Committee,
  • Providing additional education opportunities in each part of the state,
  • Updating our legislative agenda based on the 10 Big Ideas that so many of you participated in shaping,
  • Completing a new video series to help communicate key planning topics,
  • Launching a diversity initiative, and
  • Developing a ‘Great Places in Washington’ awards program.

I want to give a special thanks Joe Tovar for his work on the GMA 25th Anniversary Conference, Josh Peters, Vice President, for all his work on the legislative agenda, Ivan Miller for the outstanding Biennial Report. Also, the National Conference Committee Co-Chairs, Paul Inghram and Deborah Munkberg deserve a special thank you. Lastly, our fantastic Communications Committee, chaired by Kim Selby and Nikole Coleman-Porter, has done a wonderful job this past year.   

We have a New Planner’s Group Chair (formerly Young Planners Group), Katie Haima. Welcome Katie!

As always, I invite you to drop me a line or call me to let me know of other news around the state at [email protected] or 360-701-1943.

All the Best – Paula Reeves

Return to January issue of The Washington Planner