April 2023 VOICE Magazine
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March 2023 VOICE Magazine
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Get Ready for a Historic Year: 2023 Local Elections Poised to Shape the Future of Your Community
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Public Policy Director, Thurston Chamber • Photo by Michael DeLorme With no State or Federal elected offices on the ballot, 2023 is considered by some to be an “off-year” election. Voter turnout is typically lower without the flood of advertising associated with races for President, Congress, Governor, or…
Fentanyl Epidemic Plagues United States
Criminal Justice System Shifts Focus to Public Health Approach in Addressing Addiction by Natasha Ashenhurst Fentanyl, a powerful opioid that can be mixed with other drugs, has become a widespread and deadly problem in the United States, according to Jon Tunheim, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney. In an interview, he describes the evolution of the drug…
Fentanyl: The Deadly Synthetic Opioid Ravaging Thurston County
by Natasha Ashenhurst Fentanyl is causing a surge in overdoses and deaths in Thurston County, Washington. According to David Bayne, the Director of Thurston County Public Health and Social Services and co-chair of the Thurston County Opioid Task Force, Fentanyl is hard to detect and is often mixed with other drugs, including counterfeit prescription pills…
February 2023 VOICE Magazine
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Regional Changes in Leadership
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah and Associates, Thurston County Chamber Public Policy Director 2023 started with changes at the City of Lacey when City Manager, Scott Spence, left the area to accept a leadership position in Astoria, Oregon. Spence held the job for 11 years and worked for 23 years at the city. The Lacey…
Executive Profile: Kelsey Hulse of Strategies 360
by Natasha Ashenhurst If asked, Kelsey Hulse would tell you her success, personally and professionally, is because of two character traits. “Relentless persistence and optimism,” she said. Hulse, a government affairs specialist, studied philosophy in college. She says it was a helpful starting point for a vibrant and varied career. Straight out of school, she…
Welcoming Jay Kang: Thurston County Food Bank’s First Chief Executive Officer
by Kathryn Millhorn • Photography by Shanna Paxton Charitable, civic organizations like the Thurston County Food Bank wear many hats. Of course, they work tirelessly to provide much-needed food to the community. But they also meet emerging needs, fundraise, organize volunteers, and squeeze every last drop out of vital donations. In November 2022, our Food Bank shifted…
Shared Legislative Agenda 2023
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber Public Policy Director Each year, the Public Policy Division of the Thurston Chamber convenes the Shared Legislative Partnership. The Partnership works to advance regional priorities for the upcoming State Legislative session. These priorities, when approved, will provide multiple and broad benefits to the entire region…