To the Editor:

What are the top five things you as a taxpayer, business owner or citizen want to see from your local city government? Do they include: Leadership? Trust? Greater accountability? Representative government? Lower taxes? City growth? Lower crime? Better parks? Safer roads? The best education in our schools? Public safety?

Thomas Payne Wrote: "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one."

Did you know that originally the U.S. Constitution allowed for the U.S. House of Representatives to elect the Senators from each state to the U.S. Senate? Sound familiar?

That's how our Mayor is elected - by and from among the City Council. Did you know that in the late 1800's after faced with decades of scandals involving U.S. Senators, there was actually a motion made in April 1911 to abolish the Senate all together?

People demanded more accountability and wanted a more representative government. The people wanted more influence and greater voice in their national government.

Finally in 1913, the 17th Amendment was passed and the people gained the right to vote for their own representatives to the U.S. Senate. This month you have the right to choose to elect your own mayor in the same spirit.

There is no question that having governmental representation elected directly of the people by the people and for the people makes sense over all.

We're talking about the basic fundamentals of a representative government here - right? We're talking about having more choice in our own destiny as a people, as a community and as neighbors - right?

We're talking about having leadership answerable directly to the people - right?

We're talking about open public meetings concerning the governance of our city's future - right?

We're demanding the voices of the citizens to be heard - right?

We're talking about the citizen's right to have THEIR views and opinions heard, understood and represented - right?

Yes! That is what we are talking about. We have got to focus on what is to be gained by the people when WE elect our own mayor.

At the same time we need to be constantly vigilant to the scourge that can corrupt government - Lobbyists, special interest groups and highly financed unions bent on raising money to gain the loudest voice representing the least number of voting citizens.

Case in point, I direct your attention to the piece I saw by Jacinda Howard in the Mirror dated Jan 25 that comes as no real surprise... The collective known as the association of city managers (ICMA) has donated $8,000 to fight against the people's right to elect their own mayor. Is it really because the ICMA thinks a mayor will do less of a job? Or is it closer to the truth that the $8,000 is to keep Neal Beets seated as a city manager?

Come on, wake up! The ICMA in actuality represents one guy - Neal Beets - I'm being sarcastic when I say - it's all because Mr. Beets is such a stand up guy that the ICMA sent $8,000 to Federal Way Works to fight against the elected mayor - right? It would never be over such a minor thing as Mr. Beets paying membership dues in excess of $8,000 to the ICMA now would it? What do you think?

My greatest hope is to empower you the people to make your own decision. Do you want a mayor that represents you? Or do you want to continue with the status quo and have the city council electing a mayor for themselves?

Maybe it's just me, but I imagine I am like many of the citizens of Federal Way, and I don't go home from a hard days work to roll around in an over abundance of money. Personally I try to set the right example and keep our family priorities straight. With 7 kids, I'm blessed to be able to give $8,000 to my church for tithes and help support other ministries like World Vision, John Hagee, Jessie DuPlantis and Jack Van Impe. To be able to pull $8,000 out of my bank account to support my favorite candidate or political action committee? Good luck. Can you do that?

ICMA doesn't care if we get our voices heard. They care if Neal Beets keeps his job.

We need change. For better or worse - this is our chance for change. If we don't like it - who's to say we can't go back? At least give us a fighting chance at electing our own mayor to try something different.

Frosty E. Hardison

Federal Way