Community center’s birthday
A year ago we officially opened the Federal Way Community Center.
As a member of the original advisory board for the center, I have watched our mission statement come to life.
We wanted a gathering place for the community — a safe haven where Federal Way citizens of all income levels and fitness levels could connect and pursue mental and physical fitness throughout the year, while getting to know one another.
I have seen the classes I attend grow. More classes have been added, and are filling up. Community members who had never had the opportunity to exercise in a quality exercise facility such as the one the center provides, have gained confidence, lost weight, enjoyed better health and an improved outlook on life. Children have marveled at the pools, and the gymnasium is full of basketball enthusiasts and joggers using the running track. Teens love the climbing rock.
The cost to rent the community room(s) has been adjusted. Community organizations and individuals are using this venue to hold special events.
I am thankful the city is supporting the center, and grateful to all of you who have enjoyed the center for yourselves. While I cringe at some of the expenses our city has to foot the bill for, such as recent legal costs pertaining to the Federal Way Municipal Court, I know my taxpayer money is being wisely invested back into our community and to its citizens via the Federal Way Community Center.
I anticipate increased patronage and revenue from this outstanding facility in the months and years to come.
Jan Owen, Federal Way
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Elections create some resentment
Back in horse and buggy days when a person might “go to town” only two or three times a year because of muddy or frozen or rutty roads, it made sense to pick one person who would go to town and cast your vote for you.
Of course, they were supposed to vote the way you told them to and not let somebody else talk them into changing your vote through them.
I suppose that was the way our complicated system of surrogate voting came about. Good news everybody: It is no longer necessary.
With our whiz-bang super fast electronic communication systems in place, everybody’s personal vote can be counted. Who needs the electoral college? Some of whom, we suspect, may be bribed or otherwise manipulated into voting in ways we did not anticipate or sanction. The popular vote can be and is properly counted and available for use. Why don’t we just dump the expensive cumbersome electoral college and go with the vote of the people? It would be pretty tough to buy off or sway the individual vote. That might be one of the reasons politicians are not wild about the idea of letting the popular vote rule.
While on the subject of elections, I am one of the disgruntled voters who really resents being told I must register with a party in order to vote. We are supposed to have freedom of choice. What happened to that concept?
Hurray for Initiative 26! Can I sign until my hand drops off?
Marjorie Seavers, Federal Way
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Let’s amend ‘Best Of …’
Just got the results of your “Best Of” survey. They hit the nail on the head when it came to BBQ (Cave-Man), seafood (Salty’s) and steaks (Outback), but they completely missed the boat when it came to schools.
I have worked at the schools for 10 years and contrary to your results, the top three are Enterprise Elementary (first place), Sherwood Forest Elementary (second place) and Brigadoon Elementary/Lakota Middle School (tie for third place).
Gary Robertson, Federal Way
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Kochmar says thank you
Thank you to the readers of the Federal Way Mirror!
It was such an honor to be elected the 2008 Best City Leader by the readers of the Federal Way Mirror. Thank you for the recognition and for your continued support. It has been a privilege to serve you.
Linda Kochmar, Federal Way City Council member
