Get this: The new mayor of our fair city was elected by a measly turnout of Federal Way registered voters. After all the extra costs unleashed by our cash-strapped town to set up this election, the process appears to have supplied a leader for those who are privileged to cast a ballot. Let’s hope we did not trade in managerial experience for slick political gain in order to satisfy the vast minority.

What a relief — the circus is over! Maybe it will finally be shown that the votes amassed by a given candidate are in no way proportional to the number of bobbing political signs crowding the 320th Street and Pacific Highway corners during the tricky high-use morning and afternoon commutes.

Every autumn while navigating this location, we’ve all heard the honking for favorites and seen the rubber-necking at the commotion. I’ve been lucky to have avoided several near-misses due to driver inattention. But ironically we have been told time and again that this is one of the most dangerous intersections in Washington state, and worthy of photo enforcement to stem the traffic hazards. So why is this worthless campaign season distraction tolerated and promoted by the same individuals pledging to protect the local citizenry?

I have a great two-part project to kick off the term of our new leader that will test his management skills: Will the “strong” mayor help to discourage his fellow sign-waving public servants from interrupting the free flowing traffic during the next election cycle? And will he stop pick-pocketing hard-earned money from the public and re-evaluate the so-called public safety benefits of the city’s red light camera program?

A.M. Smith, Federal Way