HomeMy WebLinkAbout31_Mayors Newsletter_022317FEBRUARY 23, 2017
This Week
from the Mayor
Denis Law, Mayor
VOL. II, NO. 8
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Log sawing is a Swedish tradition that symbolizes a new beginning. As part of ikea’s grand opening
celebration, local community groups received over $56,000 in free merchandise.
IKEA-Renton opens doors; community groups benefit
Twenty-two years ago, Mayor Earl Clymer joined Bjorn Bayley and Anders Berglund in sawing the
ceremonial log to officially open their new store in Renton. The fact that IKEA selected Renton to be
their first store in the northwest part of the country was like winning the lottery, and was thanks to a
tremendous recruitment effort by Renton’s first economic development director Sue Carlson.
I was honored to represent Renton at the official opening of the new store on Wednesday, along with
councilmembers Armondo Pavone and Ed Prince. I had the chance to reflect on the past 22 years
with Bjorn Bayley, who sold the store back to the corporation several years ago, at a special event the
previous day.
IKEA-Renton has been a huge benefit for this community. Not only does this store pay for a lot of city
services for our residents such as police, fire, roads, local parks and more through sales taxes, but they
have continually donated back to the community to make our city a better place to live and raise a
family. From helping to fund the IKEA Performing Arts Center to Renton River Days, their generosity
to local schools, charitable organizations and community events has been tremendous. As part of
their grand opening celebration, IKEA donated over $56,000 in merchandise to many local charitable
organizations.
Renton is the envy of every city that would love to have a corporate partner like IKEA.
Citizen volunteers use their passion to enrich Renton
It was my pleasure to meet
last week with the members
of the Mayor’s Senior Citizens
Advisory Committee at the
Senior Center. Members of the
committee serve as advocates
to both the City Council and
me on items of vital interest
to our senior population. The
membership is elected by
individuals active at the Senior
Center and they meet twice a
month.
Involvement by citizens on
committees, boards and
commissions is a prime reason why we live in a vibrant, progressive and caring community. Several of
your neighbors donate their time and expertise with the goal of making Renton a great place to live,
work, learn and play.
We maintain a list of current openings on our website.
Opportunities are available to make an impact in several areas:
airport, city center development, civil service, housing, human
services, library, arts, transportation, parks, planning, historical
society, and sister cities. I urge you to see if there’s one that’s a fit
for your passion.
CIVIC CORE KICKOFF +
VISIONING MEETING
March 2, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Renton Pavilion Event Center
Share your ideas on how to
turn the downtown a vibrant,
pedestrian-friendly destination.
Activities for the whole family.
ON TAP
“Unspoken Truths” highlights Black History Month
A highlight of Black History Month
activities in the city was a visit from
Delbert Richardson’s American Traveling
Museum, sponsored by the city and
the Renton African-American Pastoral
Group (RAAP). “Unspoken Truths”
depicts African life in the Americas and
Europe, told through a collection of
unique artifacts. During his presentation,
Delbert also highlighted the substantial
contributions African Americans have
made to science, culture and technology.
The City Council and city staff joined
me in what was a thought-provoking
evening.
The city and RAAP sponsored Delbert Richardon’s unique look at
African life in the Americas and Europe.