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HomeMy WebLinkAbout56_Mayors Newsletter_101917OCTOBER 19, 2017 This Week from the Mayor Denis Law, Mayor VOL. II, NO. 34 Filmmaker Harvey Weinstein, Roger Ailes, former CEO of FOX News, actor Bill Cosby, and former congressman Anthony Weiner are just a few names that have recently been added to a fraternity of sorts, comprised of powerful corporate and political leaders. Members of this fraternity have each earned the title of “sexual predator” and have joined many other men in powerful positions who have been accused or convicted of sexual assault. The fraternity sadly includes members of the clergy, NFL and NBA players, corporate executives and many politicians. Members of this group go well beyond powerful executives and famous people. Earning less notoriety for their crimes are scout leaders, teachers, coaches, babysitters and oftentimes, family members of the victims. The list also includes police officers, doctors and judges. What’s clear is that there is no one characteristic that defines a sexual predator. And what’s very alarming is that despite years of building public awareness about sexual assault and tips on identifying predators, a high number of offenses continue to occur. In Renton, our police officers arrested a well-known and trusted owner of a martial arts studio last year. He has been charged with three counts of rape of a child and one count of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. His trial is scheduled for January. And just a couple days ago during my weekly staff meeting with department administrators, Chief Milosevich informed us that our officers have arrested a 70-year-old man for suspicion of having sexual contact with a 10-year-old girl over the past three years. He, too, is coincidently the owner of a martial arts studio that is located in the Cascade neighborhood. It’s important to keep in mind that he could as easily have been a scout leader, day care provider or the relative of the victim, and we need to be careful not to stereotype martial arts facilities as more dangerous than any other place. This is both sad and concerning. No sane individual is expected to understand what goes through the mind of a predator willing to victimize a child. We do know how people in power are able to prey on their victims, yet it’s still hard to understand why someone like Weinstein or Cosby would find it OK to force themselves on unwilling victims. We can credit social media for raising the awareness of these predators, and victims are speaking out. The “Me Too” hashtag from nearly a million victims of sexual assault, acknowledging that they have been victimized in one way or another during their lifetime, should be concerning to us all. The big question remains, “What can we do?” There are obviously no easy answers, but it’s proven that educating people, especially children, on how to protect themselves from sexual assault can make a difference. Locally, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center has a wealth of information and support to provide, both on the education and prevention side of sexual assault and assistance, to victims. The sad fraternity of sexual predators I had the opportunity to join school officials, family and friends at the unveiling of the new name of the Secondary Learning Center located on West Hill, Albert Talley Sr. High School. It was a wonderful event, filled with stories reminiscing the years of contributions Al made to the Renton community and particularly the Renton School District. He passed away this past March. School board members, current and past, as well as former superintendents Dr. Art Jarvis and Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel were there for the celebration. Al served as a school board member for more than 16 years and was president of the board at the time of his death. School Superintendent Dr. Damien Pattenaude (Al Talley’s nephew) reflected on all the ways Al served the Renton community over many decades, and his commitment to the children throughout the school district. His wife Candice, along with many family members, participated in the special event. Albert Talley, Sr. honored by school district There’s no more beautiful area of the city than Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, regardless of season. Fall comes to town Feedback Comments, questions or suggestions, or just want to share all the great things that are happening in the city, please email me. Thanks for reading.