>>> BEST WORST HISTORY REPEAT
Pierce Transit
The biggest local civics/politics/public policy disaster this past year was a case of history repeating itself. Pierce Transit District voters - most of the people in Pierce County - decided, as they did in 2010, that 9 cents more in taxes on every $10 dollars is much too high a price to pay for functional bus service in Pierce County. "In September PT will be implementing 28 percent service cuts to the system, this is on top of major reduction already," explains Pierce Transit Government Relations Officer Justin Leighton. "Prop 1 if passed would have not only prevented these cuts but also restored what previously lost." This one isn't really on us, Tacoma, we voted for it, but to eventually get this right we'll have to vote for it in an even higher rate, or convince our suburban and rural neighbors that a bus and van system that provides reliable access to health care, employment, and education is worth what it costs. - Zach Powers
>>> BEST ELECTION DECISION
Derek Kilmer
Norm Dicks' announcement last spring that he would be retiring after serving in Congress since 1977 came as a surprise to many, but the right person to replace him was hardly questioned. After receiving undergraduate and masters degrees from Princeton and a PhD from Oxford, Derek Kilmer returned home to Washington's Sixth Congressional District. He was elected to the State House in 2004 (at the age of 30), to the State Senate in 2006 and by 2010 was elected by his democratic colleagues in the Senate to serve as Vice-Chair of The Senate Ways and Means Committee. So when it came time to replace Congressman Dicks the first person to enter the minds of many was the 38-year-old State Senator from Gig Harbor who many believed to be one of the most intelligent people serving in Olympia. He was elected in November with little difficulty. Still yet to turn 40, Congressman Kilmer has plenty of time to earn the seniority in "the other Washington" needed to follow in the footsteps of his legendary predecessor. - ZP
>>> BEST LOCAL BLOG
Post Defiance
Started about two years ago, Post Defiance has steadily established itself as an indispensable resource for keeping up on local happenings. Its real strength, though, comes in the passion of its writers, all Tacomans, who are adept at cutting to the heart of the matter in their insightful takes on local issues - in topics ranging from music to food to local government to quirky opinion pieces. Tacoma can only thrive from the influx of new and excited voices, which Post Defiance possesses in abundance. In August, Post Defiance will be celebrating its two-year anniversary with an assortment of cool and interesting events. Details on the events - and information on how to become a site contributor - can be found at PostDefiance.com. - Rev. Adam McKinney
>>> BEST TUMOR SHRINKER
Cars R Us neon sign
In the middle of the night, when South Tacoma Way is empty, you feel like you're floating a world defined only by your headlights and a gleaming promotion "Get Financed For As Low As 2.99%!" It smacks you in the face -big bright flashing bursts of light: "CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB!" Now, we're by no means out to dis Cars R Us here. And certainly we can't fault them for trying to get their messages to the people. But, holy hell that sign is f---ing bright. We have to hide behind our rear view mirror to avoid instant headaches. In fact, we think the sign might actually be shrinking the tumors of idling drivers at 72nd and South Tacoma Way. Then again, it is keeping us awake. - Ron Swarner
>>> BEST AVOIDING AN UNNECESSARY MAYORAL ELECTION
Mayor Marilyn Strickland
Tacoma's Marilyn Strickland has navigated her first term with grace and political cunning. A term that was not without delicate situations including a budget shortfall, the firing of the former and hiring of the new city manager, and nasty debates over billboards, which is why one of the best things about the past year and the five months to come is that no candidate (serious or loony) stepped forward to challenge her for re-election. Tacoma was saved by the exercise of a costly and loud campaign for mayor. Everyone here, unlike our neighbors to the north, seems to think we got it right in 2009. - ZP
>>> BEST PLACE TO BREAK UP
Rampizi Antiques & Collectibles
With its collection of Russian baby carriages, JFK blankets and mannequin parts, Rampizi Antiques & Collectibles at Seventh and Broadway can be resourceful, entertaining and a bit of a creep-out. Our advice is to plant your love of this place early in a relationship. If things go well, you'll look all cultured and arty. But if the relationship goes sour, we recommend a few return trips with that no-longer-special someone. On the day appointed for breaking a heart, linger around especially disturbing pieces. Laugh uncontrollably at the hanging suits. Then go for the kill. Surrounded by all this antique madness and your supposed apparent deep connection with it, your new ex will come away feeling as though getting dumped by you might not be such a bad thing after all. - RS
>>> BEST WIN
Jeannie Darneille
If you live in Washington's 27th Legislative District (most of Tacoma) you likely took note of last year's heated race for State Senate. After the retiring of Senator Debbie Regala, local attorney Jack Connelly spent more than a million of his own bucks trying to defeat Jeannie Darneille who had been representing the 27th in the State House for the past 12 years. Spending roughly a third of the amount of cash Darneille was able to beat Connelly, largely likely due to her pro-choice and pro marriage equality in one of the "bluest" districts in the state. After her win in November, Darneille spent her winter, spring and first half of summer advocating for the issues that had been at the center of her campaign. "One of the highlights of this past legislative session was knowing that we had an ally in Jeannie Darneille as our senator," says 27th District State Representative Laurie Jinkins. "When it came to fighting for reproductive health issues Jeannie was the champion we knew she'd be. Her creative, never-ending leadership behind the scenes also helped move the delegation forward on mental health and transportation issues. There's still so much more to do and I know Jeannie will be a powerful leader in helping us get there." - ZP
>>> BEST PLACE TO CRAP YOUR PANTS IN YOUR CAR
I-705 Merge Onto Schuster Parkway
The obvious choice: Where else is the worst of Tacoma driving on display so openly and at all times of day and night than this merge. It's just you - angry at the Pacific Avenue Streetscape construction - headed toward a much needed Harbor Lights stiff drink and the asshole speeding on Interstate 705 - who just had to dodge the Einstein who suddenly didn't want the Stadium Way ramp - careening toward Schuster and the terrifying illusion that he's going to slam into you at the merge, forcing you to veering left toward the wall. It's no wonder the next traffic stop a few yards down engenders so much hostility: the raised fist, the expletives, the desire to be elsewhere. And then more traffic idiocy happens again a mile down the parkway when two roads diverge toward Ruston Way and one driver acts baked. - RS
>>> BEST PUBLIC DEBATE
Light Rail Extension
It's not every year that our (politically) mild mannered town erupts into fierce public debate that pits different parts of the city against each other, features beefs between a local blogger and city council members and inspires activists to create an array of badges and memes that littered social media feeds for over a month. And it's sure as hell not every year that we have had this sort of debate over public transit. Personally, I loved every second of this civic process, especially the part when the Tacoma City Council recommended the route I supported to board members of Sound Transit. The chosen route will service a neighborhood in Hilltop that is one of Tacoma's most diverse and will provide ample opportunity for residents to access new opportunities. "Hilltop residents and supporters feel pride in their hard work to turn this neighborhood around," explains Hilltop resident and Tacoma City Councilmember Lauren Walker who represents Hilltop and Central Tacoma on the council. "Light rail will connect with new economic development projects, local businesses, and a strong diverse neighborhood." Additionally, the route recommended will also extend the light rail to stadium district, the densest zip code in Washington outside of Seattle, home to the highest concentration of 20-somethings in Tacoma. Now if we could just find everyone a job downtown. ... - ZP
>>> BEST POTHOLE FIX ELIMINATOR
Transportation Package
To accurately quote TacomaTomorrow.com blogger Chris Karnes, "Thanks to the Washington State Senate, there will be no transportation package this year." The State House successfully passed a budget that would have potentially been a life-preserver to the thousands of Pierce County residents who, because of the cuts Pierce Transit has been forced to make, will no longer be able to access health care, higher education and healthy food. The Republican-slain package would have done much more than aide public transit agencies. "It would have included the funding we've been waiting on for 167, funding for I-5 by Joint Base Lewis-McChord and would have created a means for the Tacoma City Council to increase their funding of road improvements (i.e. fix potholes)," explains 27th District State Representative Jake Fey. Fey, who voted for and advocated for the package, says it may not be dead, but the nearing re-election year won't make passing it any easier. For now Tacomans have Senate Republicans to blame for their potholes, shrinking bus service and jammed I-5 commute. - ZP