How will you vote?

It’s that time of year during which we are asked to vote for some of our Kent City Council members. As you prepare to vote, I suggest you thoughtfully consider if change of leadership is necessary.

Why bring this topic up? Consider:

• Our taxes continue to rise in various forms. Another attempt to raise resident taxes is planned for next year. Is this leadership as usual? Is it avoiding the real issue?

• The Kent downtown; the East Hill and valley business base is continuing to decrease. Lease signs continue to be more abundant in these areas. This signals a declining tax base. Could this reinforce the need for even higher tax rates? This during the most robust economy in memory.

• Is there a plan to revive our local economy? If so have you seen a positive result?

• For years, we have lacked the desired number of police staff because of lack of financial resources and funding priorities.

• Is it more important to spend millions of dollars this year on playground improvements, or should some of these funds be directed to hiring additional police officers?

• Police staff and city workers are dedicated to continually control the homeless populations movement. Thus, continuing to direct funds to a problem with no solution in site.

• Is it time to bring in candidates with new ideas on solving this cities financial health? You decide. Please vote thoughtfully.

– Jim Renton, Kent


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Letters to the Editor

Email editor@kentreporter.com.
It’s time to change Kent’s City Council elections to districts | Guest column

If you were asked who your city councilmembers are, would you have an answer?

Email editor@kentreporter.com
For every vote to count, Kent needs district-based elections | Guest column

By Mónica Mendoza-Castrejón Guest Column If you’re a community member here in… Continue reading

Email editor@kentreporter.com
Letters: Support King County Charter Amendment

Support King County Charter Amendment As a lifelong resident of King County,… Continue reading

Messes in Mill Creek Canyon

Thank you for your very informative article (“Cleaning up Mill Creek Canyon… Continue reading

Priced out of our homes

Priced out of our homes In the middle of everything that is… Continue reading

Kent School Board addresses death of George Floyd

The recent death of Mr. George Floyd at the hands of a… Continue reading

Some good advice in the fight against infection

School closings, sports event cancellations, food hoarding. … We live in a… Continue reading

City should focus on the real problem, a health crisis

It is time for the city officials of Kent to stop their… Continue reading

How much effect will virus have?

The situation regarding King County’s acquisition of the Econo Lodge in Kent… Continue reading

Coronavirus: County made hasty choice in Kent as a quarantine city
Coronavirus: County made hasty choice in Kent as a quarantine city

Like many Kent residents, I was blindsided when I heard, late Wednesday… Continue reading

Rapidly rising property taxes poses problem for homeowner

I just received my 2020 King County real estate tax statement and… Continue reading