The Mirror reported on Nov. 22 that the Knutzen Family Theatre “loses thousands of dollars each year” and that in 2008, the city subsidized $125,498 of its 2008 loss of $125,678.

How very distressing to realize how public money is squandered — on an ongoing basis. These home-spun talent groups aren’t even expected to pay their own way.

We taxpayers have to bail them out even if we get zero benefit from or have any interest in their existence. In my opinion, that is wrong.

The Johnson Study that we (Federal Way) commissioned to study this issue even concluded that city patronage wouldn’t support the costs of a performance art facility.

Later, my initial distress was amplified to read in The Mirror’s Dec. 6 issue that the city suddenly considers another much grander performing arts facility a legislative priority for 2009. I’ve seen no city officials named in print that own up to this position, but indeed, there are those that always pander to the arts.

Council members are getting heaps of promoting from the usual, same old arts folks.

In 1996, their pitch to promote building the Knutzen performing arts facility was the same talk as what we’re being pitched today for a much grander venue ($50 million), e.g., it will create an economic boon by generating more commerce and attracting business conferences, blah, blah. And now add job creation to the sales pitch: City of Federal Way is one of the largest employers in the area; school district and Weyerhauser are the only others in competition for the top honor. Another new rationale: To help employ the construction industry. Another: The performers deserve it (a big fine venue). What nonsense!

Last year I lost respect for all of our 30th District state legislators and the governor too for touting this huge arts facility proposal as essential for Federal Way and voting to expend $500,000 for pre-construction costs.

Federal Way special interest groups (arts) clamor to collect the promised pork and use the giveaway deal as a lever to convince the public and the city council that we can’t refuse a good deal, like manna from heaven, tax money from the state. Later, we local yokels will just keep paying the bills to keep it going.

I think we in Federal Way would be better off if the allocated state money would go to some other city. The state’s gift of $500,000 for pre-construction costs of a proposed $50 million capital investment is negligible compared to the cumulative indebtedness the city would ultimately be responsible for — the estimated at $260,000 annually (the estimated annual operating costs). We’d have to bail out the not-profitable hometown talent groups each year on an exponentially greater scale than we are already stuck with at the Knutzen Family Theatre.

And who can guess how much of the projected $50 million the city would need to proffer to augment the PACC’s capital fund when their fundraising and grants are more than likely inadequate? Not very likely the county would offer anything to save this project, they’re/we’re (King County) in trouble too.

I respect that city council member Jim Ferrell opposes the legislative proposal at this time due to current economic and budget problems, and I applaud him for being the only council member or city official to publicly speak out about that or any negative aspect relating to this issue. I, however, agree with The Mirror’s editorial (Dec. 17) that voters need to decide this issue, based mostly on the huge continuing obligation it would force upon us forever into the future.

And I don’t trust that our city officials always or that some ever consider what the public/taxpaying citizen want or are willing to pay for, e.g., the Community Center extravaganza. A recommendation by/from a city commission however, is all important to their consideration, that represents a voting block (special interest). I truly believe these big expenditures are all about politics, with little or no regard for need, affordability or public interest or desire.

Definitely, this project should go to the voters. Arts people disagree: Federal Way resident Peg Altman cites election costs to be the reason. I think it’s more likely she believes it would fail, as do I.

We needn’t have a special election — the next general election ballot’s OK. If it’s truly essential to have a bigger performance center for our downtown core to prosper, the issue and the state’s offer would be back.

I urge the council to reject this whole proposal. Give it over to the folks who’d have to pick up the bills forever to decide — the voters.

Marie Adair

Federal Way