By Carol Vaughn, Federal Way resident

Citizens of Federal Way certainly will be choosing their future with the vote on Proposition 1, the strong mayor initiative. The choice is between a bright, positive future with a vision for economic and social vitality, or a gloomy future with no vision and the negative economic and social consequences that come with it.

One side is locked squarely on the past and constantly rehashing whether Celebration Park, the Community Center and the Transit Center should ever have been built. They are strongly against the proposed Symphony project. The public record reflects pretty consistent opposition to virtually every project that has come along by this group.

Jim Ferrell is leading their charge with his bombastic criticism of council’s past and present and exaggerated allegations of waste and mismanagement. His solution is to elect him strong mayor and he will straighten everything out. He will intervene with city staff on behalf of developers or others who don’t get the answer they want from the city, and he will take care of it. He will work with the unions to get what they want in contract negotiations because in his view that is being responsive to those without a voice. While it is an interesting concept and gives a glimmer of hope to the anti-everything crowd, it raises some questions that beg for an answer.

1. If Celebration Park, the Community Center or Transit Center had not been built, what would be there? Vacant lots that are overgrown weed patches plagued with illegal dumping? More empty office buildings? Eyesores that produce nothing of substance?

2. For the thousands of people who use and enjoy Celebration park and the Community Center, where would they go for recreation and relaxation, or for meetings and other events hosted at the center? How much would local businesses lose in revenue from those coming in for tournaments and other events? While there have been incidents at the Transit Center we are all concerned about, the fact is hundreds of people safely use the facility each and every day, and the presence of the center does bring economic benefit to the area. The city council, police department and transit authority are all working diligently to ensure the highest level of safety possible to those who use the facility, contrary to what Ferrell would have you believe.

3. For all the kids that are participating in activities at the community center and using the facilities, where would they be if the community center wasn’t there? If we don’t provide facilites and programs for young people, where are they going to go? Probably on the streets annoying the anti-everything crowd, who would call the police. Then they would complain the police weren’t doing anything about the kids hanging around.

4. If the Symphony project doesn’t go, what then? What is their solution? Vacant land sitting there for who knows how long? Of course they don’t want a performing arts center. That’s not of interest to them. And in their mind, there’s no need for the conference center that is part of the revised plan. Economic benefits of bringing events to the city and filling hotel rooms, creating new business for restaurants and people buying things in local shops or the Crossings is irrelevant to them. Certain parts of this project have been put on indefinite hold until economic conditions make it appropriate to even consider. There will still be public hearings held.

5. For the Seattle business owner that contributed $10,000 to ACT because he has been trying unsuccesfully to build a retirement home in Federal Way for 19 years, why was he denied permits? Maybe there were very good reasons for it. Ferrell suggested that he will take care of it. How? Which land use regulations or zoning requirements is he going to circumvent or grant exceptions to? How much return will the developer get on his investment?

6. Maybe there was very good reason supported by facts that Roy Parke didn’t get exactly what he wanted from the city. Because he didn’t get the answer or action he wanted, is that a good reason to change our form of government?

7. In a planned city that doesn’t allow for hodgepodge development or knee-jerk reactions to every complaint a citizen has until it is appropriately investigated isn’t a rational reason to change to a politicized strong-armed mayor who will bowl over professional, trained staff to give the disgruntled what they want. Sometimes “no” is the right answer.

8. Ferrell’s use of the term “technocrat” at the Oct. 12 debate to cast negative aspersions on professional people who attained advanced levels of education, specialized technical training and relevant experience to do a job is a reflection of his oversized ego. It assumes anyone, without regard to professional qualifications, can just step in and manage a $41 million budget, effectively lead 340-plus staff and deal with the complexities of city operations. Ask yourself if just anyone off the street could jump in and do your job? Professional qualifications are important, and we should require them of someone holding such an important position.

9. Ferrell constantly asserts we need to have transparency. How about the town hall meetings current Mayor Jack Dovey held to try to get more citizen input? How many resources were used to try to get input, only to have three to five citizens show up? Where are the legions of outraged citizens ACT claims to represent? The answer is simple. The vast majority of citizens in Federal Way are satisfied with the way the city conducts its business. Their votes at the ballot box illustrate their support for the stalwarts of the council like Jeanne Burbidge, Linda Kochmar, Eric Faison, Mike Park, Jack Dovey and Dini Dulcos.

While Ferrell and his group seem to have something negative to say about everything, what positive, constructive thing do they ever offer that will lead to economic growth and stability, improved quality of life and cultural opportunities within the city? They always want to tear down, but never offer anything to build up.

Your vote will help determine the future of the city. Will we have a professional, collaborative council-city manager form, or a highly politicized strong mayor cutting deals and dancing to the tune of special interest money?

On this issue, no is the right answer.