Ferrell vs. Gates for council seat

By PAT JENKINS

Editor

Jim Ferrell, who ran for the Legislature last year, will take on Federal Way City Councliwoman Mary Gates in this fall’s election.

He said new direction is needed for solving the city’s traffic problems, boosting local employment and “rebuilding voters’ trust” in municipal government.

Too many people, including business owners, believe city hall isn’t interested in their input, Ferrell claimed, adding he would advocate a volunteer ombudsman to work with citizens.

Gates, a councilwoman since Federal Way became a city in 1990, deserves praise for her service, but “the people of this community deserve a choice,” Ferrell said. “This is what democracy is all about –– offering the citizens a choice in their leadership for the future.”

He said he disagrees with Gates’ positions on issues involving city finances. He cited her votes for spending up to $24.5 million on a new city hall, paying a consultant $90,000 to develop slogans and a new logo for the city, raising the utility tax and creating a new admissions tax. Meanwhile, the city didn’t fund a domestic violence victims program that would have cost $38,000, said Ferrell, a King County deputy prosecutor who has specialized in domestic violence cases.

At a time of layoffs, losses of basic healthcare and budget cuts in public schools, the council should be “fiscally responsible” and promote “a positive environment for business so that jobs will stay in Federal Way,” he said.

Ferrell criticized Gates, a member of the Sound Transit board, for her support of the agency’s proposed parking garage and transit center near South 320th Street and Interstate 5. Vehicles from the center would worsen downtown traffic, he said.

Ferrell, running as a Republican, lost to state Rep. Mark Miloscia, a Democrat, in the two-man race for a House seat last fall. It was Ferrell’s first bid for elected office.

Ferrell’s steering committee for his council campaign includes Tony Moore, another Republican who lost a state Senate race last year.

Gates, saying the city must focus on economic development and meeting social needs, announced last month she’ll seek re-election to the council. So did three other council members –– Dean McColgan, Jack Dovey and Mike Park. Ferrell is the first announced challenger for any of them.

Ed Opstad, treasurer of Prosperity for Federal Way, a committee that’s seeking pro-business candidates for the council, Federal Way School Board and Lakehaven Utility Commission, said the group is “very interested” in Ferrell’s candidacy but is waiting until candidates officially file before deciding on any endorsements.

The candidate filing period is the last week in July. The primary election will be Sept. 16, followed by the general election Nov. 4.

Editor Pat Jenkins: 925-5565, editor@fedwaymirror.com

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