I’ve lived in Federal Way for 50 years and when we became a city and elected a few council members, our community got worse.

What a shock it was when I attended the Federal Way City Council meeting Dec. 7, and listened to five council members vote to build the big performing arts center in the center of Federal Way. They’re even trying to call it a civic center. Only two council members, Jim Ferrell and Jack Dovey, voted to support the residents of Federal Way against building this “structure” at this time. What has gone wrong with our council? They even laid off many City Hall workers and more may be coming, and then police officers may be next to go. Oh no they don’t! This is our city. It does not belong to the city council members and a few rich people who voted to spend, spend, spend our money. Those council members have two jobs. Many of our residents don’t even have one.

Is this greed or too much money held by some who have jobs and live in the community? Those who voted to build the center have wanted to be like Bellevue for years. Here we go again. I talk to residents every day and I am told the same thing — we didn’t want Celebration Park or the community center, but they were shoved down our throats anyway. The community center isn’t making it. But the council had to have it. That is exactly what will happen to the performing arts center that those out in the community do not want.

Our state is deeper in debt than they thought. So why are they still giving Federal Way $5 million? Just to buy dirt? We can’t even afford to build the performing arts center if we buy the “dirt.” Our city has no money, unless of course the city uses yours and my $$$$$$$. Who will pay for the roads that will be ripped up, and the water that will have to be installed and the fire department?

Please write to and call those city council members who voted to build that performance center. It it urgent. Also thank Jim Ferrell and Jack Dovey for voting “no” and for caring about the many residents in Federal Way. Thanks to the many residents who will do this.

Nancy Combs, Federal Way