06-07-2022 - Sabrina EttingerFrom:
Stephanie Courtney
To:
"Sabrina Ettinger"
Cc:
Jennifer Marshall
Subject:
RE: Public comment letter to be read into the record for City Council Meeting on June 7, 2022
Date:
Monday, June 6, 2022 3:38:38 PM
Good Afternoon Sabrina,
Thank you for your letter. A few months back the City Council changed policy and letters are no
longer read aloud at the meetings. The new policy is to have emails forwarded to the Mayor and
Council prior to the meeting (if they were not emailed directly) and also uploaded to the city
website as part of the packet materials. I will forward your email to the Mayor and Council as they
were not cc'd on the email I received.
If you would prefer to attend the meeting virtually and provide your comments at the meeting
please visit this link to sign up, or you can also attend and provide your comments in -person. If you
sign up for virtual comment, you will be emailed the Zoom login and code to access the meeting and
will be added to the list of people signed up to speak.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Stephanie
From: Sabrina Ettinger
Sent: Monday, June 6, 2022 3:31 PM
To: Stephanie Courtney <Stephanie.Courtney@cityoffederalway.com>; Jennifer Marshall
<Jennifer.Marshall @cityoffederalway.com>
Subject: Public comment letter to be read into the record for City Council Meeting on June 7, 2022
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Good afternoon - Please read the following letting into the record at public comment during the City
Council meeting on June 7, 2022. Please confirm your receipt and that this will be included in
tomorrow's public comment.
Thank you.
Sabrina Ettinger
Good afternoon, Mayor Ferrell, Council President Kochmar and City Council members. My name is
Sabrina Ettinger, a 50 plus year resident of Federal Way and a recently appointed Parks
Commissioner.
Thank you for your time and listening to an idea that was presented on June 2, 2022 in the Parks
Commission meeting. At my invitation, Rabbi Wolff presented during public comment regarding
adding a menorah in one of our parks for the holiday season. He says that this display will be added
to a "long list of large and small cities from all over the world that are positioning menorahs in public
places." He also pointed out that in a Supreme Court decision of Chabad v. ACLU and City of
Pittsburgh v. ACLU of Greater Pittsburgh which determined that a menorah is considered a non -
secular symbol of unity, freedom and the holiday season. Following the Rabbi's speech, we were
informed by Parks Director Hutton that the Parks commission was not the appropriate venue to
present this idea. He recommended that the Parks commission should use public comment at the
next City Council Meeting to request consideration and implementation of this idea
A lot of things happen in June. It is pride month and Juneteenth is recognized by our great City. In
the Mayor's continued efforts to create a more inclusive community and celebrate diversity of our
community there was a flag put up for pride month. I like that the pride flag is being flown, as it well
deserves. I think that it is a beautiful thing that there is a Christmas tree in the park with a tree
lighting ceremony. I have learned that there are plans for a Korean garden. An installation of the
requested holiday menorah will not detract or take away anything from any of these events. I am
pleading the case to include everyone. Maybe this holiday season we will finally have a menorah
standing side by side with our other holiday symbols for freedom and peace on earth. I am hopeful
that there is plenty of time this year to have this addition to our holiday season celebrations. It
would be wonderful if Federal Way could join many cities and places, including 1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue in Washington D.C. and around the World that are able to enjoy a menorah along with any
other symbols of peace on earth during the holiday season.
Thank you.
Sabrina Ettinger
Long time Twin Lakes resident and newly appointed Parks Commissioner