Thank you for your comments and questions!
Best wishes my friend! You truly took the high road, as you always do. I'll see you tonight at your victory party.
Carol W. stated it quite correctly below. No contest whatsoever! King is the only candidate with real experiences. King has run an honest and Legitimate campaign. King already has my vote! And if you want to maintain the high level of integrity we currently have in the Mayor’s office, you should vote for King as well! Don’t walk – RUN now to cast your vote for KING!!
WHY WOULDN'T YOU VOTE FOR A GUY NAMED KING? HES A PERFECT KIND OF GUY! GO KING!!!!!
I received Keolker-Wheeler’s pathetic piece of mail yesterday. After browsing your website it’s clear that you’ve been involved in many more programs than her. Your experience is also much more relevant to running a city. After reviewing the facts it’s clear who I’ll be voting for. It’s no contest.
Renton needs someone with good business sense without potential conflict of interest. You have my vote.
Dear Vernon,
Thanks you for your letter. I want to be Mayor for many reasons. I’ve lived in the community for 36 years, and have always been very active in our schools and service clubs. I got involved in local government through the Chamber of Commerce and was ultimately appointed to the City of Renton Board of Adjustments, a committee that adjusts land use policy. Feeling that I could offer a long time citizen and business perspective to our local government, I decided to run for Council.
I’ve now been on the Council for eight years, and have been a member of each and every City Committee, which included five years on the Community Service Committee, five years on the Public Safety Committee and Chairman of the Finance Committee. All that, coupled with my life experiences, I feel I bring a different perspective to our City government. I have the desire, the energy and more importantly, the qualifications to serve the Renton as Mayor. My customer service philosophy, my business background and my desire to meet our citizen’s needs are the reasons I am seeking office. I hope I can count on your vote.
King Parker
Monday, October 20, 2003
Greetings Mr. Parker, As a resident of Renton, I wish to ask you two questions. Why do want to be mayor of Renton and why should I vote for you? Thank you for your time.
The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread. - Anatole France
Dear Dave,
I appreciate your letter and your concern. I too remember the downtown Sears, I worked there for many years. Like you, I’d like to see Renton as it once was, with the downtown booming with businesses and the sidewalks full of people. I have a vision for Renton, and I can assure that we are currently working on the problems. The City has invested millions of dollars into the downtown core. We now have a parking garage, Veteran’s Park, and in December our newly refurbished Pavilion will be completed. The Piazza, which is also new, provides a safe and inviting space for gatherings and activities. The Piazza hosted the Farmer’s Market and the Harvest Festival, both of which were very successful in bringing people into the downtown. We know businesses will thrive in the downtown once they’re in place. As you may know, McLendons is relocating to K-Mart. That leaves the old McLendons property opened for redevelopment and new businesses.
The Highlands’ development has been slower due to the sluggish economy. However, there are currently several developers that are very interested in developing the Highlands property. We are sure that as soon as the economy improves there will be some movement in the redevelopment of that property.
What I bring to the Mayor’s office is experience. First and foremost we have to keep our budget in order. By doing that, it will allot the monies needed to accomplish our redevelopment. I have Chaired the City Finance Committee for five years, giving me a deep understanding of city funds. I’ve also owned my own business for 25 years. I know the importance of the bottom line, and how to reach it. I am also a founding member of the City’s Marketing Campaign and a member of the Planning and Development Committee. I bring a wealth of knowledge and life experience to the Mayor’s office. This will aid me in keeping the City moving in a positive direction. Once again Dave, I appreciate your concern. It is nice to see citizens take a proactive role in city government. If you have any more questions feel free to call me at 430-0124.
King Parker
Monday, October 20, 2003
Everybody running for city council and mayor is on record to promote economic development and revitalize key business districts, notably downtown and the Highlands. What nobody states is what he or she specifically plans to do.
I live in the Highlands. I watch the businesses come and go. We have a huge push to put in new housing, the population is growing up here, but the businesses keep failing. There seems to be no coherent plan for business development. All we get are strip malls and dollar stores, phò cafes and thrift shops. When we get a major business up here, it is located next to a similar business, which does nothing to help us and possibly brings about the demise of the other store. The prime example of this is Walgreen’s moving in across the street from Rite Aid with A&H Drugs just a couple of hundred yards down the street. Why didn't they locate over near 4th NE and Union where there is no drugstore but a brand new commercial complex is being built?
As for downtown, the periphery gets the business while the core degenerates. Fry's Electronics moves in over near Boeing, Sam's Club is building by City Hall. What do we have in the core area? Bargain furniture, about 100 antiques shops, a bank, a couple restaurants and a western wear store. The K-Mart property has become a defacto park & ride. The new apartments and condos, as well as the transit center, are a good start, but what are those people supposed to do for entertainment and shopping? You have Safeway and Freddie's Casino - big deal. Add in the fact that the traffic lights impede, rather than augment, the flow of traffic and who would want to live, much less shop, in downtown Renton?
We have a clear need for some urban planning and retail businesses that benefit more than senior citizens and cowboys in the downtown core. The Highlands needs to attract some magnet corporations so that we don't have to travel to Southcenter, Factoria Square, or even Kent to do some serious shopping. I'm stating the obvious here. My question is, do you have a specific plan for getting these goals accomplished?
What, specifically, will be your plan of attack? What do you bring to the table that the former council members and mayor lacked? How will you succeed where they failed? Do you know the cause of their failure and do you have the ability to reverse the city's retail fortunes?
When I was a kid, downtown Renton boasted three movie theaters, a J.C. Penney, a Sears store over in Renton Shopping Center, several banks and savings and loans, two jewelry stores, a downtown hospital, three clothing stores, a couple of dime stores and a variety of small shops and restaurants. There were people walking the sidewalks, shoppers, traffic on weekends - the city was vibrant. Now, the commercial businesses have fled to Renton's periphery, or out to Southcenter, and the downtown core looks like a ghost town except during rush hours.
If Renton is truly "ahead of the curve", shouldn't it look like it? So, specifically, what do you feel are the steps needed to bring about the needed changes? I don't want a load of PC rhetoric, I don't want to know your vision, I want a reason to give you my vote. So, in plain English, what is wrong with current policy and what can you do to correct it?
We have known King for many years and he is a friend to the community. Any day of the week you will see him in a Restaurant or other Business in the Community. He meets and speaks to all the Everyday folks. I love Renton and its because being with him you know he is the only one who should be Mayor. He cares and you should allow him to show you how much.
Thank you,
Pat Wyre
RENTON IS FIT FOR A KING!!
T. Garrick,
The point of my ad was to show the wide range of experiences I bring to the Mayor’s office. I have served on the committees listed for numerous years. My opponent’s experience however is limited primarily to City Council. I assure you that I have always, and continue to, ran an above board and factual campaign.
King Parker
Friday, October 17, 2003
I had not decided how to vote in the election for Renton Mayor. I read your ad in the Renton Reporter and made a decision. I find it misleading becase the other candidate has been on many committees that you list for yourself. In addition, in my case, being endorsed by the current mayormeans I could never vote for you. I do appreciate your interest in Renton but do not have any respect for the way you have choosen to ask for support.
Bernadine,
Thank you very much for your inquiry. As I understand it, our Police Chief Gary Anderson collected information from his department heads and Union representatives. From that, the department and Police Chief felt that an Evidence Technician and Analysis were of greater priority than additional police officers. This was the recommendation of Chief Anderson and his team. I strongly feel that we give authority and responsibility to our administrators. I feel that it is important that we support the administrator’s recommendation. Feel free to contact me on any other concerns or thoughts.
King Parker
Friday, October 10, 2003
I visited your opponent’s website and read an interesting statement that you voted against new police officers for Renton. If this is true, please explain why.
Monday, October 6, 2003
Good luck in the general King!
Aaron,
How nice to hear from you. It seems like just yesterday that you were working with us. Now you’re married and living in Renton. Good for you. Aaron, the concerns that you expressed are concerns that are very important to me as well. The re-development of the Highlands area is a top priority and I am working hard and support new initiatives to make that happen in the near future. Developing a sense of community is very important and a way in achieving this is bringing our neighborhoods into the city loop. I will bring to the city a line of communication and openness never before practiced at city hall. We do know about CUSTOMER SERVICE. Public safety is a must. When I get in office I will have a new COPS program. Public safety programs will remain strong. Aaron, I have whole host of new ways in which to make our city more responsive to it's citizens and appreciate your support in allowing me the opportunity serve our community.
The very best to you and your family...
King Parker
Saturday, September 20, 2003
Aaron Kores
Friday, September 19, 2003
Kinger, King I wish you all the best in the world. I worked for you back in 1992 and 1993, installing appliances with Big Peters, Joe, and Paul and you were the best boss--always fair to us. I really enjoyed working with you. That being said I know you'll take care of all of us as Mayor. I've seen first hand how you've been giving the community a square deal with your business. My hope is this; that you'll bring the highlands back to what it once was: a place where you didn't have to worry about your kids heading off to the store by themselves, or where a child could ride his or her bike to McKnight from the highlands, and there was no worry. I recently moved back to Renton and bought a house and I'm amazed how little of "community" there is among neighbors in Renton now. It's like everyone thinks everyone else is out to get them. My wife also doesn't feel comfortable walking by herself around the area of our home because of the lack of sidewalks, proper speed limits, and sketchy housing developments. I grew up in Renton, went to Hazen, worked in Renton, and generally love the area -- but I just see it as getting run down. What are your plans for improving the appearance of the upper highlands communities, parks, and sidewalks? In the last few years, the city has done a good job of giving downtown Renton a new look. I hope that plan will spread to the Highlands as well. Renton needs to invest in it's communities and to stop the development of low income housing and apartments. I want to be proud of the Highlands again. Best of luck to you.
Luke,
I really appreciated our phone conversation. Thank you for your frank and honest comments. I hope I can count on your support.
King Parker
Friday, September 19, 2003
I appreciate your comments. I’d like to respond to them directly. Please feel free to call me at 425-430-0124, or stop by King & Bunny’s Appliance.
Thanks,
King Parker
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Luke D
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Let's be honest Renton has quite a few issues. I didn't realize it until I got married to someone who resided in Woodway. No place is perfect but Renton HAS changed. I have lived in the city since 1970 and certain areas have really gone downhill. Sure there are more parks and facades to hide some of the areas that have really become run down . Some areas are practically ghetto. We could seal with that but a BIG problem with Renton is the lack of respect and outright hostility that the city often has towards its citizens. The tail really does wag the dog in Renton. If King can change that perception then I am all for him . However, I don't have that faith . For example Renton enforces many statutes of the Washington code that are ignored by most cities. Ignored because the cities know darn well that it is not in the best interest of community relations and that the communities would not want them being so high handed. One example that quickly come to mind is the parking enforcement . Renton enforces parking regulations on the suburbs as stringent as Seattle does it's core business district. Seattle doesn't even do that . My friends in law enforcement have even told me that they think that is ridiculous. Don Persson even agrees. While it seems like a trivial matter it really isn't . Why ? It's just because it so trivial of a matter that it shows just how nasty and trivial the current administration can be and how little it thinks of community relations. Tanner is not a popular man . When he endorsed Corman my neighbors immediately became wary of voting for Corman and did not. We do not want any more years of Tanner's legacy . I campaigned hard against Corman for that reason. So tell me King , how will you be different ? I have always liked King but I didn't see King stand in the way of Tanner's actions very often so I am very wary. Correct my perceptions and tell me how I will be well served with King as mayor. Thank You
Janet H.
Monday, September 15, 2003
King is clearly the best candidate for Mayor. He has the experience and know-how to run this city. King is a very busy man, but he always makes time for citizen concerns. That’s the type of person we need in the Mayor’s office! I trust King, and I feel his experience makes him the most qualified candidate.
Jerome Roy
Thursday, September 11, 2003
I was born and raised in Renton. I’ve seen many changes over the last 30+ years and couldn’t be more excited to see what’s in the future for the city. As my employer, King was easy to approach with any issue. He was always fair and took everything anyone had to say seriously. That was nearly 20 years ago and he is the benchmark yet to be reached by anyone else I’ve worked for. As a businessman, he consistently fosters a relationship with his customers built of trust and prides himself with top-notch customer service. He’s just the kind of leadership needed to see the city into a bright and successful future.
Patrick
Thursday, September 11, 2003
King is always out visiting citizens at community events. He takes the time to speak with people and listen to their concerns. He truly cares about Renton and Renton’s future.
Evelyn Davies
Thursday, September 11, 2003
King is the best man for this position. Good luck in the election.
YOUR FUTURE MAYOR OF RENTON.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
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