Q: Mr. Federal Way, I heard there weren’t very many in attendance at the Planning Commission meeting where they recommended the ban on marijuana stores. Why weren’t there many people in support of a law they voted on back in 2012?
A: Mr. Federal Way estimates people simply didn’t know about the meeting. While the Planning Commission’s decision does hold some significant weight, the decision on what to do with marijuana retail, processing and producing in Federal Way still needs to go through a Council committee and then the Federal Way City Council. Both are public meetings and both welcome input from citizens on this issue.
So, fear not good citizens, there are other opportunities to get involved. Planning Commission meetings are less attended than Council meetings and Mr. Federal Way guesses that Wednesday was probably a hectic day for a lot of folks. Mr. Federal Way also heard through the grapevine that it was especially busy for the Mirror staff.
But, nonetheless, if Federal Wayans care about keeping legal marijuana out of their city or inviting it in — whatever their stance — it is important for them to get involved. We’re making history here, kids. As many know, the city of Fife was in litigation with a marijuana license applicant over whether they could ban the industry from their city, despite voter approval on Initiative 502 back in 2012. The judge ruled in favor of the city, but the attorney for the marijuana retail store has indicated he will appeal that decision and request it go straight to the state Supreme Court.
Listen, Mr. Federal Way is torn on this issue. There’s a lot of fear of the unknown: Will marijuana businesses attract more crime because they can only operate on a cash basis? Will the future sex offenders in Federal Way be more vulnerable to buy the stuff if the shops are located near them? (Because driving a few miles is equivalent to a moat with dragons, right?)
Will a drug that people have been using for hundreds of years all of a sudden cause chaos and strife if we regulate it and make it legal? Mr. Federal Way doesn’t partake in the drug, nor will Mr. Federal Way ever have the desire to, but making a decision based on fear of the unknown sounds like a city being too cautious and one that will be left behind in the future.
A ban is a big deal and is essentially a prohibition that more than half of Federal Way citizens voted to end two years ago. Mr. Federal Way suggests the city listens to its citizens’ vote and find a way to make it work or there may be a lawsuit knocking on the door in the future.
Q: Mr. Federal Way, Sound Transit officials want input on whether they should implement a low-income fare, similar to what Metro did, or leave the same fares. But the reduced fare would cause everyone else’s fare to go up. Do you think the poor should get special treatment?
A: As sarcastic and crass as Mr. Federal Way can be, believe it or not, this heart of steel is not as it appears. Mr. Federal Way can’t help but think about the single mother, working two jobs with the stress of trying to support her family, feed her children and trying to do it all with an embarrassing income. Will a $1.50 fare opposed to a regular $2 to $2.75, depending on the trip and route, make a difference? In gauging how many people come in to the Mirror’s office every week just to get the coupons and inserts, the answer is, again, yes.
Would an extra 25 cents for someone who doesn’t qualify as low-income make a huge difference? Well, that’s $130 more a year if you apply the extra cost for two trips, five days a week for an entire year.
Mr. Federal Way doesn’t have all the answers but people need to weigh their own pros and cons and vote for what’s best for them but also keep in mind the long-term effects. Will benefitting the poor benefit the entire economy in the future?
Speak up on this issue at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 9 at the Korean Women’s Association’s Senior City, located at 31635 23rd Ave. S. Suite 100 in Federal Way.
Q: I heard the Mirror is diligently investigating a case involving a police officer and a former high school student. Can you tell me when the story will be published?
A: None of your business.
Got a question for Mr. Federal Way? Email mrfederalway@federalwaymirror.com
