Kent City Councilor: Berrios budget remarks unwarranted

I recognize that as campaign season approaches all candidates are doing their best to gain attention and eventually win their respective race.

This being my first campaign after being appointed to the city council I tried to stay out of the pesky political battles that frankly do nothing but halt progress and rational decision making. However, after staying silent over the last few months I can’t help but to weigh in on the latest round of accusations because they are false and misleading.

First let me make something very clear. “The Council” is made up of seven individuals. We are not one body that always speaks as a group, and as I write this, I am writing as a singular council member and am not speaking on behalf of the council as a whole.

I am shocked that Mr. Berrios, candidate for mayor, sent out an e-mail to his supporters and to the Kent Reporter claiming that “the Council” is recognizing what he has been saying for months. If by referring to “the Council,” he was referring to the Council that I am a part of, his characterization of the consciousness of the Council is mistaken.

I would recommend that if you intend to make a statement on behalf of all Council members that you check with all of them before characterizing the group as a whole. I simply do not agree with what Mr. Berrios has been saying during his campaign and in many cases feel like many of his arguments are either factually incorrect or demonstrate a lack of knowledge about the city or circumstances.

Even more important, I am disturbed that Mr. Berrios came before Council and accused the mayor and administration of deception when there has been nothing of the sort. We have been going through unprecedented economic times and the city has been doing its best to weather the storm.

Now as we are coming to the end of 2009 some are questioning whether our expenses will match the revenue, and our experts are telling us that they will. There can be rational and reasonable debate about those numbers, but there has never been a lack of disclosure on the part of the administration. We may see things a different way and disagree at times, but healthy debate is part of the process. However, professionalism in such debate is essential and in order for the city to function there must be a level of respect and congeniality among the elected officials and staff. I am afraid that Mr. Berrios has shown that he is unwilling to politely and professionally disagree with someone and instead turns to finger pointing and allegations of deception that are simply unfounded.

That being said, not one person at the city is painting a rosy picture regarding the budget.

It is hard to say that the administration is mismanaging the budget or attempting to paint a rosy picture when they have implemented a hiring freeze, cut an estimated 7 million dollars in expenses and are in the process of reducing the city’s workforce to account for declining revenues.

The mayor has stepped up and made the tough decisions demonstrating her strong leadership abilities. I feel that this administration has continually done what they can to make the best choices possible given the circumstances. It is irresponsible to rush to judgment and lay off workers when the future is uncertain just as it is irresponsible to keep everyone employed when your level of spending cannot be sustained. I know for certain that our Mayor is working hard to manage the budget which is what the council asked her to do by passing the budget last November.

Jamie Danielson

City Councilmember

Kent