Click here to read Mr. Maddock's other insights about this election.

In overpowering numbers, monetary supporters of Mrs Bird are University Place residents while the monetary supporters of her opponent come from OUTSIDE University Place, again, in overwhelming numbers.  Boy!  That really ought to tell us something.

Linda has received the endorsement of The News Tribune in the November 3rd general election.

The News Tribune’s editorial board endorsed Bird in the primary because she has been part of a council majority that has been a force for dramatically positive change in University Place. One need only look at its parks, sidewalks, streetlights and other amenities to see what Bird and her colleagues have accomplished for the young city.

Bird, a pioneer of incorporation, deserves another term. Her opponent has not made a compelling case for unseating her. Indeed, some who have served with him on other boards describe him as divisive and inflexible – two qualities that would not serve him well on the City Council.

You know what they say about sunlight. (click to enlarge)

Pat Maddock maintains the entertaining and informative University Place: What's Up? blog that chronicles the local goings on as well as developments in the University Place real estate market. He is the former President of the Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors, current Vice-President of the Washington Realtors, serves on the board of directors of the University Place/Fircrest division of the Tacoma-Piece County Chamber of Commerce and, last but not least, serves on the Economic Development Commission of the City of University Place. Mr. Maddock, a resident since 1953, offered the following thoughtful and generous endorsement of Linda's re-election:

In Linda Bird, not only do you have the leading reason why our young city has accomplished so very much in it’s brief existence but I and MANY other U.P. citizens see clearly that in this dedicated, intelligent and respectful public servant lies the most sound future we can envision for our city.  My public endorsement for Mayor Linda Bird stands.  I encourage each of you as enthusiastically as I possibly can to vote for Linda Bird and more importantly to urge your neighbors to fill their ballots out and return them before the 18th, too.

Linda has received the endorsement of The News Tribune.

"If anybody on the University Place City Council embodies the spirit of the city, it is Bird.

She was the campaign manager for UP’s cityhood effort in 1994, and was called “the mother of incorporation” in tribute to her leadership. She is one of five remaining members of University Place’s first City Council who took office in May 1995, and now she is seeking another term.

Voters should give it to her – not just as payback for the hard work she has put into the city but also because she’s the best of the three candidates running for Position 1.

Bird – who is currently serving as mayor – has been a champion for parks, sidewalks and expanding the city’s tax base."

News Flash!!!

The City of University Place has received news of another federal grant award. The city has been allocated $750,000 from the “Safe Routes to Schools” grant program to build curb, gutter, sidewalk, and bike lane on the east side of the street between 27th and 19th along Grandview Drive!!!  

Also, did you know you can take a “hard hat” tour of the Town Center “Market  Square” project every Monday afternoon when there is a Council Meeting scheduled for that evening. The first tour will  start on July 13th  at 4:30 PM. No reservations needed.

Mayor Linda Bird and the City of University Place were members of a “Transportation Coalition” that successfully lobbied the State Legislature to provide major highway improvements in Pierce County. Highlights of the bill signed by the Governor Gregoire on Wednesday May 13th include: extending car-pool lanes on Interstate 5 to Tacoma, widening or realigning portions of SR 161, purchasing property for the future expansion of SR 167, safety improvements to SR 302, widening SR 410, as well as improvement to roads, bridges, railroad tracks and ferry facilities in the region.

Click here to read more about it in The News Tribune.