As I shared in my last letter, I am retaining issues of the Federal Way Mirror, mainly because it allows me instant access to past important issues being discussed, decisions that are being promulgated by the mayor and city council, local events and some of the fun things happening in Federal Way.

In the June 22 edition on the front page is the dichotomy I am referring to, the PAEC and Centerstage Theatre. In one instance (PAEC), the city admits it cannot manage this facility and has hired Spectra.

In the other article, the city takes a 180-degree turn and says after the conclusion of the contract with Centerstage that the city is going to take over management of the Knutzen Family Theatre.

Why do they think they can do better at one than the other? I would suggest that they do one of two possible options at hand since the city has demonstrated it cannot manage businesses: Allow Centerstage to continue its management role or find another competent group. May I be a bit grandiose and suggest that they talk to Spectra and see if they would like to add this to their oversight.

If the city is going to be paying Spectra $75,000 annually and in the past the city paid $100,000 annually to Centerstage, maybe by combining those two they could get a sweetheart deal for less than $175,000. Unfortunately, even Centerstage has acknowledged monetary issues, they stated in the paper that ticket sales needed to be increased (obviously), that donations need to be increased (again obviously), and they need more sponsorships (again obviously). Without those three issues being met, Centerstage is going to be very Titanic in its final days. Maybe they should do a play about the Titanic?

I noticed on the Next Door neighborhood messaging app that Roger Flygare is proposing a public market be built in Federal Way. There have been a lot of positive comments about it. I like what he has to say. He made a point that the city should get out of managing the PAEC; they did. I think I read somewhere he asked that the city extend Centerstage’s contract; they did. He’s hosting an open meeting regarding taxes in Federal Way; evidently that struck a nerve as a city council member now feels the need to hold one. It seems he’s pushing our city government to make better decisions for us, and I like that. I remember many years ago he was very active in opposing a sexual predator transition housing being allowed in a family neighborhood; it was defeated.

Well, that’s it for now, keep on reading the Mirror as it provides all of us an opportunity to know what’s going on in Federal Way.

Norma Blanchard

Federal Way