Q: Mr. Federal Way, South King Fire and Rescue board commissioner Mark Freitas announced he wasn’t going to seek re-election. Do you think this means whoever runs for his seat will be the new rubber stamp the rest of the commission is hoping for?
A: First off, Mr. Federal Way does not hold anything against Freitas for not seeking re-election after the way the district treated him with their seemingly silly investigation last year.
The district accused him of stalking fire Chief Al Church because he drove down a street on business and tried to touch bases at a time he knew they were both likely available. And accused him of age discrimination for a comment that didn’t mention anything age related.
But perhaps the worst thing he was accused of was the threatening stares. It must have been hard for Church to keep track of all the stares since he himself said he made it a point to look away from Freitas.
Mr. Federal Way just hopes that he doesn’t look in the mirror too long in the mornings if that’s all it takes to feel threatened.
The worst part of this whole thing is they spent taxpayer money on this frivolous investigation. It was all a bunch of malarkey. At least board member John Rickert was sane enough to point out how ridiculous the situation was when they tried to censure Freitas.
Mr. Federal Way applauds Freitas for leaving so he can go look in every direction and sit wherever he chooses in peace without being publicly shamed.
But to answer your question, two candidates have filed for Freitas’s Position 2 seat: Jerry Galland and Roger Flygare.
There’s no question the district sees Galland as the fly in their political ointment, as the outspoken fire district critic shows up at most of the commissioners meetings, even going so far as to (gasp) video record the meetings.
Given his track record, Galland will most likely not rubber stamp a single decision the other commissioners make, if he’s elected.
As for Flygare serving as a rubber stamper, it remains to be seen. But Mr. Federal Way knows that endorsements can be very telling, and, so far, all of the current South King Fire and Rescue commissioners (with an exception of Freitas), plus Church have already endorsed Flygare.
Voters need to decide what is most important to them with this election: Voting for a candidate who could bring harmony to the board but serve as a potential rubber stamp, or someone who could cause discord but ask the hard questions.
Mr. Federal Way does not endorse either candidate. You be the judge.
Q: Mr. Federal Way, there’s been a lot of talk about Seahawks draft pick Frank Clark recently. You’re a big Seahawks fan, what are your thoughts on the team drafting him after saying they would not sign anyone that has hit a woman?
A: Mr. Federal Way was shocked a few weeks ago when it happened, considering the statements that Seahawks general manager John Schneider previously made in 2012. It seemed like Clark would be the last person they would draft.
The police report seemed to paint a pretty awful picture of what took place in that Sandusky hotel room on that day. Mr. Federal Way does not condone that type of behavior from anyone.
The Seahawks have claimed they did their own investigation and came to the conclusion that he did not hit the woman. That seems pretty hard to believe based on the police report, but somehow the prosecutor came to the same conclusion, so who’s to say?
Mr. Federal Way would truly like to believe that Clark did not strike her, but it’s still pretty hard to do so. The victim has been somewhat uncooperative, which makes things even tougher.
Sadly, this isn’t uncommon in domestic violence cases.
But should we really be surprised that one of these sports executives may have lied regardless of Clark’s innocence or lack thereof? This isn’t the first time the Hawks have signed someone with a questionable past since Schneider’s comments, as the Seattle Weekly reported.
No one but Clark and the victim can truly say what happened in that hotel room and having the prosecutor on your side is a big deal. Mr. Federal Way believes in second chances, but this one is hard to forgive. Clark is walking a very thin line.
Q: Mr. Federal Way, what did you do for your mom on Mother’s Day?
A: None of your business.
Got a question for Mr. Federal Way? Email mrfederalway@federalwaymirror.com
