Having had a Federal Way address for nearly 30 years, I care deeply about our city and I’m proud to call Federal Way home. I want nothing more than to have Federal Way always become better, stronger and closer!

At the City Council meeting on April 21, I was surprised, and dismayed, by what happened.

Government, good government, is about the process. Part of the process is predictable.

I want to publicly say no council member should ever be reprimanded for their opinion. Period.

The big topic of that City Council meeting was the moratorium on disallowing marijuana stores within the city limits of Federal Way. The moratorium was soon to expire. The publicly-emailed agenda for the council meeting said “second reading.”

So, those of us at the meeting expected a second reading, public comments, council comments and a vote.

What we got — it felt as though it was pushed through — was an “advisory vote” on the November ballot for the voters to decide about having pot shops in Federal Way.

I’d like to point out that there were no public advisory votes on both the $33 million Performing Arts and Events Center, and the purchase of the $8 million former Target property.

This April 21 council meeting was held with two City Council members out of town, “attending” by phone, and having real difficulty hearing the proceedings. We in the audience could hear them; they could not clearly hear the other council members or public remarks.

Take the time to watch the April 21 Federal Way City Council meeting. You’ll find it on the city of Federal Way website. Fasten your seatbelt.

Government is necessary. Good government is essential. We must have fairness, transparency and must follow the process.

This meeting was very revealing.

The second reading of the moratorium ordinance did not come up for a vote. Instead, there was a resolution introduced first that would continue the moratorium and also approve a public vote on the issue of marijuana stores on the November ballot.

You decide why the order of things occurred as they did. Do you wonder?

Maureen Bernardy, Federal Way