Medical marijuana dispensaries, and property owners who lease or rent to dispensaries, were notified this week they must close or face the loss of their business licenses and potential criminal charges.

Citing the State’s failure to clarify the law pertaining to medical marijuana dispensaries, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke said the city was left with no choice.  “State law has put the city in a precarious position; we cannot just stand by while activity that is illegal under state and federal law occurs in the city.”  Cooke also stated “I supported Initiative 692 when it passed, and it’s a shame those patients are now caught in the middle.”

According to City Attorney Tom Brubaker, medical marijuana dispensaries are prohibited under current law.

“Dispensaries operating in Kent were notified long ago that dispensing medical marijuana was prohibited.  However, with numerous bills working their way through the legislative process, the city delayed enforcement action in hopes that the State Legislature would provide cities with the tools to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries.  With the veto of portions of Senate Bill 5073, marijuana dispensaries will continue to be prohibited the city has determined that with no state resolution under consideration, the city must take action to close the dispensaries.” Brubaker said.

Cooke said she hopes the Legislature will resolve the issue during its next session.  “What we need is a well-defined law that doesn’t place cities in a position of violating federal and state statutes, while also allowing those patients safe, legal access to medical marijuana.”

At its annual awards luncheon yesterday at Golden Steer, Soroptimist International of Kent presented its community service awards. With 45 or so guests in attendance at the luncheon, including Mayor Suzette Cooke and Kent City Council President Jamie (Danielson) Perry, the following individuals and organizations were honored for their work in improving the lives of women and girls in the Kent community:

• Volunteer of the Month:  Kenyanna Brown, Kent Phoenix Academy
• Children’s Therapy Center/Dynamic Family Services
• Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN)
• Kent Youth and Family Services
• SKCAC Industries
• Master Gardener Foundation, Tribal Life Trail

Jon Botten, executive director of Children’s Therapy Center, accepted the award on behalf of his organization by reading a letter from MacKenzie, a recent graduate who utilized the center’s services for many years.

“Children’s Therapy Center gave me hope when there wasn’t any,” she writes.

Mike Heinisch, executive director for Kent Youth & Family Services, accepted the award for KYFS’s Watson Manor, a transitional housing program for homeless teen mothers.

“These mothers don’t have a place to call home – home is where our root is, our security and shelter,” Heinisch says.

Each of the honorees also received a donation from the Soroptimists to help them to continue their work. For more information about the local Soroptimist group, visit them online at www.soroptimistnwr.com.

The Kent Reporter names the 2010 Winners in the “Best of Kent” contest, sponsored by Kent Station. Here are just a few of our favorites:

Community Volunteer: Suzanne Cameron, winner and Lee Anderson, nominee

Police Officer: Chief Steve Strachan

Public Official: Mayor Suzette Cooke

Realtor: Marti Reeder, John L. Scott

Teacher: Sara Palmer, Mattson Middle School

Waiter: Michelle @ Maggie’s on Meeker

Spa Services: Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage

Italian Cuisine: Paolo’s

Gift Store: Marie Haggin Accessories

Favorite Family Destination: Kent Station

For a complete list, visit the Kent Reporter’s Best of Kent “insert” online.

From Michelle Witham, City of Kent
253-856-5709

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kent City Council has a New Member, New President
Committees Assigned, Incumbents Sworn In

KENT, Wash. – January 5, 2010 – At its first meeting of the New Year, tonight members of the Kent City Council and Mayor took their oaths of office followed by the election of a new Council President.

Sworn in was newly elected Dennis Higgins to Council Position No. 4.  Higgins is the Client Services Manager of the King County GIS Center and lives in the Clark Lake area.

“I am humbled, honored, and ready to get to work,” Higgins said.  “Steering the city through these unprecedented economic times is job number one.  I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to move this city forward,” added Higgins.

Higgins ran to replace Tim Clark, who opted to run for a position on the Kent School Board.

Re-elected incumbents sworn in were Mayor Suzette Cooke and Councilmember Elizabeth Albertson who ran for Position No. 6. Both women are serving their second, four-year terms.

Also sworn in was Councilmember Jamie Danielson who ran unopposed for Council Position No. 2.   Danielson was appointed in July 2008 to replace the late Councilmember Bob O’Brien who died of cancer.

After being sworn in, Councilmember Jamie Perry (formerly Danielson) was elected Council President.  Perry, who was recently married, received a unanimous vote by the Council.

The Council President’s job is to lead the Operations Committee and represent the City of Kent in the Mayor’s absence.

Perry thanked the Council for giving her the chance to serve and said as president she will continue to represent Kent’s residents.

“It’s an honor to serve with my six colleagues, all of whom take great pride in representing our constituents.  We’ve certainly got our work cut out for us this year. The economic crisis, coupled with the threat of flooding, requires a unified approach in addressing these challenges.  As president, I’ll strive for a cohesive and open process as we deal with these issues head-on,” Perry said.

In her first action as Council President, Perry unveiled the Council Committee chairs* and assignments:

City Council Committees

Planning & Community Development –Jamie Perry*, Elizabeth Albertson, Debbie Ranniger

Parks & Human Services – Debbie Ranniger*, Elizabeth Albertson, Dennis Higgins

Public Works – Debbie Raplee*, Ron Harmon, Dennis Higgins

Operations – Les Thomas*, Jamie Perry, Debbie Raplee

Public Safety – Ron Harmon*, Dennis Higgins, Les Thomas

Special Committee Appointments

LEOFF 1 Board – Debbie Raplee, Ron Harmon

Human Services Commission – Elizabeth Albertson

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee – Les Thomas

Arts Commission – Debbie Ranniger

Outgoing Council President Debbie Raplee said Jamie has the leadership qualities required for this position. “She has a commitment to this community, isn’t afraid of spirited discussion and has the ability to work with everyone,” Raplee added.  “I know we all look forward to her leading the way and wish her a great deal of success.”

Perry is a life-long Kent resident and family law attorney with Hanis Irvine Prothero in Kent.

Kent City Council members are they are elected to four-year terms.  Their terms are staggered, with elections held every odd-numbered year.  The Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

From the City of Kent:

November 6, 2009 –Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke announced Tim LaPorte has accepted the position of Director of Public Works. LaPorte has served as the City’s Deputy Director of Public Works since January 2007 and as the Acting Director of Public Works since October 1, when former director Larry Blanchard left the post.

Read the complete news release here.

Laura Pierce, editor of the Kent Reporter, announced yesterday that the Kent Reporter will host a debate between the City of Kent mayoral candidates, incumbent Suzette Cooke and opponent Jim Berrios, as well as in the contested Kent City Council races for positions 4 (Dennis Higgins vs. Dana Ralph) and 6 (Elizabeth Albertson vs. Geoff Koepp).

Monday, October 19, 2009, 7 p.m.
Kent Senior Activity Center
600 E. Smith St., Kent, WA 98030

For more info., read Pierce’s column regarding the debates.

This November 3, the City of Kent will vote on several races in its general election. To learn more about the candidates in the contested races, please visit their individual websites (see below) or visit the candidate blogs on the Kent Reporter site:

Mayor – City of Kent

Suzette Cooke, encumbent, is running for a second term.
Jim Berrios, KSD school board president, opposes Mayor Cooke.

Kent City Council and Kent Municipal Court

Opposed Seats

Council Position #4
Dana Ralph
Dennis Higgins

Council Position #6
Elizabeth Albertson
Geoff Koepp

Unopposed Seats

Council Position #2
Jamie Danielson, running for a second term

Municipal Court Judge Position #1
Robert McSeveney

Municipal Court Judge Position #2
Glenn M. Phillips

Proposed Panther Lake Annexation

In addition to these races, the Panther Lake Annexation Area has made it to the November 3 ballot. For more info., visit the King County Election website.

In addition, rumor has it that three “meet the candidate” forums and/or political debates are scheduled. As soon as these have been confirmed, iLoveKent.net will add them to our calendar and update this post.

For more information about other King County elections, registering to vote or voting by mail, please visit King County Elections online.

Kiwanis Tot Lot #1, located on the corner of First Avenue and West Crow Street, is one of the sites of Kent Parks’ summer playground program. A nice surprise awaits participating children this season – a brand new playground – and they will get to cut the ribbon when Mayor Suzette Cooke officially dedicates the playground at 1:00 PM on Thursday, July 2.

The City of Kent originally acquired the park property in 1949.  In 1965, the Kiwanis Club helped develop the park by purchasing and installing some play equipment.  Additional play structures were installed in 1977 and replacement play equipment in 1995, which is fairly typical of a playground’s “life cycle.”

Kent Parks served as the host of a WRPA (Washington Recreation & Park Association)- sponsored class that gave parks staff from other cities the opportunity to participate in a two-day playground installation.  Funded by a Community Development Block Grant, this project also includes the renovation of the basketball court, installation of a plaza area for the summer playground program and fencing.

Engaging residents in conversation about future transportation options and financing is the goal of a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke and King County Councilmember Julia Patterson.

The public is invited to share their thoughts on a long-range transportation plan and five alternatives which will be presented Thursday, June 4, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 East Smith Street.

“Our transportation system dramatically impacts our economy and quality of life, yet it is something we often take for granted,” said Councilmember Patterson. “This meeting is designed to help South King County residents understand the proposed transportation alternatives, and gives them the opportunity to help shape the future of transportation in our region.”

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is updating its regional transportation plan known as Transportation 2040.  The Plan aims to evaluate the best ways to get people where they need to go while making communities, the environment and the economy stronger as the region grows over the next 30 years.

“Engaging the public is critical as demand for transportation options grows while revenue sources decline,” said Mayor Cooke.  “Having a better understanding of the region’s needs and identifying sustainable funding sources to meet them is the challenge; the public should be involved before they’re asked to pay for new projects.”

Scheduled for adoption in 2010, Transportation 2040 will address climate change and sustainable financing for transportation while addressing the mobility needs of a growing region.

PSRC develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth and transportation planning in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. Comprised of over 80 county, city, port, transit, tribal and state agencies, it coordinates the distribution of approximately $160 million in Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration funds each year. PSRC sets priorities and evaluates the most efficient ways to target those funds to support state and local transportation and growth management plans.