Ahead of the November 2023 elections, the Renton Reporter sent the same set of questions to every Renton City Council candidate. These are their responses. You can read more on rentonreporter.com.
Q: What are some of the most important problems facing the Renton community, and how do you intend to address them?
Ed Prince, Council Position No. 5 (incumbent):
“1. Public Safety: Public safety is the most essential function of a city government. We cannot thrive as a community if our residents don’t feel safe. In my three terms, I have been a strong supporter of our law enforcement and our firefighters. If re-elected I will continue to support efforts to hire more officers to protect our residents and businesses while advocating for additional social services funding to help our residents most in need.
2. Growth/Affordable Housing: With our region growing Renton has taken on more growth than any city outside of Seattle and Bellevue. We need to continue to plan for smart growth that benefits our entire community. This past legislative session the legislature passed House Bill 1110 which is aimed at improving affordable housing. I want Renton to become more affordable while maintaining the character of our neighborhoods. I am a strong supporter of Transit Oriented Development which will greatly improve two things: a) access to transit. b) housing affordability.
3. Homelessness: This is one of if not the most pressing issues our region faces. As a member and co-chair of the governing committee of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, I am committed to finding regional solutions to this issue that are cookie-cutter and recognize that all 39 cities in King County are different and need different solutions.”
Marvin Rosete, Council Position No. 5 (candidate):
“The city faces many growth issues concerning transportation and economic development. However, the primary issue among Renton voters, when asked, is Public Safety. And this issue has several facets.
I personally know survivors of crime in our neighborhoods that include elected officials themselves. These incidents include carjackings, armed robbery, assaults and property crime. I believe our police force should [be] increased and match our growing population. I would work to strengthen the penalties on organized theft of property and active pursuit of theft in our retail stores. I support ordinances that strengthen our anti open-air drug and alcohol consumption policies, as well as stricter ordinances that will arrest the dealers of illicit substances that invite even more usage on our local streets.
There are also incidents [of] vagrancy that exacerbate the problems from displaced individuals inhabiting Renton streets and neighboring greenbelts.
I believe we should always be compassionate and understanding. But resources are available, albeit limited, in what Renton can provide for those in need of shelter or in crisis. I would advocate the clearing of greenbelts where Renton shares jurisdiction with other entities like King County and PSE. In these places illegal encampments bring constant unpredictable and dangerous elements to Renton neighborhoods. I also support current efforts to coordinate with large scale non-profit organizations providing regional services for those in need to South Sound cities like Renton.”
Q: What are some of your own achievements that you believe speak to your qualifications to be elected or re-elected to the council?
Ed Prince, Council Position No. 5 (incumbent):
“I am proud of quite a few things that have been accomplished during my time on the council:
1. I am very proud of the Renton Regional Fire Authority. I was the very first chairman of the RRFA and during my time on the board, we delivered a new fire station to the Kennydale neighborhood. A station that was a long time coming and has been a huge benefit for Renton.
2. Renton was the first city in King County to pass a Source of Income Discrimination ordinance. This ordinance does not all landlords to refuse someone based on their income source and has had a strong impact on our senior, veteran, and low-income populations. As long as you can make your payments you’ll have housing in Renton
3. The creation of the Equity Housing and Human Services department was huge, it says as a city we are concerned enough about these issues that we want to highlight it in its department. EHHS is an important component in our city and I was a strong supporter of its creation.”
Marvin Rosete, Council Position No. 5 (candidate):
“I’ve worked with different non-profits and government entities for over two decades. Chief among these organizations [is] King County, United Way (including a partner agency) and Harborview. In these places would help elected officials communicate with local constituents, or help providing direct service to clientele with acute needs regarding homelessness, at-risk youth violence, and sometimes food insecurity. As a non-profit executive, I often times interact and advocate with elected officials as well as engage government regarding laws on education, employment, and economic development. I would be honored to work on the other side of the dais, and allocate for the use of City resources to help more communities effectively.”
Q: What does the role of city council member mean to you? How will you use it to improve the community?
Ed Prince, Council Position No. 5 (incumbent):
“The role of a councilmember to me has many functions these two stand out:
1) Policymaker- The most visible part of our job happens Monday at 7 p.m. when we pass ordinances and resolutions on important issues in our city.
2) Community servant- My why for doing this job starts and ends with serving the community. I love Renton and our ethic of service. Renton is the only community I have ever lived in where if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and work you will be welcomed with open arms. As a councilmember I am quick to respond to residents’ e-mails with a response or a phone call if they leave their number and on occasion I have even stopped by to view the issue/problem they are encountering firsthand. It is very important to me to be as hands-on as possible when responding to constituent issues, they have entrusted me with the responsibility of service and I am very thankful.”
Marvin Rosete, Council Position No. 5 (candidate):
“It’s always an honor to provide service when elected by people. As Councilmember, I see myself as the steward of your city tax dollars. I want to assure these resources are spent to protect and care for the services residents rely on, like clean water, roads, utilities, fire and of course keeping the peace.
Often times city government must step in to make decisions that reflect the current values of our residents. I as Councilmember, I envision myself adding value to our city and want to improve your experience living in Renton. I want to use my office to increase public art, while enhancing parks and public spaces to include a better variety of usage. This usage includes introducing projects like more sports and athletic fields, skateboard parks, and cultural celebrations. I would prefer one or two more community centers in Renton as well.
In foresight, I see my role as preparing our city for growth. This growth includes more affordable mixed income and middle housing and the most modern first-response services possible.”
Q: In what ways has the Renton City Council recently fallen short in solving some of the city’s problems, and how will you look to improve upon the council’s efforts in the future?
Ed Prince, Council Position No. 5 (incumbent):
“As a council, we come together and work hard for the betterment of Renton. I can’t think of any areas where we have fallen short. We have made decisions where we need more data to see what the outcome is but I can’t see any areas where we have fallen short.”
Marvin Rosete, Council Position No. 5 (candidate):
“In my opinion, the City Council as fallen short on vision. And it shows through the types of poor decision making not only by my opponent but some members of the Council. In my race, I running against my opponent due to my disappointment and complete dissatisfaction with his poor judgement and nominal performance on both the Regional Transit Authority and King County Regional Homelessness Authority – just to name a few.
Where there is an informal selection process to these important regional entities, there is also little accountability to residents regarding the performance on these boards. For example, Renton was supposed to receive a $10 million parking structure under Sound Transit. That project has been replaced by a $2 million surface street parking area. There was no indication of coordination of his decision with Renton City Hall, nor is there indication of advocacy by my opponent for keeping the structure. Months later, it was announced that Auburn, Kent and Sumner received a $350 million investment Sound Transit for their parking facilities. This is after and estimated $500 million of RTA fees have come from Renton, with almost no return to our city. Renton residents are tired of paying for Sound Transit projects that don’t benefit us as residents. I look forward to serving as the next City Councilmember to advocate for better transit options and the return of our fair share Sound Transit dollars.”
In regard to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, the performance by my opponent’s appointment on that board is unknown, while cities like Burien considered the purchase of a hotel to place their unhoused population in Renton. My opponent’s opinion has been silent on this issue. Such performances and decision are intolerable as they reflect poorly on Renton’s standing to the region..”
Q: Do you support a $19 minimum wage in Renton? Why or why not?
Ed Prince, Council Position No. 5 (incumbent):
“I support allowing our residents to vote on the minimum wage like they have in other communities. I am not in favor of us doing anything councilmatic. This is an issue that should go in front of the voters of Renton.”
Marvin Rosete, Council Position No. 5 (candidate):
“First, I support a living wage for all in Renton. And I want to do so by assuring it is done in a way that involves our entire community. I could not support legislation that would ‘cut and paste’ similar laws from other cities, as each ordinance must be tailored to Renton’s ability to enact, enforce and sustain the intended outcome. Where raising a minimum wage is very progressive in nature, is beneficial to hourly employees, many employers are already paying workers near or more than the minimum wage in order to retain staff. This is due to the higher wages already offered from in Seattle and local business owners already compete in recruiting and retention of workers in our city. In general, as a councilmember, I wish to create laws that have predictable results and even more certain beneficial outcomes.”
