September 18, 2009

2 Comments

Local Incorporation Proponents / Opponents
to provide comprehensive responses to key issues

For the Fairwood area, probably the most significant and controversial issue of the year will be voted on by its citizens on November 3: Whether our area will incorporate as the New City of Fairwood.

Two of the most prominent and passionate leaders on this issue have agreed to supply position statements on a number of key issues as the election date nears.

Over the next eight weeks, we have asked the key leaders to respond to what we have identified as the key issues related to Fairwood's incorporation. This schedule will take us up to the week before the election, where all should have a good understanding of both sides of issues.

Fairwood Community News has worked closely with Joe Giberson of Vote Fairwood and Fairwood Municipal Initiative, and Bryce Nelson of Choose Renton and GoVoteNo, to agree on topics and guidelines to follow in this series, providing readers an opportunity to receive an "apples to apples" comparison of the issues - at least as close as one can get.

"These two are points of contact for Fairwood Community News, but by no means does that mean they will be authors of discussion for the week," said publisher Tami Tedrow-Howard. "We to be as flexible as possible within a framework that makes sense. We're grateful for their commitment to communicating the issues as they see them and appreciate their willingness to participate. Hopefully, if someone is undecided about how to vote at this point, they will be very clear after this series."

For an archive of what has happened over this past year, check our comprehensive list of stories covered, located at the bottom of the Fairwood Community News Home Page.

Guidelines & Topics

Fairwood Community News' goal was to explore a number of topics within parameters, so each position could be clearly communicated. During this series, no reader comments will be posted on those pages. However, FCN would love to hear from you about this series at any time. Please email us at info@fairwoodcommunitynews.com.

Positions will be posted at the beginning of each week and rebuttals will be posted the following week. To find the rebuttals on the original position page when it is posted, you'll need to check back to that page a week later.

Position Statements: 750-Word Limit
Rebuttals: 300-Word Limit

Schedule

Week 1: Financial Viability

Week 2: Local Control

Week 3: Taxes

Week 4: Services - Library & Parks

Week 5: Services - Roads, Safety & Emergency Services

Week 6: Other Options - Renton Annexation

Week 7: Other Options - Remaining as Unincorporated King County

Week 8: Rebuttals for Week 7 Posted (perhaps also final statements)

Watch for the first installment NEXT WEEK, the week of September 21.