Kent North Park Neighborhood

In this Issue

• Two New City Council Members
• Spotlight Series January Performances
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

 City Council has a new President!

Council President Dennis Higgins The Kent City Council unanimously voted in its new council president at their first meeting of the new year. Councilmember Dennis Higgins, who is midway through his first term, received a unanimous vote by the Council for the two-year position. His new role requires him to set the Council meeting agendas, attend regional meetings to represent the Council’s views, and to represent the city of Kent as mayor pro tem in the mayor’s absence. “It’s an honor to serve with my six colleagues, all of whom take great pride in representing our constituents. I pledge to be an honest broker with them, with the Mayor’s office and with the public. We will have to work together to address the challenges presented by this economy.”

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Connect with Kent

253-856-5200

City Contacts:

Friday January 6, 2012

Kent City Council has two new members

At their first meeting of the New Year Tuesday night, members of the Kent City Council took their oaths of office followed by the election of a new Council President.

Mayor Suzette Cooke swore in newly elected Dana Ralph to Council Position No. 7. Ralph joins the Council after serving on Kent’s Land Use and Planning Board and Arts Commission. Owner and operator a medical billing company, Ralph lives on the East Hill.

Also sworn in was Bill Boyce to Council Position No. 5. Boyce joins the Council after serving 16 years on the Kent School District Board of Directors. Boyce works in Human Resources at The Boeing Company.

Reelected incumbents sworn in were Councilmembers Deborah Ranniger and Les Thomas. Both are serving their third, four-year terms.

Here are the Council Committee Chairs* and assignments for 2012:

City Council Committees

• Economic & Community Development – Jamie Perry*, Deborah Ranniger, Bill Boyce
• Operations – Les Thomas*, Jamie Perry, Dennis Higgins
• Parks & Human Services – Deborah Ranniger*, Dana Ralph, Elizabeth Albertson
• Public Safety – Bill Boyce*, Les Thomas, Dana Ralph
• Public Works – Elizabeth Albertson*, Dana Ralph, Dennis Higgins

Special Committee Appointments

• Arts Commission – Dana Ralph
• Firemen’s Relief & Pension Board – Les Thomas
• Human Services Commission – Deborah Ranniger
• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee – Jamie Perry
• Regional Fire Authority Board – Les Thomas, Bill Boyce, Dennis Higgins

Kent City Council members are elected to four-year terms. Their terms are staggered, with elections held every odd-numbered year. The Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

2011-2012 SPOTLIGHT SERIES

Happy New Year! Ring in 2012 with this great performance!

Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys
Friday, January 20, 7:30 p.m.
Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center
$28 general, $26 senior, $20 youth

Over his 40 year career (he started playing drums in his father’s renowned band at the age of 8), Jeffery Broussard has gained the reputation as one of the greatest accordion players and vocalists to come out of the Creole culture. Jeffery sings with emotion and soul, and his instrumental prowess includes range seldom seen in Zydeco – from traditional songs from the old masters to originals, single note and triple note accordion to fiddle. The New York Times lauded the Creole Cowboys as “fabulous: You start moving in your seat as soon as their rhythmic, rich melodies, both joyous and mournful, flood the theater.” Partial funding from WESTAF

For tickets, visit kentarts.com or call 253-856-5051.

Presented by Kent Arts Commission and Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, January 16

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a national holiday. With schools and many businesses closed, including city of Kent offices, we encourage students, scouts and families to observe it by contributing community service.

Come out and get some fresh air by helping with a litter clean-up along the Interurban Trail, 1-3 pm. We’ll meet at Lions Skate Park on West Smith St. Sign up by January 12, please. See you then – and thanks!

Welcome, Green Kent Steward Partnership Class of 2012!

Twelve enthusiastic volunteers began a journey as new Green Kent Stewards! They are Syabith “Sy” Ahdan, Indah Fitria, Catherine Kiiorla and Zama Mofokeng from Highline Community College, Jayme Clark and Aaron Coleman from Green River Community College, Kelley & Paul Dallapiazza from Montana, Chris Denny of Restore Our Rivers, Deborah Drake and Jessica Virk, Kent-Meridian National Honor Society advisor and member, respectively, and Maria Gomez from Kent.

The new stewards learned about the goals of the Green Kent Partnership to restore 1,600 acres of forested parkland and natural areas. They also got some hands-on training outside – in freezing temperatures – on proper planting techniques and some methods for invasive removal. Back inside, some stewards from the past year shared their experiences and two Green Redmond Partnership Stewards joined the group as well.

The pride and ownership all the stewards convey about the work they’ve done in parks was evident. Want to learn more and attend the next Green Kent work party? Visit GreenKent.org.

Missed the Boy Scout’s Christmas tree recycling event?

Cut the bare tree into sections no longer than 4 feet, bundle with twine (no plastic) and leave it at the curb for pick up on your garbage day during the week of January 9-13.

Did Santa bring you a new computer?

Recycle the old one! It’s FREE. For locations, visit ecyclewashington.org.

Recycle that Styrofoam

Ended up with some Styrofoam as you unwrapped those presents? Don’t send it to the landfill. Take it to V & G StyroRecycle located behind IKEA in Renton. For more information on their services, visit StyroRecycle.com.

Cover Your Load

Starting in January, if you arrive at a King County Solid Waste Transfer Station with an uncovered load, you’ll pay a $20 fine. Road litter from unsecured loads is not only unattractive, it poses a serious hazard. On average, there are 350 accidents involving road debris on Washington highways each year. Spend your hard-earned money on a tarp and tie-downs instead. Think safety and cover that load.