HomeMy WebLinkAbout54_Mayors Newsletter_100517OCTOBER 5, 2017
This Week
from the Mayor
Denis Law, Mayor
VOL. II, NO. 32
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Familiarity breeds respect
We’ve heard the expression, “familiarity breeds contempt.”
In the case of the Renton Police Department and our
Renton African-American Pastoral Group (RAAP), it’s more
appropriate to say “familiarity breeds respect.”
The two have come together over the past three years to
open lines of communication between our African-American
community and the police.
The two groups have used face-to-face meetings and
community events to provide “real solutions to real issues.”
Last week was one of their signature events, our second
annual Unity March and Rally in downtown. We gathered
to listen to a variety of speakers whose impactful words
relayed a message of hope and togetherness. I thought
Kernisha Johnson and Warsai Yohannes, the two high school students who spoke, were particularly
meaningful. We were also treated to musical performances by the youth involved with CryOut!
No matter the age of the speaker or singer, all echoed our theme: in Renton, we are committed to
being an inclusive community regardless of your background. We cannot be content to sit back, wait
for something to happen, and then react. We need to lead the way and build strong relationships that
will last through difficult times. The Unity March and Rally is an example of our commitment.
An event like this is not successful without the support of a wide area of the community. My thanks
to our police officers, RAAP, CryOut!, and city staff for presenting such a powerful afternoon. And my
thanks to those who spent part of your afternoon with us. We are well on our way to reaching our
goals.
After about a year’s work by city staff, the
community, and MIG, the project’s consultant,
we’re ready to unveil the recommended design
approach for the downtown area, including
wayfinding signs.
We started the process in January with a series
of input meetings, where members of the
community shared their vision for the future of
our downtown. We also met with downtown
business and property owners. Input from all of
the meetings was compiled by MIG, and we are
now ready for you to see our ideas.
You’re invited to be part of the unveiling on
October 11 at the Renton Pavilion Event Center. Stop by starting at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy a snack and hot
and cold beverages, and preview the design ideas during a free-flowing open house.
Bring the kids to explore an indoor playground. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., we’ll have a presentation of
proposed projects and actions, and attendees can participate in live voting for the best ideas.
The goal of the community and city is to make the downtown area a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly
destination. Your ideas will help us reach that vision. I hope you can join us.
Downtown vision to be unveiled