I ask the Reporter to not dismiss the library story just yet. I invite Renton residents to support the library initiative petition to put the proposed move on the ballot in April. Everyone, even the council, benefits from putting the matter to vote. I expect decisions that affect constituents’ attachments, wallets and community place to be put to ballot and fairly and transparently debated. I do not argue that moving the library would be a bad idea per se, but I contend the method.

I expect watchdog journalism that writes conscientiously and fairly about matters especially that the paper thinks a done deal. I expected to see a paragraph about the library initiative petition in Wednesday’s section about the city-hosted hearings. It’s newsworthy that at the timing of this letter over 6,740 residents signed the initiative petition of the Citizens for the Preservation of Renton’s Cedar River Library, a petition of which the city allows per its code. I call the Reporter to counterpoint city-hosted news by including grassroots stories in its formal news or op-ed columns. I encourage residents to sign the initiative petition to put the matter to the voters. Let the voters decide.

In all I expect inclusive journalism and governance that speaks to themes of empowerment and citizen voice, instead of framing stories and ballooning obfuscated governance process to persuade constituents to move on with a story that’s still in the making.

Learn more at http://rentonlibrary.com/

Dena Rosko

Renton