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Jason Seth
From:Baljit Bath <baljitbath13@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 1, 2020 1:38 PM
To:CityClerk; Julia Medzegian
Subject:Fwd:
Councilmembers,
I am writing in opposition to the proposed legislation AB-2766. This proposed legislation
specifically targets a minority small business owner who is simply helping out King County
and the most vulnerable homeless population. Mr. Bath has been discriminated against and
made to feel like the enemy by local community leaders and business leaders.
Mr. Bath is a leader in Renton’s local Sikh community and mentors young people and other
entrepreneurs. Mr. Bath’s faith instructs him to constantly give to others in need, regardless of
their financial or other circumstance. This is the reason he has organized weekly food drives
in local Sikh temples during this COVID-19 crisis. See https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-
news/seattle-area-sikh-community-leans-on-core-values-to-help-those-in-need-during-
coronavirus-pandemic/
Mr. Bath’s faith, duty, and commitment to his community drove him to agree to help the
homeless during this unprecedented time. The hotel had empty rooms; King County needed
those rooms; and, he could work with the County and his new guests to create a safe
environment for them to survive the COVID-19 crisis.
As a result of providing service to his community according to his faith, he has faced
unbelievable discrimination and harassment. Mr. Bath has been made to feel like he did
not belong in the Renton community, even though he has been a member of this community
for nearly thirty years.
Local government agencies have made Mr. Bath and his employees feel like we are the
other, and “enemies,” simply because he agreed to help his community as a tenet of
his own faith. Recently, there was a fire at the hotel which requires intervention from the
Renton Police Department. One of the Renton Police Officers audibly stated that he
wished the hotel would burn down to the ground or flood so that Mr. bath and his
partners would no longer assist the homeless population.
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The Renton City Council is now trying to severely impact Mr. Bath’s business by singling out
the hotel and restricting its use. It is apparent that the City of Renton is targeting Mr. Bath and
is intent on dramatically diminishing the value of his property (while, in the process, putting
perhaps hundreds of ill men and women on the street).
Mr. Bath is being punished for simply doing what his faith and his character instruct him to do.
And the bottom line is: Where will the 100+ homeless people go if the City passes this
ordinance and forces them from Red Lion Inn in Renton? They will venture into the local
community and risk increasing the spread of COVID-19 – at a time when the rates of
transmission are at an all-time high. The City’s action will result in certain death of the most
vulnerable people under its charge
Thank you for your consideration and I hope you will not pass AB-2766.