I asked the three candidates for Mill Creek City Council Position #2 these 4 questions.:

1. 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 believe strongly need to be maintained. Are there any aspects you do not like and feel need to be addressed.
2. Why are you running for election to the Mill Creek City Council?
3. What will you bring to the Mill Creek City Council that your opponents do not/will not?
4. 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)

The following – in alphabetical order by last name – are the responses I received:

Douglas Carlson —

I have lived in the area since 2008 and am interested in lending my time and talents to the community as a way to give back to the community that I love. The city of Mill Creek shares a name with the town Abraham Lincoln’s parents and siblings lived and has borrowed the same type of small town feel.  It provides residences for engineers, lawyers, doctors, and politicians who appreciate our location and conveniences. I would like to provide services and ammenities that will preserve that kind of environment for the future.  One issue needing to be addressed is storm water and improper drainage in the community.  It is my opinion that swampy conditions can have adverse health effects on the residents of Mill Creek.  My experience in government service uniquely qualifies me to serve as a city council member. I have devoted my life to community health and government service and I can objectively consider every matter brought before me while considering the viewpoints and voices of all of my fellow residents of Mill Creek.  My priorities over the next 5 years include providing essential services and recreation, ensuring community health and promoting education and trimming non-essential services.  I would seek additional revenue such as the new utilities tax on entities within city limits. I feel as though structures in Mill Creek that do not incorporate things like solar paneling for power generation into their construction ought to be responsible for providing the funds we need to operate while our town becomes more and more self reliant. Some of the new state revenue generating initiatives such as I-502 are designed to fund future efforts in emergency medical and law enforcement programs.

Donna Michelson —

1. 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 believe strongly need to be maintained.  Are there any aspects you do not like and feel need to be addressed.

My husband and I have lived in Mill Creek 34 years where we have raised our family.

1.  We feel safe, secure, serene and comfortable whenever we are in Mill Creek.  This is certainly due in part to our responsive and available Police Department and the Fire Department close for any emergency.  These public safety services of course must never be compromised and always maintained.
2.  We must maintain our “community within a city” feeling. We are a city but we still have the small town feel.  I do not want to lose that community feel and believe it is in part due to the walkability and natural beauty of our city and the Town Center.  I believe the Town Center brings the community together with opportunities to gather and enjoy the shopping, dining and the ever growing and well attended community events.  We need to keep encouraging everyone to support our businesses and restaurants in our entire city (not just in Town Center) to help them thrive.  Making it easy to do business in our city needs to continue with our capable experienced staff being the contact point to assist with questions/issues.
3.  We must maintain and preserve our aging infrastructure.  Our city is 30 years old now and we are no longer a young city enjoying “new things”.  We do not want financial surprises when it comes to pavement.  We need to preserve our pavement to extend its life.  This needs to be done on an ongoing basis before it becomes in need of expensive repairs.

2. Why are you running for re-election to the Mill Creek City Council?

I have enjoyed representing the citizens of Mill Creek and it truly has been an honor.  I believe I am approachable and always willing to listen to concerns and issues as I am out in the community on a daily basis.  I was part of formulating our city’s first Strategic Plan, our “road map” to help guide the future of Mill Creek and would like to be part of the team as we move forward in its implementation.

3.  What will you bring to the Mill Creek City Council that your opponents do not/will not?

After living in Mill Creek for 34 years (4 years before it was even a city) and being on the council for 14 years, serving 2 years as Mayor and 4 years as Mayor Pro Tem, I have garnered a lot of experience and history.  I have seen a lot of changes and growth.  I think Mill Creek is fabulous and very well respected.  There are a few things that I think could have been done differently and history, experience and my continuity on the council will help us work thru future issues and challenges.

4. What do you see as the top three priorities for the Mill Creek City Council in the next 5 years?

1. East Gateway Urban Village:  We need to keep working to do the best we can on this last undeveloped parcel of land in Mill Creek.   Because I was on the council as Town Center developed I have history to help guide this developing area.  We of course need to attract businesses and restaurants as this can really pay off in the economic development arena. Our staff can help by making it easy to do business in Mill Creek.
2. Maintaining service levels while controlling costs for all of our city services.  This is an ongoing challenge but one we continually address.  This means of course always maintaining our Public Safety as a number one priority.
3.  Preservation of our infrastructure.  Again, as I mentioned above, we must continue to preserve our roads and sidewalks, which we are doing on an ongoing basis.  This cannot be put off for the future.  (I compare pavement preservation to that of taking care of your teeth; get a filling as your need it before you need an expensive root canal and gold crown.)  This must continue to be a priority.

Jason Wingert —

1. How long have you lived in Mill Creek?

For over ten years, I have been a resident owner of a successful insurance and financial services agency 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?] Mill Creek offers safe neighborhoods, clean parks, a walkable community, convenient shopping, local dining and a great sense of community.

2. Why are you running for election to the Mill Creek City Council? ?

I have always had a passion to serve and I will bring my business experience to help solve the challenges we face.

3. What will you bring to the Mill Creek City Council that your opponents do not/will not?

As a citizen and local business leader, I have been listening to the concerns of Mill Creek residents for over ten years.  I understand how to solve problems, implement new initiatives, and operate within a budget.

4. 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)

My priorities are a strong police and fire presence to keep our neighborhoods safe, a business friendly environment to help our local economy grow, real fiscal responsibility, which means providing essential city services with low taxes and a great cost effective parks and recreational program.

Stay tuned.  Responses from the candidates running for Position #1 will be posted soon.