Federal Way mayor and Legislature candidates: Readers sound off

Park earned my vote

Lately, I have noticed a lot of signs in Federal Way from the candidates running for mayor. I decided to read your online articles to obtain information on the candidates. I noticed Mike Park has raised a lot of money from small business owners, but could not obtain much information about this candidate. I did visit his website and I admire his service to the community, his experience, and his willingness to give back to the community. I am 21 years old and struggling to find a job like everyone else in America. I also have no health insurance. The reason why I am bringing this up is because my research shows that all the candidates with the exception of Mike Park are Republicans. Skip Priest’s donations in particular all seem to come from large, out of state companies like Wal-Mart and Premera. I wonder if your paper looks at where the other candidates are receiving their money from and whether their contributions influence the way they vote on the Legislature and city council. I would like a job with your newspaper, maybe I can offer some investigative journalism skills.

Mike Park has earned my vote.

Austin Miller, Federal Way

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Another reason why I like Ferrell

OK, I’m back with another reason that I believe Jim Ferrell is our best vote for mayor of Federal Way. As the majority of our citizens feel, Ferrell believes that building a $50 million performing arts center in Federal Way is untimely. While most of us are struggling just to make ends meet due to several unfortunate events since 9/11, entrenched members of our Federal Way City Council are working behind the scenes to get the performing arts center built. Not now! We cannot afford it now.

Additionally, those same council members are convinced that building three high-rises (two at 45 stories and one at 35 stories) housing condos and a hotel ($350 million) in Federal Way (many hundreds more people with many hundreds more automobiles to use our few arterial roadways) is the way to grow our city. Really? I don’t think so. How many jobs can be created in that scenario? Several foreign investors will be sought for this project, each with a promise of citizenship for themselves and their families. First, we need to support the few businesses we have left in this city and attract more to prosper and grow and hire locals. The city needs to show good faith to their long-term citizens and business owners. It would seem to me that is the way to grow. Adding to the populus now will only have them leaving the city to work elsewhere and spend their dollars elsewhere because we don’t have the jobs here, nor the business here for their needs. A similar project in the esteemed Bellevue has them renting out condos because there were no buyers for them in this economy.

Ferrell, while enthusiastic about building our city, feels citizens should have a voice and a vote and that new projects should be undertaken in a fiscally responsible manner. He was the only “no” vote on building those high-rises now. Every other member of the council voted to go ahead with it. What are they thinking? I’ll let you guess how our traffic will increase and how much our taxes will increase. And, we’ll still be left with empty storefronts, empty buildings of businesses past.

No monkey business, no under-handed dealings, nobody in his pockets. Ferrell is upfront, honest, sensible and considerate of Federal Way’s citizens. He knows the law and he follows it.

He’s a winner in my book!

Sheryl Nevers, Federal Way

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Voter likes Kochmar in mayoral race

I have known Linda Kochmar for nearly 35 years, and I have complete confidence in her as mayor of this wonderful city of ours. She is honest, trustworthy in every aspect of her life, and most certainly understands her job as mayor. I believe her to be the best choice for our first elected mayor because of her background, and her integrity. She has several post-graduate college degrees, yet you’d never know it from talking to her. Her concern is for her fellow citizens, not herself.

She’s been a capable Federal Way City Council member, and has worked tirelessly for the 12 years she has served on the council. She has no higher ambitions than to serve her community.

Linda’s enthusiasm is contagious, and her energy truly amazing. She’s focused, and always follows through with any task that she has committed to. She wants what is best for each and every member of our community. She is truly a dedicated public servant.

Federal Way needs Linda Kochmar to be our first elected mayor of Federal Way. She will serve us well here, and in any setting where she represents us.

Janet Thiel, Federal Way

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Trusting Tony Moore

I became concerned about Tony Moore when he received the endorsement of the far-right extremist Angie Vogt.

Mr. Moore is not from Washington. He is a graduate of Liberty University, an ultra-far-right religious university in Virginia, founded by Jerry Falwell. That’s the same Jerry Falwell who started the Moral Majority, an organization trying to force their bigoted views on to you and me. Among Falwell’s many infamous quotes, “If you’re not a born-again Christian, you are a failure as a human being.”

Liberty University sees itself as a training ground for Religious Right leaders. Mathew Staver, Dean of Liberty’s School of Law and director of Liberty Center for Law and Policy, says Liberty’s students are “our replacements…(who) will be the future leaders of America.” I don’t trust Mr. Moore. Enough said.

Tim Burns, Federal Way