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FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2014
City might ask voters for new police headquarters BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com
The Kent City Council might ask voters to approve construction of a new police headquarters with a property tax increase. Police Chief Ken Thomas asked
the council at a workshop last week to pass a resolution by July 15 to put the measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. The council has yet to set a date to vote on whether to send the proposal to voters. Voters would be asked to approve a $30 million bond to be
paid over 20 years. The property tax rate would be 16 cents per $1,000 assessed value or about $48 per year for a $300,000 home, according to Paula Barry, interim city finance director. The bond measure would require 60 percent voter approval.
“We’re in a building that’s an old library that was remodeled over 20 years ago to be a temporary location until we built a new police station,” Thomas said to the council about the police department’s move in 1991 from City Hall. “At that time we had about
65 officers. We need more capacity for more police officers to do an even better job. We’re putting people in a lot of areas and we’re still 20 officers below where we are going to be.” [ more HEADQUARTERS page 4 ]
Top attorney, Kent community leader Prothero dies at 57 Prothero on many trials, notably the historic case against Gary Ridgway, the Skilled in the courtGreen River Killer. “He room, Mark Prothero was a giving soul, and that was also generous to makes it a tough, tough the community in loss to deal with. It’s a terwhich he lived. rible, tragic loss. The Kent attorney Prothero “Everybody liked him, was many things to loved him like a brother,” many people, but perhaps the Gruenhagen added. “I guess you best way to sum him up is to say can’t say any more than that.” he was a generous man who left Prothero – a prominent his mark on the legal profession criminal defense attorney, civic and on every activity to which he leader, community volunteer donated his time. and coach – died early Satur“The Kent community has day morning at his Kent home a hole blown in it,” said Todd with family at his side. Gruenhagen, a longtime friend [ more PROTHERO page 5 ] and colleague, who worked with BY MARK KLAAS
mklaas@kentreporter.com
PASSING IT ON Jimmy Colton, with the Miss Madison H1 racing team, introduces his son, Shane, to the cockpit of a hydroplane race boat. Kent’s Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum hosted its second annual H1 unlimited series season preview program last Saturday. An informational panel discussed how new rule changes will affect boats, crews and drivers. The day also included an autograph session, team boat displays and a silent auction of racing memorabilia. ROSS COYLE, Kent Reporter
Campaign in full swing to gain support for health center at Wesley Homes Lea Hill BY MARK KLAAS mklaas@kentreporter.com
The Wesley Homes Lea Hill retirement community wants to grow. But its growth spurt needs help. A capital campaign is well under way to raise $2 million for a planned $6.6
million, state-of-the-art, skilled nursing and rehabilitation nursing center on the Auburn campus. When completed, it would be the only not-for-profit, continuing-care retirement community – with independent housing, [ more PROJECT page 9 ]
Kentwood’s Henderson is Teacher of the Year BY ROSS COYLE rcoyle@kentreporter.com
Despite a small figure and modest voice, when Kentwood High
School teacher Shannon Henderson speaks, her class listens. Henderson, a business and computer science teacher, believes that the respect she gets from students doesn’t come from the 15 Kent School District [ more TEACHER page 4 ]
The proposed health care center, far right, would be attached by way of a sky bridge to the north end of the west wing of Eby Lodge, along 320th St. SE. COURTESY RENDERING, Insite Architects