1. Position Available on the Thun Field Advisory Commission

County Executive John Ladenburg is seeking applicants for an airport business tenant representative on the Thun Field Advisory Commission.
The commission membership requires status as a current business tenant or someone currently leasing hangar space or tie downs at the Thun Field
Airport, also known as the Pierce County Airport.

The Thun Field Advisory Commission meets as needed, but no less than quarterly to review issues related to both the airport property and to properties within 1,000 feet of the airport.

Positions are unpaid and the term of the available position expires Apr. 12, 2008. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 20 and may be obtained by contacting Laura Cunningham, Administrative Aide, at (253) 798-7161.

2. Health precautions after flooding

Although the floodwaters have begun to recede in Pierce County, threats to human health continue. Drinking water can become contaminated by material carried by the flood to wells, and clean up is important to prevent illness from mold and mildew.

Steve Marek, public health manager for environmental health at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department cautions that flooding and subsequent power outages can frequently result in significant health hazards. “Taking simple precautions and using common sense can alleviate problems associated with contaminated drinking water,” he said.

The Health Department recommends that anyone using water from a well in a flooded area should disinfect the water by heating it to a rolling boil for three to five minutes, then let cool before drinking. Water used for brushing teeth, washing dishes, or food requires the same treatment as drinking water. An alternative method of disinfection is to place eight drops of household liquid bleach into a gallon of water if the water is clear, or 16 drops of household liquid bleach into a gallon of water if the water is cloudy. After adding the bleach to the water, let the mixture stand for 30 minutes. Otherwise, bottled drinking water should be purchased from a local market.

Once the flooding has receded, chlorination and flushing of the well is recommended. If you decide to test your water for the presence of bacteria, the testing should be done by a certified laboratory to determine if bacteria levels are safe for human consumption.

Also after the floods, check for moisture on walls, floors, carpets and furniture. The dampness can support mold and mildew, which may cause asthma and other problems. To prevent mold growth, remove as much moisture as possible immediately after a flood. Dry the inside of your home by opening windows and doors and warming the house at least 15 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Mop up any standing water from floors. If furniture, clothing and other items have been dampened by floodwaters, remove them.

Handwashing is important during clean up to prevent illness. Wash your hands frequently even if you wear gloves. When the only water for available is contaminated, wash your hands with soap and water and then use an antibacterial hand sanitizer.

Protect yourself during clean up by wearing gloves and boots. Check with your medical provider to be sure your tetanus vaccine is up-to-date. A booster is needed every 10 years.

3. Sewing and Stitchery Expo draws 30,000 to Puyallup Fairgrounds

The 21st annual WSU Pierce County Extension Sewing and Stitchery Expo is scheduled for Mar. 3, 4, 5, and 6 at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup.

The largest sewing tradeshow in the United States, the event attracts more than 30,000 individuals and features more than 200 vendors and dozens of seminars and style shows.

Admission is $8 in advance and $9 at the door. Seminar tickets are $3 in advance and $4 at the door.

For more information and-or to request a brochure, go to http://www.sewexpo.com.

4. Pierce County offers personal property workshops

Washington state business owners are required to file a personal property listing with the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer no later than April 30. Assessor-Treasurer Ken Madsen is offering free workshops to help business owners and agents learn how to successfully complete the personal property listing form.

The workshops will provide:

– An understanding of the Washington state requirements for filing personal property affidavits

– Step by step instructions on correctly completing the affidavit

– Hands-on instruction how to “do it yourself”

– Skills that will help accountants and bookkeepers learn how to do a better job for their clients

– An understanding of how to arrive at a correct taxable value

– Information on how to estimate next year’s tax for budgeting purposes

The dates of the workshops are Feb. 24 at 2 p.m., Mar. 10 at 2 p.m., Mar. 17 at 9 a.m., Apr. 6 at 2 p.m., Apr. 14 at 9 a.m., Apr. 19 at 9 a.m., Apr. 21 at 2 p.m. and April 28 at 9 a.m. All workshops will be held at the Pierce County Annex, located at 2401 S. 35th St., Tacoma, WA 98409 in conference room D.

To register for a class, visit the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer’s Web site at http://www.piercecountywa.org/atr and select “Personal Property” or call 253-798-7130. Seating is limited to 30 participants per session.

For more information regarding personal property or property taxes, contact Assessor-Treasurer Ken Madsen at 253-798-6111 or visit the Web site listed above.