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REPORTER
FRIDAY DECEMBER 9/11
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THE RESULT | HOW DID THE MACHINISTS VOTE? GO TO RENTONREPORTER.COM
‘It’s all about jobs’ Thousands of Machinists trooped to five union halls Wednesday to vote on an historic Boeing contract
Renton delays West Hill vote until November BY DEAN A. RADFORD dradford@rentonreporter.com
BY DEAN A. RADFORD dradford@rentonreporter.com
The vote by Machinists Wednesday on an historic contract with Boeing was arguably one of the most important elections in Renton’s history. Mayors and City Council members come and go, but Boeing, at least it’s hoped, is forever. That forever was a key part in the election, that the thousands of Machinists in the region would approve the new contract that commits Boeing to building the 737 MAX in Renton. The commitment secures thousands of aerospace jobs in Renton and beyond for years, if not decades to come. It’s a much-needed piece of positive news for the city’s economy. That the vote was all about
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Tom Wroblewski, president of the Machinists District 751, speaks with Machinists Wednesday morning outside the union hall in Renton after casting his vote to ratify a contract extension with Boeing. DEAN A. RADFORD, Renton Reporter jobs was the point the president of Machinists District 751, Tom Wroblewski, made after casting his vote at the union hall in Renton Wednesday morning to ratify the contract between his union and Boeing. The hall on Burnett Avenue was an easy walk for the Machinists who work at the
737 plant. Like thousands of other Machinists, Wroblewski signed in, then walked back to cast his vote. “Good standing card goes here?” he asked. Yes. “The ballot goes here.” And he was done. “It’s a vote for jobs for the future here in Renton, here in
Puget Sound and Washington state as well,” Wroblewski said, calling his vote in Renton “symbolic.” “Good job, Tommie,” called out a Machinist. “Hey, thank you,” he said. The process was repeated Wednesday at union halls [ more VOTES page 16 ]
The City of Renton has delayed the vote on the West Hill annexation until November 2012 because of uncertainty surrounding a key source of state revenue needed to provide services there. The Renton City Council voted 6-1 Monday on a recommendation from the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development that the city change the election date from Feb. 14, 2012. Now, West Hill will vote on whether to annex to Renton in the Nov. 6, 2012, general election. The Renton City Council then will decide whether to approve the annexation. “As a former resident of the West Hill, I would very much like to see this area annex to the city,” said Denis Law Mayor Denis Law in a news release. “But, we are relying on the state tax credit to help make annexation of the West Hill possible. Even with the program, costs for the West Hill annexation still exceed what the area generates in tax revenues. Without the credit, I don’t see how we will ever find a way to cover the costs of serving this community,” Law said. The same uncertainty over the state’s willingness to share its sales tax in newly an[ more WEST HILL page 8 ]
Budget cuts threaten kindergarten, staffing tcompton@rentonreporter.com
Proposed state budget cuts to education could mean teacher layoffs, increased class sizes, staff benefit reductions among other cost-cutting measures in Renton School
District. The district is facing more budget cuts because Gov. Chris Gregoire has called for more than $2 billion in state spending cuts. Gregoire presented a supplemental budget plan to the state Legislature Nov. 21. Overall her proposal cuts more than $500
million from kindergarten-12 education programs and colleges and universities by another 13 to 17 percent. Gregoire has proposed increasing class sizes for fourth through 12th grade. Such a move would reduce the number of overall classes and therefore reduce the number of
teachers. In addition, low-income schools in the district would no longer be funded for full-day kindergarten. If parents want their children in full-day kindergarten, based on [ more BUDGET page 15 ]
206.949.1696 www.marciemaxwell.com Marcie Maxwell Associate Broker, Realtor & CRS
Lisa Lam
Realtor, CRS, ABR & ASP
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BY TRACEY COMPTON