Updated June 10, 2012, 4:42 p.m. PST

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s “So You Think KENT Has Talent” competition. The event raised $600 for Kent Youth & Family Services. The winners are:

Overall winners 

1st Overall NFI Enterprise winner ($1,000) – Cameron Sterling (vocal)

2nd Overall Intimate Pilates winner ($500) – Nathan Jacobsen (vocal/piano)

3rd Overall Baldwin Chiropractic winner ($250) – Andrey Chebotarev (Saxophone)

Divisional winners

Youth division Lance Timmerman Cosmetic Dentistry winner ($100) – Cameron Sterling (vocal)

Teen division Nigel Cooper Photography winner ($100) – Bhangra Royalty (bollywood dance)

Adult division Lemon Drop Skin Care and Massage winner ($100) – Nathan Jacobsen (vocal/piano)

Audience Favorite’ winner sponsored by Baldwin Chiropractic ($50) – David Hall & Cody Moody (vocal/guitar)

Updated May 29, 2012, 7:59 a.m. PST

On May 12, Allegro Performing Arts Academy served as the host for the preliminary qualification round of the second annual So You Think Kent Has Talent competition. More than 50 individuals and groups performed, hoping to win a spot in the final competition set for June 2. Judges for the preliminaries were Suzanne Smith (Arts Commissioner), Jamie Perry (Kent City Council), and Andrea Keikkala (Kent Chamber of Commerce). The winners (in alphabetical order) by category are:

Youth Division

Teddy Gutterud (piano)
Maria Victoria Kovalsky (vocal)
Jillian Marcotte (vocal)
Alexia Samuels (vocal)
Cameron Sterling (vocal)
*Honorable Mention – Czarina Ignama

Teen Division

Bollywood Royalty (dance)
Connor Gormley (dance)
David Hall/Cody Moody (vocal/guitar)
Theresa Soto (vocal/piano)
The Voice of Reason (band)
*Honorable Mention – Benjamin Phanivong

Adult Division

James Bacher (vocal)
Andrey Chebotarev (saxophone)
Carolyne Igama (vocal)
Nathan Jacobsen (vocal/piano)
Esther O’Farrell (vocal)
*Honorable Mention – Verna Benson

The final competition will be held at the Kent-Meridian High School Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 2 starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 each, or you can reserve your tickets by calling 253-813-9630. All proceeds benefit Kent Youth & Family Services, a nonprofit serving youth and families in South King County. The judges for the final competition will be Mayor Suzette Cooke, Dana Ralph (Kent City Council), Bill Boyce (Kent City Council), Dave Hobbs and more.

Winning performers will also particulate in the Kent International Festival (June 16), Kent’s Fourth of July Splash (July 4), Kent Cornucopia Days (July 14) and the Kent Cornucopia Parade (July 15).

Prizes include:

$1,000 NFI Enterprise Grand Prize
$500 Overall 2nd place – Intimate Pilates
$250 Overall 3rd place – Baldwin Chiropractic
$100 Youth 1st place – Lance Timmerman DMD Dental Excellence
$100 Teen 1st place – Nigel Cooper Photography
$100 Adult 1st place – Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage
$50 Audience Pick Winner – Baldwin Chiropractic
Theater & Advertising Sponsor – Allegro Performing Arts Academy
Award Sponsor – West Coast Awards and Athletic

For more updates, visit So You Think Kent Has Talent on Facebook.

At Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke’s annual State of the City address today, Mayor Cooke asked businesses to participate in  helping the city out of the economic downturn.

“This is your city,” Mayor Cooke said. “Be a part of the solution.”

Mayor Cooke was referring specifically to the city’ significant revenue losses – including a 32% reduction in sales tax revenue and a 75% reduction in real estate tax revenue. The city’s administration and seven-member Kent City Council have been tasked with finding ways to continue offering critical services with fewer staff and less money. Among the creative solutions being considered are imposing a local Business & Occupation (B&O) tax and creating a transportation benefit district. Mayor Cooke asked businesses to stay or become engaged with the city to help it find solutions for expensive problems like the$3 million price tag to remove sandbags along the Green River.

The two-term Kent mayor highlighted several projects in the works, including the Kent City Center project which will replace the now-demolished parking garage that was located at Smith and Fourth in downtown Kent.

“It was such a dream that went awry,” she said.

But she is encouraged to see Kent City Center in the works, a five-story, 164-unit mixed use building go up to include residential units with corresponding parking, lower level retail space and 35 parking stalls for downtown shoppers and visitors. In addition to this project, the economic development department is working on a bid to the GSA and FAA to bring a 2,000 employee facility to downtown Kent. There are other properties under consideration, including nearby Renton, but the Mayor is optimistic that Kent will be considered a strong candidate.

Another portion of her discussion focused on infrastructure and the importance of maintaining and upgrading it as needed. With nine top tier suppliers to Boeing in Kent, Mayor Cooke stressed the importance of being smart with our educational and infrastructure decisions, particularly in meeting the needs of the aerospace industry.

“We cannot let our infrastructure deteriorate,” she said.

Inviting Kent Chamber president-elect Ken Sharp and executive director Andrea Keikkala, Kent City Council President Dennis Higgins, KDP president Dawn Colston and executive Barb Smith to join her on stage, Mayor Suzette Cooke urged each of them to be part of Kent’s solution, asking each of them to hold hands and recite their commitment to the City of Kent.

She closed with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.:  “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.”

Mayor Suzette Cooke will give her annual State of the City Address this year on Wed., March 7 at the Kent Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon:

State of the City Address

March 7, 2012
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ShoWare Center
625 W. James St.
Kent, WA  98032

Chambers $20
Guests $30

Register online.

Sponsored by Valley Bank of Kent

From Michelle Wilmot, City of Kent, Community & Public Affairs

Kent Mayor Responds to Moody’s Downgrade

KENT, Wash. – February 7, 2012 – The decision by Moody’s Investors Service to lower the rating on Kent’s Limited Tax General Obligation (LTGO) bonds will have no immediate impact on the city’s finances, Mayor Suzette Cooke reported at the City Council’s Operations Committee meeting Tuesday.

On February 6, Moody’s lowered the city’s bond rating one point from Aa3 to A1. In Moody’s terms, an Aa3 rating means that an obligor has a very strong ability to meet its financial commitments while a rating of A1 represents that an obligor has a strong capacity to meet its financial obligations, but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.

Cooke said city government has been in persistent contraction for the last four years. “Rising costs and deteriorating revenues have forced reductions in every area of our budget. We have significantly cut internal supports – like training and supplies, reduced staff, cut programs, and delayed projects until economic conditions stabilize. We’ve been trying to maintain a level of service that least damages our residents and job base,” said Cooke. As Moody’s notes, ‘there is uncertainty with regard to the city’s ability to implement additional expenditure cuts as it has already enacted significant cuts over the last three fiscal years.’

“Uncertainty created by the economic recession has placed a financial burden on all levels of government,” said Cooke. “Locally we know South King County sales tax revenue is down 32 percent. the sluggish construction industry has gutted our development fees income, and the dearth of property sales has reduced Real Estate Excise Tax revenue by 75 percent. As the state and King County re-align their budgets, they have either reduced committed revenues to us (such as Streamlined Sales Tax mitigation) or transferred the responsibility of providing services down to us with no attached revenue (such as animal control). The trickle-down effect has left Kent financially vulnerable to acts and decisions outside our control.” Moody’s report states, ‘There is also uncertainty with regard to the city’s ability to preserve current levels of state shared revenues….’

Cooke said the downgrade does not affect current indebtedness or bond payments, nor would it affect voter-approved or revenue bonds; the city has no plans to issue LTGO bonds in the near term.

Moody’s report lists Kent’s strengths as having a large, relatively resilient property tax base; a stable local economy; and a “still manageable debt burden” with regards to the Public Facilities District that supports ShoWare Center. The report also notes the city appears to be in the early stages of a turnaround, committed to rebuilding negative fund balances, paying down interfund debts and stabilizing recurring fund operations. Cooke said the city is already working to improve its finances.

Join Mayor Suzette Cooke at Airway Brewing Beer & Bistro in downtown Kent, 320 W. Harrison Street, on November 8, 5 pm – 6 pm with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony (must be 21 or over to attend).  The Bistro is scheduled to open in early November.

Friendly service and tasty beer make Airways Brewing Company a favorite with locals as well as beer enthusiasts from all over.  Their tap room, which opened on March 4, 2010, is located at 6644 S. 196th Street, Ste. 100 features full pints and growlers of their five standard beers: T-Tail Blonde Ale; Jet City ESB; First Class IPA; Starliner Stout and Sky Hag IPA.  Founder and brewer Alex Dittmar has had a lifelong passion for 60′s era jetliners as the names of his beers show.  Airways Brewing Company and now Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro is a combination of his love for airplanes, good beer and a connection with people from all over the world.

Please join Airways Brewing Co. for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 8 and welcome Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro to downtown Kent.

Contributed by Michelle Wilmot, City of Kent, Community & Public Affairs

Mayor Suzette Cooke’s 2012 Budget Proposal to Kent City Council

Kent, Wash. – October 5, 2011 – Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke’s 2012 proposed budget was presented to the Kent City Council on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Chief Administrative Officer John Hodgson.

In a prepared statement, Cooke said her budget is in line with the “new normal.”

“For nearly four years, city government has been in persistent contraction. Rising costs and deteriorating revenues have forced reductions in nearly every area our budget.

We’ve made significant cuts, we’ve reduced staff, we’ve cut programs — and hoped conditions would stabilize.  Instead, projections continually collapse.  As Arun Raha, our state’s economist and forecaster, recently stated, ‘a return to normalcy seems like mirage in the desert that keeps slipping away’. This unprecedented recession just won’t end.

Earlier this year, the Council established its strategic goals for 2012 including the ‘development and implementation of a sustainable funding model for city services.’  This budget proposal is reflective of that goal and the new economic reality.”

The proposed 2012 Operating Budget totals $141.7 million.

Cooke’s statement further noted the budget continues to make law enforcement and public safety a high priority. “Approximately 46% of the expenditures in the General Fund are dedicated to public safety, which includes police, corrections and courts.”

Highlights of the proposed budget

Top priorities maintained

• Law Enforcement:  No reductions in the number of sworn officers are proposed.
• Human Services:  Maintain 2011 funding levels for human services. With the departure of the fire department, the original 1% calculation would have been $733k.  An additional $95,600 keeps it whole for 2012.
• Infrastructure:  Preserve the City’s infrastructure assets, including utilities (water, sewer and drainage), streets, parks, facilities and technology.
• Economic Development:  Focus on increasing economic development opportunities that provide jobs for Kent residents.
•  Increase connections and communication with our residents: Aim to foster inclusiveness by celebrating our diversity and creating new gathering places.

Cost increases and required/contracted expenditures

* $500,000 towards repayment of a 2002 loan from the water fund related to land acquisition for Kent Station.
* $126,000 increase in animal control services provided by Regional Animal Services of King County, for a total cost of nearly $417,000 for 2012.  The city-county contract will end 12/31/2012.
* $110,000 increase for election services and $44,573 increase in voter registration services provided by King County.
* $172,000 new expense for custodial, maintenance and security screening costs for the newly acquired Aukeen Court/Municipal Court building.
* $572,000 in utility cost increases for city-owned facilities and parks (i.e. electricity, water, sewer, garbage, etc.), as well as neighborhood street lighting previously covered by Home Owners Associations.
* $343,000 increase for state-mandated pension costs.
* $373,000 increase for worker’s compensation costs, largely due to remaining fire department claims.  The City is still responsible for these outstanding claims, because they occurred prior to the formation of the Regional Fire Authority.

Cost savings/fee increases

•     Eliminate 20.5 vacant positions – $1,711,562
•     Restructure fees for permitting and development services – $400,000
•     Apply a technology fee to permitting, parks and utility billing transactions to maintain technology systems – $125,000.
•     Increase business license fees – $100,000.

Residents are encouraged to attend a public hearing on the 2012 budget on Tuesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Council members will review the budget and likely adopt a final version at their December 13 meeting.

If you are a fan of Dancing with the Stars, or just enjoy a fun night out, mark your calendars! The Kent Parks Foundation and Arthur Murray Dance School are sponsoring “Dancing with the Stars Kent” on Saturday, October 22. Held in Green River Community College’s Cascade Room, the event begins at 5:30 pm and it features the following “celebrity” dancers:

1. Mayor Suzette Cooke
2. Kent City Councilwoman Deb Ranniger (sponsored by Allegro Performing Arts Academy)
3. Kent City Council President Jamie Perry (sponsored by Pacific Raceways)
4. Deputy Chief, King County Steve Strachan (sponsored by Great American Casino)
5. Representative Dave Upthegrove (sponsored by Pat’s Bar & Grill)
6. Kent Chamber President Andrea Keikkala (sponsored by Airways Brewing Company)
7. Timberwolves Receiver Jeremiah Captain (sponsored by Charley’s on Central)
8. Kiwanis Noon Club President Janet Stebbins (sponsored by Kiwanis Noon Club)
9. Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas (sponsored by Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise)
10. Kent Firefighter Marvin Oakcrum (sponsored by Gators Sports Bar and Grill)

Guest Judge:  Ken Sharp, owner of Minuteman Press of Kent

VIP Tickets are $100 and include dinner, wine, priority seating and voting rights in the People’s Choice Trophy Presentation; General admission tickets are $30 each.

Call 253-639-0124 to purchase tickets, or buy them online now –>  Click Here To Buy Tickets Now

Additional information is available on Facebook.

Donations will benefit the Kent Community Center’s music lab.

Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke is set to give her annual “State of the City” address this Wed., Feb. 2 (11:30 am) at ShoWare Center. Mayor Cooke will highlight 2010 accomplishments, as well as give an update on what’s happening in Kent now and in the near future. The address will be taped for viewing on Kent TV21 and will be reprised in an expanded format during the Mar. 15 Kent City Council meeting.

For more information about the event, which is being hosted by the Kent Chamber of Commerce, visit the City’s website online.

In a press release from Michelle Witham from the Mayor’s office, Mayor Suzette Cooke has named Ken Thomas as Kent’s newest Police Chief. He replaces Chief Steve Strachan who resigned at the end of December to take a position as Undersheriff for the King County Sheriff’s Department.

Ken Thomas Named Chief of Police for Kent

KENT, Wash. – January 19, 2011 – Ken Thomas, a 22-year police veteran with a history of innovative leadership and community outreach, will take the lead as the new Chief of Police for the City of Kent.

“Thomas’s leadership excellence and his ability to build strong relationships with diverse communities makes him an outstanding choice to lead our Police Department,” Mayor Suzette Cooke said. “Simply put, Ken is the right choice for our community and the right choice for the department.”

Currently serving as Captain of the 185-member department, Thomas is credited with leading Kent’s Community Oriented Policing Unit that has resulted in reduced residential burglaries and auto thefts.

“As a veteran of the department, he is very familiar with our community and neighborhoods, and recognizes our challenges,” Cooke said.

“I’m honored to be chosen for this position. I will do everything in my power to make Kent the safest city in the region,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to working with the Mayor and City Council, and every member of this great department, just as I’m looking forward to working with the community as a true partner in public safety.”

Four candidates were interviewed by three panels representing Kent’s diverse community, public safety professionals, and business and civic leaders.

“While each candidate’s breadth of experience and commitment were impressive, Ken Thomas was the overwhelming top choice of each of three panels,” said Cooke. “The panelists like the direction the department is going; the officers like the direction the department is going. We all want to keep the current momentum.”

Council President Jamie Perry said the entire Council supports the selection of Thomas. “He’s going to do a great job and he’s got the experience we need.”

Thomas holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Thomas will be sworn in as Chief within the next two weeks. He replaces Chief Steve Strachan, who resigned in December 2010 to serve as Chief Deputy of the King County Sheriff’s Office.

In a press release dated today from Michelle Witham, communications director for the City of Kent, Mayor Suzette Cooke announced that the finalists for the position of Kent Police Chief . They include  David Frazer of Rohnert Park, California; Jeffry Sale of Spokane; Kenneth Thomas of Puyallup; and Michael Villa of Auburn. The selected candidate will replace Chief Steve Strachan as Kent Police Chief. Strachan vacated the position on January 5 to take the position of King County Undersheriff.

“After careful consideration of the 18 applications, four finalists were selected to participate in on-site interviews,” Cooke said.

“Our screeners spent several hours reviewing the applications, determining minimum qualifications and compatibility of experience for our community.  We are pleased with the quality of the four finalists and look forward to concluding the interview process, and selecting our new Police Chief, hopefully by early March.”

Frazer, the only out-of-state candidate, brings 24 years of police, fire and emergency operations experience. His current position is Police Chief of McFarland, California, a city of approximately 13,000 located in the San Joaquin Valley, where he established a new department in 120 days after ceasing to contract with Kern County for police services.  Previously, Frazer was with the Rohnert Park, California Police Department (city population 43,000) where he served as Division Commander for the 78-member department since 1986.  (In the case of each city, the department population represents the total number of commissioned officers and full-time employees.) He holds a Masters Degree in Leadership from St. Mary’s College of California.

Sale, who has served since 2004 as Chief of the 25-member Police Department in Cheney, Washington, population 10,500 (20,000 when Central Washington University classes are in session), has 32 years of law enforcement experience, including 25 years with the Washington State Patrol.  He is credited with developing a multi-agency team to identify and provide services to at-risk youth and speaks nationally on law enforcement issues.  Sale is a graduate of Washington State University and the FBI National Academy.

Thomas, a 22-year veteran of the 185-member Kent Police Department, currently serves as Captain.  He is credited with leading the City’s Community Oriented Policing Unit resulting in reduced residential burglaries and auto thefts.  Thomas holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Development from Central Washington University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Villa brings 20 years of police experience to his current position as Assistant Police Chief for the City of Tukwila.  The 87-member department serves a population of 18,190 residents (140,000 daytime population).  Villa is credited with the development and implementation of a multi-pronged strategy which has resulted in a decrease of residential burglaries.  He saw active duty in the US Marine Corps Reserves, has a Business Degree from Central Washington University and graduated from the FBI National Academy.

The finalists will be interviewed January 13 by three separate panels, including one comprised of community members.

Read the press release online here.

Kent TV21 has created and is now showing “Welcome to Kent:  The Panther Lake Annexation” to discuss the city’s plans to annex the neighborhood on July 1, 2010. Featuring Mayor Suzette Cooke, planning director Fred Satterstrom and members of Citizens for Annexation to Kent, the program will discuss the annexation and how it will impact the community. To view the program, visit KentTV21 online.

Once the Panther Lake annexation of 24,000 residents is complete, the City of Kent will become the sixth largest city in the State of Washington. For more information about the annexation, visit the city’s online annexation resource.

Friday, February 12, 2010 — Today Indoor Football League Commissioner Tommy Benizio officially kicked off the 2010 IFL season at Kent’s ShoWare Center, home of the Kent Predators, one of two new IFL expansion teams.

“This is a great game and we can’t wait to unveil it,” Commissioner Benizio said. “We are real pleased to grow here in Kent.”

Benizio was one of half a dozen speakers at today’s press conference called by the Kent Predators to introduce Benizio, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, owners Chris Kokalis and Ken Moninski, VP of Football Operations Brian Brents, Head Coach William McCarthy, the Kent Predators football team and dance team.

“Welcome Kent,” Mayor Cooke said. “We are going to be a great team together. I love wolves and I love purple. We’re going to beat everybody!”

Ken Moninski, co-owner of the team, said the team is excited to call the new ShoWare Center home and welcomed everyone to come watch the fan-friendly game.

“We’re going to make the city proud,” he said. “The support here is phenomenal. We’ll have a very successful season on and off the field.”

Co-owner Kokalis agreed, citing the team’s commitment to the City of Kent and his enthusiasm about the staff, players, team and community partnerships.

“We’re going to make Kent the best community in the state of Washington,” Kokalis added.

Brents, who took the El Paso Generals to a 12 and 2 season in 2009, serves as the Kent Predators VP of Football Operations. He, too, showed his support of the team and community.

“This is exciting, y’all!”

One of Brents’ first tasks was to hire head coach William McCarthy, who previously served as assistant coach to the El Paso Generals. McCarthy said the community would love the fast-paced game and encouraged the crowd to attend the team’s first practice during training camp this Sunday at Wilson Playfields (132nd and 248th on Kent’s East Hill).

Defensive back Kevin Jones, who played football for Kentwood High School, said he is anxious to start the season.

“We’re playing this game not just for ourselves but for the whole community,” Jones said. “I’m glad to be home!”

The team’s first game is an away game on February 28 against the Billings Outlaws, the 2009 defending champions of the United Bowl. The Predators’ first home game will be at ShoWare Center on Friday, March 12.

“We’d like to put a sellout here,” Kokalis said.

For more information about the Kent Predators, visit the team online or contact Jim Granacker, VP of operations, at 253-239-3254.

Kent Predators Receiver Eric "Shampoo" Taylor and Mayor Suzette Cooke

In a press release from Jim Granacker, director of operations for the Kent Predators, the Kent Predators announced that the community and media are invited to attend a press conference this Friday, February 12 at ShoWare Center to meet members of the front office and coaching staff, including team owners Chris Kokalis and Ken Moninski, VP of football operations and Predators head coach William McCarthy. The group will discuss their first season which kicks off with its first home game on Friday, March 12. In addition, Mayor Suzette Cooke will be available to answer questions regarding how the Predators’ presence in Kent will affect the community.

Also making an appearance is IFL Commissioner Tommy Benizio who will officially kick-off the league’s season tomorrow.

“Heading into the league’s second season, the IFL has quickly established itself as the nation’s premier indoor football league,” he stated in the February 10 press release.  “I am very excited to come to Kent to announce the kickoff of the 2010 campaign and to watch the Predators compete in our Pacific North Division this year.”

The Indoor Football League (IFL) was started in 2008 from a merger between the Intense Football League and United Indoor Football Association. Two years later, the IFL consists of 25 teams in 13 states in six divisions. The IFL season is 14-games long and the season’s regular schedule runs from March through June. The season ends with playoffs in August, followed by the IFL United Bowl.

Refreshments will be served at 2:30 pm as informal announcements are made. The question and answer session will begin promptly at 3:00 pm.

For more information, contact Jim Granacker at 253-239-3254 or via email.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010, Kent, Washington–Today Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke gave her annual State of the City Address at the February Kent Chamber membership luncheon. With a packed room at the ShoWare Center, Mayor Cooke revisited 2009.

“This past year was challenging, not just for this city, but for all governments, large and small,” Mayor Cooke said. “Kent, like all cities, worked under a tightening budget.”

She is, however, optimistic about three things:  1) that 2009 is over; 2) the economy appears to be recovering; and 3) flood season is ending. She recounted a number of the city‘s 2009 highs and lows, including:

1)  The popularity of ShoWare Center which brought 350,000 guests through its doors in 2009, including 60,000 guests who saw Disney on Ice at the new sports arena

2)  The implementation of the new CodeRED system which allows the city to make 60,000 emergency contacts per hour via phone, email and text message

3)  The four labor unions taking voluntary pay cuts to avoid staff reductions and to help the city save more than $1 million in 2009 spending

4)  2.8%, or $2.2 million, drop in revenue

5)  8.1%, or $1.5 million, drop in sales tax revenue

6)  Elimination of 56 positions within the city, about half of which resulted in layoffs. Other vacant positions were not filled.

7)  Expansion of Kent Station with the GRCC expansion

8)  1,677 Kent Parks volunteers

9)  4,000 volunteer hours spent removing graffiti

10)  Annexing Panther Lake to occur July 1, 2010, making Kent the sixth largest city in the state

In addition to these items, Mayor Cooke reviewed the 2010 budget, stating that public safety remains the city’s #1 priority. The 2010 budget is 5.6% less than the 2009 budget and it includes $1 million to be set aside for emergencies like potential flooding.

“Things are looking a lot better economically,” she added.

A topic of major concern was, of course, the flood risk of the Howard Hanson Dam. Once predicted at a 1 in 4 chance of flooding, the flood risk has dropped to 1 in 33. While this is a positive step, Mayor Cooke said, a permanent fix is not available for three to five years.

“Any kind of delay is simply unacceptable,” she added. “Until that dam is fixed, it is going to haunt us.”

To help control potential flooding, the city raised levies by three feet, successfully completing the task before the beginning of flood season last fall. In addition, Mayor Cooke thanked the community, business leaders and service groups for helping to spread the word about potential flood risks as well as helping one another fill sand bags and helping seniors and the disabled prepare for a flood.

Mayor Cooke singled out a number of city staff and community and business leaders for their support of the Kent community. She thanked them for their tireless service and for making Kent the great place that it is. One person instrumental in the city’s survival of a difficult year was Chief Administrative Officer John Hodgsen.

“John Hodgsen is an outstanding leader and worker in the city,” Mayor Cooke said.

The overall mood of the meeting was positive and Mayor Cooke left the audience with some new things to watch for:  a redesigned website, taking the inbox newsletter to an email format, and the second annual International Festival, set for June 26, and the Kent Refugee and Immigrant Forum.

“It’s 2010 and I’m smiling,” Mayor Cooke said.

The event was presented by the Kent Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Allied Waste and co-sponsored by Kent Downtown Partnership. The program was taped to be shown on Kent TV21 at a later date.

According to a press release issued today by Michelle Witham of the City of Kent, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke will deliver her annual “State of the City” address on Wed., February 3 at 11:30 a.m. This year’s luncheon will be held at the ShoWare Center during the monthly Kent Chamber luncheon.

The mayor, who is beginning her second term in office, will focus on public safety, the local economy and quality of life for Kent residents. In addition, she will discuss highlights and accomplishments from 2009.

The cost per person is $20 which includes lunch. For those who can’t attend the event, it will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 21 and online at Kent TV 21.

For more information, visit the Kent Chamber online. To RSVP for the luncheon, contact Marge Williams at 253-854-1770.

We have a great day of family fun planned for guests of Kent Winterfest, A Holly Jolly Day in Kent, scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 8 am to 6 pm. Here is our current schedule of events:

• 8 am – 2 pm: Holly Jolly All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast at Maggie’s on Meeker, sponsored by Kent AM Kiwanis
• 9 am – 5 pm: Holiday Parks Bazaar at Kent Commons
• 9 am – 7 pm: PediCabs
• 10 am – 7 pm (and 9 pm at Kent Station): Merchants Open for Holiday Shopping & Dining in downtown Kent and Kent Station
• 11 am: Holly Jolly One Mile Kids & Kritters Walk with Mayor Suzette Cooke and Kent4Health
• 11:30 am: KM Jazz Band on 2nd Avenue across from the Kent library
• 12 – 2 pm: Meet the Kent Fire Department at 2nd & Meeker
• 12 – 8 pm: Morford Family Holiday Carousel
• 1 – 5 pm: Horse drawn carriage
• 3 – 5 pm: SilverBells Carolers roving through Historic Downtown Kent
• 4 pm: Holiday Reading at Green River Community College
• 4:30 – 6:30 pm: Kent Lions’ Parade, Santa’s Arrival, 6-Foot Christmas Stocking Giveaway and Annual Tree Lighting
• 5:00: Allegro Performing Arts
• 5:15 pm: KM Jazz Choir, Sound Connection at 2nd Avenue across from the Kent library

Share your Holly Jolly spirit by bringing a nonperishable food item for the Kent Food Bank. For more info., visit Kent Winterfest online or call KDP at 253-813-6976.

With 21.22% of ballots cast by registered voters, Mayor Suzette Cooke was re-elected with 5,133 votes (68.8%) to Jim Berrios’ 2,309 votes (30.95%).

In other contested races, Dennis R. Higgins won Kent City Council Position No. 4 over Dana Ralph, and Elizabeth Albertson retained Kent City Council Position No. 6 over Geoff Koepp. Jamie Danielson, who ran for Kent City Council Position No. 2 unopposed, will retain her seat as well.

As of 8 p.m. last night, a total of 7,827 ballots had been received out of 36,888 registered voters. For complete election results, visit the King County Elections page.

Throughout this election season, I have attempted to remain neutral on iLoveKent.net. As a journalist who holds herself closely to the SPJ Code of Ethics, I felt it was important to present both sides fairly which I have done. I have also refrained from stating my personal opinion regarding who I am supporting in the Kent mayoral election. Those who know me well know that I made my vote without reservation.

Before I continue, let me disclose my relationships with both Mayor Suzette Cooke and mayoral candidate and KSD school board president Jim Berrios. I used to be a contractor for the city. I am no longer working with the city on projects, but I frequently interview city officials and employees for articles for publication. I have also interviewed Jim Berrios  for several stories I’ve written for publication, one local publication and a trade publication for the newspaper advertising industry.

Without divulging my personal choice for mayor, I ask you to consider the following when casting your vote (if you have not already done so):

• Each candidate’s record of service to the community:   Mayor Suzette Cooke as our mayor for the last four years with numerous community and governmental achievements, and Jim Berrios as a community volunteer, business owner and president of the KSD school board.

• Each candidate’s behavior during the campaign. Did your preferred candidate conduct him or herself honorably, focusing on the issues (e.g., budget, flooding, economy) rather than minutia?

• When faced with difficult decisions like how to handle flooding, manage transportation issues, boost our economy and settle the school district strike, did your candidate act in the community’s best interests?

• Does your candidate of choice have a plan for the next four years? If so, do you understand and agree with it?

• Is his or her campaign platform clear and does it benefit the community at large, or primarily special interest groups?

• Do you have any reservations whatsoever about your candidate’s loyalty?

As you consider these items, I ask you to also consider the media coverage and debates that have taken place. There has been a fair amount of mudslinging and the race has gotten ugly in some instances. From where I sit, that mud is coming from one side more than the other, however. That tells me a lot about the integrity of the candidates and how I can expect them to represent me and the City of Kent into the future.

I invite anyone to comment on the mayoral candidates and how they have (or have made) their choice for mayor of Kent.

Thanks for listening,