HomeMy WebLinkAboutManam 12.04.20From: rajesh manam <r.manam@att.net>
To: "supportrl@deghtegh.com" <supportrl@deghtegh.com>
Bcc: cityclerk@rentonwa.gov
Date: 2020-12-04 13:00
Subject: Reject AB-2766
CAUTION:ThisemailoriginatedfromoutsidetheCityofRenton.Donotclicklinks,replyoropenattachmentsunlessyouknowthecontentissafe.
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 Seattle-area Sikh community leans on core values to help
those in need during coronavirus pandemic
Seattle-area Sikh community
leans on core values to help
those in need d...
Since opening a couple of years
ago, the nonprofit Degh Tegh
Community Kitchen has served 500
meals every Saturd...
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.
LR - 000629
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.
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.
Rajesh Manam
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