I frequently get asked questions about the columns I write. Since other readers might have the same questions, here are a few along with my answers.

Q. I read that Weyerhaeuser only contributes $31,000 in sales tax, so what’s the big deal about them leaving?

A. Weyerhaeuser also contributes property taxes, and their corporate giving in support of our local charities and environmental issues has been outstanding. But, the biggest advantage to having them in Federal Way is that many of their 800 employees make good wages and live here or in surrounding communities. They pay property taxes, shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants. They benefit much of  south King County and north Pierce County. Many of these people may now move out of the area. Weyerhaeuser leaving is a big deal.

Q. You have mentioned in a column that we are still maturing politically as a city, what did you mean by that?

A. We have only been a city for 25 years, and we don’t have a road map of where we want to go. We don’t have a consensus on what kind of community we want to be. We have no long-range plan about our public and capital projects. Our downtown lacks definition.

We talk about economic development, but what does that mean? What kind of businesses are we trying to attract? The change in the form of government to strong mayor may force the type of community debate we need to start establishing our priorities. But those races have also been hard on a community that isn’t used to more strident campaigns and the participation of special interest groups. We’ll get there but it will take time, organization and community participation by more residents than those who participate now.

Q.You disagreed with the city attorney many times, are you glad she’s gone?

A: Pat Richardson was an honest caring public employee trying to do the best job she could for the city. My disagreements with her were on policy only. On a personal level, I liked her. I was very disappointed with a couple of web posts calling her names. The comments were inaccurate and not what I expect from our residents.

Q: What’s your opinion of the Performing Arts and Conference Center? The Blue Ribbon committee says we can afford it.

A: At $32 million, it divided, rather than united the community. It didn’t achieve a consensus as the most important project needed in our city at this time. If it had, the city would have gladly put it on the ballot. I am not persuaded that it will be an economic stimulus to the downtown area, although I think it will help.

The financing plan appears fragile, and whether or not the city can afford it? The jury is still out on that one. That said, if the city had actually put it on the ballot and asked me to vote to tax myself for it I would have voted yes and urged the city to use the money they set aside for the Performing Arts and Conference Center to move City Hall, the police station and the courts downtown. Then we would have had the framework for a true city center.

Q. You need to quit criticizing Mayor Jim Ferrell and get on board with the new administration.

A. That’s not my job. Nor is it the job of the newspaper. Ferrell has a well paid communications manager to do that. Ferrell has accomplished a lot since he took office, but there have also been several areas where things could have gone better.

My job is to raise questions for public debate, make suggestions and try to tell the readers what is really going on behind the scenes, not just what City Hall wants you to think is going on. Also, different points of view are essential to balanced public debate; we get to think for ourselves.

Q.Where do you come up with your ideas on what to write about?

A. I read newspapers, magazines, attend meetings, talk to public officials and listen to residents. I also get ideas in church from my minister’s sermons. But don’t tell her that. When she sees me start to write furiously I want her to think I’m taking notes on her sermon, not writing my next column. Shhh!

Q.What do you think of our local governments?

A. I think the school district is pretty well run with a lot of good staff and teachers. The past superintendent and some board members became too distant from voters’ and parents’ concerns, and made some mistakes. Current leaders are trying to make corrections.

Lakehaven Utility District seems to perform well, although I still think it should be part of city government. South King Fire and Rescue doesn’t appear to have the type of checks and balances in its governing structure that are essential.

I would like to see them be part of city government as well. It would help if they had to compete with other government services for dollars, although it would be hard to untangle the way South King Fire and Rescue is set up to achieve that outcome.

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact him at bjroegner@comcast.net.