Thank you to Dean Radford for this opportunity to write an open letter to the citizens of Renton. Whether it’s at Leisure Estates or at other candidate forums, I try to focus on the issues that are important to Renton’s future and I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss the issues we are facing. Over the last several months my volunteers and I have walked numerous neighborhoods and knocked on thousands of doors. It’s clear that there are really two major issues that have emerged from this campaign; the move of the down town library, and the need for changes within our city government.

The move of the downtown library is the number one issue being raised.  Most citizens are very unclear as to why voting to join the KCLS resulted in the decision to move the down town library to a location with many perceived problems. The library decision is an issue that I want to revisit with a greater focus on what the citizens of Renton want and with the option of upgrading the current library in its existing location viewed as a serious consideration.  I think this is an example of our local government not fully hearing the needs of the community that it should be representing.

We need new leadership in our city council. The perpetual cycle of council members nominating their replacements, endorsing their friends, and driving the election races to one candidate options has given us a city council that has become insular, out of touch and self-serving.  In the military and my workplace we know that these conditions result in dysfunctional leadership teams, poor decision making and an organization that is unable to ask the hard questions when they are needed. Renton voters clearly want new leadership options and I bring new, independent leadership to the Renton council, unfettered by past promises and obligations.

Other more localized issues that I would like to bring the focus of the city to are the nearly vacant Cascade Mall in SE Renton, re-addressing the vision for downtown Renton in light of the impact of the nearby Landing and the long term vision we have for the City of Renton.  Clarifying the vision we have for the City of Renton, I believe, will increase our economic resilience, and go a great way towards filling the numerous vacant, decaying retail locations that currently exist within Renton.

I would also like to take this opportunity to further introduce myself to the Citizens of Renton.  After earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Idaho and graduating from ROTC I served 4 years in the Active Army at Fort Hood, TX. After leaving active duty I earned my Masters Degree thru the GI Bill and entered the work force where I have worked in both private and public industry. Currently I work as a Project Manager with Boeing where I am involved in managing the creation of technical training programs.

Mary and I moved to Renton 15 years ago and currently we are homeowners in the Tiffany Park area. We are both exercise crazy so we love working out at the Renton Community Center, jogging on the Cedar River trail, or walking in our neighborhood. As part of my service to the community I have been a member of the City of Renton Human Services Committee for the past 8 years.  This has been a very rewarding experience and I am pleased with what the Committee accomplished during the last 3 years when I served as the board chair.

I am on my 25th year of service in the Army Reserve and currently serve as a Deputy Commander of a 1,600 soldier unit in Salt Lake City.  In the military services, moral character and personal integrity are a key component of our leadership development.  The way an individual acts and behaves in everyday life is the moral compass as to how they will behave in times of pressure and stress. Character does matter and at the highest leadership levels there has to be no doubt that the individual can be trusted to make the right ethical choice at all times.

Lastly let me address the recent decision of the Renton Police Guild’s decision to pull their endorsement from my opponent.  I’m sure their decision was not taken lightly and the fact that this is the first time this has happened in Renton speaks volumes about their level of concern following their review of the court documents. I have no doubt that as the community representatives of integrity and moral character they felt it was the right decision.

In closing I appreciate your support for Renton City Council Position 5. I have been endorsed by the IAM751, MLKCLC, King County Democrats and many, many other organizations.

Thank you

Robin Jones