FW and an elected mayor

I attended the Sunday afternoon public meeting presented by ACT about electing a mayor for Federal Way.

The man that did most of the presentation, Wes Crago from Ephrata, Wash., did a good job presenting some of the pros and cons of both the system that we now have, a council-manager system, and also the mayor-council form of government. Mr. Crago has worked under both systems, and said quite honestly that the individuals involved were the biggest factors in success or failure of either system, not the system itself.

For me personally, I feel our present system of council-manager works well. I have followed the interviews of city managers and have been impressed with the hiring process. In an election, we would probably choose between two well-known individuals in the community. But Mr. Crago said honestly that we would still need a city manager, which means we would be adding another big salary — possibly equal to the salary of two police officers.

I believe the present city manager’s salary is in the $120,000 range, and no doubt the newly elected mayor would have a slightly higher salary.

I feel the Federal Way City Council is doing a good job and by rotating the mayor’s position, no one person is in there for an extended period of time. An elected mayor would be in that position for four years.

Our council is representing us well, and I’m not in favor of change.

Janet Thiel, Federal Way

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The era of Charlie Hoff

Enjoyed reading the Nov. 17 article pertaining to Charlie Hoff and Evelyn Castellar, the outgoing school board members who grew up in different eras and I’m sure different types of households.

This, I’m sure, is why they did battle so many times during school board meetings.

I grew up around the same time Mr. Hoff did and I can see his point of view, so clearly, because in the 1940s, the parents and teachers were the adults. There were no written dress codes, nor were there curfews. But as children of the ‘40s and ‘50s, we knew our limits and boundaries. Our dress codes were what our parents could afford, and when our parents told us to be home at a certain time, on school nights and weekends, we better well be home at those hours. For the most part, if we were out on a school night, it was usually to the library or to a school function (i.e., football, basketball or baseball game). But even then, the times still applied.

On some Saturday nights, we had PTA sponsored dances at different schools, chaperoned by parents.

Today, it seems to me, that the children of parents who grew up in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s have lost sight of the way children are children and parents are parents. It’s all about the rights of the children and they seem to be able to dictate how, what and where they can be, dress or behave.

After looking at my ninth-grade picture from Meany Jr. High, from 1954, I realized that we dressed for some serious schooling. Not all of us were outstanding students, but teachers worked with those of us who struggled in math, for instance.

Not being familiar with Evelyn Castellar, I don’t know when and where she grew up, but I think she might be around the same age as my children. Therefore her thoughts about raising children will greatly differ from Mr. Hoff’s. And from the e-mails that have been sent by the readers of the Federal Way Mirror, I think it’s a safe bet that most who put Mr. Hoff down, because they feel their children have the right to express themselves any way they please, are parents who grew up in the same era Ms. Castellar did.

So I wish both Charlie Hoff and Evelyn Castellar the very best in their future.

Pat Gee, Federal Way

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Sending love to the market

The Nov. 14 article on the activities of the Federal Way Farmers Market prompted me to write.

I have been involved with the farmers market since its inception and have always found the organization to be dedicated, forthright and committed to the citizens of Federal Way. Having started the market from scratch, it has now made its mark on our city and, to me, represents an integral part of our community.

I frequent the market almost every week during the season and enjoy the fresh produce, fresh flowers and arts and crafts. And, although I realize that Great Harvest Bread is a franchise, they were a staple from the beginning of the market and filled in to provide variety when vendor selection was at its lowest.

From my understanding, there was never any intention of having them stay on indefinitely nor to allow any other franchise food operations. However, the community grew to know and love them and they became a part of a great organization.

The atmosphere at the market is always upbeat and I know the organizers are always looking to reach out to our ethnic neighbors and provide a variety of products and entertainment weekly. No small task, I would think!

The article gave me the impression that there may be just some political play amongst the board of the market. The fact that the market may not be sanctioned by a larger body simply doesn’t worry me. In fact — without restrictions, we may find more to enjoy at the market in the future.

I personally believe that the Federal Way Farmers Market has not only lived up to the promise it made to the city, but has exceeded the expectations of our community. That being said — I look forward to a new and even better season at the market in 2008.

Audrey Germanis, Federal Way

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Market will do just fine

Why did Washington State Farmers Market Association feel the need to try to force Great Harvest Bread out of our Federal Way Farmers Market, after they had been a vendor at our market for four years? It must be because some people like to cause trouble and are jealous of our success.

The Federal Way Farmers Market did not lose the support of the WSFMA, as stated in the Nov. 14 Federal Way Mirror. The Federal Way Farmers Market board voted to resign our membership in their controling organization. They are just another group of people with similar business interests; they are not the “Farmers Market Police.” Membership in their group is not required to operate a farmers market.

Although they started as a helpmate to market operators, they seem to have evolved into more control-oriented power-hungry individuals. There are many other farmers markets in Washington state that do not choose to belong to this association. We are just a market trying to provide what is best for our community, not what is best for an association.

Our Federal Way Farmers Market vendors are ready and excited to return for another profitable year next May. We will have many unique crafts, fresh foods and flowers, as usual. We look forward to seeing all of Federal Way come by to check out our vendors. After all, nothing in our market has changed.

Carol Stopper, Federal Way Farmers Market board member