MRSC provides policy and legal advice to cities, towns, counties and special purpose districts in the state of Washington via telephone, email, the MRSC website and occasional training sessions. Read some comments on the impact of MRSC services on local government agencies in the state of Washington:
Name: Matt Sullivan
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Jurisdiction: Washington Wine Commission
Jurisdiction Type: WA
For over ten years I have had the privilege to work with Pat Mason, your Senior Legal Consultant; he has been a tremendous help providing me with expert legal advice for the cities I have worked for in King, Pierce, and Whatcom Counties. When I served as a Director of Finance & Administration for a Special Purpose District Pat was there to help me, though, at the time, the MRSC wasn't "officially" aiding Special Purpose Districts. I am truly gratful for Pat and his continued advice, guidance, and counsel, he is a credit to the MRSC; the funny thing is I have never met Pat peronally (only via e-mail and phone calls) and wouldn''t know what he looked like if I passed him on the street. Thank you Pat!
Name: Mark Bordsen
Title: County Planner
Jurisdiction: Whitman County
Jurisdiction Type: County
My eyes just caught this invitation for users of your services to communicate the assistance that MRSC planners and attorneys provide. I recall when a county could not access MRSC's expertise, and I can say without hesitation that after access was granted to counties, we in Whitman County have sought and gotten answers (not always what we wanted to hear) on an amazing variety of issues. MRSC''s staff have always been courteous, helpful, and as prompt in reply as possible. To be sure, they always advise us to seek our local legal opinion, but we have benefited numerous times from their help. Our Planning Commission tends to find innovative ways to deal with land use issues, so sometimes we have stumped the MRSC experts, but their assistance has been timely and very helpful to us. I am glad to have this chance to express our gratitude, and I urge all other local governments who have this access to benefit from MRSC if they are not already using those services. Thanks.
Name: Patricia Farmer
Title: Planning Commissioner / volunteer
Jurisdiction: Jefferson County
Jurisdiction Type: County
In March of 2008 I was appointed to the Planning Commission of Jefferson County. I did not have experience in politics nor local government but enjoy learning and becoming informed. The inquiries to MRSC regarding Critical Area Ordinances and PC By-Laws were thoroughly researched and most helpful to me....Thank You!!!!
Name: Quinn Dahlstrom
Title: Former Planning Commissioner
Jurisdiction: Bonney Lake
Jurisdiction Type: City
When I was a Planning Commissioner for 8.5 years-- MRSC was a godsend. They answered my questions and gave clarification when I couldn't quite understand what I was supposed to understand. But since leaving the Commission and continuing on as an Activist for Better Government -- the newsletters have been very helplful in not only informing me -- but I have helped others by forwarding the MRSC site to the citizens of Bonney Lake-- the Questions and answers have been a wonderful thing-- so many of us have the same questions in mind but just don't know who we can go to -- to get the answers. I personaly am glad that a council member let me know that this site is available-- maybe a citizen can't get a legal question answered like a staff member can or elected person can-- but there are answers to find if we look deep enough. Thank you!
