256th LID is unfair
The recent article "Kent City Council searches for 256th Street funding options" (published May 10) is one-sided with no attempt to report the opinions of the tax-paying citizens that would be burdened with this unfair Local Improvement District (LID) assessment.
The people have spoken; the council refuses to listen
The Kent City Council needs a class on Civics 101. When the property owners near 256th got together, following the council's rules, and submitted the required number of signatures (for the umpteenth time) to stop the Local Improvement District (LID) assessment, the council didn't like it and decided that the rules don't apply because they want to assess these few property owners with the burden of paying for that street's improvement.
Special needs students in one classroom?
Again, the administration is trying to combine the Cedar Valley Elementary Support Center to become K-6 due to low enrollment. This is a disappointing decision to make for our students with special needs.
Clarification
In the April 26 edition of the Best of Kent 2013, the following were not properly identified: physician, winner – Bob Smithing, MSN, ARNP, FAANP, FamilyCare of Kent; and finalist – Kathy Kleiver, MSN, ARNP, FamilyCare of Kent.
A thank you
The staff, students and families of Sunnycrest Elementary School would like to thank the owners and staff of El Rinconsito, and Tortas Locas for your delicious donations of food for our recent Literacy and Culture night.
An honest look at funding our roads
I read with interest Sandra Gill's letter to the editor regarding road-repair funding for the SE 256th Street project.
Problem with door-to-door religion vendors
The United States has a national "do not call" site where people can register their address and phone number so that they do not have to be harassed by intrusive callers wishing us to buy whatever they are selling.
Say 'no' to all taxes, demand better government
"We the People" have said before, "No, state income tax." All taxes tax all the people.
It's time to support our paraeducators
March 11-15 was classified employee appreciation week for public schools. I made a public statement at the school board meeting on the 13th that many people have said is something the public needs to hear as well.
B&O tax's mystery list of chamber-approved transportation projects
During the March 5 City Council meeting, Councilmember Jamie Perry asked the question that I have been posing – in one way or the other – in letters to the editor. The question she asked during the discussion of alternate sources of funding for the 256th project, was (paraphrasing here): "What list dictates what projects would be funded using business and occupation (B&O) tax revenues? I didn't vote for any list regarding the allocation of B&O tax revenues for specific street and road projects."
Channels open to help the homeless
I am encouraged to see more communication between all who have a concern and a common interest in our finding a workable solution: both downtown Kent business communities, the City Council, staff and officials, our church community and other citizens regarding the issue of homelessness.
