The general election of 2011 has been certified. Friends, neighbors and supporters, thank you for your encouragement and support during this campaign and election season. We’ve come a long way since April when I declared my candidacy for Federal Way City Council position 3. I’m humbled by the overwhelming outpouring of support and well wishes at the final outcome.

Our team and the leadership of sticking to our plans have yielded results beyond our hopes and dreams. Experience matters.

I’d like to thank my fellow candidates Roger Flygare, Mark Koppang and Scott Sparling for a clean and professional election process. It has been an honor and a pleasure to have experienced this with you all.

We face a challenging list of concerns and issues and I will be working with the citizens of Federal Way, the city commissions, the city council and the mayor to come to thoughtful and sustainable solutions. I appreciate and thank you sincerely for your support in electing me. I pledge to serve as your city council member to the very best of my abilities and look forward to working for all in Federal Way, hearing you loud and clear.

As required, I am resigning as commissioner from the Federal Way Arts Commission and the Diversity Commission. I want to thank all of the commissioners, city staff and citizens that I’ve had the honor and pleasure to have served. I look forward to continuing to work with and support all the commissions in Federal Way.

I would also like to thank Mike Park for his many years of service as council member in position 3 and as mayor of Federal Way. Mr. Park’s service and accomplishments are an inspiration as he retires from the Council.

Susan Honda, Federal Way City Council member-elect