Editor’s Note: This is the second round of a two part in-paper debate. To read the part 1 responses, see the Oct. 13 edition of the Renton Reporter or visit http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/renton-city-council-candidates-talk-opioid-crisis-business-tax-debate/.

In the first round, candidates were asked if and how the city should address the opioid crisis, and whether the city should readdress the B&O tax given the recent surge of economic development.

QUESTION 1: The following are the rebuttal statements from the first round of the debate.

Position No. 1:

Randy Corman: The opioid epidemic is both a public health issue and a criminal justice issue, and we need to address both. Half of opioid overdoses are with prescribed medicine. Resolving challenges like the opioid crisis and balancing the budget requires experienced and proven leadership. This is why I am endorsed by Renton Police Officers and Renton Firefighters, Mayor Denis Law, and many other elected officials.

During my service on council, Renton’s per capita crime rate has dropped more than fifty percent, and I am committed to continue reducing crime in Renton even with the opioid epidemic.

As we work with the federal, state, and county governments to solve these problems, I will draw on my twenty-four years of Renton council experience and intergovernmental connections to ensure Renton gets a healthy share of regional resources.

Neil Sheesley: In response to Corman on the opioid epidemic, I believe it takes all of us to fight this crisis. Not just relying on the government to take care of it. We need the community and community organizations to work together with government to solve the problem.

Position No. 2

Armondo Pavone: I do agree the pharmaceutical companies are complicit in the opioid epidemic and need to be held accountable. That being said, this will be a long and very costly ordeal. I believe the county, state and federal government are much better equipped with the tools and resources needed to litigate such a civil lawsuit. If the lawsuit is successful, the city and our community will still benefit from the outcome.

Diane Dobson: The mental health component is often overlooked as an obligatory speaking point but failed to be recognized as a central component in many of our social challenges — addiction being one.

As we provide incentives for businesses to come to Renton, we have opportunities to encourage those in the mental health profession to come to Renton too. Seeking out professions/services that will make a lasting impact on our community and provide real assistance to some of our most vulnerable communities.

Making concentrated efforts to provide proactive approaches dealing with people on the street, working with emergency responders, being proactive with mental health intervention at a point in the process where someone is choosing whether or not to do their drugs, not just where they might do them or how we might chemically reverse the impact after they do.

If you continue the same approach to problems, you continue to get the same results. We need to be proactive, creative and aggressive with our approach to the opioid epidemic because current suggestions toward solution have not worked.

Position No. 6

Ruth Perez: To address the complex problem of prescription opioid and heroin abuse in this country, we must recognize the fundamental role played by prescription opioid pain relievers in healing and reducing human suffering.

I believe that we as a city need to work with the state, county, and our neighboring cities to make sure that we have treatment options available to those facing addiction and that each community is doing its part to combat opioid use within their borders.

The B&O tax should be reserved for the highest-grossing Renton businesses.

Jami Smith: Opioid addiction does not respect community borders, and the time to lean forward and deal with it is now.

Treatment and addiction recovery have been proven to be more successful when they are made available in centralized spaces where results are visible and measurable, and additional services can be provided.

This is an opportunity for us to be innovative in addressing these concerns before they become significant public safety issues.

Maintaining the current tax rate is not a “revenue-neutral” calculation — in order to keep the rate where it is, but maintain the ability to provide services and infrastructure, we need to bring more large companies to Renton. This allows us to maintain the rate, but also maintain revenue by spreading the expense across multiple companies. This gives us the opportunity to create incentives and financial assistance for the startups and micro-ventures that form the bedrock of our local economy.

QUESTION 2: What is the greatest benefit of being an elected official in this community?

Position No. 1

Randy Corman: The greatest benefit is the opportunity to serve the people of Renton while making our city a better place to live. Renton is an outstanding community with amazing residents, abundant natural beauty, and the proud history of leading the world into the jet age. We remain at the forefront in industry, technology, environment, and a strong sense of belonging. And we have enormous potential to further improve our city.

I’ve appreciated the opportunity to help build on Renton’s strengths and move toward an even brighter future, while always listening to residents along the way.Improving our city requires long-term planning, as individual elements, such as the I-405/167 interchange or building the Landing, take decades to complete. Like all residents of Renton, my wife, children, and grandchildren enjoy the improved safety, new parks, new shops, jobs, and other amenities that come with these meaningful improvements to our city.

Neil Sheesley: Helping my neighbors make Renton a fun and safe place to live.

Position No. 2

Armondo Pavone: There are several benefits to being a council member. First, it has provided me with the opportunity to help residents and local businesses navigate the city process and be their voice when needed.

Second, it has allowed me to create policy and effect change in the community where I have lived my whole life and have chosen to raise my family.

Lastly, it gives me a sense of pride to give back to the community that has supported my businesses throughout the years.

Diane Dobson: Being a conduit for the people — whether it be in networking people who may not otherwise have opportunity to connect, spreading enthusiasm for events and great things happening in our city or letting people know of changes impacting them.

Not just being a voice for the people but the ears for the people — providing transparency and accountability in city affairs and matters important to them like zoning changes, ordinances, city plans and intent.

The chance to be a true public servant. Helping others is my passion – I was the youngest ever Citizen of the Year in Renton in 2003.

Service for others has been a life long commitment as I am a fourth generation Rentonite who wants to continue to serve others.

The opportunity to make a lasting impact on the city I love, while connecting with the most people possible to make Renton a better place.

Position No. 6

Ruth Perez: By far the greatest benefit of being an elected official in this community is getting to know so many great people and being able to see the impacts of my work on Renton’s residents. I am really proud to be the first Latina elected in Renton.

I have worked hard as your City Council member to spend time in every neighborhood in our city. I have been fortunate enough to meet wonderful people in every corner of Renton.

Whether it’s responding in a timely manner to your emails or fighting for our fair share of the state transportation budget, I get to see and hear about how my work makes a difference in our community

Two years ago, I was honored to be elected as your City Council member. With over 30 years of business experience working with major corporations, local and state government, and as a business entrepreneur, I was ready to get to work to make the city we love an even better place to live.

Now, my commitment remains unchanged. I hope I have earned your vote for four more years.

Jami Smith: I believe that Renton is the future of Washington state, so the biggest benefit of being an elected official in Renton, in my mind, is the opportunity to work on these complex issues.

It is the perfect time for us to design the kind of Renton that we want to pass down to our children and grandchildren; what Renton will be in the next 20, 50, and 100 years.

I am excited to embark on this journey, and I believe that I have the skills, the passion, and the collaborative skills to make this a reality.

I ask for your vote, and I look forward to serving you as your next Renton City Council person.