As I’ve watched the campaign for the change of city government unfold, I’ve noticed two themes emerge from the opposition. First, the notion any change is bad, and second, a character attack on Federal Way City Council member Jim Ferrell.

As the campaign manager for Accountability Comes to Town, I want to set a few things straight. The process for changing city government is set by law: The State of Washington allows for citizens to petition their fellow voters for change. If the required signatures are met and validated, the process moves forward. The idea set forth by some, that this process isn’t the best way to go about changing city government, is invalid. Governments don’t often change themselves. It requires the people to push for change. See the presidential campaign of 2008 as an example of this.

At the core of the “no” campaign’s argument is the notion that only a city manager with X amount of qualifications can run the city.

If the opposition doesn’t like the requirements for becoming mayor under RCW 35A.12.030, then petition the Legislature to change it. Until then, this is the law. I would be remiss if I didn’t remind the elites in Federal Way that some of the most successful people in our country have no special education. Ask Bill Gates if he needed an MBA to run Microsoft and become the wealthiest person in the world. For those of us who weren’t around to see President Harry S. Truman end World War II, and fight communist aggression, we’re reminded, he had no formal education or specialized training. Folks, don’t be fooled by the two step the opposition is dancing.

Crime at the Federal Way Transit Center is dangerous — people getting shot in the middle of the afternoon is a problem. The scare tactics mentioned by the opposition are not being conducted by ACT. Simply put, the people doing the shooting are the ones who are scaring us, not a brochure discussing crime. We are pleased to see the city and Sound Transit take the first steps in addressing this serious issue. More needs to be done to assist our hard-working police in preventing crime, not just reacting to it. ACT believes a mayor held accountable by public pressure will greatly improve the way we respond to this type of crisis.

Federal Way can work better. Having the right to elect your mayor to run the daily operations of the city is as American as apple pie. We trust the judgment of the good people of this city and feel strongly you deserve and have the right to govern yourselves. A campaign will provide the people a sufficient amount of time and opportunity to vet the candidates carefully, and select their mayor in an open and democratic forum. If the mayor does not hold up to the standards you deserve, vote them out.

Electing your mayor provides no extra layers of bureaucracy — this is a myth. The mayor replaces the city manager. RCW 35A 12.100 does not require the elected mayor to appoint a manager unless the council requires he/she to do so. Under the change of government, the city council will have more input in crafting legislation, more input in the appointment of department heads, and the ability to work with the mayor’s office to directly respond to constituent concerns.

Addressing the character attacks on council member Ferrell: Jim Ferrell is a good man. He cares deeply about the people of this community. He is a fine public servant, both as a council member and senior deputy King County prosecutor. I admire the courage it took to stand up for what he believes in. The pettiness of the attacks is beneath the seriousness of this debate.

In closing, we encourage you to take at look at the issues. If you are ready, as we are for a more open, accountable and transparent city government, then vote yes on Prop. 1.

Vote yes for a new day for Federal Way.

Steve McNey, campaign manager, Accountability Comes to Town