In addition to the comments made by Stephen Cluphf in the Kent Reporter I have some additional concerns regarding annexation.

We are being told that our services would improve. Yet, in order to balance the budget the city of Kent is planning to cut jobs and at the same time it is being said that they are going to hire more police officers. If the money is not there, it is not going to happen.

The debt of Kent is over $150 million and I don’t feel that I should have to take on this debt. Let those that created the debt pay for it. When the city demonstrates that they are good managers of money and are debt free only then should they ask others to become part of the city.

On the Web site (www.annex2kent) it is said that water and garbage service would not change. At the present time I am not forced to take garbage service. From what I have heard and also what was written by Stephen Cluphf, garbage service would be mandatory.

Many in the county prefer to take care of that responsibility. Shouldn’t that be a choice they can make? To some it may not be important but to others it is giving up another of their freedoms.

As a county resident neither I or my neighbors are disappointed with the services we have received from King County and we would like to continue being part of the county and not part of the city of Kent.

As a resident of the United States, Washington state and King county, each layer of government has rules for me to follow and fees to pay.

I don’t want and more rules to follow or fees to pay which includes the 6 percent tax on utilities.

To those in favor or annexation who have been removing our “No Annexation” signs from the road side, do remember that even though we don’t have the money you have in backing our efforts we still have the right to have our voices heard.

Arlene Jensen

Panther Lake

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