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Mark Knapp
Federal Way resident Mark Knapp: knapp.m@comcast.net.
5 reasons why FW school levy is a smart move The Federal Way Public Schools capital levy that is on the ballot Nov. 6 is one of the smartest financial proposals for rebuilding a public school that I’ve ever come across. Here are five reasons that approving this levy is a smart financial move for this community: 1. By combining savings from the last bond measure, state matching funds and
Behind the scenes in District 30 The race for position two in the state House matches incumbent Republican Katrina Asay against Democratic Federal Way City Councilman Roger Freeman. The two candidates have differences on issues and also some similarities, but their style is noticeably different. Asay is finishing her first term in the Legislature after serving as mayor of Milton for six years. As a member of the minority party, she has sought to work across the aisle with Democrats to support legislation on education, transportation and property crimes. Her Municipal League rating of “Outstanding” was the highest of any of the 30th District legislative candidates. She is friendly, knowledgeable and comfortable with legislative topics in smaller groups, and less so in formal debate settings, as her style is low key and more conversational. Asay showed some unusual independence for a freshman last session by standing up to some party and city leaders on part of the Sound Transit light rail debate. Asay supports the Republican platform. She is pro-life, opposed to same-sex marriage, and feels marijuana should be a low emphasis crime. She is opposed to tax increases, but did not sign the Norquist No Tax Pledge. She supports the two-thirds legislative requirement for any tax increase. She believes education is our top priority, although she has questions about grading and is also supportive of charter schools. Asay would like to have half of any new revenue pledged to education. She supports gun rights, but would like to look at tighter laws on incarceration.
Roger Freeman has been on the city council for two years and is an attorney. For his council accomplishments, Freeman cites the reactivation of the MLK celebration, adding crosswalks on 320th Street to improve safety, and opposing a higher speed limit near Wild Waves Theme Park. Freeman was recruited to the race late by House Speaker Frank Chopp after the local Democrats had already endorsed Rick Hoffman for the primary. Freeman supports full funding for education and would like to hire more teachers. He is opposed to charter schools as it takes money away from public schools. Freeman supports legalization of marijuana and would like to see any money generated to go toward funding schools. He is opposed to the two-thirds legislative requirement for tax increases, as it hinders the Legislature’s ability to solve the problems facing the state. Freeman’s style and legal training come out in debates where he is comfortable, articulate and usually quick on his feet. At a recent debate, Freeman said as a candidate for the Legislature he was in favor of gay marriage because it is unconstitutional for the government to regulate marriage. He also said he supports a woman’s right to choose. He acknowledged that those positions were different than his positions earlier in the campaign. He said his earlier comments were a reflection of his personal beliefs, not his policy positions. Behind the scenes, there appeared to be an uneasy alliance with some Democrats due to Freeman’s late entrance into the race. [ more ROEGNER, page 7 ] Bob Roegner
BOARD
INSIDE POLITICS
EDITORIAL
The Mirror’s editorial board: Rudi Alcott, publisher; Andy Hobbs, editor; Joann Piquette, retired and community advocate; Matthew Jarvis, business owner; Nandell Palmer, author; Bob Dockstader, retired attorney; Amye Bronson-Doherty, former school board member. Contact the board: editorialboard@ federalwaymirror.com
Most of us don’t expect to become victims of gunfire, but recent history has demonstrated that public places in America can become battle zones when we least expect it. Emergency preparedness requires good first aid supplies and planning for a number of contingencies that we hope will never materialize. The tragic slaughter of moviegoers in Colorado also demonstrated that EMTs and other first responders are often poorly equipped to go into a crime scene and administer first aid — especially where an active shooter may be mixing in with a crowd of panic stricken victims. It has been said that there are three categories of people There is a definite call for EMTs, in such situations: wolves, firefighters sheep and sheep dogs. If you want to be the sheep and other first kind of person, you look for responders to be other sheep behind which to tactically trained hide when the wolves come. with firearms. A sheep dog, on the other hand, has to always be thinking about how to protect the sheep. That means knowing how to administer first aid during an emergency. You may even have to perform first aid on yourself if things get really bad. Recent history in Iraq and Afghanistan has shown that more members of the armed forces have survived gunshot wounds than in previous wars because of new bandages that stop bleeding as soon as they are applied. We have discussed Counter Narcotics Terrorist Operations and Medical Support (CONTOMS) in a previous column. There is a definite call for EMTs, firefighters and other first responders to be tactically trained with firearms. I learned recently that the National Park Service is training some of its personnel in CONTOMS. Many of our neighbors in Federal Way that have completed Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training also have some medical training — and carry a gun as part of their daily routine. That is one of the reasons that the Armed Defense Training Association (ADTA) exists: to bring armed citizens together in Federal Way and acquire better sheep dog skills. Here’s hoping the police, the firefighters and the EMTs will always show up on time to handle the really big emergencies. The worst case scenarios are the ones where the first responders are so busy responding that you have to depend on your own resources to preserve and protect your family.
Firearms Lawyer
f e d e r a l way
OPINION
[6] October 26, 2012
● L E T T E r S - Y o u r opinion C o u nts :
To submit an item or photo for publication: email editor@federalwaymirror.com. Letters may be edited for style, clarity and length. local taxpayer dollars, the district will be able to complete $110 million worth of work while collecting just $60 million from local taxpayers. 2. The district will collect $10 million less in taxes in 2013 than was predicted last February, for a couple of reasons. First, the state Legislature backed away from its plan last year to cut levy assistance funds for school districts, meaning
that the district doesn’t have to fill that $8 million hole through the local levy. In addition, the board has authorized a refinance of older construction bonds. This means that the district’s total collections will not increase in 2013, even with the approval of this levy. 3. Construction costs are still low, but as the housing market recovers, they will increase again. Indus-
try experts estimate that construction costs could go up 20-30 percent in the next 5 to 6 years. Now is the time to get moving on this project. 4. This levy will collect $10 million a year starting in 2013, for six years. The estimated tax rate is 92 cents for each $1,000 your home or business is valued by the assessor. According to the assessor’s office, the average home in Federal
Way is valued at $240,000. This homeowner would pay $219 a year, or 60 cents a day, toward this levy. 5. Your neighborhood and community will benefit from the improvements to its schools in a multitude of ways. Whether you hope to sell your home in a few years, or plan to live out your days in Federal Way, approval of this levy is a great investment. Vote yes on the FWPS capital levy Nov. 6.
Lori DeVore, Federal Way [ more LETTERS, page 7 ]