This is so sad. Cheryl is fantastic and has great ideas. Kent needs her and the kind of programming she implements. The people of Kent will definitely feel her absence.

Cheryl is incredible and passionate and effective. Kent needs the support she provides those citizens, especially their youth.

I've worked with Cheryl on a number of projects over the years, and have been a participant of her public works projects, like the city of kent bike tour of the Earthworks project. The bike tour introduced us to a vibrant small-town downtown full of shops, restaurants and events ... Didn't ever think of kent as a place to shop and spend time. But after the ride, we went back and had breakfast at a really cool cafe, then went to a public market and bought flowers, veggies and fruits. Overall we spent more than $100 that morning in kent on services that were provided by local businesses. Speaking unbiasedly, it's a damned shame that kent is losing Cheryl; it's pretty clear her insightful blending of art and public access bring profit to the city, community.

@3-- I was just in Downtwon Kent for the first time in a long time and echo your sentiment.

Kent downtown may still be struggling, but what I saw was a struggling city with a core and public works, not the suburban wasteland many Seattleites would have you believe.

#5

I was in downtown Kent yesterday, after completing a nice bike ride on the newly re-opened Green River Trail, sipping some delicious Pinot Grigio accompanied by a big bowl of French onion soup at Red's Wine Bar.

What I saw and see every day was a vibrant, busy center in a vital shopping, educational and recreation area well serviced by transit.

I voted for the additional property tax mandate in Kent because I believe that many people do good things within our local Government. However, I am also dismayed by the recent announcement that the Kent Events Center is losing more than half a million dollars this year.

I would am all for fair real estate and asset taxation as a panacea for local revenue problems. At the same time, I want to see our very high sales tax cut in half to 5% and make that money taxable by local political entities.

#4

I agree...the Kent Earthworks Bicycle project was a fantastic meld of commerce and culture. Exactly the sort of thing that I as a member of the Kent Bicycle Advisory Board see as bringing value to the real estate in the town. I bet for every dollar of her salary spent, it could bring in $100 in publicity and enhancement to the Kent "brand".

Cheryl has this amazing ability to bring people together who normally wouldn't work together (Human Service providers & Reel Grrls, bicycle club with land art, etc) and make it seem like it was always happening that way. She doesn't stand in the front and lead, but has the smarts, vision, talent and experience to lead diverse opinions and skills sets to an amazing end. Perhaps her experience as a public artist has helped her to be a great arts administrator. I'm bummed for Kent, for South King County and most of all for Cheryl. BUT I know that which ever organization grabs Cheryl first will be making a wise investment!

Isn't the high school drop out rate in Kent something like 25% or thereabouts? Bribe the hungry teens with food. Offer 2 meals a day at school and grocery store credit for every homework assignment that's done correctly and turned in on time.