Disqus - Latest Comments for RentonDave

Re: Big changes to come to Renton libraries, open house Saturday - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sun, 02 May 2010 15:54:22 -0000

How easy it is to set back and complain about not having the opportunity to say something. But it is hard to believe that people were not aware of the vote. There was definitely enough Pro and Con information out there that most should have heard about the election. The vote has been completed and all of the voters (who chose to be heard by voting) made their decision (no matter what it was or why).

Have you asked what the council decided to do with the money that was used to support the Renton library (prior to annexing to KCLS)?
This can be done by attending a City Council meeting and speaking up and saying something during the audience comment section. Or if you don’t fill comfortable doing this or can’t make it to a Council meeting, you can also send a letter or email, go on line to the Renton city webpage to get the address.

Re: EDITOR'S NOTE: A close encounter on the Cedar River Trail and a City of Renton review - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:35:42 -0000

Call it what you want, but going over a 15 mile by 10 mph while is illegal it is also being rude. Just one of many possible ways.

Re: EDITOR'S NOTE: A close encounter on the Cedar River Trail and a City of Renton review - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sat, 01 May 2010 15:32:47 -0000

I like how everyone chooses to condemn all byclists, when they are not the only group that have people that are rude to others.
When you consider all users, you will find people that are respectable to others and those that are not, it does not matter what thier mode of transportation is.
Probably the biggest question is what other group of users will accused of being unsafe or discourteous and need to be removed from the trail.

Re: EDITOR'S NOTE: Annexation wins; let’s now move on - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:40:45 -0000

It is a sad day for Renton when a minority group cannot accept the fact they were defeated by a majority vote. They like to say that the City lied when it issued its price facts. When in fact this “correction in costs” only shows that the library continues in its decline, and will in the future. Past history has shown when the Renton Library took a budget cut the items that were cut never returned. Example: Back in the 80s the library closed on Sunday and has never reopened on this day of the week until tomorrow when KCLS opens the downtown library on Sunday. A vocal minority has tried to state that the only choice is the costs, when the silent majority chose to annex the Renton Library into KCLS for improved library services. Since I cannot prove why people made the choice to annex, this is only an opinion. The same is true with the vocal minority; they cannot prove what the reason was why the minority made their choice.
It is time to acknowledge the choice of the majority and move forward to the future pertaining to Library services within Renton.
David L. McCammon

Re: No material in Renton - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:57:24 -0000

It is interesting the "fact" that Renton has more available material. I wonder how much material would be available if the Renton library had to serve a City of 80,000 instead of the 25,000 that lived with in the City of Renton when the main library was built. This would happen because Renton would have to follow in Seattle's footsteps and stop paying the price of the reciprecol agreement. This would have to happen so the Renton library could continue the service it provide right now. For those who used the Renton library in the past should be aware of the fact that in the early 80's that the Renton library couldn't afford the staff to keep the library open on Sunday. These hours never returned and the necessary staff lost there jobs, just has 4 part time employees would be looking at layoff becaise of budget cuts if the majority had choose not to vote for annexing to KCLS. Don't know the future but look at the past the staff would continue without ever replacing the staff members lost. Fewer hours would not change and the Renton Library would continue to decline.

Re: Renton library to KCLS; now what's next? - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:44:46 -0000

What I find interesting is the majority of commenters feel they were cheated when it was the silent majority that choice to improve library services in the City of Renton. No one knows what way another vote would go and what was the reasons for thier choice. Just like I can say I voted yes because of the steady decline of the Renton library. Neither can you prove that I am telling the truth or lying.

Re: Renton library annexation vote even tighter, automatic recount possible - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:03:26 -0000

Now is not the time to moan the past decision of the voters of Renton, but to look to the future of the Renton library and strive to make it the best possible. No matter how the vote comes out when the final decision is made on February 24, 2010.
As far as the numbers are concerned these are a taken from a "snapshot" in time. This would be the only way to show the numbers without being one sided. Costs for both KCLS and the Renton Library System have changed and if one side is addressed then both sides should be.

David L. McCammon

Re: KCLS would provide more books, services - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:13:14 -0000

When you are a small library with limited attendance, there is a good chance you will find what you want there. But why does Renton pay to keep the reciprecol agreement in place unless more people in Renton use KCLS instead of the other way around?

Re: Renton City Council ready to give up on Renton Library - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:03:22 -0000

No one on the City Council or the majority of Renton residents want to loose a library in Renton.
What they want to see is improved library service to Renton residents at the lowest cost.
The Renton library has declined since the 70’s. The only way to for the future of a local library is to have excellent library service that continues into the future instead of losing out to budget requirements.
The future for improved library service at the lowest cost available is to join KCLS.

David L. McCammon

Re: Annexing to KCLS gives us more for our money - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:11:51 -0000

The facts for joining KCLS would be:

Support for joining KCLS as the chance to increase needed and improved library services to Renton at the lowest cost includes:
The majority of the Renton City Council.
The majority of the Renton Library board.
Many of Renton residents do not question the preference to keep the Renton Library independent, but it needs to be updated and the only way to do that is to join with an excellent Library system that has proven it supports for the communities it serves.

The costs that have been mentioned include money that will stay directly in Renton and before the costs become final there will be continued discussion on what can and should be done and what the costs will pay for.
The majority of these costs will be discussed and spent has need to improve library service in Renton, no matter what Library System provides service.

The amount going to KCLS will be used to support the library services provided to all of KCLS patrons; this would include library service to Renton residents.
This would include a local library, serving Renton residents.

Increased services:
Including more open hours.
An increased supply of available materials and online databases.
Increased outreach services, student support and more.

The Renton Library has been in decline since the early 70’s because of former Renton City Councils budgeting practices not spending the necessary money to keep the library up to date.

A possible way for Renton to reduce the cost of the reciprocal agreement is to follow the Seattle Public Library and not pay for the reciprocal agreement has it is today. This suggestion has also been discussed, as a possibility.

For more information on what improvements are available with joining KCLS, go to http://rentonforkclsnow.org... and check the fact statement

David L. McCammon

Re: Annexing to KCLS gives us more for our money - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:29:30 -0000

Interesting thoughts vote no to keep the Renton Library in a steady and continuing decline and to start KCLS into its decline.
The KCLS proposition is going to a vote this February to address a downturn in the appraised value, this levy list is to allow the collection of an amount of dollars that would have occurred prior to the decline of property costs.

Interesting scare tactic, our money will go to assist Mercer Island, no more of our money would assist Mercer Island then their money assists any other KCLS location including the Renton library served by KCLS.

Of course the figures that you put forth are incorrect and made up figures, KCLS will not receive $.26 or $.17 per $1000 A/V, if this money were to be collected (and that is not know, because there as been no official decision made), it will go to the City of Renton to be used as necessary to improve necessary and wanted services with in Renton for Renton residents.

Votenotilyouknow, interesting name. Vote no til you know, so with just a little self educating you will know that the best choice is to vote yes for joining with KCLS.

David L. McCammon.

Re: Here are three good reasons to keep library in city hands - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:53:46 -0000

1. “Shorter wait times” will go away as Renton Library system continues to serve a growing City. Cost to Renton will rise. One way to control this cost will be to alter the present reciprocal agreement with KCLS. This will end the ability to use KCLS’s hold system. KCLS will be available for continued usage by Renton residents but we will have to continue to go back to the library branch and hope the book is not checked out or on hold. But we will save money with the continued decline of the Renton Library.

2. “The whole series.” Not every library owns all complete series or stored in the same place. This includes KCLS and the Renton Library. With KCLS you can do a little preplanning and have the series delivered in correct order when you are ready for the books.

3. My experience shows that if you deliver your book to the library at the last minute or to the book drop on the last day, they will be checked in the next day but backdated to the previous day. Late fee polices

In addition to the above, the Renton Library has been in decline for over 25 years and will continue to do so without a intensive (read expensive) increase in funds or for a lower cost and more immediate response with a strong future the best choice is to join KCLS.

David L. McCammon

Re: Renton City Council to take a stand Monday on KCLS annexation - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:18:47 -0000

At the City Council meeting January 11,2010 there were more people in attendance that were against the annexation to KCLS, this is not the majority of people with in the City limits that fact will be found out in February. The majority of City Council members, City administration and the Pro annexation side led by the Renton Library board trustees spoke of the future of the Renton library, and that it will continue to decline, as it has over the last 25 + year, unless the Library services are improved, which will cost more money no matter what route is taken. No resolution was passed but the Council members spoke has individuals, with the majority supporting the annexation to KCLS.
Untruths keep coming from the side against annexation in hopes of scary people into voting against annexing to KCLS. Example the earlier comment: the earlier comment above by some calling themselves MercerIslandKing. Improvements to KCLS are paid for by the Capital Improvement bond passed in 2004, the only way Renton residents that do not already pay. To pay for this Bond, KCLS would have had to ask for it and the vote would have to pass by 60% vote not the 50% + 1 majority required to pass the vote to annex to KCLS. There is no new building planned for Mercer Island, to receive a new building Mercer Island residents would be paying for it out of their City budget
The lid lift for KCLS, being voted upon by voters of KCLS will be in effect for 1 year only, and then it returns to the present amount.
The support for the annexation to KCLS is that the library is one of the many services that Renton has to provide its residents, the only way to improve the library is with either new and more taxes or more cuts to the present services, this could include Fire and Police services.
There was no praising of the choice to annex to KCLS in the Brochure sent out with the utility bill, this was information only on what will happen, at the time the brochure had come out the City had not officially announced, and still has not. Until that were to happen the City of Renton employees and officials cannot send out, or discuss on City owned property, anything in support of or against the vote to annex to KCLS. This restriction is state law. The reason that Pro and Con for the annexation to KCLS was allowed at the City Council meeting was because both side were allowed to speak and this was the opportunity for the City Council to make an official decision on if to allow support either way on City properties.
I acknowledge that annexing to KCLS is not the favorite choice of many Renton residents, but it is the only chance to improve library services in Renton for now and into the future.
Renton library while great in the past has continued to decline even though the City has grown in size and stature.
Why does Renton have to pay for the Reciprocal agreement? Unless it is because more people from Renton choose to take their business to KCLS then residents living with in KCLS’s service area go to the Renton Library services because of bettor services.

Annexing to KCLS will improve services at the lowest cost.
Now is not the time to look back to the past, but look to the future of Library services in Renton.

Re: Keep library independent, even if updates slow - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:39:52 -0000

Interesting math shown by the following website, http://www.saverentonlibrar... . How many more untruths will be brought forward to scare Renton resident into believing that the Renton Library system can be updated to what Renton needs and deserves.
The number shown for the Overhead Cost per item is the budget divided by the collection. (Budget)$90,000,000.00 / 4,000,000 (collection) = $22.50 (overhead Cost per item).
The cost per Staff is the budget divided by staff members. (Budget)$90,000,000.00 / 1,200 (staff members) = $90,000,000.00
This would require a budget twice the size, to make these numbers work out. How many other untruths are being said by those who think that it would be less expensive to annex to KCLS then to update the Renton Library System with the services requested by Renton residents.
This not the 70’s, we deserve Library services for the present and future.

David L. McCammon

Re: Annexing to KCLS would mean big tax increase - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:36:47 -0000

David L. McCammon

Re: Five reasons why not to annex to KCLS - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:26:07 -0000

Interesting math, shown by the following website, http://www.saverentonlibrar... . How many more untruths will be brought forward to scare Renton resident into believing that the Renton Library system can be updated to what Renton needs and deserves.
The number shown for the Overhead Cost per item is the budget divided by the collection. (Budget)$90,000,000.00 / 4,000,000 (collection) = $22.50 (overhead Cost per item).
The cost per Staff is the budget divided by staff members. (Budget)$90,000,000.00 / 1,200 (staff members) = $90,000,000.00
This would require a budget to make this numbers work out. How many other untruths are being said by those who think that it would be less expensive to annex to KCLS then to update the Renton Library System with the services requested by Renton residents.
This not the 70’s, we deserve Library services for the present and future.

David L. McCammon

Re: Library Annexation Special Series: How the Renton library came to crossroad - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:24:16 -0000

David L. McCammon

Re: Library future is with KCLS - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:35:24 -0000

The Trustees for KCLS are selected by the King County Executive and confirmed by the County Council, both the County Executive and Council are elected officials residing in King County, these positions are filled by majority vote of voters within King County, and this would include Renton City residents. KCLS is stilled governed separately from King County.

While the budgets for the Renton Library System and the Renton History Museum both come from the Renton Budget, both are listed as separate lines within the preliminary budget, as such they our budgeted separately from each other and thus financed separately..

No matter what Renton residents will see taxes raise or the Library will not be updated to the size of the City and the wishes of the residents of Renton.

There has been no official talks, or decision on what to do with the $.26. The unofficial talks have included removing the Library funds among other possibilities. If the money used for the for the present Library system is continued to be collected this will go into the general fund and be used for other necessary services or items requested by City residents. Again all talks on the subject have been unofficial without any official decisions made.

Annexing to KCLS in my opinion is the best and probably the only way for Renton to improve its Library services to the Renton Library, for the usage of Renton residents.

David L. McCammon
Renton resident

Re: Library future is with KCLS - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:14:40 -0000

KCLS serves the residents of King County that wish to be so served. The governments are separate and funded separately; any excess does not go to another government without actions by either the board of trustees (voted into their position, not appointed) or a majority vote of residents with in the region served by KCLS.
KCLS is separate and not governed or funded by any of the following self government examples, King County, Renton or any other city in King County, any KC Fire District, sewer and/or water districts and services that are separate then city provided, any junior or community college, Sound Transit, Metro bus service, garbage pickup. All of these government entities have their separate boards, councils, or commissioners and receive their funds though one or more of the following ways, property taxes, sells tax, fees and service charges, benefit charges, donations, contracts with other government entities, other. Almost all of these types of funding are affected by the present economy, which explains the problems that many of these governments are having. Renton residents already pay towards more then one of these governmental agencies.
KCLS is governed by a board of trustees that are elected from throughout the region served by KCLS; it is funded through separate property taxes and donations that are collected strictly for the use by KCLS. These funds are affected by the economy and a majority vote of the residents within the region served by KCLS.
After a study of KCLS’s budget, it is found the only financial difficulties that KCLS may have, also affect all other government entities, this is because the problems are economy driven not poor governing.
The lid lift that KCLS is asking for will be voted upon (in February 2010) and must pass with a majority yes vote of the residents that live with in the KCLS service area. This lid lift is only for one year then it returns back to the previous funding allowance.
It is hard to understand how this can be a money grab when KCLS will be providing service to the City of Renton, both at a cost to KCLS and will cancel the need to pay for the reciprocal agreement, thus saving Renton and it’s residents money that is presently spent for improved library service.
This just one reason why annexing to KCLS will deliver bettor service for less cost then attempting to continue with an independent library system in a growing city.
David L. McCammon

Re: Library future is with KCLS - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:53:26 -0000

While a difference of $.06 per $1000 of assessed value of property sounds small, but it does add up and shows that no matter what, it will cost more to remain independent. This lower cost would include a higher amount of service to Renton residents.
KCLS, King County, and Sound Transit are all separate government entities and as such have nothing in common or fund the other entities. Sound Transit and KCLS depend on majority votes from the regions they serve; this would include the City of Renton, after annexing to KCLS.
Please tell me where it says that the White Center library is closing, the only way it will close is if Seattle chooses to annex the White Center area. Link for information of the White Center library. http://www.kcls.org/bond/wh... . As of this time it is due to be dismantled and rebuilt with a newer and improved library capable of delivering better services to the White Center area. During this closure a temporary library will be opened, also there are 3 KCLS libraries with in a very close distance, this includes Greenbridge, Boulevard Park and Burien libraries. Locally Renton would be served both by a local branch, but also Newcastle, Skyway, Fairwood and other libraries just a little farther from Renton. Link to the KCLS library locations. http://www.kcls.org/locatio... .
To say that Sound Transit does serve Renton is incorrect. Routes 560, 564, 565, pass though, and serve Renton with multiple stops along the way where it will link up with other Sounder Transit whither it be bus, train, or link rail, also links with KC metro service. There is no charge for transferring from one service to the other, except because of service cost, this also includes reduced fees. Example of different service cost would be Link Light Railand and Train service is more expensive then bus service.
Both train service and link rail are a short distance away from Renton, at the stations located in Tukwila and SeaTac Airport, and served by Metro and/or Sounder Transit bus service from Renton and by park and rides at the stations,

There was a website that was for the annexation of the Benson Hill area to Renton. The only control I had of this website was to add comments to the blog just like anyone else could, I had no control to delete anything from the website. .

The materials requested in holds come from all libraries served by KCLS, not one single library. While there maybe requests for specific items there is more material that remains in the individual libraries to be checked out or viewed in the library, depending on the users choice. Why is it that KCLS has a higher usage from Renton residents, then the Renton Library System has from the KCLS region unless KCLS offers better library service, for a lower cost?
Just like the Renton Library System, the Librarians at KCLS have a set schedule instead of trying to work during the complete schedule that the library is open. This is also easier to do when the library is open fewer hours then what the patrons wish for.
Renton Library System serves both Renton and its residents, and residents of King County (both unincorporated and incorporated KC) because of agreements between Renton Library System and KCLS and additional costs to the City of Renton.
If you need local Renton History, might I suggest the Renton History Museum. This is financed seperately from the Renton Library System.

Re: Library future is with KCLS - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:25:28 -0000

Interesting:
$.42 for KCLS
$.26 present price, $.22 Cost to update and improve the Renton Library.
Unless there is a new math that I am not aware of that means that it will cost more to stay with an independent Renton Library, then it would cost to annex to KCLS with a local community library.

To save money and improve the library services for the Renton Residents
Vote yes on Proposition 1 – Annex the Renton Library into KCLS.

David L. McCammon
Renton resident for annexing to KCLS

Re: Library annexation full of inconsistencies - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:40:49 -0000

The closing of the White Center Library depends on a couple of items.
The first is pending the potential annexation to the City of Seattle.
The second is that the White Center Library will be replaced by a new 10,000 square foot library at the current site with more library materials. Estimated start of project is 2011. This funded by the capital bond that past in 2004 that most Renton residents will not be paying for.
During the time of construction there will likely be a temporary library (like the Kent library at present time), there is also 3 other KCLS libraries within a short distance, these would be Greenbridge to the north, Boulevard Park to the east, and Burien to the south.
KCLS and Sound Transit are 2 different entities and do not serve people the same way, this comparison at best would be like comparing apples to oranges.
Renton would build new buildings for the Renton library served by KCLS, while this system is not owned and operated by the City of Renton, is operated by a Library system that works with and for the communities it serves.

Re: Renton dog lover wants city to consider on-leash dogs in part of Coulon - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:36:06 -0000

The problem I see includes not all dog owners care about their dogs as much as others. While the leashless dog park is only one park, it is a park for animal owners and their pets to have an excellent and safe place to excercise and enjoy life.. It shouild be possilbe for people to enjoy a public space without the damaged caused by a few uncaring people.

Re: Library annexation full of inconsistencies - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:45:37 -0000

While I agree, that we do differ in opinion, there are several reasons to annex to KCLS. The main ones are the cost of annexing will be cheaper then updating the Renton Library System.
This would improve services, time the library is open and technology.
The other choice would be to stay as is and be forced to layoff staff members, this is already listed in the 2010 budget for Renton, this would also be opposite of what the residents of Renton who participated in the Master Plan survey requested by improved by the City of Renton for library patrons.
As far as the reciprocal agreement mentioned previously, in 2009 the City of Renton paid over $280,000 to keep the agreement in place as it presently is, this amount will grow has Renton grows. This money (and the facility maintenance cost) is not included in the present $.26 that is paid into the Renton Library System, yearly.
KCLS is a seperate governmental entity and is not affected by the financal problems in King County. The only thing that KCLS has in common with King County is that KCLS is with in the borders of King County and it chose the same name, King County Library System.
No matter what choices are made, it comes down to the best way to update the Renton Library System would be either to remain independent or annex to KCLS. Annexing to KCLS would be the least expensive and have the better and more complete library services.
KCLS works to make the local libraries, community driven, this fact would make the Renton Library served by KCLS a local Renton Library, with materials and services for Renton residents.

David L. McCammon
Renton resident for annexation to KCLS

Re: Library annexation full of inconsistencies - Renton Reporter

RentonDave — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:34:16 -0000

You are correct that my comment may have been misleading. No matter what happens taxes will be going up. As far as the Renton Library System (RLS) it is a great library that has not been kept updated. Renton had a master plan completed to see what would be necessary to improve the Renton library system. Checking the price facts that have been made public, shows that to make the necessary and requested improvements and stay independent will cost more then improving the Renton library by joining KCLS. No matter what happens Renton will be forced to build new facilities for the library system (Renton or KCLS), a difference would be that Renton residents would not be paying on the facility improvement bond that KCLS patrons voted on and passed previously, this bond improves the facilities at various KCLS libraries. If Renton annexes into KCLS, there are at least two things that will happen. This would include Renton not paying money for the continuing the reciprocal agreement, and Renton would not be paying for the upkeep of the new RLS library, this cost is presently not included in the cost of the present library.
Annexing to the KCLS would be an improvement to the Renton Library for less cost then would be possible by staying independent.

Vote to improve the Renton Library by annexing to KCLS.

David L. McCammon