In the “great sign flap,” I would encourage people to read the TNT’s professionally written version of the story. It was objective and non-biased reporting.

The Mirror’s sensationalized reporting starts in the headline, which stresses the word “again” in referring to the investigation. Then in the first sentence, The Mirror refers to “possible criminal theft” when the mayor was seen and identified by the police officer as the person removing signs from the “sign jail.”

Since the police officer identified the person taking the signs as the mayor, why on earth didn’t he walk up to the mayor and ask what the heck he was doing? Mayor Priest would have said that he had signs in the “sign jail” and that he had written and turned in his check to the city to get the signs back. End of story. No need for calling the Washington State Patrol and starting a colossal waste of time.

How did this very logical step get missed? The officer knows it’s the mayor, yet calls a supervisor because it “appeared to be a theft.” Think of it this way. I look out my window at night and see a family member backing their car out of the driveway. Do I call the police immediately to report that a family member may be stealing their own car? Or do I go outside and ask my family member what the heck they are doing? They tell me they are going to the store for some cold pills. End of drama.

Wait…the police are endorsing the mayor’s opponent in the mayor’s race. Can this also be how a non-story got “leaked” to The Mirror? The Mirror story goes on to report the facts of the issue, and indeed there is an explanation for the whole episode. No need to sensationalize all the brouhaha about “possible criminal theft” in the lead sentence. But if the point is to inflict damage on the mayor’s campaign, it makes sense. Once the goofiness gets started, Chief Wilson is almost required to include the state patrol. Can’t fault him for that.

The mayor is right: “This is the silly political season.” This whole thing is nasty politics, pure and simple. The “investigation” more than likely will determine that it is much ado about nothing. Just like the last investigation concluded that there were political overtones to that investigation.

Federal Way deserves better.

Linda Purlee, Federal Way