Last week’s Mirror announced that Deputy Mayor Jim Ferrell would not be running for mayor this year.

I’ve called him, urging him to change his mind. I suspect mine was not the only call he has received.

I’ve known Jim Ferrell for more than 10 years now and I’ve been very happy with positions he takes and the way he votes as a Federal Way City Council member and as the deputy mayor. His record on public safety is unparalleled in this city. As horrendous crime gets more and more prevalent in Federal Way, I say we need Jim Ferrell to be our mayor.

The current mayor has unabashedly placed public safety and the Federal Way Police Department second to building a $32 million performing arts and conference center. That does not fly well with me and folks I know.

Jim has been a leader in our community as deputy mayor. He has been a senior King County prosecutor for several years, and it is he who led the effort to allow the citizens of Federal Way to vote for their mayor. He is uniquely the man for the job.

Sheryl Nevers, Federal Way