Two weeks ago, a winter storm blew through the region and disrupted everything. That is, everything but politics, although there were some winds blowing there as well.
In some cities, the battle to be the leader of the city council can be a nice polite affair, or may be rotated among the council members so that everyone gets a chance.
City Hall’s ongoing dispute with Sound Transit over delay of the light rail extension to Federal Way has recently become both more public and more unpleasant as hardball tactics have come into play. But two of the city’s initiatives may have resulted in one canceling out the other.
Last week, we looked at local politics for the coming year. But state and national politics will get most of the attention. And Jim Ferrell? Read on.
Remember 2012. It will be one of the most exciting political years in history. The biggest local newsmakers are likely to be Mayor Skip Priest and School Superintendent Rob Neu. But others to watch are School Board President Tony Moore and Federal Way City Council members Jim Ferrell and Linda Kochmar.
It’s that time of year again when we bestow on our leaders, somewhat tongue in cheek, awards for their public service.
Each year, I keep track of political comments and situations readers might find interesting or entertaining. Here are some of my favorites.
The year saw changes in Federal Way’s city council and school board. Two longtime council members will be leaving as will two school board members who each served one term.
Republicans wondered if the governor and the Democrats were crazy by talking about putting a tax increase on the ballot.
The recent election, which produced two new council members, may have shifted the power relationships in Federal Way City Hall, according to insiders.
It was 43 years ago, and yet the iconic image of Tommie Smith and John Carlos standing on the Olympic podium in Mexico City is still seared into our collective consciousness as if it were yesterday.
Last week, the voters were in an unusual mood. Here in Federal Way, the voters significantly changed the political dynamics on the city council and the mayor-council relationship.
Heads up political fans: another race in 2012 just got a lot more interesting and a lot more local. Recently, State Auditor Brian Sonntag announced that he will not run for re-election next year.
Elections for 2012 and 2013 have already started. But before we start speculating on those races, there is a more immediate question: Who is going to win next Tuesday?
The race for a seat on the South King Fire and Rescue board of commissioners started with two of the candidates prominently displaying in campaign literature how much blood they had donated.
The race between Liz Drake and Danny Peterson for the Federal Way School Board presented two very capable candidates. Either would be a good school board member.
All four candidates bring skills and passion, and would contribute to the Federal Way City Council in different ways. Voters, do your homework.
The race between incumbent city council member Jack Dovey and challenger Bob Celski may not only be the most interesting of the council races, but it may have the most impact on Federal Way government.
Last week, we looked at the structural alignments and the symbols of power in the new mayor-council form of government. This week, we will take a closer look at how implementation is affecting issues and policy in Federal Way.
In 2009, Federal Way voters significantly altered the political and managerial structure of City Hall from council-manager to mayor-council.
