The format of the paper edition of the April 5, 2013 issue of the Renton Reporter deserves comment. One third of the front page is devoted to a cute but politically trivial article about elementary school children (“Tiffany Park Elementary goes ‘Radioactive’”). And on page two, a very small article announces meetings of the City Council (“City Council to discuss library de-annexation Monday”).

The page one article, though discussing a worthy topic, has very little effect on the city and its residents except to make people feel good. The latter article concerns a subject that can have significant, long-term effects for Renton.

The topic of de-annexation from KCLS is a hot one that belongs on the front page with a bold title because:

1) the library issue has consumed the time of the City Council for months

2) a vital asset of the city is in danger of being altered by KCLS in a way that would ruin its character and this could be prevented through de-annexation

3) de-annexation is a big deal that would affect all library users and Renton’s taxpayers.

Placement of the de-annexation article in a corner of page two, with a small title, next to an article with a huge title, tells me that the “Renton Reporter” is either out of touch with what is going on in Renton or want to downplay the seriousness of the library issue. I prefer the former reason to the latter, but neither is laudable.

Dave Beedon

Renton