Federal Way group opposes strong mayor
Federal Way Works, a group that opposes a possible move to a strong mayor form of government, has been created.
The group’s 20-person committee is headed by Barbara Reid and includes members such as Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-30th District, according to the group’s Web site at http://www.federalwayworks.com.
At the organization’s core is the belief that putting a strong mayor initiative on the Feb. 19 ballot is “costly and unwarranted” and could result in a mayor who does not have the expertise to operate a city, according to a Dec. 4 press release.
“We believe having a highly-trained professional manager that possesses the requisite education, training and experience in the highly complex functions of city operations is essential to quality service,” Reid said.
In favor of a strong mayor form of government is Accountability Comes to Town (ACT), headed by Federal Way resident Roy Parke, who has had land disputes with a past city council. The current council does not represent the people of Federal Way, Parke said.
ACT submitted a petition — with approximately 2,100 Federal Way voters’ signatures — to the city and King County calling for an elected mayor in July.
“I just feel that we need three branches of government, especially because of how big our city is getting,” he said.
The proposed changes will ensure Federal Way’s government has checks and balances and the people of Federal Way have a mayor who is accountable for his or her actions, according to ACT’s Web site at http://accountabilitycomestotown.org.
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Robbery update
Three suspects are in custody after a home invasion robbery last week at the Whispering Hills Apartment complex in the 2400 block of S.W. 352nd St.
One victim, an adult male, was tied up during the Dec. 5 robbery. The other victim, a 17-year-old male student at Todd Beamer High School, was assaulted.
The suspects, three males in their teens, ran away. A K-9 search did not lead to the suspects. The robbery was not believed to be random because the teen victim recognized at least one of the suspects as living in or frequenting the area, said Federal Way Police spokeswoman Stacy Flores.
Detectives are continuing their investigation.
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Volunteer emergency workers
Federal Way is seeking community volunteers to assist in the Greater Federal Way Emergency Management Program. Emergency workers will receive training and provide services and skills to the community during emergencies, such as earthquakes or storms, Emergency Management Coordinator Ray Gross said.
Federal Way residents have the opportunity to volunteer in approximately seven areas, including Emergency Operations Center radio or shelter operations as well as damage assessment. The city will hold a volunteer emergency worker orientation at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S.
Contact Ray Gross at (253) 835-2712 or ray.gross@cityoffederalway.com for more information on becoming a volunteer emergency worker.
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Friends of the Hylebos treasurer
Matthew Jarvis, a junior partner at Jarvis Financial Services in Federal Way, was named treasurer of the Friends of the Hylebos board of directors Monday.
Jarvis is involved in the Federal Way community and also serves as founder and president of the Washington Council of Employee Education (WACEE). He will be assisting the Friends in protecting and restoring the West Hylebos Wetlands. To learn more, visit www.hylebos.org or call (253) 874-2005.
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Recycle your food scraps
As the holidays approach, King County reminds residents that food scraps do not have to go to waste. This past summer, King County and the city gave Federal Way residents the go-ahead to begin mixing food scraps with yard waste in residents’ brown yard waste containers.
During the holidays, the city would like to see its Food + Recycling program utilized. The recycling method saves residents money on their garbage bill and is beneficial for the environment.
Food scraps and food-soiled paper make up nearly 30 percent of the residential waste that ends up in King County landfills, according to a 2002/2003 Comprehensive Waste Stream Characterization analysis. The average single-family household in King County throws away 45 pounds of food every month, according to the same source.
By utilizing Food + Recycling, the mixture of food and food-soiled paper products is collected and taken to the local privately-owned Cedar Grove Composting, where it is turned into compost that is sold and used in local neighborhood landscapes and parks.
To learn more, call (253) 833-3333 or (800) 592-9995 or visit www.cityoffederalway.com.
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New Hope food drive
New Hope Mortgage in Federal Way will hold its third annual food drive from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Albertsons, 31009 Pacific Highway S.
John Wilde of New Hope Mortgage organizes the food drive. He hopes between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds of food will be collected this year. During the drive’s first year in operation, a total of 2,500 pounds of food and $125 in donations were collected, Wilde said. Last year, a total of 6,500 pounds of food and more than $250 in donations were received, he said. The food is donated to the Federal Way Food Bank.
The Federal Way City Council challenged local residents and businesses to donate to the food bank by offering to match funding. A total of $10,000 was made available for matching funds.
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Silent auction and concert
Lakota Middle School’s band booster club will host a silent auction during a winter concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 in the gym, 1415 S.W. 314th St. Funds raised from the auction will go to the band program. For more information, call (253) 945-4800.
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Superbug info
The Federal Way School District posted information about MRSA and tips on avoiding an infection at www.fwps.org/info/press/0708/071113mrsainfo.html.
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