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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01_Mayors Newsletter_071416This Week from the Mayor Denis Law, Mayor When there are grave acts of violence like the recent incidents in Louisiana, Minnesota and then the shooting in Dallas, my first thoughts are “why” and how we can prevent something similar in Renton. I strongly believe a successful city is built on trust, respect and understanding. I’m proud to say we’ve taken significant steps in Renton to develop and maintain such a dialogue between the community and City Hall. One of our first steps was to establish connections between our police department and the African-American community. We have created a partnership between the Renton African-American Pastors and the police department, called RAAP. I’ve asked this group to engage in open and honest conversations and work together to provide what we call “real solutions to real issues.” Under the leadership of Police Chief Kevin Milosevich and pastors in our African-American community, RAAP has held several community forums to have open and honest dialogues with the community, build trust, and work together to address community concerns. In the coming months we will hold more workshops and continue the dialogue. Thanks to our partnership with RAAP we’ve made great progress. Let me share an example. On the morning after the shootings in Dallas, Chief Milosevich received an email from Dr. Linda Smith, Executive Director & Pastor at SKY Urban Empowerment Center in Renton, and co-chair of RAAP. In her email Dr. Smith stated that members of the community stand in solidarity with the chief and Renton police, wishing for their safety and well-being. She emphasized that the African-American community and RAAP vehemently oppose violence of any kind and against anyone. Dr. Smith said, “Violence of any kind is never the path to peace. Our hearts break as we witness the painful death of those officers in Dallas. When one is hurt we all hurt!” In response to her thoughtful message, Chief Milosevich replied: “Thanks for the email and the kind thoughts. The easy road is for people to take sides and develop a bunker mentality. The right reaction is for groups to come together to find solutions based on equity, fairness, patience, and understanding. I will share your thoughts with the Department.” I cannot say with certainty we will find answers to all our problems. But I do know we cannot find them living in a vacuum; we need to find them working together. What we are doing is very important and not easy. It takes time, commitment and all of us working together to change the status quo. We still have a long way to go but with committed leaders like Chief Milosevich and Dr. Smith, I know we’re starting to make a difference. JULY 14, 2016 SONIC DRIVE-IN IS COMING We’ve all seen the commercials for SONIC Drive-In, even though many of us have never eaten at the fast food franchise. But take heart fast food connoisseurs, the wait is almost over! A SONIC Drive-In will soon be opening in Renton off of Hardie Avenue SW and Rainier Avenue South on the WalMart property. Welcome to Renton! KUDOS LOGAN AVENUE RE-OPENS ON TIME AND ON BUDGET Logan Avenue opened as planned and it looks terrific! I’m sure our residents and commuters will be excited to learn that the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. This is a great project that will provide a quality roadway for Boeing workers, The Landing customers and Renton families and students at the Renton Stadium. POPULATION TOPS 100,000 It’s now official: Renton has exceeded the 100K mark in population. The State has confirmed our population at 101,300. We remain the 4th largest city in King County and the 8th largest in the state. RETURN TO RENTON The streets of downtown came alive last week as we re-visited our past at the Return to Renton Benefit Car Show and Cruise-In. Cars, motorcycles and trucks showed off the best of American technology and ingenuity. While trophies were awarded, the real winner was the Renton Police Department’s Youth Education programs, recipients of the show’s proceeds. Their programs provide educational and recreational programs to our city’s youth. Congratulations to all. DID YOU KNOW? FOLLOW CITY OF RENTON Building Our Community Based on Trust Renton and Boeing. Boeing and Renton. They just go together. To recognize Boeing’s 100th anniversary, and 75th year in Renton, I have proclaimed July 15, 2016, as Boeing 100th Anniversary Day in Renton, in honor of their many contributions to our community. Honoring Boeing’s 100th Anniversary LEFT TO RIGHT: ERICK NELSON, V.P. OF 737 FIELD OPERATIONS & DELIVERY, MAYOR LAW, JESSE UMAN, MANAGER, STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS NW REGION, AND THE CITY COUNCIL. Greetings – This is the first in what will be a weekly newsletter from me. I plan to share all the great things that are happening in the city, my passion for the work we are doing and my congratulations to those who have made a difference. If you have comments, questions or suggestions, or just want to share all the great things that are happening in the city, please email me at communications@rentonwa.gov. Thanks for reading.