PAUL SCHRAG: A CHAT WITH MARILYN STRICKLAND >>>

Mayor Marilyn Strickland. Kind of has a nice ring to it. The likelihood of that very thing being on the lips of everyone in Tacoma just increased dramatically, as Strickland has announced she is now officially vying for the spot of T-town top dog. Recently elected to Tacoma City Council, Strickland will now seek the seat to be vacated by Mayor Bill Baarsma, whose term ends at the end of 2009.

From her office window at the Bates Technical College downtown campus, Strickland says she can see many of Tacoma’s defining features â€" City Hall, the Port of Tacoma, and in the distance, Mt. Rainier. She made the decision to run with the city in her sights â€" its past, present, and its future.

I sat down with Strickland for the scoop behind her run for mayor. Read about it on the Weekly Volcano Web site.