Three target Kent City Council seat | Position 4

A new Kent City Council member will emerge from the race among Ronald Johnson, Toni Troutner and Tye Whitfield.

The three are vying to replace Dennis Higgins in Position No. 4. Higgins is not running for re-election. The two candidates with the most votes on the Aug. 1 primary ballot advance to the Nov. 7 general election.

Council members are considered part-time positions and receive $14,808 per year.

Ronald Johnson

Johnson, a medical devices product information security officer, wants to keep property taxes low and help determine which services the city should offer.

“If given the opportunity to serve the citizens, I will work with the mayor and City Council to keep property taxes low, manage a prioritized budget and promote services that reflect the values of our community,” Johnson said in an email.

He said the city should have all-inclusive leadership.

“Kent is an amazing place to raise a family,” he said. “For over a decade, I have been invested in the success of our community. I believe we can sustain our unprecedented prosperity by encouraging increased community involvement, adopting good ideas without regards of the source and practicing all-inclusive leadership.”

Johnson decided to run for office to help give back to the city.

“I wake up every day grateful to share this community with the citizens of Kent,” he said. “I live in their neighborhood, enjoy the same local parks/trails and raise three great kids, who attend Kent public schools.”

Toni Troutner

Troutner, who lost a close council race to Brenda Fincher in 2015, emphasized in a media release her extensive background of community service and advocacy.

She has served as a local PTSA president, a commissioner on the Civil Service Commission of the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, is a Drug Free Coalition member, a Kent Downtown Partnership board member and a leader at Kent’s severe weather shelter.

“As a Kent resident, volunteer, mother and neighbor I realize that Kent simply deserves better,” Troutner said in her media release. “Kent residents pay millions upon millions of dollars in taxes and fees, and we deserve a much larger return on our investment. Taxpayers across our city are asked to pay more and more, and yet our basic quality of life doesn’t significantly improve.”

Troutner, a market research analyst with a small Kent business, plans to implement tighter city budget control.

“As your council member I believe it is my job to ensure that local government is living within its means,” she said. “I support investment in high quality services, but I also support being a better steward of taxpayer dollars and budget prioritization.”

Tye Whitfield

Whitfield, a member of Kent’s Parks and Recreation Commission since last year, wants to hear more input from others.

“I’m running for City Council because I believe it’s time for all voices to be heard and be involved in the decision-making process that moves our city forward,” she said in a media release. “Now, more than ever, I believe that all residents of Kent deserve a seat at the table.”

Whitfield is a small business owner, community advocate and nonprofit director. Her nonprofit and advocacy work focuses on helping to empower youth and families through skill-building, coaching and connection with resources.

She has served as emcee for Kent’s annual You Me We resource fair, hosted the Kent International Festival and worked with local businesses to create the first free Taste of Kent cultural and traditional dinner for families.

Whitfield served as chair of the Puget Sound Service District from 2004 to 2007 and was a board member of the Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program from 2005 to 2007.

“I will work tirelessly to break down barriers of communication between our residents and our city, look to build on Kent’s many assets to attract more businesses and build a family friendly economy, and continue to improve and expand our parks and recreation system – a system that supports countless families in our community.”