It's time to replace Kent safety building


The Band-Aid approach won't work anymore. There comes a time in the life of a building when repairs and modifications and improvising stop being cost-effective.

The 89-year-old Kent Safety Building is at that point -- and has been for a number of years. The time has come to replace the building. Pouring money into an aging and dilapidated building only delays the inevitable. Eventually, it comes to the point where it costs more to continually repair than it does to rebuild.

A temporary earned- income tax increase is a smart way to pay for a new safety building. Revenues generated from the income tax increase provide a steady and reliable stream of funds with which to pay back the bonds purchased to construct the building. Without a reliable funding source, the risk of default rises as does the potential for having to cut city services to free money to pay for the construction bonds.

It is important to note, however, that the income tax increase is not a blank check without an end. The money spent on the new building is an investment.

Sure, there are costs involved for Kent wage earners, but the benefits to the citizens of Kent can be significant when limited funds are invested wisely to ensure that the city remains strong and a safe place to live and work.

A "Yes" vote on Issue 4 allows the citizens of Kent to do just that.

Audrey Cielinski Kessler, Kent

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  • Wow, Audrey temporary mean 30 years to you. When I think of temporary I think of something like 30 days, like in a temporary licenses plate on a car. It would also be nice if you would tell us the readers if this tax would affect you. I have notice most Kent residents who support this issue are retired and would not have to pay a dime in taxes for this. I ask you how fair is that. I am voting NO I am paying taxes for the library and the schools. One last thing I need is a new income tax. I need to support my family with my income not every stupid idea government can come up with. The state just raised the sales tax just one more way to take a dime from the little guy. Kent needs to take the money out of the genreal fund to pay for this project.