I have known and respected Skip Priest since he was Federal Way’s mayor in the early 1990s and I was a commissioner. When he decided to run for elected mayor, he insisted that his campaign be only positive — no negatives by him or his supporters. Isn’t that a novelty? Too bad others haven’t done the same.

So here is a collection of positive statements about Skip that distinguishes him from his opponent: He has long been involved in and contributed to a wide variety of local charitable organizations, including Friends of the Hylebos Advisory Board; Multi-Service Center Board; Advancing Leadership; Boy Scouts of America Board, and others. He has served in city and state government, as well as having extensive experience as a business executive and small business owner. He has worked collaboratively with state representatives on both sides of the aisle, especially with education issues, on which he is considered an expert.

Prior to the primary, of the four mayoral candidates, Skip was the only one awarded an “Outstanding” rating by the Municipal League.

Skip is strongly supported by citizens who have dedicated hundreds of hours serving as city commissioners, committee members and volunteers involved in many local service clubs. They will be eager to work with him as he leads the city forward. He has a long and impressive history with Federal Way, and deserves to be its first elected mayor. It would be the best positive result to this divisive election.

Joann Piquette, Federal Way