FW Chamber opposes changing form of government

The Federal Way Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted Wednesday at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting to take a position on Proposition 1: Adoption of the Mayor/Council Form of Government within the City of Federal Way.

The question on the ballot is: Shall the City of Federal Way abandon the council/manager form of government and adopt the mayor/council form of government? This ballot initiative will be in the Nov. 3, 2009, general election.

The Board of Directors adopted a position against the mayor/council ballot initiative, voting to keep the current council/manager form of government in place in the City of Federal Way.

“The Chamber is focused on growing jobs and growing the local economy in Federal Way, and we believe those are aligned with the current city council priorities; changing forms of government could be very disruptive at this point,” said Tom Pierson, CEO of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, in a news release.

The Federal Way Chamber of Commerce and Federal Way Mirror will hold a debate/forum on this issue, moderated by Dr. T.M. Sell, a professor at Highline Community College. The forum will be held 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the Federal Way High School Little Theater, 30611 16th Ave. S. The public is welcome to attend.

FW Police Guild endorses elected mayor proposal

The Federal Way Police Guild has endorsed Proposition One, which will appear on the general election ballot in November and ask voters to decide whether they want an elected mayor in Federal Way. The guild represents all line officers at the Federal Way Police Department and has 110 members, said Det. John Clary, president of the guild.