County Talk Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:49:02 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2134609 en-us © 2026 County Talk yes 2cc099c2-edfc-52d9-97bf-0cbee7bd7109 bryan.dominique@piercecountywa.gov Bryan episodic false We know cities. We know states. But do we know counties? On this podcast, we talk with people from across Pierce County, Washington about everything from Farmers' Markets and legislation to upcoming innovations and what County government does.  


 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Bryan bryan.dominique@piercecountywa.gov https://storage.buzzsprout.com/6l00pr94ctkqbhiajj90508c7wts?.jpg County Talk Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank Jaire Winesberry sits down with Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank to discuss the role of an elected sheriff, public safety, community relations with law enforcement, and how the Sheriff's Department collaborates with the Pierce County Council and its Public Safety Committee. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Jaire Winesberry sits down with Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank to discuss the role of an elected sheriff, public safety, community relations with law enforcement, and how the Sheriff's Department collaborates with the Pierce County Council and its Public Safety Committee. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-18102422 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:00:00 -0700 1305 3 3 full false Ryan Mello, Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, Pierce County Executive County Talk is back! Jaire speaks with Ryan Mello, the Pierce County Executive, about his role, his responsibilities, and the Executive's relationship to the Council as a co-equal branch of government and role in the legislative process. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> County Talk is back! Jaire speaks with Ryan Mello, the Pierce County Executive, about his role, his responsibilities, and the Executive's relationship to the Council as a co-equal branch of government and role in the legislative process. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-17902055 Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:00:00 -0700 1709 3 2 full false The Legislative Process The Legislative Process On our first episode of 2025, Jaire sits down with Council Chair Jani Hitchen (District 6) to discuss how proposals become laws and policies become official in Pierce County Government. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> On our first episode of 2025, Jaire sits down with Council Chair Jani Hitchen (District 6) to discuss how proposals become laws and policies become official in Pierce County Government. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-17237624 Tue, 27 May 2025 18:00:00 -0700 1843 3 1 full false Youth Justice Youth Justice Today, Jaire Winesberry speaks with two community champions who work on the frontline of youth justice and community reintegration. Clarissa Fletcher, Juvenile Court Community and Volunteer Services Coordinator with Pierce County, and Travis Stull, the Program Director for Alchemy Skateboarding Tacoma, share information about the juvenile justice system in Pierce County and the programs that help improve the outcomes for justice-involved youth, including Alchemy Skateboarding's METALS program, which uses skateboarding and skateboard manufacturing as a tool to help youth transition out of the Juvenile Court system and build a network of positive supporters, mentors, and friends. 



On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Today, Jaire Winesberry speaks with two community champions who work on the frontline of youth justice and community reintegration. Clarissa Fletcher, Juvenile Court Community and Volunteer Services Coordinator with Pierce County, and Travis Stull, the Program Director for Alchemy Skateboarding Tacoma, share information about the juvenile justice system in Pierce County and the programs that help improve the outcomes for justice-involved youth, including Alchemy Skateboarding's METALS program, which uses skateboarding and skateboard manufacturing as a tool to help youth transition out of the Juvenile Court system and build a network of positive supporters, mentors, and friends. 



On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-15578771 Tue, 13 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0700 2158 2 4 full false For the Love of Community For the Love of Community On this episode of County Talk, Jaire sits down with Goodroots Northwest CEO Stacey Crnich to explore how a local food bank in Bonney Lake, Washington, leverages innovation and collaboration to tackle the ever-growing problem of families impacted by food insecurities in Pierce County. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Goodroots Northwest: GoodRoots Northwest (Pierce County, WA)
Stacey Crnich: (17) Stacey Crnich | LinkedIn

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> On this episode of County Talk, Jaire sits down with Goodroots Northwest CEO Stacey Crnich to explore how a local food bank in Bonney Lake, Washington, leverages innovation and collaboration to tackle the ever-growing problem of families impacted by food insecurities in Pierce County. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Goodroots Northwest: GoodRoots Northwest (Pierce County, WA)
Stacey Crnich: (17) Stacey Crnich | LinkedIn

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-14920220 Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:00:00 -0700 4427 2 3 full false Women's History and Black History with Shellie Willis Women's History and Black History with Shellie Willis Shellie Willis, the Senior Director of Collective Impact with WorkForce Central in Pierce County, talks with Jaire about Women's History, Black History, and how those stories have intersected throughout time.

Shelli is a U.S. Army Veteran and leader in work force development. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Shellie Willis, the Senior Director of Collective Impact with WorkForce Central in Pierce County, talks with Jaire about Women's History, Black History, and how those stories have intersected throughout time.

Shelli is a U.S. Army Veteran and leader in work force development. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-14654982 Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0800 2049 2 2 full false America's Strongest Man Lives in Eatonville America's Strongest Man Lives in Eatonville Today, Jaire is talking with Lucas Hatton, with Lucas Hatton, who hails from Eatonville and was recently named America's Strongest Man! Hatton’s journey to claim the title of America's Strongest Man is characterized by an unwavering passion for strength sports that began at Eatonville High School, where he excelled in football and track. Explore the world of strength sports here in Pierce County. 

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SHOW NOTES: 

4th Annual Rainier Classic Pro/Am: 2-day strongman contest featuring some of the best professional strongmen and strongwomen from around the country. The Rainier Classic also features novice, amateur, masters, and Special Olympics divisions. 

When: May 4th and 5th 2024. The Amateur and Novice show starts at 9 a.m. both days. Pro show starts at 1 p.m. both days.

Where: Greater Tacoma Convention Center

Additional event information available at @rainierclassic on Instagram

Spectator ticket presale link: https://form.jotform.com/233511186037148 

Connect with Lucas Hatton

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Today, Jaire is talking with Lucas Hatton, with Lucas Hatton, who hails from Eatonville and was recently named America's Strongest Man! Hatton’s journey to claim the title of America's Strongest Man is characterized by an unwavering passion for strength sports that began at Eatonville High School, where he excelled in football and track. Explore the world of strength sports here in Pierce County. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

SHOW NOTES: 

4th Annual Rainier Classic Pro/Am: 2-day strongman contest featuring some of the best professional strongmen and strongwomen from around the country. The Rainier Classic also features novice, amateur, masters, and Special Olympics divisions. 

When: May 4th and 5th 2024. The Amateur and Novice show starts at 9 a.m. both days. Pro show starts at 1 p.m. both days.

Where: Greater Tacoma Convention Center

Additional event information available at @rainierclassic on Instagram

Spectator ticket presale link: https://form.jotform.com/233511186037148 

Connect with Lucas Hatton

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-14468521 Thu, 08 Feb 2024 19:00:00 -0800 2980 2 1 full false A Year in Review with Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen A Year in Review with Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen Today, I’m talking with Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen about this past year, 2023. Jani represents District 6 on the Pierce County Council, which includes the communities of Anderson, Ketron, and McNeil islands, Parkland, Steilacoom, the cities of DuPont and Lakewood, and the Army-Air Force installation of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Jani also chairs the County’s Health & Human Services Committee. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Today, I’m talking with Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen about this past year, 2023. Jani represents District 6 on the Pierce County Council, which includes the communities of Anderson, Ketron, and McNeil islands, Parkland, Steilacoom, the cities of DuPont and Lakewood, and the Army-Air Force installation of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Jani also chairs the County’s Health & Human Services Committee. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-14107136 Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0800 2008 full false Understanding the County Budget Understanding the County Budget Pierce County is beginning the process to develop the 2024-2025 Biennial Budget, but what is in a County budget, and more importantly, how do you prioritize the allocation of $3 Billion? Jaire sits down with Council Chair Ryan Mello to discuss this and more on this episode of County Talk.

Show Notes:
Executive Proposed Budget: Budget Documents | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)
2024-2025 Biennial Budget Development: 2024-2025 Biennial Budget Development | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

#budget

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Pierce County is beginning the process to develop the 2024-2025 Biennial Budget, but what is in a County budget, and more importantly, how do you prioritize the allocation of $3 Billion? Jaire sits down with Council Chair Ryan Mello to discuss this and more on this episode of County Talk.

Show Notes:
Executive Proposed Budget: Budget Documents | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)
2024-2025 Biennial Budget Development: 2024-2025 Biennial Budget Development | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

#budget

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-13642516 Fri, 22 Sep 2023 16:00:00 -0700 1273 1 1 full false Youth Mental Health Youth Mental Health On this episode, Bryan speaks with Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen, who is the Chair of the Pierce County Council Health and Human Services Committee and vice chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health, mental health. The conversation focuses on youth mental health, a topic of great importance to Jani based in part on her work and experiences as a former educator of Pierce County’s youth. The conversation follows the U.S. Surgeon General's announcement that there is an epidemic of loneliness in the United States, along with a presentation on youth violence to the Health and Human Services Committee. Bryan and Jani dig into these topics and more on this episode of Council Talk With...

Show Notes:
Kids Mental Health Pierce County: Kids Mental Health Pierce County – Linking arms to improve children’s mental health in Pierce County

Pierce County Boards & Commissions: Boards & Commissions | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

Birth to 25 Advisory Board: B-25 Advisory Board | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

County Behavioral Health Resources: | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

Behavioral Health Mapping Tool: Behavioral Health Services Locator (arcgis.com)

9-8-8 Info: NAMI_988_Infographic_R4 and Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

Office of the Pierce County Council: Pierce County, WA - Official Website | Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

A special thank you to the White River School District and White River High School for hosting the District One In-District Meeting on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, where we heard the speech from Nathaniel Gilbert,  a Sophomore with White River High School, on mental health and the healing effects of the Future Farmers of America. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> On this episode, Bryan speaks with Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen, who is the Chair of the Pierce County Council Health and Human Services Committee and vice chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health, mental health. The conversation focuses on youth mental health, a topic of great importance to Jani based in part on her work and experiences as a former educator of Pierce County’s youth. The conversation follows the U.S. Surgeon General's announcement that there is an epidemic of loneliness in the United States, along with a presentation on youth violence to the Health and Human Services Committee. Bryan and Jani dig into these topics and more on this episode of Council Talk With...

Show Notes:
Kids Mental Health Pierce County: Kids Mental Health Pierce County – Linking arms to improve children’s mental health in Pierce County

Pierce County Boards & Commissions: Boards & Commissions | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

Birth to 25 Advisory Board: B-25 Advisory Board | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

County Behavioral Health Resources: | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

Behavioral Health Mapping Tool: Behavioral Health Services Locator (arcgis.com)

9-8-8 Info: NAMI_988_Infographic_R4 and Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

Office of the Pierce County Council: Pierce County, WA - Official Website | Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

A special thank you to the White River School District and White River High School for hosting the District One In-District Meeting on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, where we heard the speech from Nathaniel Gilbert,  a Sophomore with White River High School, on mental health and the healing effects of the Future Farmers of America. 

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Buzzsprout-12810313 Tue, 09 May 2023 11:00:00 -0700 1959 2 full false Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act On the inaugural episode of Council Talk With... we kick this journey off with Ryan Mello, who is the Chair of the 2023 Pierce County Council, about a significant piece of legislation the Council recently passed called the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act. There are a lot of components to the legislation, but at its core, it establishes a revenue stream to address affordable housing needs and related services.

Links:
District 4 | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)
News Flash • Pierce County, WA • CivicEngage (piercecountywa.gov)
Notify Me • Pierce County, WA • CivicEngage (piercecountywa.gov)
Pierce County Council | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)
Proposed Ordinance No. 2022-81s (pierce.wa.us)

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> On the inaugural episode of Council Talk With... we kick this journey off with Ryan Mello, who is the Chair of the 2023 Pierce County Council, about a significant piece of legislation the Council recently passed called the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act. There are a lot of components to the legislation, but at its core, it establishes a revenue stream to address affordable housing needs and related services.

Links:
District 4 | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)
News Flash • Pierce County, WA • CivicEngage (piercecountywa.gov)
Notify Me • Pierce County, WA • CivicEngage (piercecountywa.gov)
Pierce County Council | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)
Proposed Ordinance No. 2022-81s (pierce.wa.us)

On County Talk we explore all the reasons local government is exciting, important, and requires your engagement! We focus on Pierce County Government specifically, which is the second largest county in Washington State. 

]]> Bryan Dominique/Ryan Mello Buzzsprout-12715573 Tue, 25 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0700 1858 Affordable Housing, Government, Local, Washington State, Pierce County, 1 1 full false