Good morning! Today, 4th and 5th graders at Kent Mountain View Academy asked me what it is like to be Mayor, and I told them my job is different every day. Some days, I attend meetings to make sure Kent’s voice is heard in the region. Other days, I am talking to residents and businesses about what they want to see in Kent. No matter what I am doing any given day, I love that I get to help take care of 130,000 residents and thousands of businesses.

Have a great weekend!

~ Dana

Sound Transit System Expansion Committee Recommends Short List of Possible OMF Sites to Advance for More Study

We took a big step forward Thursday. Sound Transit’s System Expansion Committee met to discuss which sites would move onto the next phase of consideration for an operations and maintenance facility in either Kent or Federal Way. The committee is recommending a short list of possible sites and the Kent TOD, known as the Dick’s/Lowe’s site, is not on it. Though this is not a final decision, we are very pleased with the committee’s action. The full board will make a final decision of sites to advance at their May 23 meeting.

Thank you to everyone that took time to attend a meeting or submit comments. We couldn't have done this without you! We Did It!

National Correctional Officers Week

This past week was National Correctional Officers Week (May 5-11). Our correctional officers do a difficult and important job. I personally want to thank our correctional officers for their hard work and dedication. National Police Week starts tomorrow.

Record Volunteers Come Out for TeamUp2CleanUp

Last Saturday, we had a record number of volunteers participate in the City’s spring TeamUp2CleanUp event. We had 174 volunteers of all ages help out, 50 more than last fall and 70 more than last spring! They collected 237 bags of trash throughout the City. Some of the participants included Alaska USA Credit Union, the John Volken Academy, Kent City F.C., Creekside neighborhood, Meridian Green townhomes, a geocaching group who picked up 100 bags of trash behind Target, St. Columbia Episcopal Church, Totem Middle School and the Kent-Meridian Rotary Interact Club.

A big thank you to the wonderful volunteers and event sponsors – Kent Downtown Partnership, Republic Services, Doorman Services, Kent Station, Kent Lions and Golden Steer – for caring enough about our community to devote their Saturday morning to TeamUp2CleanUp! Kent is our city and it takes all of us to take care of it. To learn more about how you, your family or organization can help clean up Kent, visit KentWA.gov.