Published 6:30 pm Tuesday, October 14, 2014

As a 40-plus year citizen of Federal Way, I have had the benefit of learning about our local governments — good and bad.

In 2009, I volunteered in the community and attended Council meetings on a regular basis. What I observed was an amazing example of leadership and an incredible turning point for the city of Federal Way.

The city entered 2009 with a balanced budget. But sales tax revenues plummeted 13 percent for the first four months of the year and permit revenues for construction declined. The current budget had been recently adopted and even though our country was entering the Great Recession, projected income for our city looked good on paper. Council members applauded the staff that the city was fiscally sound, despite the doom and gloom of Wall Street, etc. Jack Dovey was our mayor and Neal Beets was our city manager.

Shortly into 2009, the Federal Way City Council realized that there was a $4 million deficit, due to erroneous assumptions of income to the city.

Under the leadership of Dovey, the budget was re-written. Fiscal policies were put into place that would minimize the financial impact that the Great Recession would have on the city.

It is this kind of skill and leadership that Jack Dovey can bring to the table as our 30th District representative. Jack is the best candidate for the job. We need Jack’s skill and leadership in Olympia.

Diana Noble-Gulliford, former Federal Way City Councilwoman