What hasn’t been said in all this talk about a new library is the effect it will have on families. I am a mother of two toddlers. Each week we attend library storytime, watch the Cedar River from the bridge and play in the Liberty Park playground. All without crossing a single street.

Now the city wants me to park in a parking garage, walk by a crime-ridden transit center and cross a busy street to get to the library.

Don’t make me and my children a test case for making a problematic city center safer. Don’t take a serene location children love and push them to a location surrounded by concrete and crime.

King Parker emerges from retirement to urge the City Council to reject the initiative. Is King Parker going to be there to ensure my young children’s safety at the Big 5 location? Is he going to ensure we don’t get hit by a stray bullet?

I’m appalled at the arrogance, disrespect and disregard shown by Denis Law, Rich Zwicker, Terri Briere, Ed Prince and Don Persson. They took the cowardly way out – voting to take away a beautiful amenity from my children and from our future in this city. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

I’m a Renton homeowner. My kids have yet to enter the Renton school system. There’s still time for us to move to a place where safety comes before commerce and the wishes of the voters are respected.

Christina Condelles

Renton