in the last 10 days
From the Renton Reporter 20April2005
Even out of office, Parker still respected as a politician
By DAN AZNOFF
Orchestrating business from the throne in his tiny office in the rear of his family store, King Parker is surrounded by memories of his years of service to the city of Renton.
Frames on the wall preserve newspaper clippings and certificates from his eight-year term on the City Council (1996-2003). Those civic accomplishments share space on the busy wall with distinctions earned during his four decades as a local merchant.
Community service has been Parker’s trademark, beginning when he opened the doors of King and Bunny’s Appliances on Sunset Boulevard in the Renton Highlands, through his terms as president of his local PTA and the Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce, to his years on the City Council.
That’s in large part why he was voted Best Politician in this year’s Best of Renton contest.
“I am honored to be considered as politician of the year by my peers,” Parker said. The honor comes more than a year after being defeated by fellow council member Kathy Keolker-Wheeler in the city’s mayoral election.
“I am proud of what I accomplished in just a few, brief years on the council. But that one election has not ended my commitment to make Renton a better place to live and own a business,” he said.
Parker was previously named Renton’s Citizen of the Year in 1999. That award is bestowed by the city, the Chamber and the Rotary Club of Renton.
Since his exit from politics, Parker has accepted positions on the executive council of the Chamber, on the board of the Renton Community Foundation, on the capital campaign of the Salvation Army, on the board of directors for the Renton Technical College Foundation and on the advisory board for Puget Sound Access Channel 77.
“People always want to know if I plan to get back into politics,” Parker explained. “I may not be serving in an elected office any longer, but I go to just as many meetings as I always have.
“As far as the future, I cannot tell you what has not happened yet. That’s why they call it the future.” Jason Parker, King’s 37-yearold son, described his father as a problem solver. He should know. One out of every five people who walked through the doors of the discount appliance store during his father’s term on the City Council did not come in to look at a new refrigerator, he said. They wanted to see the accessible councilman.
“I would not have it any other way,” said the elder Parker. “For some people, it was a zoning question, or maybe there was standing water on their property,”
Proud of his accomplishments while in office, Parker took special pride in the city’s marketing campaign, with the slogan “Ahead of the Curve,” that reinforced the city’s image as a distinctive community with its own proud history dating back more than 100 years. Renton celebrated its centennial in 2001.
Rattling off the list of improvements under his watch, Parker pointed proudly to the new City Hall and the regional Transit Center. Other accomplishments include the development plan for surplus Boeing Co. property near Lake Washington, and an upgraded image for the city’s downtown business district.
But he sat up when he recounted how the city tightened its own budget to find enough money to build a new municipal aquatic center after a special election failed to yield the necessary 60- percent supermajority needed to pass a measure.
“The measure passed by a margin of 56 percent, so we knew it was something the people wanted,” said Parker. “It was just a matter of smart budgeting to be certain the voters got what they really wanted.”
Utilizing his experience in business, Parker served on the City Council’s Finance Committee. He also spent time on the Planning and Community Service committees.
Visitors to his office at the store are greeted by Parker’s red campaign posters that hang high above his desk. He spoke softly when recalling his first and only campaign for mayor.
Looking back, he admitted he could have made better use of endorsements during the campaign, but felt uncomfortable asking civic leaders to choose between two members of the City Council. Keolker-Wheeler received 55 percent of the votes against Parker in the general election.
The loser now refers to himself simply as “Citizen King.”
“Hopefully, I took defeat in the same manner I served this city — with grace, with charm … and with a smile.”
Dan Aznoff is a contributing writer.
Best of Renton April 20, 2005
I'LL BE BACK !
I would like to thank all those who supported me. I have enjoyed the past
eight years and am happy to been given the opportunity to serve Renton. I
would also like to thank my wife, Bunny, and my campaign team for their hard
work and encouragement. Thanks again everyone. It was a heck of ride.
Sincerely,
King Parker
KING PARKER
KING PARKER
A Community Leader
For all the right reasons...
"king parker, also would make a fine mayor"
seattle times 10/28/03
Endorsed King!
Also endorsed by Mayor Jesse Tanner and Randy Corman
See more endorsements here
My Plan for Renton
Renton is bursting with opportunity, and it needs a leader who can grasp it. I am that leader. I know how to make a dream a reality. I started 36 years ago when I moved here. Since then I’ve raised a family, ran a successful business, volunteered in the community, and served on City Council. That combined experience has given me the leadership skills to run Renton.
I have a plan for Renton.
As Mayor I will focus on:
Citizen Service
Public Safety
Economic Development
Citizen service is essential to any leadership. Constituents should feel comfortable voicing their concerns, and it is important they have a Mayor who will listen. My idea is RentonConnect, a citizen involvement program.
RentonConnect is designed to:
Open the Mayor’s office to our citizens
Open up a dialogue within the community
Continue to build our strong neighborhood programs
Public safety is very important to me, but to address this issue we must first concentrate on our economic development.
Economic Development
+ Tax Revenue
Amenities
= Strong Police, Fire, Parks, Trails, Sidewalks, Pool, Community Center, Senior Center, Quality of Life
Economic development brings in the tax revenue needed to fund community amenities. These amenities attract new families, homes and businesses, all of which add to our strong community pride.
I am the only candidate with the experience to achieve these goals.
I currently,
Chair the Finance Committee
Co-Founded Renton’s Blue Ribbon Committee
Belong to the Chamber of Commerce
But I am also a member of,
City of Renton LEOFF (Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters) Board
Renton Rotary, and
Vice-Chair City of Renton’s Community Service Committee
I understand the balance between business and neighborhood issues. That balance is the yin and yang of a vital community.
For 25 years I have worked 10 hours a day seven days a week (not including my civic duties)! When elected I will transfer that same commitment and work ethic to my city responsibilities.
This November 4, I ask that you Connect with Bold Leadership by supporting me as Mayor of Renton. Let’s keep our community pride.
King Parker
Candidate for Mayor
Paid for by RentonConnect - The Committee to Elect King Parker Mayor of Renton
You are visitor#
King Parker for Mayor - Vote in Renton - King County Washington
Renton Mayoral Race
Renton Mayoral Campaign Copyright 2003 King Parker for Mayor of Renton - Revised: 06/03/2005
