Reader says Sean Smith is best candidate
Dear editor,
I have known Sean Smith for more than 10 years. I’ve seen firsthand, his commitment to our community. He’s served as an art docent at Covington Elementary, coached recreation league sports, staffed booths for food drives, and served on the public commissions and boards like the planning commission and the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority. Sean is invested in Covington and is dedicated to making it better for all.
On the council, Sean supports adding more officers to our police department, approving 10s of millions in road construction and repair projects, all while minimizing the tax burden on residents. But what makes Sean different, is he knows that improving residents quality of life also requires providing other services like high quality parks and recreation, affordable housing options, and a diverse economy. Sean is excellent at balancing all these needs and demands, and crafting solutions that maximize the public benefit.
Sean Smith is the best qualified and dedicated candidate in his race. I urge all to vote for him by Nov. 5.
Sincerely,
Sapan Bhardwaj
Covington
Reader says info in voter pamphlet is “fear and falsehoods”
Dear editor,
I just read the statements of the challengers to the Covington City Council and felt I needed to say something. The person running for Position 2 thinks that Covington has grown too quickly which, in my opinion, is nonsense. She offers no examples to justify her statement. The current council, with one exception, are very thoughtful and careful about growth. Our city staff work closely with the council to ensure what growth we do have is appropriate and fits the city’s growth plan.
She also comments that if she’s elected she would prioritize spending on infrastructure and police resources. The fact is, the current council is fully invested in these issues and have done an outstanding job. Just take a look at the sidewalk project along 164th Avenue Southeast and the soon to occur widening of Kent-Kangley Road from Jenkins Creek to 185th Avenue Southeast. This council and city staff guided this city through the recession and Covington was one of the very few cities to prosper. As for public safety and the police, we have more highly skilled and proficient officers than we have ever had and there is money for another officer but there are NO officers available from King County to hire.
Fear and falsehoods should not be the driving force of an election for any position and that includes our city council. We need to retain the fabulous city leaders who currently sit on our council.
Sincerely,
George Pearson
Covington
Reader says growth in inevitable, incumbents have a plan
Dear editor,
Covington will grow. The city’s location inside King County’s Urban Growth Boundary guarantees it. The question is; How will Covington grow? The best option is to grow with vision.Covington can accept that growth will come, plan for it, moderate and control it, and create a thoughtful city that embraces and accommodates all. Fortunately, this is the vision of the current city council. As election day approaches Covington residents should retain Sean Smith, Jennifer Harjehausen, and Marlla Mhoon.
I began attending city council meetings in 2012. I came in with a lot of pre-suppositions: city government wastes money, council members don’t care, leadership benefits only themselves. Watching and learning at council meetings through the years I realize I was SO wrong. Marlla, Sean and Jennifer (and all members of Covington City Council) care deeply. City finances are very encumbered and restricted; municipalities are expected to do a lot with a small financial pot and there are hard choices to be made. Sean, Marlla and Jennifer make those choices very thoughtfully, very carefully, and always with Covington residents forefront in their minds.
The tired arguments that city council wastes money are simply not true. For the past 20 years, Covington has won awards for meticulous financial reporting. The city budget is right on Covington’s website; through ClearGov you can see every single line item of it. The arguments that city council ignores crime are not true. Covington has recently added officers to the police force. Sean, Jennifer and Marlla have been ardent supporters of increasing police presence in Covington. The arguments that Covington raises taxes wantonly are not true. Covington has one of the lowest sales taxes in this area!
Jennifer, Marlla and Sean have worked hard to keep residents’ tax burden low. By the way, did you know Covington keeps less than 1 percent of sales tax revenues (0.926 percent to be exact)? The rest goes to county and state governments. Municipalities have a small financial pot; Sean, Marlla and Jennifer have been wise and careful stewards of that pot.
What Covington does now will determine its future. How will Covington grow? City council decisions will shape Covington into a mediocre city or a truly great city. Sean Smith, Marlla Mhoon and Jennifer Harjehausen are leaders who balance fiscal stewardship with foresight. The Covington they are working towards is a city with an identity; a place that is welcoming and inclusive of all residents; a city with great parks, gathering spaces and celebrations; and a city that is pleasant and viable to live in. Covington residents should vote for Sean, Marlla and Jennifer in the November election; they are excellent leaders with the right vision to grow Covington toward greatness.
Sincerely,
Laura Morrissey
Covington
Reader wants more crosswalks painted
Dear editor,
Due to changes in the business infrastructure of Covington, traffic has increased dramatically through the Timberlane neighborhood. Both in quantity and speed. This is a neighborhood that is now more dangerous to cross the main roads.
There are few painted crosswalks and there is a need for one where Southeast 262 and 184 Avenue Southeast intersect.
Children may have to cross that street to get to local grade schools.
I would ask the city council to paint crosswalk lines there and provide the red flags to use back and forth.
A child’s life is worth that small investment!
Sincerely,
Greg McLean
Covington
