Every city has room for improvement — even Mill Creek. The six candidates vying for the three seats on the Mill Creek City Council appear passionate about improving the quality of life for residents and making Mill Creek a business-friendly city.
Voters should consider re-electing Donna Michelson to position 2 and selecting John Spaid and Mary Kay Voss for positions 3 and 4, respectively.
Michelson, who has been serving on the council since 1999, has a solid grasp of the issues facing Mill Creek. She supports the Town Center project as a means of enhancing residents’ lifestyle and serving as a stable sales tax base for the city. Michelson appears accessible and open-minded about issues, including modifying the city’s stringent sign ordinance, which has hurt some businesses.
Her opponent, Mike Winch, also supports the Town Center — as it was originally envisioned. He also believes in developing regional partnerships to address urban growth boundary issues.
In position 3, Spaid’s background as a banker and a former city council member serve as very good reasons to send him back to the council. Spaid is well-qualified to focus on budgeting issues and the completion of the Town Center project, which he helped create back in 1995. Spaid understands that development and mitigation fees have carried the city’s budget for years and now it’s time to look at other revenue sources.
His opponent, John Hudgins, is passionate about the city’s parks and recreation areas and working with youth. He, too, supports a Town Center to enhance quality of life and serve as a gathering place.
Position 4 candidate Mary Kay Voss is focusing on the business direction the city is taking. Despite her concerns about the Town Center project, her experience as a citizen activist and financial planner should serve the city well. Voss also has good ideas for improving communication between city government and residents, including establishing town meetings.
Her opponent is Chuck Wright, a former state Corrections Department supervisor. Wright, a highly respected citizen activist, has served on many boards in the city and county. He emphasizes making the budget and public safety priorities.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
