ELECTION: Ben Gonter for Lakewood City Council

For decades, I used to live in Lakewood. I graduated from Lakes High School, married there and my two children were born there.

I am embarrassed by the way the city of Lakewood currently looks and the way it is governed. It looks old and run down compared to neighboring cities DuPont and University Place.

I am embarrassed that there are so many vacant stores there. I am embarrassed that military personnel are being told not to move to Lakewood because of its high crime and poor schools.

If you are satisfied with the way Lakewood looks, its many vacant stores, its high crime rate and poor schools, then vote for the incumbent. If not, then vote for Ben Gonter, who has lived in Lakewood for 45 years, wants to rejuvenate it and make it a place you are proud to live in.

Dean John Artis, Tacoma

This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 2:17 PM with the headline "ELECTION: Ben Gonter for Lakewood City Council."