Renton Community Update

News from former Councilmember Randy Corman, your Renton City Hall insider. (All views expressed in journal entries are Randy Corman's personal views, and not the official position of the City of Renton or other city employees. Views expressed in reader comments are those of the commenter)

Daily archives for February 15th, 2023

Rock bottom yet? Legislature tightens gun purchase laws while enabling gun shop smash-and-grabs

Feb15
2023

Written by Randy Corman

While the legislature debates tough new gun background checks, smash-and-grab burglars break into gun stores with impunity thanks their other legislative changes.

We must be at rock bottom, right?

Gun violence is increasing fast. But while the State Legislature actively debates tough new gun purchase safety laws that include a ten-day waiting period for purchases, stronger background checks, and mandatory safety training, the same Legislature has made it easier than ever to simply steal guns from stores. The legislature appears to be struggling with a cognitive dissonance that is impacting their decisions and endangering the public.

Posted in Uncategorized

Renton Council President Valerie O’Halloran shares Council concerns about asphalt plant

Feb15
2023

Written by Randy Corman

Renton Council President Valerie O’Halloran itemizes City Council concerns about proposed new asphalt plant east of Renton

For those not familiar with this issue, King County is in the process of permitting an Asphalt Plant just east of Renton, along Maple Valley Highway, 150 feet from the Cedar River. While almost everyone agrees asphalt is an important commodity and must be made somewhere, nearby residents and some of their elected officials have raised numerous issues about this choice of sites and the proposed design of the plant. This site was chosen in part for its “Industrial” zoning, which was awarded to the site (I would say in error) back when the site was the home of a long-time nursery/landscape business that had sprung up in the rural area along the highway. That business was not of concern to neighbors, and the owner wanted to be “conforming”, so he requested industrial zoning from the county as part of a county zoning update. Ideally, his business should have instead been treated as a non-conforming but grandfathered use, and this issue would not be here today.

Posted in Uncategorized

Hi, I’m Randy Corman. Welcome to my blog! I served on Renton City Council for 28 years, 1994-2021, with six years as Renton Council President. I’m also a mechanical engineer and manager, and worked for the Boeing Company for 33 years, from 1984- 2017. My wife and I have five kids and five grandkids, and we all live in Renton. I’ve kept this blog for 17 years, and get thousands of readers each month. Please share your feedback, ideas, and opinions in the comments.

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