My ballot arrived for the special election for the proposed “Renton Regional Fire Authority.”

First let me say that I believe members of the Renton Fire and Police Departments are the most skilled and dedicated people employed by the city.

However, past results of the consolidation of Valley Medical Center with UW Medical, the consolidation of Renton libraries with the King County Library System and the purchase of property for the downtown library that now sits vacant due to failure by the city to listen to its citizens.

Plus the failure of the city elected officials to obtain additional (non-revenue) lanes on I-405, which when originally planned included two north and two south bound additional general use lanes, plus a hill climbing lane for trucks on the Kenndydale hill.

Plus the fact that The Landing’s apartments, new hotels, Boeing and the Seahawks facility has added thousands of resident and non-resident traffic (much diverted from I-405) to an already congested Lake Washington Boulevard and I-405 and while no push by the city to alleviate the present and future congestion created by the growth and now tolling.

The city is required to issues variant permits for any new I-405 construction within the city limits and I recommend that no permits be issued until WSDOT actually builds the originally promised I-405 improvements up to the I-90 junction. If WSDOT can afford the tunnel to nowhere, they can afford to fix the I-405 congestion.

I cannot support the “Renton Regional Fire Authority” as I feel another taxing authority with three non-elected officials will not improve the already excellent service provided to Renton. But will definitely increase taxation and accountability such as have occurred with the hospital district and King County Library System.

Harry Kodis,
Renton