HomeMy WebLinkAboutDhillon, Hartinder 12.01.201
Jason Seth
From:Hartinder Dhillon <harrydcg@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 1, 2020 12:18 PM
To:CityClerk; Julia Medzegian
Subject:Reject AB-2766
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Completed
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.
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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.
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.
Best Regards,
Harry Dhillon
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