Puyallup City Councilwoman slams colleagues over homeless issue: 'I'm appalled'

PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Pierce County on Tuesday gave the homeless  campers along the Puyallup River 30 days to pack up and leave, which has prompted concern among some that the transients will now move into the city of Puyallup.

A budgetary item on the homeless was added to the end of the City Council agenda Tuesday night, and at least one member thought that was giving the issue short shrift.

Council member Heather Shadko had her say -- she blasted her colleagues for not addressing the issue sooner and then adding it to the end of the agenda almost as an after-thought.

"This should not have been last on the agenda. This is a bigger topic. And we have one piece of paper," Shadko said, waving a document in her hand.

"We are not doing the business of this community because we've got people on this council running around, basically threatening (homeless) groups.

"I’m appalled," she added.  "…We can’t even sit down and have a reasonable conversation."

You could hear a pin drop after her comments.

Earlier Tuesday, the homeless issue took another turn in this community when the county began informing people in a camp down near the Puyallup River that they would have to pack up and leave within 30 days.

Up to 50 people will have to move because of maintenance work that will shore up the levee. Louis Surrell has lived along the river, on and off, for three years.

"I like it here," he said. I really love it here, to be honest with you. I stay here every summer. This is my home away from home."

But Tom Adams, who lives in a home nearby, is relieved the city of Puyallup is finally doing something about the homeless problem near his neighborhood.

"I just hope they have somewhere to go, besides there," he said, referring to the river area. "My bike's probably over there. My wife's bike is probably over there, along with every other resident here that had one stolen."