Don’t we need some “bottom lines” as we try to assess the race for our mayor?
Let me put some issues out there, for your consideration:
1. Some will say that this race is mostly about the Performing Arts and Conference Center (PACC). To this, I would say, let’s look at the facts. Deputy Mayor Jim Ferrell has been the consistent voice of concern and caution when it comes to the $32 million PACC, a project that has the potential to bankrupt the city. As has been recently reported, the majority of citizens polled oppose the project.
2. We read about Skip Priest’s links to the Federal Way school system. That must be a good thing, right? In his previous job in Olympia, it was his job to get funding to his district. Was this accomplished? After some research, I’m not so sure. Do your own research here.
3. Some will say this is a vote for one’s party. I hope that isn’t the case, since this is not a partisan position. Note that Ferrell made a brave decision when he switched parties early this year. But that was a personal decision. The mayoral position is all about serving the people in a non-partisan way. That’s what Deputy Mayor Ferrell has always stood for.
4. Those words “best leader” on the Priest signs are, in my opinion, misleading. For it to be true, we’d have to forget about the accusations of improper behavior toward a Federal Way City Council member — and the fact that it was swept under the rug.
5. Ferrell has been endorsed by The Mirror in the past, and he is once again endorsed by the members of the Federal Way Police Officers Guild. There’s no mystery here. In Ferrell’s day job, he fights crime for a living.
6. For those who are interested in awards, let’s take a closer look at Ferrell’s accomplishments.
During his years at the University of Washington (mid- to late-1980s), he won the prestigious Guy Flaherty Inspirational Award, voted on by UW teammates.
He won the Stapp Inspirational Award.
He won the Bob Jarvis Inspirational Award.
He was a National Officer with the American Bar Association during law school.
In 1992, he worked in the White House for the Vice President of the U.S.
At the King County Prosecutor’s Office in 2008, he won the Inspirational Leadership award.
In 1998, he won an award from the King County Sheriff’s Office for performing life-saving CPR.
In 2003, he won an award for chasing down and apprehending a defendant who had fled the courtroom.
He was president of King County Prosecutor’s Office Guild for two years.
Character does matter. We need Jim Ferrell’s vision and inspirational leadership to move this city forward in a responsible and therefore sustainable way.
Dave McKenzie, Federal Way
