I supported the change in Federal Way government to elect a strong mayor and attended the debate between the candidates. I find it fascinating that both Linda Kochmar and Mike Park were actively opposed to the strong mayor and even took an official position by voting for a council resolution to that effect. Now that the voters have spoken, they have both decided to run for the position, touting their experience as mayor while admitting they cannot run the city without the help of a professional manager.

Skip Priest opposed the first try for a strong mayor, but remained neutral this last time. Now he too is telling us all about his prior experience as our mayor. Do these three really believe we see any comparison between the ceremonial position of mayor and the strong mayor position for which we voted? At the debate, Skip Priest said he would run the city without a manager. Now he too will retain a manager temporarily. I, for one, did not vote to continue having a ceremonial mayor who simply delegates the management of our city to a high-paid professional, while drawing a top salary as well. That is why we have all of the department heads. These professionals are fully capable of managing their respective departments under the leadership of an elected mayor. I have concluded our first elected mayor should be Jim Ferrell.

John McMahon, Federal Way