Do your share, keep downtown tidy | Smith

Take pride in your downtown. Please help the Kent Downtown Partnership keep downtown Kent free of graffiti and debris.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Thursday, February 21, 2013 4:36pm
  • Opinion

Take pride in your downtown. Please help the Kent Downtown Partnership keep downtown Kent free of graffiti and debris.

The Kent Downtown Partnership (KDP), being a good neighbor, removes graffiti in the historical district of downtown Kent. This is one of the benefits of being in the historical district. We do it for all our businesses, whether they are members of our organization are not. It is the right thing to do.

Many times when I am walking to and from my car or to meetings, I pick up litter. It is not uncommon for me to send our staff member, Roger, out to clean up a specific area of debris (from fast-food wrappers to discarded clothing). We usually have it removed within 24 hours or less. We do this because we are proud of our downtown and we want others to view it as a historical district that cares.

We would like to reach out to our businesses and to our residents and ask them to help us keep our downtown free from graffiti and debris. If you are a business owner in downtown Kent, take a look at your business with a different “set of eyes,” from the perspective of a new customer. How would you feel about walking up to and into your business? Is your storefront clean, inviting and free of graffiti and debris? Is the back of your building clean and free of graffiti and debris?

Sometimes we forget about the impression the outside of our business gives, especially to a new potential customer.

If you have graffiti and are unable to remove it, please let the Kent Downtown Partnership know and we will help you to determine how to remove it. The KDP works directly with the city of Kent as one of the Adopt-a-Block participants to help remove graffiti, so we have most of the materials to do so.

Please help us make our downtown a destination that people feel good about visiting by helping us to keep it clean and free of graffiti and debris. Each one of us can make a big difference. Thank you.

– Barbara Smith, executive director, Kent Downtown Partnership, 253-813-6976, barbaras@kentdowntown.org


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 Opinion

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.
Is the Northwest ready for our ‘Big One?’ | Brunell

When President Biden warned FEMA does not have enough money to finish… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@auburn-reporter.com.
Combing through this current follicle challenge | Whale’s Tales

I feared the day when passersby on the streets would start in with, “Hey, get a look at Uncle Fester there!” or “What’s cookin’, Kojak?!”

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.
Thoughts on Memorial Day and the ultimate sacrifice | Brunell

On Memorial Day, we traditionally honor Americans in our military who gave… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@auburn-reporter.com.
In search of fairness, morals and good sportsmanship | Whale’s Tales

Ah, the Golden Rule. We all know it: do unto others as… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@auburn-reporter.com.
If you’re right, and you know it, then read this | Whale’s Tales

As the poet Theodore Roethke once wrote: “In a dark time the eye begins to see…”

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@auburn-reporter.com.
The key thing is what we do with our imperfections | Whale’s Tales

I have said and done many things of which I am not proud. That is, I am no golden bird cheeping about human frailties from some high branch of superhuman understanding.

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@soundpublishing.com.
Grappling with the finality of an oncologist’s statement | Whale’s Tales

Perhaps my brain injected a bit of humor to cover the shock. But I felt the gut punch.

Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Legislature back in session next week | Cartoon

State lawmakers return Jan. 8 to Olympia.

Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Santa doesn’t drive a Kia | Cartoon

Cartoon by Frank Shiers.

Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Salute to veterans | Cartoon by Frank Shiers

On Veterans Day, honor those who served your country.

File photo
Why you should vote in the upcoming election | Guest column

When I ask my students when the next election is, frequently they will say “November 2024” or whichever presidential year is coming up next.