Q: Mr. Federal Way, I read in the most recent issue of the Mirror (front page) that the city settled to pay $125,000 to a woman who fell at the city-owned Federal Way Community Center. Really? I don’t buy it that a slip could cause an injury worth that much. What do you think about the incident and the fact the city had to pay taxpayers’ money to this woman?

A: Mr. Federal Way was originally taken aback by the $69,000 price tag for a broken hip. Then Mr. Federal Way looked at a bill from a recent simple check-up and was thankful for insurance and the fact that no bones have been broken recently. But then again, if they had been broken in the right location, maybe Mr. Federal Way could have taken a couple years away from work.

Mr. Federal Way believes that until the majority of the lawsuits such as this one go unrewarded, you will continue to see people suing cities and corporations for absurd amounts of money. As it stands, it is hard for Mr. Federal Way to fault anyone for looking to a payday at the expense of taxpayers.

The city should be commended for clearing the employee who may or may not have properly maintained the pickleball court. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t have a “sticky spot” on their record for not cleaning a court of a sport created in this very state.

The city also found a way to pay only 28 percent of the original amount they were being sued for. They have shown they like to spend money recently, so spending less is a bit of a surprise to Mr. Federal Way. Perhaps they could find a way to do the same for a few other expensive projects they have around the city? It’s only a suggestion.

Lawsuits like this always make Mr. Federal Way wonder just what the price of emotional and economic distress really is? If Sabrina Martin could pay for her medical bills and still have $56,000 left over, how much could Mr. Federal Way get if a coffee is too cold from Starbucks?

Now that Mr. Federal Way thinks about it, Mr. Federal Way’s paychecks seem to cause both types of distress. Maybe it is time to have a talk with the boss.

Q: Mr. Federal Way, I am shocked and disappointed that the Mirror printed a front cover story about the city’s new Performing Arts and Conference Center director. Why do you think the editor and publisher thought it was OK to publish such a biased report?

A: Mr. Federal Way attempted to interview Editor Carrie Rodriguez but Publisher Rudi Alcott wouldn’t allow an interview without his presence. Rodriguez seemed OK with this but, who knows, maybe deep down inside she was annoyed that her boss was listening in on our conversation. Nevertheless, Mr. Federal Way asked the editor and publisher of this newspaper, “What gives?” Mr. Federal Way thought the report seemed fair but why not ask the newspaper Gods themselves.

Turns out that Mirror staff pulled numbers straight from city of Lancaster documents. And Mirror staff also spoke with Lancaster’s city manager — the only city of Lancaster employee, frankly, that would return any of their calls. Staff also hit a roadblock when they tried to interview the new executive director. City of Federal Way staff said, and Mr. Federal Way paraphrases this, you may interview her but only under our terms.

Mr. Federal Way has heard city officials throw around the word “transparency.” Perhaps the city’s understanding of transparency is not as clear as the word’s definition?

Mr. Federal Way thinks that several people missed the point of the article. The objective was to show that people around town are whispering, talking and asking questions about the city’s hiring decision. The Mirror was not conjuring up some ghost that doesn’t exist, although, that would be a fun act to see at the new Performing Arts and Conference Center.

The point is, the new executive director managed a struggling facility in Lancaster and its funding model is completely different from Federal Way’s. It may be possible to successfully run the Performing Arts and Conference Center but Mr. Federal Way thinks it will be challenging.

Q: Mr. Federal Way, were you nominated for any categories in the Mirror’s Best of Federal Way?

A: None of your business.

Got a question for Mr. Federal Way? Email mrfederalway@federalwaymirror.com.