In Clara McArthur’s Aug. 15 letter in The Mirror, she wrote that the campaign for an elected mayor was about to get ugly. It just did. And it is Ms. McArthur who is behind it.

She attributed a comment to me that I have never uttered. She assured readers that it was a direct quote from the News Tribune. I checked with the Tribune reporter who normally covers Federal Way. He denied that such drivel had been written by him or actually published by his newspaper. Others may have talked about mayoral candidates with sixth-grade educations, but those words did not come from me. I have more respect for our Federal Way voters than that remark would indicate.

To the best of my knowledge, I’ve never met Ms. McArthur. Her frequent letters to the editor are introduction enough. Despite a propensity for long-winded vitriol, McArthur’s letters contribute little value to our civic discussions. When you find a scintilla of truth to any of her smear tactics or allegations, please let me know.

Barbara Reid, Federal Way