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SURPRISE VISIT | Seahawks Richard Sherman surprises Thomas Jefferson students [3]
VOL. 17, NO. 21
MIRROR
F E D E R A L WAY
DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
OPINION | Hyun: What would it take to move to Federal Way? [6] Roegner: Election oddities abound in local races [6] POLICE | Unknown suspect shoots man in leg during walk [13] COMMUNITY | Volunteers treat seniors to afternoon of pampering before prom [14]
Sports | Decatur High School FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 | 75¢ baseball heading to state [4]
KOMEN | Federal Way ‘princess’ turns breast cancer setback into a comeback [20]
Fire officials, commissioners regroup after failed bond BY RAECHEL DAWSON
rdawson@fedwaymirror.com
T
wo-and-a-half percentage points. Whether it was a special election, lack of voter turnout, a “con” committee statement, another
Proposition 1 or that voters simply can’t afford the $53.7 million bond, the cause of the failed South King Fire and Rescue measure is unknown at this time. But its failure to reach a 60 percent supermajority
doesn’t mean that money is not still needed, fire commissioners said on Tuesday. In a special meeting held at Fire Station 68, every commissioner but Mark Freitas attended the 9 a.m. regroup as he was out of
town. “There’s no doubt that what was in that $53 million is what we thought we would need for the next 20 years,” said chair Bill Gates. “We didn’t come up with a solid list of $30 or $40 mil-
lion and then say, ‘OK, let’s add another $10 million’ and see if the voters will vote for it. It was all things we absolutely needed.” The proposed 20-year general obligation bond would have cost taxpayers
who own a house costing $250,000, $6.50 a month or $78 a year. And it would have replaced technical equipment, facilities and vehicles, as well as fund construction [ more FIRE, page 12 ]
Federal Way mentor helps teen succeed was wrong and I just finally had to do what was right, for not only myself, but for It took some guts for my older brother, my super Chally Thap to say it. strict but loving parents and But when he stood before for my older cousin, whose a packed room at Weylast words for me were to go erhaeuser’s headquarters back to school — or else he in Federal Way on Friday would check on me,” Thap during the annual Commu- smiled. “And ever since nities In Schools breakfast, then until when I stepped his nerves soon faded as he through the doors of smiled. Federal Way High “My name is School, I just knew Chally Thap and I it was home.” am a 16-year-old His freshman from Des Moines year has not been who has been out easy. of school for four He’s struggled years,” he said. with his grades and “Ever since I got Chally Thap communication, expelled from which caused his Sacajawea Middle grades to suffer. School, I never returned “But these of the many back to school, until now. complicated struggles are And it took some guts to what made me who I am say this because I’ve been today, to cope with, remain scared for so long.” resilient … and to perseThroughout the four vere and fight to the end,” years he was not attending he said, noting he finally school, he learned from turned his “Fs” into “As” his “dumb mistakes” and and now has 10 high school discovered that knowledge credits. and education are the key Wanting to further himto success. self, he also enrolled into a “I finally recognized and [ more POEM, page 7 ] realized what I was doing [ more MENTOR, page 3 ] BY CARRIE RODRIGUEZ
editor@fedwaymirror.com
1,000 Break Chains of Human Trafficking Over 1,000 participants strolled and sprinted through Federal Way for the third annual Break the Chains of Human Trafficking 5k fundraiser on Saturday. Event organizers said it was the biggest turnout the event has generated so far. Proceeds from the event benefit the Federal Way Coalition Against Trafficking. Mayor Jim Ferrell and others kicked off the event on Saturday with testimonials in support of the efforts. More photos, page 23. PHOTOS BY CARRIE RODRIGUEZ, the Mirror
Local candidates file for 12 open seats BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@fedwaymirror.com
Eight candidates are running for open seats on the Federal Way City Council
with three incumbents — one unopposed — making only one position eligible for the primary, according to King County Elections. The candidate filing deadline ended at 4:30 p.m. on Friday after opening up that previous Monday. Four candidates have filed for three Federal Way
Public Schools board of education director positions; five have filed for two South King Fire and Rescue board of fire commissioners positions and the Lakehaven Utility District has four candidates for its commission with the majority vying for Position 3. The race projected to
be the most expensive this campaign season, Representative Position 2 of Legislative District No. 30, remains unchanged since Federal Way City Councilman Martin Moore announced his drop out. These are Federal Way’s political candidates for 2015:
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT NO. 30; REPRESENTATIVE POSITION 2
• Republican Teri Hickel • Incumbent Democrat Carol Gregory Incumbent Rep. Carol Gregory was appointed to the Legislature by Gov. Jay Inslee in January after late Rep. Roger Freeman passed
away six days prior to winning the November 2014 general election. Gregory currently serves on the Federal Way Public Schools Board of Education and was president of the board for one year after she was elected in 2013. Teri Hickel is the founder of the Federal Way-based Advancing Leadership organization [ more CANDIDATE, page 11 ]