Written by In December those of us in Renton City Hall compiled and distributed a list of public works projects that we feel are ready-to-go if the state can get access to Barack Obama’s proposed economic stimulus funds.
The project list includes a variety of items, from those projects that would keep a dozen people busy all the way up to super projects that would give work to thousands. Everything from sidewalk repairs to a new I-405/I-167 Connection. Each project has been planned, gone through preliminary design, has political backing, and is ready for construction funding.
We are well positioned if this money becomes available. The next step is to work with our representatives in Congress and in the State Capitol to make sure everyone knows we are ready and eager to put people to work right away if money is available to us. Here is an article from the Auburn Reporter on this topic with some more of the details.
Proposed Priority list of Projects
Please show us the list and in it’s proposed priority order. Most of the time the priorities of the City of Renton and our elected officials are not the same priorities of the vested rate payers who live and raise their children in Renton.
$215billion. That’s rounded of course. I like most of the traffic improvements since they are meant to improve congestion. The Jail would provide long term jobs. Not sure sidewalks or kiosks are worth it.
One thing though, how will you ensure it is a stimulus to the people of Renton. Will you stipulate that Renton citizens are the ones operating the heavy machinery? How will you make sure the citizens directly benefit.
I’m thinking it will be mostly a secondary benefit. Local restaurant owners will see increased lunch traffic or businesses will have better access once the construction is done. I wouldn’t think WaMu employees who live in Renton that up to a few months ago were selling financial services will all of the sudden take to road construction.
That’s the problem with Mr O’s stimulus plan. We have been doing road construction for ever. We planed to do it before the financial crises and we will do it after the crises. But it is not road workers that need the help. Residential construction workers need jobs. Financial service providers need jobs. Retail sales people need jobs. It is their jobs that we need to create, not road construction jobs.
I just don’t see my friend who lost her job at WaMu holding the stop sign at a construction sight.
So back to my question. How does the city plan on ensuring Renton Citizens directly benefit from any part of this $215Billion.
Mark
Upside down City Priorities
Mark, great response but I will say it again; the City of Renton’s Priorities are not the Priorities of the Citizens who live here.
As Denis Law said, we need to invest where we get the biggest return. Well his idea of the biggest return on our tax dollares is setting the City at the top of the priority list, then the Businesses and if there is any moneys left, maybe some support for the poor Renton Tax payers (who now pay the biggest share of the property taxes in Renton) who live in local communities that have appalling infrastructure issues (streets, sidewalks, traffic safety issues, poor lighting, ect.,
The current City Council will continue to fund the Cities so-called high priority projects like additional unnecessary resources for 10 and 12 million dollar parking garages (with interest added), more tax write offs for contractors, and millions of dollars bleeding out to consultants who are paid to do the tasks of Renton’s highly paid city Directors/managers who can’t do the work they were hired to do.
The city needs to ask those who pay the bills what their priority projects were if they could choose what is needed to improve the livability of their Community. I’m sure they will not put parking garages and forgiving taxes for contractors at the top of their list.
Re: Upside down City Priorities
We elect out leaders. If you don’t like what they are doing, don’t vote for them. If you really don’t like what they are doing, work to get an alternative elected or run your self.
The city leaders have said in their words and actions what their priorities are. Most of them are slightly to highly liberal. You can expect them to spend money in such a fashion (i.e. more social spending).
With the exception of the kiosks, I don’t think what was listed in the article was that bad. Improving traffic congestion is definitely a benefit to Renton citizens. A jail that will provide long term jobs is also a benefit (just don’t put it in my neighborhood).
I don’t think the council is doing a bad job. I just think the solution to the macro economic problems are not well thought out (nationally). The sales and white collar jobs that have been lost are not going to be replaced my blue collar road construction jobs.
Oh, and I meant $215million not $215billion.
Mark
Provie City Priority List
Once again Randy Corman is asked to provide the readers with the priority list of projects that the city currently is proposing? Now if Randy can’t or declines to make that list available, then maybe his community constituency should look at doing what Mark suggests in his response. He suggests that his community should not vote for him or they should make enough noise so he will think twice about running for Renton City Council again. Perhaps we have another Dan Clawson situation here. Remember Clawson did not listen to his Constituency and now he is regretting it.