April 7, 2011
Remarks by Executive Pat McCarthy
Good afternoon. I am Pat McCarthy, the Pierce County Executive. And it is my honor to be here today to help recognize efforts that go above and beyond.
This is one of my favorite parts of this job. I get to hear about the amazing things that Pierce County employees are doing in service to their community.
The people in this room keep our neighborhoods safe. That enables individuals, families and businesses to succeed, which further strengthens our communities.
Today's awards highlight various acts of courage and commitment, and dedication and duty.
This day - this ceremony - is important because we must always take the time to say 'thank you.'
We must always take the time to pay tribute to the men and women in uniform. And where would those people be without the staff that support them? It's truly a team effort.
It's also important to honor the citizen support. We know that successful public safety agencies join in valuable partnerships with the communities they serve.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Department has an excellent approach to public outreach through its volunteer programs, including the Reserves, the Cadets, Search and Rescue, and the Mounted Posse.
So it all starts with you. That's why we spend more than three-quarters of the General Fund budget on public safety. It truly is the top priority for Pierce County government.
As you know, these past few years have been a major struggle for governments like Pierce County as we coped with the significant effects of the economic recession.
Those difficulties haven't gone away. But Sheriff Paul Pastor and I will continue to work together to see that you have the resources you need to keep our communities safe.
Among other things, we will continue to seek efficiencies in the court system, to reduce the backlog of cases awaiting trial and to upgrade our 9-1-1 and radio services.
Pierce County is an amazing place to live, work and play. And the people in this room help make that happen.
Today, I offer you thanks, appreciation and respect on behalf of the 800,000 residents of the county and 3,000 county employees.
Congratulations to the award winners, and best wishes to you all.
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