The Renton Reporter asked the three candidates in the primary election for Renton City Council Position 5 questions about their backgrounds and stance on issues. They were asked to be brief. The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 16.
Robin Jones
AGE: 48
FAMILY: Mary, no children
HOMETOWN: Denver, Colo., moved to Renton 1997; homeowner inTiffany Park
EDUCATION: B.A. in History – University of Idaho, M.A. in International Relations – Lancaster University, Great Britain; Certified Project Manager – PMP; Project Manager The Boeing Company; currently serving in the Army Reserve as a senior officer
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Chair – City of Renton Human Services Committee 2008 – 2011, Member – City of Renton Human Services Committee 2002 – 2005, 2006-2008
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES: Candidate for City Council, 2003
ENDORSEMENTS: Margarita Prentice, State Senator, 11th District; 11th District Democrats; King County Democrats Central Committee; Aerospace Machinists Industrial District Lodge Local 751; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Local 60 Central Puget Sound Carpenters Local 30.
TOP THREE ISSUES:
1. Work to improve city revenue and provide city services during these tough economic times. The challenge will be striking the right balance so that we provide the right services within a realistic tax model. We need to determine what type of business environment we want to support within the city and focus our efforts and resources to best meet those needs.
2. Preserve a safe community and a safe city. One of the basic fundamental roles of government is to provide for the safety and security of our citizens. The city needs to continue to provide core services to the most critically needy within our community and ensure that the critical infrastructure of our city is maintained at acceptable levels.
3. Bring new objective leadership to the city council and improve the communication between the City Council and the citizens of Renton. Many members of the community felt that they did not receive accurate information regarding the library decision. I will bring transparency to the City Council decision-making process and respect the citizens’ viewpoint.
Ed Prince
AGE: 36
FAMILY: Wife Meegan, son Alexander
BACKGROUND: Grew up in South Seattle, moved to Renton in late 2005. Student body president at Washington State University.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Chair, Renton Planning Commission; President/ Founding Director, The Next Curve; Renton Community Budget Advisor; Past Chair, Citizens for Renton Schools.
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES: Ran for the Legislature in 2004.
ENDORSEMENTS: Mayor Denis Law; City Council members King Parker, Randy Corman, Terri Briere, Don Persson, Greg Taylor, Rich Zwicker; state Rep. Marcie Maxwell; Renton Police Officers Guild; Renton Fire Fighters; City of Renton Employees (AFSCME Local 2170)
ISSUES: Public safety; support our local businesses (Economy); Budget (making sure we are as efficient as possible with taxpayer dollars)
Mark Martinez
AGE: 34
FAMILY: Married 14 years to high-school sweetheart; four children ages 5-13
BACKGROUND: Moved to Renton at 13 in1990; Education, Hazen High, Seattle University, BA in Accounting and Economics; professional, contract labor accountant; two tours Iraq veteran, 10 years in the Marines
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Highlands Elementary PTA as volunteer; Cub Scout cubmaster; active homeowners association member
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES: This is my the first election.
ISSUES:
1. Opening up the city and making it easier to communicate. I would like the city to hold more town-hall meeting in different parts of the city. I would like to make it easier for citizens to be able to track their tax dollars.
2. Upcoming annexations and the effects it will have on the budget.
3. The downtown library and the tax issues. The city is still collecting taxes at the same level while providing fewer services at the same time KCLS is also collecting library taxes.
