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HomeMy WebLinkAbout58_Mayors Newsletter_110917NOVEMBER 9, 2017 This Week from the Mayor Denis Law, Mayor VOL. II, NO. 36 WE ALL KNOW SOMEONE who stands tall when it comes to giving back to the community. Their work may come through volunteering as a project leader or as a donor. Here’s your chance to shine a spotlight on their philanthropy. The Renton Community Foundation is accepting nominations for their 2018 League of Extraordinary Givers Awards. The “league” is a fraternity of recognized philanthropists who share a passion for making our community a better place to live. If you know someone who fits that criteria, please go to the foundation and nominate them. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. on December 8. The awards will be presented February 15, 2018, at the CELEBRATE! The Love of Community event. During the annual Day of Service, volunteers donated 550 hours covering 35 projects. Salute an extraordinary giver 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. Honor a veteran this Veteran Day ON VETERANS DAY we honor all those Americans who are serving or have served in our nation’s armed forces. Honoring our servicemen and servicewomen should not be limited to one day in November. We need to continually to express to our them, and their families, how deeply we appreciate the sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe and free. Every day we see the faces of the brave men and women serving our country in various parts of the world and we see the equally brave faces of men and women whose loved ones are risking their lives to protect our freedom and that of future generations. Because of their service we continue to enjoy the liberties and freedoms our country has to offer. As we celebrate this Veterans Day in the company of family and friends, please join me in remembering all those who are serving or have served in our nation’s armed forces. Let us reflect on the freedoms we enjoy in this nation and take a few moments to thank a friend, family member or colleague who has so bravely served our country. Veterans Memorial Park has the names of nearly 2,000 military veterans etched marble plaques. Around Renton Meals on Wheels LAST WEEK I spent part of Wednesday with some of the dedicated volunteers that power Meals on Wheels. In 2016 their 22 volunteers worked tirelessly to deliver over 29,000 meals to Renton residents 60 and older. More than two-thirds of the people served by Meals on Wheels are either low- or very-low income. However, no one is turned anyone away because of an inability to pay. Meals and Wheels regularly partners with Grocery Outlet here in Renton, but this Friday and Saturday, they will hold a special donation drive outside the Uwajimaya. I invite you to stop by, say hello, and donate to provide a meal for an elderly neighbor! Mayor Law with Meals on Wheels volunteers Bob and Candy Igou. TREE LIGHTING AND SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY is November 25 at Piazza Park in downtown Renton. Renton Pavilion Event Center will host events starting at 10 a.m. At 5 p.m. we’ll light the holiday tree and Santa will arrive. Saturday is also Small Business Saturday. Downtown shops and restaurants are celebrating all day with sales, giveaways, and a scavenger hunt for kids. RENTON SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER will be open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for their annual Rotary Club Thanksgiving Day Luncheon. The event is open to seniors (50 and over) and is free, but you must have a ticket. Tickets are available at the center through November 17. NOVEMBER 2, 2017 This Week from the Mayor Denis Law, Mayor VOL. II, NO. 35 Summit tackles transportation issues LAST THURSDAY morning I convened a transportation summit designed to look for answers to the tough challenges we’re facing with a growing workforce. There’s been tremendous population and economic growth in Renton and with that comes the need for accessible and predictable public transportation. Employees must be able to get to and from work without having to spend a long day in transit. Employers need to know their workforce has an option of getting to and from work other than using their cars. The summit brought together Peter Rogoff, Sound Transit CEO; Rob Gannon, General Manager of King County METRO Transit; Dr. Damien Pattenaude, Renton School District Superintendent; Dr. Kevin McCarthy, Renton Technical College President; city staff; and about two dozen Renton business owners, representing many of the 62,000 workers we have in Renton. METRO and Sound Transit provided updates on planned improvements for Renton, but a majority of the morning was spent listening to the business leaders express their ideas. Both the business community and transit representatives were in agreement on the importance of ensuring bus rapid transit to and from Renton. Some of what we heard: • Establish connections from existing light rail stations to Renton • Fast track the enhanced METRO bus service to and from the NE 44th Street bus rapid transit station (currently scheduled for 2021) • More bus service to the southern part of the city and the re-routing of existing routes • Better access and safety improvements from the Sounder train station • Improved van pool services, including building partnerships between businesses It was a very productive session. Our business leaders came with strong ideas, which were well received. Transit officials stressed a desire to work with businesses to solve the issues. The next steps will involve city staff, business leaders, and transit officials working together to take these ideas from the meeting room to our streets and highways, benefitting both employees and employers in Renton. We are committed to working with our transit agencies to provide better access and service for Renton residents and those working here. We also will be working internally and externally on ways to address the traffic that is severely impacting Renton streets during commute hours by motorists trying to avoid the freeway system. Civic leader Andee Jorgensen passes away IN RENTON WE STAND FOR INCLUSION. Every day our efforts are designed to ensure all our residents feel welcomed and safe. Those efforts include sponsoring events that ask us to look inside ourselves and view issues from another perspective Tonight we are partnering with King County Library System, and Renton History Museum to present “Under Our Skin: What Do We Mean when We Talk About Race?” another throught- provoking event at the Renton Community Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The evening will include a discussion around issues of race and relations, designed to get us thinking deeper to build common ground. It will be an evening that is well worth your time. 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. Civic leader Andee Jorgensen passes away SOME VERY SAD NEWS as I learned that Andee Jorgensen, who many of you know as a tireless volunteer and advocate for Renton, has passed away. Andee was a past president of Renton Rotary, chamber board member, Renton Technical College trustee, and RTC foundation board member. Her list of civic organizations is also extensive including Renton Area Youth Services, Renton Sister City Committee, Civil Service Commission, and Hazen High School PTSA Board. In 2014, it was my great honor to present Andee with the chamber’s Outstanding Citizen Award. Her tireless energy had a profound impact on our city. She will be missed.Andee Jorgensen FEEDBACK