E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective Backs Keel For UP Council

No matter the winner Nov. 8, 2011, the City of University Place will
elect their first African-American council member.

This will be a welcomed demographic on its City Council. Understanding the significance of the outcome, the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective was keenly interested in speaking with and carefully examining both candidates. Both candidates are very familiar to us, so the committee needed to interview them in this new context.

Kent Keel has been elected three consecutive times to the University Place School Board. The students in that district continue to outperform other students in the state. Of particular note to us is the greatly improved performance of its black students. The district needs to improve retaining black administrators. However, while other government agencies are in financial crisis, UP schools is purchasing land for future schools. Because of his 10 years serving on the UP school board, we have no doubt Kent has played a key role in its success. We found that his elected service and credentials, for the council, to be superior to his opponent.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, a 43-year-old community
organization, has given their sole endorsement to Kent D. Keel for
University Place City Council for Position No. 2.

As Kent transitions from the University Place School Board, voters would be very well served by electing him to the University Place City Council.

Harold G. Moss, Keith Blocker, Co-Chairs

Political strategies Committee
Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective