Letter To The Editor: Citizens' Advocacy Group To Tackle Ongoing City Issues

At the suggestion of Council member Greg Taylor, are forming a citizens' advocacy group. There are some ongoing issues of oversight, and other matters of concern in Renton. Citizens need a place to take their concerns where they'll be heard and helped. And where their concerns can be researched and all applicable information returned to them. They also need advocates for transparency in their governing body.

We hope to provide a forum and a positive means for the city and its residents to communicate. We'll need to attract more members, and to form a 501(c)3. We can foresee that some members may want to focus on women's and children's issues, others on housing or city spending, etc.  All of us are committed to making our city a better place to live. We'll tackle whatever Renton residents bring to our table, and research and help to the best of our abilities. We do have people in the group with experience in project management, change management, architecture and real estate. As we gain members our fields of expertise will broaden, and we'll be able to help more people.

We've had a preliminary meeting and . The meeting will focus on library oversight. We want our meetings to be open and welcoming to residents and city council and staff, and of course the press. We realize that if one of our goals is transparency in city government, then we need to set an example. And we want Renton residents to feel that they're welcome - we have no intention of being exclusive - I see us a positive force for inclusion and dialogue.

Our first project is the library renovation. We have some serious concerns about the oversight of this project. We also are looking into the Highlands. The recent bankruptcy of one of the Newcastle developers, after construction was delayed by 6 years, is distressing.  Especially since per the KCLS Finance Committee meeting minutes the developer for the Highlands Library no longer wants to provide shared parking, which means more negotiation and delay there. We really want that Highlands Library built and can't seem to get a straight answer from KCLS or the City on it. In light of that, KCLS' track record of up to 24% cost overruns and their poor performance audit are worrying matters.

—Beth Asher, Renton