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City’s chief administrative officer to retire
LOCAL
KENT
MAN GETS 66 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF 3 WOMEN A Kent man received a maximum prison sentence of 66 years for three counts of firstdegree attempted murder for stabbing three women in 2011 in Des Moines. Jojo D. Ejonga, 22, was sentenced April 19 in King County Superior Court at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A jury convicted Ejonga in January for the May 2011 knife attack on three unarmed women, one of whom was seven-months pregnant. He faced a sentence range of 51 to 66 years in prison. Ejonga had been friends with one of the women and her brother. Ejonga was kicked out of their Des Moines home for stealing money from the woman’s mother. Ejonga, claiming he would pay back money he owed for the theft and for damaging her car, met with the woman and two of her friends, but then, without warning, attacked them, according to charging papers. The assault was so severe that two of the women were hospitalized in critical condition. When one of the women attempted to flee, Ejonga chased after her.
April 26, 2013 [3]
BY STEVE HUNTER
shunter@kentreporter.com
John Hodgson, the city of Kent’s chief administrative officer (CAO), will retire May 31. The city of Kent announced Hodgson’s retirement in a Monday media release. Hodgson has been a key executive in leading Kent through the worst recession in decades, a demographic shift and large population growth, according to the release. He has worked 33 years in municipal government service, including the last seven as the city’s CAO. Hodgson’s responsibilities cover
virtually all of the city’s day-to-day operations including economic development, finance, human resources, parks, police and six other departments. He is credited with leading through the recession, costcutting efforts, and senior leadership team development. Mayor Suzette Cooke called Hodgson an “outstanding leader,� adding that “no one can question the integrity, dedication and creativity he brought to the job� along with “a strong commitment to provide the best leadership for both our residents and staff.� Cooke said she will name an interim CAO soon, but will delay
seeking a permanent successor until after the elections this fall. Cooke is seeking her third term as mayor. Tim Clark, a former city councilman and current Kent School Board member, is challenging Cooke for the seat. “Advertising for the position, during a political campaign will impede our ability to secure the best candidate,� Cooke said. “It’s a big job, and this community deserves the benefit of an intense search for just the right person.� Hodgson said that after three decades in municipal government, “it’s time for me to take the next step in my career.� He plans to unwind
this summer by playing golf, doing home projects and traveling with his childhood sweetheart and wife of 36 years, Kandace. “This is exactly the right time,� Hodgson said. “I’ve always planned to fully retire at 62, and have said the last five years of my career would be doing something different. I’ll be 57 in a couple of weeks, and I’m excited for a new adventure.� Kent hired Hodgson as parks director in 1994. He was appointed interim CAO by outgoing Mayor Jim White in 2005. Cooke hired him as CAO in May 2006, five months into her first four-year term.
Kent firefighter dies from brain cancer REPORTER STAFF
From out of the shadows Army veteran and motivational speaker JR Martinez was the special guest of the Green River Community College’s Artist and Speaker Series on April 18. Martinez, who suffered third-degree burns after a bomb exploded while on duty as an infantryman in Iraq, travels the country spreading his message of positivity. “When faced with adversity, he took the positive spin,� said Dani Chang, director of student services, leadership and involvement who coordinated the event. In front of a group of 200 people, Martinez relayed his message of hope and positive thinking to students, community members and fellow veterans from all branches of the military. MICHELLE CONERLY, Kent Reporter
Kent firefighter Robert W. “Bob� Schmidt died Sunday night after a 10-month battle with brain cancer. Family, friends, and fellow firefighters were at his side when he passed away, according to a Kent Fire Department media release. He is survived by his wife, Kim; and his two sons, Erik and Alex. Because his cancer was determined to have been caused by his work as a firefighter, Schmidt’s death is considered to be a line of duty death, according to fire officials. He will be honored by the state at the 2014 Washington State Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service. The fallen firefighter service is held annually in Olympia to honor those Washington State firefighters who have given their lives for the communities they served. Funeral services are
Kent firefighter Bob Schmitdt died Sunday from brain cancer. COURTESY PHOTO
pending. Schmidt joined the Kent Fire Department in September 1989. He spent most of his career at Fire Station 71. “Our thoughts and prayers are with engineer Schmidt’s family,� said Fire Chief Jim Schneider. “We have lost a great guy who placed his family as his number one priority. He could light up a room with his smile.�
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