Kent Reporter, May 31, 2013

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INSIDE | Charges yet to be filed against NBA’s Williams [3]

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Sports | Kentridge upends rival Kentwood for third place in the state Class 4A playoffs [10]

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

City to install traffic cameras at two Kent schools BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com

Traffic cameras to catch speeders in school zones are coming this fall to Kent. The Kent City Council unanimously approved plans last week to install cameras on streets in front of

Sunrise Elementary on the East Hill and Neely-O’Brien Elementary in the Valley. The program initially is projected to bring in an estimated $421,000 in the first year to the city, according to city documents. “Funds (from tickets paid) will

pay for the program,” said Pat Fitzpatrick, deputy city attorney, at a May 21 council workshop. “If there are leftover funds, the money will be used to enforce traffic and criminal infractions.” Tickets will cost $124 for drivers going 1 to 9 mph over the 20 mph

speed limit and $248 for drivers 10 mph or more over the limit. The city will contract with Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions (ATS), Inc., to provide the camera services that include the equipment as well as mailing out tickets. ATS contracts with

Des Moines, Seattle, Federal Way, Issaquah and more than 300 other communities in 21 states to provide traffic camera services. The program will cost the city about $150,000 per year, including [ more CAMERAS page 2 ]

City to consider selling Riverbend par 3 course BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com

ALL CHARGED UP Kentridge High School’s Kevin Hall, left, and Bralen Westendorf celebrate after finishing the boys’ 300-meter hurdles at

last Saturday’s Star Track XXXI, the state Class 4A track and field championships in Tacoma. Hall crossed the finish line first (38.28 seconds) with Westendorf right behind him in second (38.30). Both boys were so excited they ran up to each other to hug after the race. As seniors, Hall and Westendorf say the victory capped off their last season well. Story, page 10. RACHEL CIAMPI, Kent Reporter

The city of Kent might sell the par 3, 9-hole golf course at its Riverbend Golf Complex but keep the 18-hole course. “One option we’ve discussed is the potential sale of the par 3,” said Jeff Watling, city director of parks, recreation and community services, during a phone interview. “We would continue our three other revenue centers - the driving range, merchandise shop and 18-hole course.” Riverbend’s operating losses and a $2.25 million debt has caused city officials to look at ways to get the complex selfsustainable financially. The

facility lost $430,000 in 2011. The debt is owed to an inter-fund loan, money that the city borrowed from its water and fleet funds to help pay off the bond for the golf complex. “It’s an option at this point,” Watling said about the potential sale. “There’s no final decision.” Watling said the city will host public meetings at dates to be determined in either June or July to get feedback about the par 3 course sale proposal. The idea to sell the course came out of City Council retreats and committee meetings. The rumor of a sale didn’t go over well with R.C. Sample, who regularly [ more GOLF page 4 ]

Once Sold Tales closes today Grim ending: Carrie Devault stares off at the multiple shelves of books in her bookstore. MICHELLE CONERLY, Kent Reporter

BY MICHELLE CONERLY mconerly@kentreporter.com

Once upon a time, Carrie Devault opened a bookstore out of her basement. Starting with 12,000 books, she sold novels, children’s classics and teen fiction to those who shared

her love of the written word. A few years later, as her collection of books multiplied, Devault moved from her basement to a three-warehouse storage unit off West Valley Highway in Kent to house the now 500,000 books in her possession. Unfortunately for Devault, her fairytale-like dream of running a

bookstore does not have a happy ending. Devault’s bookstore, Once Sold Tales, is closing Friday due to economic pressure. As of now, she believes the fate of bookstores looks grim. [ more BOOKSTORE page 4 ]


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