www.kentreporter.com 3. decided to raise our garbage fees about 15 percent to fix our roads? 4. decided to raise their salaries? 5. decided to dump half a million dollars every year into a failed Kent business? 6. decided to ignore our 55-percent yes vote on marijuana issues? So far, all we’ve gotten from our elected leaders is the middle digit on these issues. It’s no wonder we have such a dismal voter turnout in Kent. It’s obvious that these leaders have no idea what real representative government looks like. – Gregory Worthing
Prop 1 not exactly the solution I won’t be voting for Best Starts for Kids, and here is why: At our latest Neighborhood Council meeting, Mr. Phil Dindia gave an informative and emotional presentation on the benefits of voting for Proposition 1. There are many parts of this proposition that I agree with. Our government needs to provide safety and equal rights to its citizens to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I also agree that too much of our government budget is spent out of necessity on justice and correctional systems. I agree that prevention would be less costly and would benefit citizens of all ages. Mr. Dindia spoke from personal experience of working with youth in detention centers who cried out because of their circumstances. He noted that 100 percent of them came from broken homes and abuse. That hit my heart hard. I have spent much of this evening looking into the fine print of Proposition 1. Although it proposes much good, I don’t see more than a very small percent of the funds earmarked for mending broken homes or preventing abuse. If abuse and broken homes are a major cause for children ending up in the
justice/correctional system, it seems to me that the real prevention or the real best start for kids would be to put the vast majority of the raised tax funds toward programs such as marriage, creating home stability, parenting, family relations and personal and family finance. It seems to me that by treating the real cause, we would have a better outcome. It also seems to me that the worthy issues Proposition 1 focuses on – prescreening for mental health issues and preventing homelessness, supporting pregnant women, etc. – would all fit nicely into subsets of the above mentioned “real cause” issues. Proposition 1 looks good at the outset, but by treating only the symptoms instead of the cause, I believe we will still have (if not an increase of) broken families and abuse in the years to come. I would much rather see my money put toward programs that promote family stability. I don’t see that Proposition 1 is aimed in that direction. – Annette Pratt
Give children the best start in life Children deserve the best start in life. King County voters have an opportunity this election to make a strong investment in young children and our communities. The Best Starts for Kids levy would support strategies serving children prenatal to age 5, giving more children a greater opportunity to reach their full potential. As the oldest and largest organization devoted to children in the state, Children’s Home Society of Washington understands the importance of reaching young children and their parents — as the Best Starts does. The majority of human brain growth occurs in a child’s first three years, making these years a critical time period that can have a lifelong impact.
Achievement gaps for disadvantaged children appear as soon as 18 months and many children still arrive at preschool already lagging behind their more privileged peers. Every day, our staff helps young children and their families get on the path toward success and stay there. However, we are only reaching a portion of the families who would greatly benefit from this boost. For the average King County homeowner, a $5 a month investment can give children and families the tools they need to succeed in school and life. – Sharon Osborne, president/ CEO, Children’s Home Society of Washington
We need new approach without raising taxes I agree with the letter in the Oct. 23 edition. Enough with property tax hikes. Every time I turn around, someone wants to raise property taxes. The mayor of Kent, King County or the state. And now the Kent City Council supports King County’s efforts to raise them. Really? The city of Kent recently proposed its own property tax hike. How about a new approach? If you don’t have the money to pay for something new without raising taxes, don’t do it. And if the city can’t afford to give the mayor a raise without raising taxes, now is not the time. – Linda Barker
Troutner is the choice for council Toni Troutner has my vote for Kent City Council. It is important to me to have a representative that has a proven work ethic and demonstrated commitment to this community. Toni has shown she is an effective leader through her work with the PTA, Kent Area Council, her church, the severe weather homeless shelter and various other activities her family has
been involved in. She is the only candidate that has been out meeting residents and businesses. She has been attending council meetings so she can hit the ground running and will have the knowledge necessary to be effective from day one. It is important to Toni that she represents the entire community. She has taken time to learn about the concerns of our diverse city and has the tools necessary to address them. When you vote, please vote Toni Troutner – the only choice for Kent City Council Position 6. – Former Mayor Jim White
Vote Troutner for City Council I have known Toni Troutner for approximately 10 years. We met through PTA and developed a friendship through our mutual goal of helping the children in our community. She also has been involved in many other committees throughout the city, including the Kent City Drug Commission. Toni’s commitment to our community is very strong. She has shown that she is an effective leader, has a strong work ethic and has an amazing understanding of the rapidly changing demographics in Kent. I have worked with her in many capacities on many committees and her ability to get the job done, on time, and effectively make her a strong candidate for City Council. She is willing to do
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...obituaries Alvin Wilfred Benoit May 31, 1929 – October 17, 2015 Alvin Wilfred Benoit was born May 31, 1929 in Red Lake Falls, MN. He married Lois Chester on October 23, 1952. In 1969 they moved to Kent, Washington where they owned and operated Shady Park Grocery store. Al loved dancing, telling jokes and football. Al is survived by: His Children: Doug, Gail, Gary, Cherie, Danny and their spouses. Grandchildren: Dawn, Nicholas, Heather, Ryan, Corey and Michael and Great granddaughter Jamie. 1446642
Les Everett Fleming 12/30/33 – 10/20/15
Les is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Peggy (Kent, WA); his children, Dale (Sherrie) Fleming, Terry (Nancy) Fleming; 10 grandchildren & 14 greatgrandchildren; siblings Earl, Erv (Elaine), Dolly Child, & Janet (Dave) Gill. He is preceded in death by his parents, 6 siblings, daughter Debbie, son Ric, daughterin-law Camilla & granddaughter Jenna. In lieu of flowers donations can be to the Cancer Research of your choice. Service & reception will be on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 1pm at Zion Lutheran Church in Kent, WA 1446352
Eleanor Marie (Ferris) Larson
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Eleanor (“Ellie”) Marie (Ferris) Larson passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2015, in Tacoma, Washington. Eleanor was born in Sidney, Montana, and married her high school sweetheart, Ivan Allen Larson (who predeceased her on February 23, 2015). They had two children, Ronald (Linda) and Janice (Gary). She is survived by her two children, their spouses, three grandchildren and their spouses, four great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law Bernadine Larson, and numerous nieces and nephews. Eleanor worked throughout her life as a bank teller, telephone operator, secretary at various Lutheran churches, and ultimately retired as head secretary from Panther Lake Elementary in Kent, WA, where she had worked from 1966 to 1985. She enjoyed playing golf, cards and dominos, and she loved cats. A Memorial Service honoring Eleanor’s life will be held on November 7, 2015, at 2:00 PM, at the Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community, located at 1301 N. Highlands Parkway, in Tacoma, WA. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, remembrances/ donations be made to the Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community Foundation to honor Eleanor’s wishes - www.tacomalutheran.org. 1445052
Place a paid obituary to honor those who have passed away, call Linda at 253.234.3506 paidobits@reporternewspapers.com