My Most Important Endorsement: You

After I had the nerve to defend myself on this blog and elsewhere after the Mirror's  columnists (unofficial and official) dragged me through the mud in their writings after I qualified for the General Election, of course my relationship with Federal Way's biggest media publication wasn't going to be great throughout this campaign, and naturally they slighted me in their editorial endorsement, today.  What did you expect?  They were at least a little complimentary of me in their Primary endorsements back in July, though I wasn't endorsed, before qualifying for the second round of votes for Council.  But now, I'm just too close to actually gaining the seat for their tastes.  To the contrary of their implication that I don't know much about how the Council works, I actually have more experience in politics (first becoming actively involved in politics in 1976) than Lydia Assefa-Dawson, the appointed Council member, and I know quite a lot about government.  This was my answer to one organization several months ago when they asked me what the Council position entails. 

Duties of Council

     The Federal Way City Council manages the governmental affairs of the city, including the budget to run city departments, and the departments themselves, such as those involving police, public safety in general, public health, public works, parks and recreation, etc.  The Council approves staff to run these departments, makes policy directives through ordinances, and generally oversees how departments are run, and that they are effectively providing the services to the general public that they are mandated by ordinance, or instructed by governing authorities, to provide. The Council generally has the authority, in conjunction with the mayor’s office, to suggest staff changes, and to generally approve or deny the mayor’s appointments. The Council, through committee assignments, engages in policy formulation, budget structuring, changing personnel, and the general day-to-day running of governmental affairs of whatever their committee assignments entail, including making sure that the city is in accord with all federal, state, and local laws.
 
     The Council also sets the city property tax rate which allocates funds to the city to run the government. All of these Council duties are important, but among the most important are vetting and choosing the staff that they are considering to approve or appoint as department heads, since micro-management is not practical or advisable, these managers and how they manage are the core of how successful city government will ultimately be. Additionally, budget and tax policies, and how they are managed are central to setting the direction and organization of the city’s priorities, and thereby a general guidance of what to expect from the government.
 
Don't let them tell you that I don't know government and politics well, because if the truth be told, I may know more than them.  I have a legal assistant degree, I have read countless articles and books about government, and have experience being involved in the political realm since Gerald Ford's time, and really before that in a less official way.  I'm ready to take office with your endorsement and vote.  Thank you!
 
-- Mark Greene, Candidate for Federal Way City Council, Position 1

[Revised on 10/11/15.]

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