As voters, we have a responsibility to find out all we can about the candidates running for Federal Way’s first real mayor. Please do not vote on name recognition only.

First, consider this fact: The group that tried to stop last year’s Vote Yes campaign (and lost) did so with the argument that Federal Way is just fine the way it is. Skip Priest was on the board of the Vote No group. Now he comes to us with the news that it is a critical time for Federal Way and it needs his services. So…is he saying that under the council-manager form of government, nothing was accomplished the past 20 years? Do we now need the political savvy of Mr. Priest? The same Mr. Priest who was once on the council and served as pseudo-mayor for a spell?

Regarding that political savvy: This is not a partisan position. It is a position about the people and the future of Federal Way. Priest is a politician. Jim Ferrell is a public servant. What that means to the voter is this: Priest is coming from a position where he has represented his political party. He has voted along party lines. Why would we think he should or would come back now and represent us all? What does his voting record say about which people he will represent? It’s a fair question, isn’t it? You can find out. The online site is www.votesmart.org.

The perception of Priest as being the most qualified is flawed. He represents the status quo. Isn’t that what needs to change? The voters thought so when they voted to change our form of city government. Jim Ferrell has taken a stance against what has not worked. Ferrell won’t stay the course if the course is wrong or isn’t working. Ferrell is a public servant. Priest is a politician. Think about it.

Vote for true change. Vote for Jim Ferrell for mayor of Federal Way.

Sheryl Nevers, Federal Way