Federal Way Mirror, February 17, 2012

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Voters split school levies

MORE INSIDE

FW High School renovations must wait SPORTS | State tournament action for Federal Way girls basketball, wrestling and gymnastics teams [12]

By ANDY HOBBS editor@federalwaymirror.com

ELECTION

TRAGEDY | Decatur swim coach dies in plane crash [3] OPINION | Roegner: Closer look at the deputy mayor’s authority. Guest column: ‘Shovel ready’ plan lays ground for light rail [4] SANTORUM | Occupy FW protesters attend rally [5] 109 YEARS OLD | Meet the world’s oldest traveling preacher: ‘Get on God’s side,’ says Otis Clark [9]

MORE ONLINE CALENDAR | The Mirror has unveiled a new online calendar for readers to post local events. The system does not require a username or password. Just submit the information online at www.federalwaymirror.com/ calendar by clicking on “Add an Event.” Due to the change in delivery, your Mirror will arrive between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Fridays. If you do not have your paper by 6 p.m., please call (253) 872-6610 or email us at circulation@federalwaymirror.com.

SPECIAL

Federal Way residents Sandy and Rachel Smith-Mosel and their daughter Laura SmithDoolittle gather with State Sen. Tracey Eide (D-District 30) in the Senate chambers just after Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill Feb. 13 to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington. Check out a short video from the scene in Olympia online at federalwaymirror.com. The video captures the governor’s signing, religious hecklers, a lawmaker’s emotional reaction and gay couples rejoicing in love. Photos by ANDY HOBBS, The Mirror

State legalizes gay marriage By ANDY HOBBS editor@federalwaymirror.com

Washington has become the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed Senate Bill 6239 into law Feb. 13 at the Legislative Building in Olympia. Hundreds of supporters packed the State Reception Room, along with a lone heckler, cheering the governor as well as state lawmakers who backed the bill. Hundreds more waited in the building’s rotunda. “We stood for equality and we did it together: Republicans and Democrats, gay and straight, young and old, and a number [ more MARRIAGE, page 8 ]

A longtime lesbian couple await the governor’s signature Monday in Olympia. Check out an original video of the day’s action at federalwaymirror.com.

Early results for the Feb. 14 special election show a split in the Federal Way Public Schools levy proposals. As of Tuesday night, the Educational Programs and Operations (EPO) levy, also known as Prop. 1, was passing with 56.2 percent of the vote (7,409 votes). However, the capital projects levy, also known as Prop. 2, was failing with 55.08 percent (7,258) of voters saying no. Both proposals need only a simple majority (50 percent plus one) to pass. Federal Way Superintendent Rob Neu said the early results are bittersweet. “I’m very pleased that our programs and operations will be able to continue as they are currently provided,” Neu told The Mirror. He is optimistic about January’s state Supreme Court ruling for education funding: “We still have an eye out for legislation, but we’re hoping the McCleary decision will protect education funding.” As for the capital projects levy, Neu said he will present the Federal Way School Board with options for bringing the measure back to voters in 2012. The levy is aimed primarily at rebuilding the aging Federal Way High School. Remodeling the school is the district’s top priority as far as construction projects. The district has already saved $50 million for the project, which has a total estimated cost of $110 million. “I’m disappointed that Federal Way (High School) students and staff can’t begin moving forward with the design of a facility they sorely need,” Neu said. “I was cautiously optimistic and hopeful it would pass, but these are tough economic times. Anytime you put these kinds of measures before the people, there are a lot of factors that weigh into people’s decision.” [ more SCHOOLS, page 8 ]

Mortgage settlement means relief for homeowners Federal Way home prices decline, foreclosure rates up By Greg Allmain gallmain@federalwaymirror.com

Washington homeowners, especially those who had their homes foreclosed, or who are currently “underwater” on their mortgages, will see some relief after one of the largest consumer protection deals

in U.S. history was reached Feb. 9. Washington itself will see approximately $483 million in funds to help homeowners in the state. Washington State Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna said this deal will right some of the wrongs that have occurred since the hous-

ing bubble burst in 2008. “Our settlement holds America’s largest banks accountable for harms homeowners suffered from shoddy loan servicing, illegal robo-signing and faulty foreclosure processing,” McKenna said. “The settlement results from bipartisan cooperation among Democratic and Republican attorneys general partnering with two federal agencies. From the

beginning, we have worked to help homeowners harmed by the banks’ corner-cutting and to implement strict new loan servicing and foreclosure standards to prevent future harm.” According to McKenna’s office, at the state level, the AG has worked closely with Gov. Chris Gregoire’s cabinet agency, the Department of [ more HOMES, page 19 ]

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