On Wed., Nov. 13, 2013, the Kent School Board voted on the amount of the education levy that goes to a vote in a special election on Feb. 11, 2014. During that meeting, the Kent School Board voted to ask voters for $37 million less than it could ask for. Dee Klem, a parent in the Kent School District, attended the meeting. Disappointed in the outcome of the vote, Klem sent this letter to the Kent School Board on Fri., Nov. 15. It is being reprinted with her permission.

“Dear Kent School Board Members,

I was in attendance at the School Board meeting Wednesday night and I am angry, frustrated and disappointed in your decision to ask for less than the full amount allowed for the levy. I believe the message you are sending our community is two-fold:

1) Our kids are not worth it

2) We do not believe our voters value education

We all know the state is not fully funding education. For those that were doubtful we now have court cases to document this travesty. Our community has the opportunity to begin to right that wrong. We have the opportunity to provide more funding for our kids, but your decision leaves them short-changed. I see the need almost daily in our schools.  I don’t know anyone who understands the need, who sees it and deals with it that would then argue that we should ask for less. Our kids and our schools deserve to be fully funded.

I am frustrated because I do not feel much (if any) attempt was made to ask/talk to voters about how they feel. There was a lot of assuming and talk about past levies, other districts, random surveys. Which when you look at none of which really scream this will fail if you ask for the full amount. As a matter of fact, THIS community has consistently passed levies; this community has stepped up time and time again to support our kids.

The state has let us down and now it is up to you .  You left over $37 million – MILLION – dollars uncollected in your decision on Wednesday. Please think about that. Think about the incredible work that could be done with those dollars. Think about the lives that could be changed. Think about the benefits to our entire community. Our kids deserve this money and our community deserves the right to vote to give it to them.

Dee Klem
Parent”

If you have a comment or an opposing opinion, you can leave it in the comments section here or submit your own post for publishing. Note:  comments from first-time posters must be approved first by a moderator. They’ll go live once approved.

Bailey Stober

Streets. Parks. Economic development. Homelessness. The city budget.

These are just a few of the topics touched on by candidates for Kent City Council yesterday during a debate hosted by the Kent Chamber of Commerce. Though unopposed for council position no. 4 which he currently holds, Dennis Higgins spoke briefly about his plans to spend the next four years addressing street and parks maintenance issues and community programs.

“It has been an honor and a great responsibility, and I take it very seriously,” Higgins said. “Thanks for the opportunity to serve you.”

Next, each of the four candidates in contested city council races had the opportunity to introduce themselves. Wade Schwartz and Jim Berrios are running for city council position no. 2, and Bailey Stober and Ken Sharp are running for city council position no. 4. Three of the candidates, Schwartz, Berrios and Sharp, are Kent business owners, but all four candidates spoke about the importance of balancing the city budget and focusing on economic development.

“There’s room for improvement when focusing on small business,” Stober, an executive assistant for the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs, said.

Ken Sharp said the city continues to look to small businesses to make up budget shortfalls.

“We need to be supportive of businesses…we can’t use them as a cash cow,” Sharp said.

Sharp, an active member of the Kent Chamber and Kent Downtown Partnership, is the owner of Minute Man Press in Kent. He was recently arrested on seven counts of first-degree theft for allegedly stealing $297,500 from his mother’s bank account. He plead not guilty to charges in August.

Schwartz, who owns Blanc ‘n Schwartz salon on Meeker St., wants Kent to continue its branding through the Kent Chamber and Kent Downtown Partnership, to condense the railroad tracks in downtown Kent over a five to 20 year period, to think outside the box in terms of revenue streams and  to drop the ban on marijuana.

Berrios, owner of the Golden Steer and the current president of the Kent Chamber, said Kent is not perceived as business friendly. He wants the city to create incentives to bring businesses to Kent which will, in turn, create jobs and sell homes.

Another hot topic of the debate was homelessness in Kent. Though asked to do so by moderator Dennis Manes of Republic Services, none of the candidates offered a concrete solution for the homelessness problem. Stober said he supports the work of Kent HOPE and he’d prefer to see a homeless shelter closer to bus lines and industrial areas. Sharp said he was glad that the Kent Resource Center as a possible homeless site prompted businesses and the community to talk about the issue. He wants to see a focus on homeless women and children. Schwartz also supports the work of Kent HOPE and wants to be sure that we address all populations of the homeless in Kent.

Berrios, who has actively worked to research and address the homeless issue in Kent, said, “As a Christian and a human, we have a moral obligation to not ignore this issue.”

While the candidates did not agree on several issues, the debates were polite and the candidates focused on their individual visions for the future of Kent.

For more information about the candidates, visit the King County Elections website. Ballots will be mailed on Oct. 16. To be counted, ballots must be completed and returned by 8 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 5.

Jim Berrios answers a question during the debate.

In a media release today, on behalf of the Kent Police Department, Detective Melanie Frazier asks for the public’s help to identify a suspect in the robbery of Chase Bank at the corner of 132nd and Kent-Kangley Rd. (13207 SE 272nd St., Kent) on the afternoon of Sept. 9. The suspect approached the bank teller with a note. The teller didn’t see a weapon, but the note implied there was one. The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described as:

- White male
– Between the ages of 25 and 30
– 6’0″ with a medium build
– Wearing a flannel shirt with a grey hoodie underneath, black Converse and dark sunglasses
– May have had light facial hair

If you have seen this man, or have information about the robbery, contact the Kent PD tip line at 253-856-5808.

Submitted by Michelle Wilmont, City of Kent, Community & Public Affairs

Kent residents are urged to dial 253-852-2121 to report non-emergency situations, ensuring that 911 will be readily available for actual emergencies, according to Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas.

Examples of calls that are appropriate for a non-emergency operator include reporting:

• A residential, business or vehicle break-in that occurred on an earlier day
• The return of a runaway child
• Identification of additional lost or stolen property after an initial report has been made
• Lost property
• A hit and run traffic collision when no longer at the scene of the accident

“Over time, the message for residents has been to call 911 any time a response is needed, even if it wasn’t an actual emergency. While good intentioned, that approach actually stopped people from calling 911 when they didn’t believe their situation was an actual emergency,” Thomas said. “By promoting use of the non-emergency number, we’re hoping residents will feel more comfortable calling for assistance.”

Both 911 and the 253-852-2121 numbers will ring into the Valley Communications Center. If an emergency is detected from a non-emergency call, it will be routed to the correct operator for immediate response.

Located in Kent, and known as Valley Com, the Center answers emergency 9-1-1 calls and dispatches police officers, firefighters and paramedics to people in eight different cities. “With multiple jurisdictions using Valley Com, we anticipate by sharing consistent information, we’ll minimize confusion about what constitutes a non-emergency call,” Thomas said.

Examples of when to call 911 include:

• Serious medical emergencies
• Any crime in progress
• Any type of fire
• Any dangerous or life-threatening situation
• Any suspicious activity
• Any time a person fears for their safety of the safety of others

Any person unsure if their situation is an emergency is encouraged to call 911.

The other cities that use the Valley Communications Center are also deploying non-emergency numbers. They include:

Auburn, 253-288-2121
Black Diamond, 360-886-0022
Des Moines, 206-878-2121
Federal Way, 253-835-2121
Renton, 425-235-2121
Tukwila, 206-241-2121

Kent residents have the option of filing many types of police reports online at KentWA.gov/police.

KENT, Wash., Sept. 11, 2013 — A Kent man was shot and seriously injured last night near the McDonald’s at 10125 SE 256th in Kent last night. There was a report of four to five shots being fired when the police were called by multiple sources. According to a media release, Kent police were on the scene within three minutes. They found the man outside of his vehicle with a serious gunshot wound to the face. Paramedics arrived and the man, in his 20s, was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of life threatening injuries. Kent police are investigating.

“We are looking at all of the evidence, and still trying to determine what provoked the shooting,” said Kent Detective Melanie Frazier.

Anyone with information about the shooting should call 9-1-1- or contact the Kent Police Department’s tip line at 253-856-5808.

KENT, Wash., September 11, 2013 — Demolition of the Alvord T. Bridge on 78th Ave. South in Kent will begin today at 7 a.m. and continue through mid-October. The project includes the demolition and removal of the bridge, creation of a cul-de-sac on the south end of the bridge, reconfiguration of the intersection on the north end of the bridge and restoration of the banks of the Green River. The bridge was closed on June 5, 2013, after the May 23rd collapse of the Skagit River bridge over I-5. The Alvord T. Bridge was deemed “structurally deficient and functionally obsolete,” with severe rusting, section loss of steel members and rotting timber. In addition, the bridge featured low clearance, narrow road width and substandard guardrails, making it unsafe. Residents and workers in the area should anticipate an increase in truck traffic and large equipment.

Registered voters, it’s that time of year again – election time! Watch your mailboxes for the King County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet and Ballot (mailed separately). Ballots should be completed and mailed by Aug. 6, 2013, dropped off at an approved 24-hour drop box or returned to one of the scheduled drop vans.

For Kent voters, the most convenient 24-hour drop box is at the Regional Justice Center at 401 4th Ave. N., Kent, WA 98032, near the parking garage entrance. Ballot drop boxes close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 6. None of the scheduled drop vans will be in Kent, but they will be available throughout King County. See page 7 of the voter’s guide for locations and times.

This particular election is a primary. Washington uses the “top 2″ primary system, so the top 2 candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the November election, provided they receive at least 1% of the votes for their particular race.

In Kent, there are two races with more than two candidates – Kent City Council Position No. 6. Candidates, in alphabetical order, are Barbara Phillips, Ken Sharp and Bailey Stober, (p. 38) and Kent School District No. 415, Director District No. 5. Those candidates, in alphabetical order, are Bruce Elliott, Carmen Goers and Maya Vengadasalam (pp. 65-66). For more information about these candidates, please see the voter’s guide.

Additional races directly impacting Kent voters are:

- King County Proposition No. 1 Parks Levy
- King County Executive
- Port of Seattle Commissioner Position No. 3

Additional information is available online at KingCounty.gov/elections. Questions? Call 206-296-VOTE or email the King County Elections office.

Nature lovers, join Matt Knox, environmentalist for the City of Kent, and Kent4Health on two guided tours of the Green River Natural Resource Area (GRNRA). The tours at 9 am and 6 pm will follow a 1.5 mile trail loop. The GRNRA serves as a habitat to approximately 165 bird species and 53 different types of mammals. It is also a nesting, feeding and brooding area for species that use the Green River corridor. It is one of the largest man-made, multi-use wildlife refuges in the United States. The GRNRA features walking trails and three observations towers.

To participate in one of the walks, meet at the parking lot at 22129 Russell Road S. The best way to access the lot is from 228th St. off of 68th Ave. S./West Valley Highway, across from Van Doren’s Landing Park. Walkers should plan on 90 minutes for each tour.

For a complete schedule of Kent4Health’s weekly walks, visit Kent4Health online.

The Kent Chamber of Commerce is hosting Speed Candidating this Thurs., July 18 at the Kent Senior Activity Center (600 E. Smith St.) form 5 to 8 pm, so you can get to know this year’s candidates before casting your vote.

Each table will feature one candidate and have space for nine guests. You’ll be seated at the table and have 10 minutes to interact with the candidate and others at your table. After 10 minutes, you’ll rotate to the next table, so you’ll have the opportunity to meet each candidate.

Schedule:

5 – 5:30:  Social Hour, Refreshments & Networking

5:30 – 7:45:  Speed Candidating

7:45 – 8:00:  Wrap-up

The following candidates will be participate:

Kent Mayoral Race:

Mayor Suzette Cooke
Tim Clark

King County Council:

Dave Upthegrove
Andy Massagli

Kent City Council:

Jim Berrios
Wade Schwartz
Ken Sharp
Bailey Stober

KSD Board:

Maya Vengadasalam
Carmen Goers

The event is free for Kent Chamber members and $10 for nonmembers. Register for the event here.

Summer is here and there are dozens of free activities in and around Kent to enjoy with your families. Here is a list of some of those opportunities:

1. Town Square Plaza Fountains (2nd and Harrison Streets, downtown Kent) – Splash and play in the Town Square Plaza fountains during the day, and enjoy the colored lights at night!
2. Kent Farmer’s Market (2nd and Harrison Streets, downtown Kent) – Every Saturday 9 am to 2 pm from June through September, area farmers, bakeries and local artisans will be on hand to sell produce, baked goods, crafts and more. Enjoy live music during your visit! Pet and kid friendly.
3. Kent International Festival (Town Square Plaza) – While this event was held in June, it is a summer favorite featuring live entertainment, educational booths, a student art contest, international food court and more! Watch for it in June 2014.
4. Takeout Tuesdays – Kent Station is offering Takeout Tuesdays from noon to 1 pm each Tuesday, as part of its free Soulful Sounds of Summer concert series. Visit the link for a concert line-up.
5. Date Night Wednesdays – Kent Station is offering Date Night Wednesdays from 6 to 8 pm each Wednesday, as part of its free Soulful Sounds of Summer concert series. Visit the link for a concert line-up.
6. Republic Services Wednesday Performances – For mid-day entertainment, enjoy Wednesday performances, 12 – 1 pm, at Town Square Plaza.
7. Thursdays at the Lake – Enjoy free summer concerts at Lake Meridian, compliment of the Kent Arts Commission.
8. Fourth of July Splash – Every year the City of Kent hosts family fun at Lake Meridian Park including food, live entertainment, games and a fireworks show. Mark your calendar for next year’s event on July 4, 2014.
9. Kent4Health Outdoor Walks – Each Wednesday during the summer, Kent4Health hosts outdoor walks from 9 – 11 am and 6 – 7:30 pm. Click here for a schedule. A bonus Monday event is also scheduled for July 22.
10. Soos Creek Trail - This beautifully maintained, paved trail is ideal for walking, hiking, running, bicycling and horseback riding. Take a nature hike with your kids, walk your dog or just get out and enjoy the fresh air.
11. Lake Meridian Park – This beautiful, lakeside park has it all. Picnic areas, playground equipment, piers for fishing, swimming, boating, activities, events and more.
12. Centennial Center Gallery – Enjoy the free art on display at the Centennial Center Gallery (400 W. Gowe) in downtown Kent, open Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Closed holidays.
13. Kent Historical Museum – This museum offers a peek into the past offers a fun look into local history. Open noon to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday, a donation of $2 per person is suggested, but not required.
14. Kent Cornucopia Days – This annual summer festival is a community favorite, complete with street fair, live entertainment and a parade.
15. Summer Reading @ Kent Library – Join the summer reading program at the Kent Library. Track your progress and win prizes!

The Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority offers these safety tips for the Fourth of July:

1. Have an adult present when lighting fireworks
2. Keep a bucket of water and hose or a fire extinguisher nearby
3. Only discharge fireworks in a clear area
4. Wear eye protection when lighting fireworks
5. Move quickly away from fireworks once they’ve been lit
6. If a firework seems to be a “dud,” wait 30 minutes before approaching it.
7. Dispose of all discharged fireworks in a bucket of water.
8. Call 9-1-1 to report illegal fireworks or ones being used unsafely.

The Law:

It is illegal to possess fireworks before noon on June 28.

Fireworks can only be discharged on July 4. In Kent, between 9 am and 11 pm, and until midnight in Covington and unincorporated King County.

For more info., download this flyer.

What’s legal and what’s not?

The City of Kent invites families to celebrate Independence Day in style with its annual Fourth of July Splash. Held at Lake Meridian Park on Thursday, July 4, the day begins at noon with games, family activities, food, entertainment, boat parade and more. The day concludes with a spectacular fireworks display sponsored by the Kent Parks & Recreation Department and the Lake Meridian Community Association.

Attendees are encouraged to take one of the shuttle buses from Kent Fire Station #75, Kentwood High School or Meridian Elementary to avoid traffic and parking issues.

For a complete list of activities and events, including shuttle information, visit the City of Kent website.

Normally, I don’t share job postings on iLoveKent.net. I’d never get anything else posted if I did, but this one is particularly Kent-centric, so I’m making an exception. is 

KEHR, Kent East Hill Revitalization, is looking for a community coordinator to spearhead and coordinate efforts of businesses and residents of Kent’s East Hill to revitalize the area. KEHR is looking for a self-starter with a positive attitude who can see a project through from start to finish. The position is a half-time position (15-20 hours per week) on a contract basis for one year. The job will including scheduling, attending and participating in meetings; related administrative tasks; social media, marketing and event promotion; and other tasks as they fall into the purview of this position.

For more information, please download this job description.To apply for the job, please send a résumé, cover letter and three professional references to Josh Hall via email.

For more information about KEHR, visit KEHR on Facebook or online at DiscoverEastHill.com. Questions? Contact Josh Hall at 253-856-5707 or email him.

The Kent Police Department is seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a suspect in a sexual assault that occurred early Sunday afternoon on Kent’s West Hill. A press release distributed by the police department this morning states that the assault occurred at Dollar Tree on Pacific Highway (23406 Pacific Highway South) where a man allegedly exposed himself and was touching his genitals in front of a six-year-old girl. The store surveillance cameras released this image.

Description:  White adult male, between 18 and 25, dark hair, 5′ 7″ tall, medium build.

Kent Detective Melanie Frazier said, “We want to ensure the public is aware of this incident, and that this case is a top priority for our investigators. Perpetrators like this do not belong in our community.”

Anyone with information about the suspect should call 9-1-1 or the Kent Police Department tip line at 253-856-5808.

After a winter hiatus, Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas reports that the city’s bike patrols will be back on the streets May 1. There will be four officers and a supervisor, scheduled to be on the street seven days a week. Focuses will be on the downtown transit center, shopping areas and parks including Town Square Plaza, Kaibara Park and the gazebo. The bike unit will also be available to deploy to other areas of Kent, as needed.

Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke said in an April 15 press release, “I’m very happy our police are again providing this valuable service to residents, businesses and visitors. It’s just in time for the better weather and increased use of outdoor spaces.”

[Photo by Dana E. Neuts for iLoveKent.net]

Assistant Chief Pat Lowery of the Kent Police Department reports that two baristas from Twin Peaks Espresso (24013 104th Ave. SE, Kent) were arrested Wednesday. The first, a 23 year old woman from Mountlake Terrace, was arrested for prostitution. The second was a 19 year old Lynnwood woman who was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with violation of Kent’s adult entertainment ordinance. Both women were booked at the Kent Corrections Center.

According to the press release, Kent PD’s Special Investigation Unit began investigating the espresso stand in October after reports that female employees were exposing themselves and committing lewd acts for customers are the drive-through window. The women were paid in tips that ranged from $10 to $25. Using site surveillance and drive through contacts, the SIU identified a number of baristas who were participating in the illegal behavior. Detectives also reviewed the business practices of other “bikini barista” stands throughout Kent to ensure their compliance with local ordinances.

Assistant Chief Lowery said, “These arrests do not signal the end of this investigation.”

Additional employees are likely to be charged. If you have information that could assist the police, or if you have any questions, contact Assistant Chief Lowery at 253-856-5833.

Kent, WASH., Feb. 19, 2013–Detectives at the Kent Police Department are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in the Feb. 12 robbery of the Panther Lake branch of Key Bank. In a press release from the police department, the suspect is described as as unkempt, white or light-skinned black male, mid 30s, 6′ to 6’3″ with a medium build. It is possible he has tattoos on his hands or knuckles and near his eyes. No weapon was shown during the robbery, and the man fled on foot.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the Kent Police Tip Line at 253-856-5808.

[Note:  The information provided by the police department was dated Feb. 14, but just received today, Feb. 19 at 10:22 am.]

Folks at the City of Kent and local volunteers are busy planning another fun You We Me, an interactive evening of free family fun. This year’s event will be held at ShoWare Center on Fri., Mar. 1 and will feature a variety of activities for kids of all ages. In addition to collecting food for the Kent Food Bank, event highlights include:

• 44 interactive vendor booths
• Bike raffle from Redline Bikes
• Radio Disney
• Sports competitions
• Face painting, hands on activities, games
• Bounce houses
• Rainier Youth Choirs
• Neely O’Brien DRUM and Red Hawk Singers
• Electronettes Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Cameron Sterling
• Kitana Turnball
• Allegro Performing Arts Academy
• Kent Elementary STOMP and Dance Team
• New Beginning Alofa Tunoa Youth Dance Group
• Kent Meridian Bridging the Seas Bollywood Group
• Kent Knights Jr. Cheer Team
• Kent Meridian Pacific Island Club
• $1 hot dogs and soda

Kent Food Bank will be on hand to accept donations of nonperishable food items. The event is organized by a cross-section of community groups, the Kent School District, Kent Parks, local youth groups, sports teams, scouts, churches, local businesses and service clubs. Come join the fun!

The following crime prevention tips were provided by the Kent Police Department.

Exterior

• Adequately light all exterior sides of your business, including alley ways and parking lots, using vandal-resistant fixtures. As most store burglaries occur at night when it’s dark, lighting serves as one of the most important deterrents.
• Install an alarm system and check it regularly for failure. Contact Kent PD for assistance in selecting an alarm system. Post notice you have an active system in place.
• Reinforce doors with long screws or bolts on heavy-duty strike plates, pop-out-proof hinges, or hole/nail combo at top and bottom. Replace all hollow-core exterior doors.
• Install deadbolt locks on all outside doors and double cylinder deadbolts on doors with glass panels. Check the locks are properly installed and used at ALL times.
• Issue as few keys as possible and change the locks if keys are lost or not returned by a former employee. Don’t tag keys with the name of your business.
• Secure all roof openings, air ducts, skylights, air conditioning units, hatchways, doorway transoms, sidewalk and basement openings.
• Don’t provide concealment or climbing platforms for the burglar. Clear and maintain all debris, weeds, and shrubbery away from windows and doors. Lock up ladders and all tools that could make a burglar’s job easier.
• Protect windows and glass doors with transparent window security film, security glazing, or roll-down security panels; or install burglar resistant glass. Use bars or grating on rear and side windows.  Consult with your fire department on fire safety ordinances for doors and windows.  

Interior

• Keep a minimum of cash on the premises. Post signs that say “No cash kept on premise”.
• Consider installing a video camera system. If you already have one, ensure it is working properly, always recording, and provides clear images of what is filmed. Post notice you have an active system in place.
• Move valuable merchandise and business equipment such as computers away from the windows or doors to prevent smash and grab thefts.
• Make it difficult to steal merchandise…bolt racks down, alternate the direction of hangers on the rack, tie appliance cords together, chain bicycles, lock small valuables in cabinets and show cases.
• Arrange window displays so that passersby and police can see into the store.
• Anchor your safe to the floor in a well-lit, highly visible location. Keep all valuable documents and items, including company vehicle keys in safe.
• Always leave on an interior light that is visible from the street. If for any reason it is off, the darkened store will arouse suspicion.
• Don’t lock a burglar inside when you leave. Inspect all closets, bathrooms, and other hiding places before closing. For personal safety, try to have two people present at both opening and closing.