Endorsements of politicians from special interest groups often come with strings attached.
If Federal Way City Council member Jim Ferrell and his Accountability Comes to Town (ACT) organization gets the vote to change our present council/city manager form of government to a strong mayor form of government, and councilman Ferrell becomes mayor, he will be responsible for negotiating the police guild’s salary and benefit contract with the city.
The following is a quote from the guild’s endorsement: “A mayor has to be approachable or face consequences with the media and public because they are an elected position. This gives the Guild more options to flex our political muscles.”
A city manager is beholden to no other entity than the city council. If he or she becomes otherwise, the city manager can be immediately fired. A strong mayor, on the other hand, is beholden to every special interest group that supports him.
Vote no against a strong mayor form of government.
Bob Kellogg, Federal Way
