The leadership of the Fairwood Municipal Initiative (FMI) recently rejected an offer from The Renton Reporter to participate in a community forum where Fairwood residents would have the opportunity to direct questions to FMI representatives as well as incorporation opponents, City of Renton and King County representatives.

Citizens deserved the opportunity to hear this important issue discussed in an open forum. The questions residents have asked me or sent to me indicate significant interest as well as some confusion, especially about the City of Fairwood Incorporation Study.

According to Boundary Review Board of King County records, FMI representatives met several times with Henderson Young & Co., the consultants who produced the study. Featured on FMI’s Web site and cited frequently by incorporation proponents as the best case for incorporation, the study actually states on page 4 under Conclusion: “This study does not state a ‘conclusion’ of whether or not Fairwood works or not because our study reports the results of our analysis and lets each reader draw their own conclusion.”

At least three other statements in the report refer to the “reader’s conclusion” and finally, on page 14 under Caveats states: “There is no ‘conclusion’ of whether or not Fairwood works or not because our study reports the results of our analysis and lets each reader draw their own conclusion.”

The question seems obvious. Why do incorporation proponents believe the report supports their case?

Also, why is the FMI continuing to circulate misinformation about the City of Renton and the Renton Housing Authority?

Why doesn’t the FMI Web site mention any individuals or include a list of supporters?

And, finally, why did the FMI decline the invitation to participate in the Renton Reporter’s community forum?

J. Paul Blake

Renton