What’s in a number? This year our country will celebrate its 239th birthday and our state will turn 126.  For many of us, special numbers include our wedding anniversaries and birthdays for our precious children, each year more special than the last!

Federal Way has its own special number to celebrate this year. That number is 25. On Feb. 28, 2015, our city marked its 25th year of incorporation. We will soon commemorate our silver anniversary with a wonderful series of events at Town Square Park.

We will host a four-day carnival at the former Target location, the future site of Town Center 3, from June 18-21. This carnival will feature a variety of rides and games for the whole family to enjoy, including a six-story Ferris wheel.

On Saturday, June 20, the city will host an anniversary celebration at Town Square Park. The theme of our event is “Celebrating Our Past, Building Our Future.” At 2 p.m., we will kick-off our main event with a special dedication, a performance by the Federal Way Symphony, a mayoral proclamation, as well as remarks by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Throughout the day we’ll have great food, pony rides for the kids, bounce houses, an inflatable obstacle course and a Dunk-a-Cop dunk tank to raise money for the Federal Way Police Department’s “Adopt a Family” program. We will also host a series of concerts in the evening featuring the Michelle Taylor Band and Kalimba, the West Coast’s premiere Earth Wind and Fire tribute band.

We are fortunate to live in such an outstanding community and it is an honor to serve as your mayor. From our beautiful and well-loved parks, to our redevelopment efforts in our downtown, or our very active community service organizations, Federal Way is truly the hidden gem of the greater Puget Sound region. As I reflect on our 25 years as a city, I am reminded of those who worked so hard to make our community what it is today. Strong women like Shirley Charnell, Mary Gates and our first Mayor Debbie Ertel, were instrumental in the success of Federal Way’s incorporation effort (as were many, many others).

Recently, I was looking at a plaque in my office. On it is the picture of a key figure in our city’s history, former state Rep. Mary-Ann Mitchell, considered by many to be the mother of our city.

I wondered what she would think of us today? Not all of the citizens who worked so hard for our city to come together ran for public office. They didn’t need recognition, and sadly many of them are no longer with us today.

These pioneers were led by a sense of pride and dedication to our community. Their contributions will be remembered as we come together to celebrate this June. As proud as we are of our past, now is the time to look to the future with a sense of determination, built on the solid foundation of those who came before us. Federal Way is on the rise.

Next fall we will open the Performing Arts and Event Center, around that same time the Town Center 3 project will be complete. This summer, Phase 2 of the Town Square Park improvements will begin. The park will re-open in June of next year, and will feature a splash park and more. These developments represent our city’s investment and commitment for the next 25 years.

Federal Way is experiencing steady economic growth throughout our city. Later this year, Children’s Hospital will open a new $15 million facility, and Progressive Insurance recently opened their new claims center on Pacific Highway.

Over the next 25 years, I believe we will experience unprecedented growth in our city, bringing in family wage jobs, educational opportunities, and will create a destination for people in our city and from around our region to enjoy.

Earlier, I asked what’s in a number? Well, perhaps the most important number is 92,800. That’s you. The number of residents we have in Federal Way. Who amongst us will be the next great leader? Who will follow in the path of public servants like former Sen. Tracey Eide, Rep. Linda Kochmar, or our Deputy Mayor Jeanne Burbidge? Who will be the next great business owner?

In closing, I would like to leave you with a challenge. As we build the future of Federal Way, get involved! Participate in the public process.

Volunteer in our community, either through your church, your children’s PTA, or in a local service club. Run for office. Be engaged. Together, we can ensure Federal Way’s success for the next 25 years and beyond!