While I’ve lived and worked in Renton since 1968, this is my first attempt at a letter to the editor. I believe it was H. L. Mencken who said, “The only reason for Newspapers to exist is to muckrake” and I agree, perhaps more today than ever. While I don’t believe that your misguided endorsement of the library site near the Piazza will carry much weight, I think the vote will be very close and every vote will count.

My theory is, always follow the money. Who is getting paid off to change sites? Who instigated the proposed switch? Who owned the former Big 5 building. Is it a current City Council person or a friend? And my question would be why change at all? I’ve been going to the Renton Library since we first moved here way back when. I reluctantly voted to join the KCLS, fearing that we might lose it altogether if we didn’t; today I feel like we bought a pig in a poke.

Who in their right mind would rather go to the library at the Piazza, rather the one at the current location on the river? I don’t know how many times I’ve seen young mothers take their kids to play at Liberty Park, either before or after a visit to the present library. Do you really believe that these same mothers will put their children at risk of the thugs who hang out at the bus station? I think not.

Here  is  one vote to keep the status quo and I don’t see any need to renovate the current site either.

Ken Storkson

Renton