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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014
Councilman’s actions stir protest Can Ferguson
happen here?
KBAC asks for Thomas resignation for Ferguson shooting comments BY STEVE HUNTER
County leaders, citizens sound off on race relations, law enforcement
shunter@kentreporter.com
The Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC) called for the resignation of City Councilman Les Thomas at Tuesday night’s council meeting because of comments he made last month about the Ferguson, Missouri shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer. Thomas, in his third four-year council term that expires in 2015, called Brown a thief and objected to a moment of silence for the 18 year old. Commission members testified that they want Thomas to apologize [ more COUNCIL page 4 ]
BY MARK KLAAS mklaas@kentreporter.com
Gwen Allen-Carston, right, executive director for the Kent Black Action Commission, and her group march in protest of comments and conduct by City Councilmember Les Thomas outside City Hall on Tuesday. KBAC asked for the councilman’s resignation. STEVE HUNTER, Kent Reporter
It’s hard talk, a sensitive conversation and one King County and community leaders Donalson welcome. A public forum to openly discuss county law enforcement’s relationship with the diverse neighborhoods it serves jammed the Tyee High School cafeteria in SeaTac on Sept. 10. [ more FORUM page 12 ]
City Council dumps proposal to pay for railroad-grade separations
Garbage taxes could go up to pay for street repairs
BY STEVE HUNTER
Residents and businesses would pay higher solid waste taxes to help cover street repair costs under a city of Kent proposal. The City Council’s Public Works Committee on Monday discussed the proposal but delayed a vote on the measure to Oct. 6 until it has more information.
BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com
shunter@kentreporter.com
The Kent City Council dumped its proposal Tuesday night to form a local improvement district (LID) to help pay for railroadvehicle grade separation projects. The council pulled from the agenda a resolution that would have set a Oct. 21 public hearing about a property tax fee on 500 or so property owners who would benefit from projects along South 212th and 228th streets that would separate vehicles from trains by moving a road either over or under the railroad tracks. “After a large input from property owners we are back to the drawing table,” Council President Dana Ralph said. “The LID as presented will not move forward.” The council met informally with more than 60 people on Monday night [ more LID page 5 ]
[ more TAXES page 5 ]
Kent-Meridian High School Principal Wade Barringer gives directions to a student while on his daily campus rounds. His 2013-2014 superintendent internship drew him away from school often, he says, and he’s happy to be back and working with students again. ROSS COYLE, Kent Reporter
DRIVEN TO LEAD, MAKE AN IMPACT K-M’s Barringer excels as a principal, gets taste of superintendency BY ROSS COYLE rcoyle@kentreporter.com
With 11 years of principalship at Kent-Meridian High School under his belt, Wade Barringer moved his
career forward last year with a superintendent certification program through Seattle University. “It was a great opportunity. I had the freedom to be involved in a lot of different leadership experiences at a lot of different levels throughout the year,” Barringer said. It was a serious time com-
mitment for the principal of one of the area’s busiest schools. Barringer said that the year-long course made him much more aware of the high demands of superintendency in a large school district. One such issue was how a [ more BARRINGER page 2 ]
ROSS COYLE, Kent Reporter
T-BIRDS OPEN SEASON Defenseman Ethan Bear and the Seattle Thunderbirds open the Western Hockey League season this weekend. The T-Birds, coming off a solid playoffrewarding season, visit rival Portland on Friday, then come home to face Everett at 7:05 p.m. at the ShoWare Center. Story, page 10.