By Jack W. Stewart

Tacoma, as many residents in our city and district are aware, was founded by settlers and businessmen coming largely from the north- and southeastern United States, and after explorers and pioneers had already charted, marked and named many of the waters and natural landmarks of the Puget Sound (or Salish Sea) region.
Like most seeking a better life and a name for themselves as their “manifest destiny” of the nineteenth century, these brave souls tended to be risk takers, adventurous at their core, with a desire for sustained independence and financial success. A few had the backing of wealthy capitalists and industrialists looking to expand their interests in the wild west. Others went with just the clothes on their backs, a few sundries, and perhaps their families, as well.
Politically, settlers of Tacoma were what would be considered liberal – Tacoma has never been “conservative” as the term is understood today- but still carried with them traditional societal and religious values. Our “progressive” and “modern” region has seen ups and downs since Job Carr first arrived after his discharge from the Union Army at the end of the U.S. Civil War, and Morton Matthew McCarver named Commencement City (later named Tacoma) in 1872.
Unfortunately, good intentions in the past eventually led to the liberal rhetoric we have now, along with wasteful decisions and proclamations, which continues to damage the beauty of our region, and drive an even wider wedge between its citizens. (A wedge caused largely by democrat politicians in power in Tacoma and Pierce County.) Rather than persisting in division, our goal in the 27th District is to see people joining together on common ground.
Not knowing the 27th’s history can hinder improvement to our district – scapegoating one group (old, white men) for example, certainly has not improved the lives of Tacoma’s and the 27th District’s residents and voters. Such foolishness and wind chasing has continued to denigrate the quality of life here. Educating about and sharing truthful and accurate historical information, and how it relates to the 27th District, is what this column is about!