Primary election endorsements: City council, school board | Editorial

For Federal Way City Council position 3, The Mirror recommends Susan Honda and Roger Flygare in the primary election.

July 18, 2011 9:33 pm

For Federal Way City Council position 3, The Mirror recommends Susan Honda and Roger Flygare in the primary election.

Honda has nearly three decades of community involvement. With stints as a PTA president as well as chairwoman of the arts commission and Diversity Commission, Honda shows a proven commitment to public service. If elected, Honda will be one of the more visible council members in the community. Flygare knows his way around the legislation and business worlds. His experience promoting legislation would seem to indicate that he can work with diverse groups to make something happen. As a business owner, he experiences governmental inefficiencies (permits, etc.) firsthand.

There are two other candidates in this race. Political newcomer Mark Koppang seemed nice and reasonably intelligent, but this seems to be more of a first toe in the political water than a serious candidacy. A fourth candidate, Scott Sparling, has not been an active participant in this election.

School board, position 3

For Federal Way School Board position 3, The Mirror recommends Danny Peterson and Liz Drake in the primary election.

With careers revolving around education, both of these candidates would be leaders on the school board. Both of these candidates have a vision for the school district, and recognize a path for engaging parents and students.

Peterson is a youth pastor with a master’s degree in education. He can relate to students and understand their challenges. He can offer a different perspective to solutions, rather than strictly from an academic or administrative approach.

Drake has an edge with her experience as an educator and administrator, having served part of her 30-year education career as principal of Todd Beamer High School. She is familiar with the district’s workings and has stressed a philosophy of reaching one student at a time.

A third candidate, Carrie BeSerra, is passionate about the schools in which her young children attend. However, Peterson and Drake come to the table with stronger education-related credentials.