Previously you had a chance to read what the candidates for Position # 2 had to say in answer to 4 questions posed to them. Today I’m posting the responses from candidates for Position #1. Do tell.
(Please note: the questions were emailed to all the candidates on the same date & time – July 15th. I requested that they please respond by July 22nd because voters were receiving their ballots. Though I sent a follow-up email, I have not received a response from Sean Kelly. When I do, I will post.)
Again, the questions:
- How long have you lived in Mill Creek and what are the 3 most important aspects of life here, ones that you like the most and feel need to be maintained. Are there any aspects you do not like and feel need to be addressed.
- Why are you running for election to the Mill Creek City Council?
- What will you bring to the Mill Creek City Council that your opponents do not/will not?
- What do you see as the top three priorities for the Mill Creek City Council in the next 5 years? (some examples, but don’t feel limited to these: Public safety – Fire & Police, crime, managed growth in both residential and business areas, parks & recreation, roads/sidewalks
Herbie Martin:
1. How long have you lived in Mill Creek, WA?
To my understanding it’s about 8 years since my property has become part of Mill Creek taxable income property.
What are the three most important aspects of life here, ones that you like the most and feel need to be maintained?
1. Excellent city to raise a family and live.
2. Excellent city to walk and accessible to all the freeways
3. Excellent city to be connected to Seattle and other forms of public transportation
Are there any aspects you do not like and feel need to be addressed.
Needing to improve the sales revenue for Mill Creek.
2. Why are you running for election to the Mill Creek City Council?
I have served our country in the United States Army for 20 years of faithful service.
I am serving Washingtonians for 12 years, those most in need.
I would like to serve where I live and play. I have served mostly in Seattle, WA, but want to be closer to home.
3. What will you bring to the Mill Creek City Council that your opponents do not/ will not?
I bring to the city council’s table a reflections of diversity none of my opponents bring to the city council.
I bring my professional and personal experiences to the city council respect and valuing diversity.
I bring my God’s given talent of engaging people from all walks of life and making the connections.
4. What do you see as the top three priorities for the Mill Creek City Council in the next 5 years?
1. Fiscally responsible economic development is vital for our City’s future.
2. The community support of future annexations, that are currently on the table for considerations.
3. Mill Creek city needs to bring in some kind of business or a major attraction to bring people from the surrounding area to stop and spend money in our city.
Lynn Sordel:
1. I have lived in Mill Creek for nearly seven years with my wife Linda, daughters Carrie and Kristin. We moved here from Orlando, Fl when I was hired in my current position of Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts for the City of Lynnwood.
The three most important aspects of life here are the reasons we selected Mill Creek to be our home. First, we love the character of the community. The environment is amazingly beautiful and the fact we can walk trails or ride bikes safely is wonderful. We love the community based events the city sponsors as they connect us to each other. Finally, we love the Town Center as just about everything we need is there.
Mill Creek’s quality of life is unparalleled. We believe our community has a great deal of pride and our citizens feel safe. There is a sense of being here and we have a vibrant economic base. I feel very fortunate to live in a community where our citizens are engaged and participate in the many activities and events offered by the city.
Finally, I also feel strongly about the city’s strong leadership. We have highly trained and dedicated staff. Our fiscal matters are stronger than most city’s and we are seen as a model by others. I know this to be true because of my work and connections.
I do think our traffic can be challenging and we will need to work with the county to explore ways to improve this matter. Our bus service has been hit hard by the recession too.
2. I am running because I want to preserve and enhance our quality of life. I want to devote my time and energy to help Mill Creek thrive. I have been fortunate to spend over 30 years working in the public sector and I know how to create sound public policies. That is critical today. Finally, I love this city and will focus on the issues that matter. Those decisions will represent what is best for Mill Creek. I have no other political ambitions and will not use this position to enhance a political career or opportunity.
3. I bring 30 years of public service to my candiacy. My knowledge of municipal government is my strength. I understand the complexities of government and know how to get things done. My career has placed me in key leadership situations, and I have a reputation of being able to get things done. I am approachable and listen. I am not impulsive and think things through.
I have also volunteered with the city and served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. This was an appointed position by council.
Finally, my experience, knowledge and energy have provided me with a positive outlook. I love working with people and love partnerships and collaboration. I also know how to look for efficiencies and have been challenged to make tough decisions.
4. The priorities for the next 5 years begin and end with a prudent and responsible fiscal policy. The city must continue to look for ways to be even more efficient because an efficient government is of the utmost importance to our citizens. A focus on the optimization of budgets, innovation in service delivery is critical. I am also a strong advocate of using new technology where appropriate. The city will need to evaluate its resources and priorities. Costs will continue to go up, so there will need to be a continued effort to look for efficiencies.
Our public safety matters are also important. They are essential services and they should also be part of self-analysis to look for efficiencies. Our EMT and fire services are also important components of our quality of life. We are fortunate to have highly trained police and fire employees.
Our business community needs to know the city cares about their welfare. We need to continue our efforts to promote them and ensure our codes and regulations are conducive to a vibrant business environment. Again, we should continue to self-evaluate our codes and regulations to allow the business community to succeed.
Our open spaces and recreational activities are vital to our quality of life. We enjoy civic events that connect us and I will continue to support them. These events also bring people into the city and helps our local economy. I am a strong advocate of tough laws that protect our trees and open spaces.
Finally, I also believe the city’s infrastructure will require attention. Our roads and sidewalks require care and maintenance. We will continue to require a solid capital plan to maintain these key elements that connect our community.
In closing, I am excited about this opportunity. Since my appointment to the City Council last November, I have made an impact and, because of my experience and knowledge, my “learning curve” has been short. Our citizens deserve people who care about their community. I honestly believe my experience, knowledge and leadership skills give me an advantage. We will face many new challenges ahead and I am the best prepared candidate for Position 1 to represent our citizens.
Thank you to all the candidates who took the time to respond. We do live in an exceptional city. Please learn all you can about the candidates & what they offer to bring to the governance of Mill Creek, and make an informed decision.