Q: Mr. Federal Way, I am one of the 800-plus Centerstage supporters who emailed the City Council when city staff made the abrupt decision to take over operations of the Knutzen Family Theatre and leave Centerstage out in the cold. Centerstage has operated the facility for six years and the city obviously wasn’t thinking about making more money when staff sent out its request for proposals seeking a manager to continue to operate the facility. So why the change of heart? Is it just me, or is something rotten in the state of Denmark?

A: Federal Way may not be festering with political corruption as Denmark was in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” but Mr. Federal Way thinks that something does stink.

City staff’s biggest mistake was deciding to look back through the Knutzen Family Theatre’s financials when Centerstage representatives asked the city for more money.

Forget the spreadsheets and line items. Mr. Federal Way could lick his finger and hold it up to the wind to determine that Centerstage’s operation of the family theatre is not making the city any money.

The very reason why city staff created this operation model was to allow Centerstage to stay in business, continue to bring arts to the city and to exemplify that Federal Way is the home of a respected arts theatre.

If city staff needed one shred of evidence, they could have looked at the contract, which states: “Under the terms of the [request for proposals,] the city will remit a flat management fee, and will not receive any income from the productions at the theatre, including Centerstage’s production.”

The contract is as clear as day that this operation model is not a money maker. That’s an entirely different conversation, one that city staff should have considered before sending out their request for proposals.

And Mr. Federal Way loves Simon & Garfunkel, but he’s not feeling too groovy about the city’s rapid movements.

Regardless of who said what and when, as outlined in the Mirror’s front cover story this week, it’s also crystal clear that city staff and the mayor made a hasty decision when they handed Centerstage representatives a letter of expiration when they convened for what they thought was a third negotiation meeting.

City staff and the mayor should have handled this negotiation with much more skill and sensitivity.

After over 800 theatre supporters emailed the City Council, the mayor and city staff then suddenly changed course and decided to continue contract negotiations.

Mr. Federal Way is glad that the city changed course and only raises this matter to illustrate yet another hurried maneuver.

As Paul Simon said, “Slow down, you move too fast.”

Mr. Federal Way will croon this lyric to the mayor and hopes this will become a refrain in the city’s repertoire.

So this entire debate comes down to this: Should the city continue to use taxpayers’ money to fund an arts organization? Mr. Federal Way believes the answer is up to each taxpayer and what each person values.

But as you ponder what matters to you, don’t forget to look at the bigger picture to see what else city officials are spending your money on. Whether it’s tall flagpoles, expensive $32 million arts venues or fancy utility boxes, consistency and equity are the key.

And Mr. Federal Way hopes residents continue to hold city representatives accountable for their actions, no matter how fast or slow they are.

Q: Mr. Federal Way, I was driving my normal route on 320th Street and 11th Place South when I  noticed that all the beautiful Douglas fir trees lining the street had been cut. The conifer trees lined the old school bus lot across the street from Safeway and they must of been very old due to their enormous size. I was curious why they had to cut all those trees down?

A: It appears the impacts of the highly controversial High Point mixed-use apartment complex at the school district’s former bus barn site have started. The project includes 308 apartment units and 26,095 square feet of commercial and amenity space on the ground floor. The proposal also calls for 15 buildings and a parking lot that provides 1.5 stalls per apartment unit.

The apartment buildings will range between 3-6 stories in height.

And you’re not alone in your sentiments about the trees being wiped out. Federal Way resident Leah Boehm-Brady, who’s been an outspoken opponent of the High Point project, told the Mirror last July that the trees you refer to would have been a good buffer to help mitigate the impacts of the apartments when they are built.

However, the city allowed the trees and vegetation to be removed “based on one arborist report declaring that ‘23 of the 25 trees along the north property line are either dead, dying or in poor condition,’” Boehm-Brady said.

So to answer your question, the developer of this project removed these trees because they are dying. While this is hardly a reason to go on site and chain yourself to the trees to protest their demise, Mr. Federal Way hopes the developers will be sensible enough to plant more trees for residents to enjoy in the years to come.

Q: Mr. Federal Way, how much fan mail do you receive in any given week?

A: None of your business.

Got a question for Mr. Federal Way? Email mrfederalway@federalwaymirror.com