The Kent Reporter on Sept 20 reported that the city of Kent has had its credit rating downgraded by Moody's not once, but twice this year. What the article failed to point out is the credit downgrade will cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, in interest costs on any bond offerings by the city.
The mayor doesn't like the B&O based on revenues. Why not base it on warehouse square footage – a simpler way of assessing tax?
As a voting member of the 47th District, I am thoroughly disappointed that Mark Hargrove has not withdrawn his bid for State Representative Position 1 because he blatantly violated his official ethical obligations.
I am a resident and a business owner in Kent. I am also the president of the Kent Chamber of Commerce.
I received email responses from City Council members to my Kent Reporter letter to the editor ("City Council members are sellouts over B&O issue", Aug. 24), where I pointed out the rigid refusal by a majority of the council members to imposing a B&O tax on businesses in the Valley because they are the primary users and abusers of our roads.
I am writing in response to Steve Altick's letter ("Retain meaning of marriage", Reporter, Sept. 21) concerning Referendum 74; the legalization of same-sex marriage.
In November we will vote on a foundational issue – the defining of marriage. Unfortunately the issue has been falsely presented as a "right" instead of a definition. It is not anti-gay to continue a definition of marriage that is held in all major religions and cultures; marriage is between one man and one women.
I encourage voters in the 47th District to send a new representative to Olympia in November.
The city of Kent continues to adjust to a new economic reality, where rising costs continue along with declining revenues.
This Charter School Initiative 1240 appears to be written by liberal politicians with wealthy supporters who wish to take my hard earned tax money earmarked for public education and use it any which way they please with no control by local voters.
I am a physician who has practiced at Auburn Regional Medical Center for more than 25 years. I strongly disagree with the contentions regarding the Affordable Care Act expressed by Dr. Linda Petter in her recent editorial.
I read with dismay Dr. Linda Petter's article ("Healthcare Act will be a costly jolt", Kent Reporter, Aug. 17). The real "jolt" was reading a political piece thinly disguised as medical information, thus coming across as less a "doc for all" and more a "doc with an agenda."
It's clear from the B&O issue that only two of the City Council members (Perry and Albertson) hold the interests of Kent citizens above business interests.
Dr. Linda Petter rails against Obamacare and demands that we repeal it and replace it with – what?
I feel I have to respond to Dr. Petter's editorial in the Aug. 17 issue of the Kent Reporter.
No more taxes on homeowners. The City of Kent leadership needs to show some foresight, creativity and resourcefulness.
It doesn't make any sense. Various cities are outright banning medical marijuana access points from operating within their boundaries for the sake of public safety and/or concern for the exposure of children to marijuana.
I read, with interest, the Kent Reporter article ("City mulls property tax levy to pay for parks, streets', July 29).
On behalf of the Kent Senior Activity Center, I would like to express gratitude to the City of Kent Arts Commission and the following co-sponsors who made the fifth annual Jazz and Art Showcase a tremendous success on June 28:
The purpose of this letter is to ask you to oppose I-1185, an initiative that will be on the ballot this fall in our state.
