To the Editor:

In a recent letter to both the Federal Way Mirror, Federal Way News and Tacoma News Tribune, Barbra Reid asked the citizens of Federal Way that support a strong mayor, to list a few reasons as to "why [we] are complaining."

Be careful what you wish for. Here's my simple Q and A to answer her plea for help in this area:

Q: Do you own, run or manage a business here in Federal Way? You know, a simple business like QFC, The Men's Wearhouse, K B Toys, Toy's R Us, Enterprise Rental Car, AMC Theater, Coco's, Cyber Bear Computers, The Computer Store, The Shell Gasoline station?

A: For those of us that are managers, owners and majored in business administration... the things the city council is doing wrong are very apparent as so many of them go against every thing we learned in business and college. These are the names of just a few of the businesses that have recently closed their doors in Federal Way. They are the casualties, consequences and aftermath from the city council's decisions to continue the status quo, raise sales taxes higher, to take money from the State of Washington to build the median down 99 and to continue with their unfriendly zoning and building regulations for the downtown Federal Way core.

Q: How about this - do you own, run or manage a fitness center? You know like a Bally's Total Fitness, a 24 hr. Fitness, an LA Fitness, Curves for Women, a Liberty Fitness or even patron the YMCA?

Follow up question -

Q: Do you own, run or manage a neighborhood pool? You know, like The King County Aquatic Center, Bally's Total Fitness, Federal Way District Pool, YMCA, Marine Hills Pool that kind of thing?

A: These are a few examples of what was wrong with the City Council's decision to build the new Federal Way Community Center. By doing so the City of Federal Way has put itself into direct commercial business competition for patrons of these established businesses. Also by taking away patrons of the School District's pool, aren't they also competing for School District dollars that have already been lacking in our state budget?

Q: Is the City of Federal Way very business friendly? Well, let me ask you these questions to help determine the answer:

Q: If vandals tag your home or business with graffiti, do you pay for it or do the vandals?

A: You do. On top of the ever increasing property taxes and sales taxes raised by the Federal, State and local government - you get to pay to have the paint removed or painted over with the added possible "opportunity" to pay the city a fee for every day you don't take care of the problem. Now if you have insurance for such things? Guess what? It takes a day or two for an adjuster to come out to quote a sum for the damages, they may or may not cut you a check and then - as you know, your rates go up! Welcome to business life in Federal Way.

Q: When the plan for constructing the median down 99 was being discussed, what was the driving force of the decision? Was it: a) To make Federal Way safer? b) To help curb traffic congestion? c) To get State dollars?

A: All three.

Follow up questions:

Q: Has the median made driving in Federal Way safer?

A: If you said yes, have you considered that you may be over looking how dangerous it is now for cars making U turns? Many more accidents and near accidents are happening when traffic is trying to make a free right turn with oncoming traffic trying to make a U turn. That's a fact, because before the median - there were no U turns allowed at the major traffic lights in Federal Way.

Is it just me, or is there a growing outcry for change and having the council listen to the citizens and actually DO something for the citizens?

In the reasons for why Federal Way shouldn't elect a mayor, Barbara Reid and those who oppose the strong mayor initiative continue to repeat their mantra chant that electing a strong mayor will add $250,000 to the city's expenses and that no one is qualifies to run the city. Will it really?

I think the mayor will off set the costs by saving at least $250,000 a year in stopping many of the very partisan pet projects being pushed through the city council agenda already. If the mayor introduces legislation to lower city sales taxes s/he will generate at least their own salary in new tax monies being generated by an invigorated business community, more shoppers trying to save money and increased sales generated by the increase in shoppers.

Lastly, believe it or not - You are right there is no one experienced enough to run a city - but guess what no one presently on the city council is "qualified" to run a city either... but collectively they have been doing so for over 12 years now haven't they?

By the way, a suggestion I made to the city council two years ago was to have each of them buy a computer and learn to play computer simulations to learn how to lead a city. Ask any one of them if they have done that? Probably not, seeing some of the decisions they continue to make.

I will tell you this, computer simulators are very helpful in real life. The military has been using them to teach combat and battlefield tactics and strategy for decades now. Have you ever played a computer simulation? I thoroughly enjoy the many variations of "Sim City" on my home computer... I have been the virtual mayor of countless towns in the last 10 years.... I have literally spent years running a number of virtual cities. I have learned what works to build up a city, bankrupt a city, balance budgets, increase education spending, encourage business growth and I have learned the secrets to solving huge budgetary problems through freezing spending.

Virtual or real, these types of simulations help give priceless experiences to the users. I know they have helped me to see a bigger picture and have helped greatly in the pursuits of my own career in several management positions running large budgets, negotiating with contractors and being a very good manager.

Frosty Hardison

Federal Way