A city and its citizens need a balance of essential services, businesses, public and private places to enjoy along with a thriving economy. We live in a city that was not designed with a master plan in mind, but rather one that grew up accidentally. We need to remedy some of our growing pains.
I decided to make my first run at Federal Way City Council because I represent public employees around Puget Sound. It’s a symbiotic relationship where the employees earn public tax dollars serving the citizens who pay their salaries. Those are my tax dollars. I want to see them spent wisely.
We deserve to live in a safe environment, to travel efficiently and expect more from our leaders. During my tenure as a business representative, I have witnessed all too often local government leaders who do not understand the business they represent. I want to change that.
Before I began to represent public employees, I had little understanding of what went into providing the infrastructure necessary to run a city, such as public safety, public works, safe roads, courts and finance, to name a few.
Sixteen percent of the voters supported my theme of fiscal responsibility, improvement of traffic, and utilizing existing infrastructure to bring back customers to Federal Way while attracting more businesses to fill our empty storefronts, ultimately using the additional tax dollars new businesses and customers bring to Federal Way to enhance public safety.
Smaller government isn’t always best. There are some things local government should be involved in. The Performing Arts and Conference Center (PACC) is not one of them. The average citizen needs improvement to our infrastructure, which benefits all of its citizens, not an elitist playground for a few who think the City of Federal Way is their playground and the rest of us are in their way.
Family tragedy occurred days after I filed to run for office. Life and death happens. My family had to come first. Due to this, I failed to seek endorsements, missed appointments and lacked the focus to properly run a successful campaign. To all of those who believed in my message and my campaign, and supported the effort to effect change, I apologize for falling short of our mark.
It’s time to wish Kelly Maloney and Mark Koppang well. Since the primary, I have met with both candidates. They both care about the city, and either will serve you well. But after much thought and consideration, I am obliged to ask those who voted for my platform to now vote for Kelly Maloney in November 2013. I believe she is more committed to the issues I have raised and you have voted for.
I want to thank each and every one of you who participated in the election process. God bless you and the City of Federal Way.
Anthony Murrietta, Federal Way
