I read about the money collected from the taxpayers (June 17 edition) for the Regional Fire Authority and almost $5 million ended up in the city of Kent's general fund without voter knowledge or approval.
Seems like perhaps summer has actually arrived in Kent. Warm weather and school being out brings lots of kids out and about.
I wanted to say thanks to all the polite Kent drivers who make it pleasant to bike along Kent-Kangley road. I even had an 18 wheeler switch lanes so as to not crowd me. As a driver, I know it takes patience to pass a bicyclist hugging the shoulder on a narrow road.
The King County Council passed an ordinance requiring anyone more than 5 feet from shore in a river to wear a life jacket or face a fine.
Sheriff Sue Rahr and other supporters say it’s for public safety and contend that public education isn’t enough to entice people to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs).
Any first responder on the scene of a drowning tragedy can tell you they will never forget the horrifying heartbreak of families and friends standing next to the river while rescuers try to locate their loved ones.
Thank you Don (Vandel) for being our own personal Santa for so many years.
In response to the letter ("Noise at raceway a continuing problem," May 13):
Talk about noise, what about fireworks? I'd like to see a statewide ban, which only some cities have, why not the whole state?
On Sunday morning (April 10), and again Monday, ( April 11) we are in our home, windows and doors closed. The (Pacific Raceway) race track is louder at our home than ever before. We have been here for 40 years.
I agree with the letter written by Pat Walsh, (April 15 edition). While it’s great to see Allied Waste encouraging better recycling habits, they do need to change their pickup plan. As per my neighborhood rules, all cans must be kept in our garage.
Giving hope, making miracles – the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) has been doing this for 25 years. In Auburn, a group of caring and committed people is working to give hope, and possibly make a miracle for 11-year-old Cullen Steele. Cullen has pulmonary hypertension and needs a heart and double lung transplant.
I applaud city of Kent’s new food/yard waste system. However an every other week pickup isn’t going to work.
The state is facing a $5 billion dollar plus shortage in the budget. There are many reasons why we have gotten to this place but sadly here we are and now we have to scramble to fix it.
It’s ironic that the Kent School District is considering cutting music and (physical education) PE, seemingly without considering other options.
Ironic how?
Look only to some of the latest headlines to see fairly recent Kent graduates in both fields who are literally at the top of their game.
A powerful story about caring and citizenship has developed in the Kent School District. When school board members announced last week that lack of state funds would require them to cut (physical education) PE and music at all of the elementary schools. Teachers, parents and students reacted with anger, hurt and disbelief.
I just read (Steve Hunter’s) article on the Kent School District (proposed) budget cuts (April 1 edition) and I’ve been very concerned since it was first brought to my attention. I am the son of one of many whose jobs are at stake with these cuts.
The Kent Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously this week to endorse and support a strategic alliance between Valley Medical Center and UW Medicine.
I began teaching in the state of Washington 27 years ago. When I moved into the state, and after a year, moving to the west side of the state, I had a professional goal of teaching in the Kent School District. The district had a state-wide reputation for providing quality education and, as a music teacher, a commitment to music education as part of a comprehensive, whole-child approach to what students need to succeed. My professional goal was realized 11 years ago and I have been in a school where I love the students, the families and my colleagues. As an educator, my passion for teaching and my love of sharing music has been beyond rewarding.
There is a lot of buzz over the dramatic cuts the Kent School District is facing and it will be painful, no doubt about it. I spend my work life and much of my free time working to make education better for all kids and want to ask everyone to consider this. What will you do? What will you do to make things better for our kids? They are our future. Study after study after study shows that where you have a school that has parent/community involvement you have improved student success.
I find the drawings of the tsunamis by Mr. Shiers (published in the March 18 edition of the Kent Reporter) to be extremely misguided and embarrassing.
I’m a long time Renton/Skyway resident writing to let the community know how proud I am of the potential partnership with our very own Valley Medical Center and University of Washington Medicine. It’s at the exploratory stage right now, but the possibilities seem endless and this would be a momentous step for the future of our community and regional healthcare.
