We’d love an elected mayor

Regarding the Federal Way elected mayor debate: What’s the issue here? We see no problem with having an elected mayor at all. In fact, we would love to have an elected mayor.

When my wife and I moved to Federal Way from the San Francisco Bay Area in 1995, we had been living in Union City, Calif., for the previous 23 years.

Union City was formed in 1959 and for many years had a City Council with an appointed mayor such as Federal Way currently has. They eventually hired a city manager to run the various city departments and other entities and also hired an assistant city manager when we reached a population of well over 65,000 people.

Later still, the people of Union City demanded an elected mayor. It passed and a Japanese nurseryman and florist, Tom Kitayama, became our first elected mayor. A nice lady named Karen Smith was our longtime city manager and Tom Tynes was our assistant city manager.

Everybody got along just fine. Karen Smith ran the city and Tom Kitayama ran the council and also signed official documents for the city at-large.

So what the heck is the big problem here in Federal Way? People scared of change?

People losing their “good buddy” status? Or WHAT?

Ken Shattock, Federal Way

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Slow down on First Ave. S.

Pedestrians on First Avenue South, we must err on the side of caution. Drivers, even more so.

Crossing First Avenue South to reach the Federal Way Regional Library is much safer now that we have a flashing crosswalk sign, but cars still drive so fast around that corner.

Two cars today decided to stop for me as I was crossing, but the one in the rear really had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting the car ahead of him.

So I urge you, those of you driving on this street when we’re trying to cross: PLEASE drive slower for everyone around you!

E.L. Hockett, Federal Way

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Respect for the writers

This union member supports the Writers Guild of America and their strike for fair wages and a working contract.

The reasons for the strike break down into three main issues. First, because of the Internet and technology advances of the last 20 years, it is time for the writers to receive a fair share of the revenue generated by digital production and distribution of content. The employers have called this promotional, even when whole pictures are shown and new revenue is generated. It still takes as much time, effort and creative talent to produce these promotional events as other shows, so why are the workers not compensated? The revenue from these events, all that advertising we have to wait for before we see the video, is money in the employer’s pocket. Why should the writers not receive their fair share?

Second, the employers have enough experience with the new media to make projections to the shareholders, but want the writers to wait for three years while they study the new media and make projections. I do not think that the writers will receive back-pay for those three years after the employers finish with their projections.

Third is the fact that 20 years ago, the writers took a discounted residual formula to help grow the home video market, but the employers will not adjust this unjust level of compensation.

For these reasons I ask that you contact your local television station and let them know you are supporting the Writers Guild of America.

Larry L. Jackson, Federal Way

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Farmers market view

We love the idea of a true farmers market in Federal Way.

We would, however, like the community to have some oversight into the affairs of what could be a cultural treasure. At this point, the market has no board of directors — only three family members running a business as they see fit. The argument could be made that the market has become a private business, funded by the City of Federal Way. Was that the city’s intent?

We would like to see a board of directors having regular meetings and voting on what’s best for the community. We would like to see the books and financials of the market disclosed to the public as the market’s bylaws state. Also, we would like to see the officers of the Federal Way Farmers Market elected to office periodically, not permanently installed as it now appears.

Maureen Hitchcock, Northeast Tacoma; and Kate Johansson, Federal Way

(Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a longer letter.)