Mill Creek boasts strong city council field

Mill Creek voters really can’t go wrong this fall when they elect City Council members. Each of the four candidates running in contested races offers impressive skills, clear thinking and thorough knowledge of the issues facing the city.

In a pair of close calls, we endorse longtime community volunteer Chuck Wright for Position 5 and incumbent Mike Todd for Position 6. In Position 7, incumbent Mark Bond is running unopposed.

Wright, a retired supervisor with the state Department of Corrections, has shown a tireless commitment to community service for years, serving on a variety of important advisory boards and supporting civic programs behind the scenes. He was a member of the city Planning Commission when plans for the successful Mill Creek Town Center first took shape.

Wright is passionate about issues, and would work hard to keep a new senior center on the council’s agenda, as well as using the Internet to promote greater openness in city government. He also proposes expanding the city’s partnerships with the Sno-Isle Library System and the county sheriff’s office to seek better and more efficient service delivery.

His opponent, Mark Harmsworth, is a thoughtful candidate who has done his homework on the issues. As a team manager at Microsoft, he’s used to bringing groups together to solve problems. His priorities — increased police visibility in neighborhoods, working with neighboring cities to better manage growth and expanding the city’s commercial base — are on target. We think Harmsworth would serve the city well, but Wright’s deep well of experience in local and regional issues make him our choice.

Todd, who was appointed to replace the late Jack Start, then was elected to fill the remainder of Start’s term, is another longtime Mill Creek resident and community volunteer. He has devoted his time to service projects since leaving a senior management position at Fluke Corp. to become be a stay-at-home father. On the council, he pays particularly close attention to financial details, which has long been a strong point of this well-managed city. We believe Todd has served well, and has earned a full term.

His challenger is Ed McNichol, another well-qualified candidate who has a good grasp of the issues. Among his top priorities are greater openness in city government, which he says doesn’t listen well to citizen concerns. He also advocates a greater police presence in neighborhoods. Like the other candidates, we believe he would serve well if elected. We just don’t think a change is needed in this seat.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, May 17

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Wildfire smoke builds over Darrington on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Loss of research funds threat to climate resilience

The Trump administration’s end of a grant for climate research threatens solutions communities need.

Among the programs sponsored by Humanities Washington was a Prime Time Family Reading Event at the Granite Falls Sno-Isle Library in March. (Rachel Jacobson)
Comment: Loss of humanities grants robs us of connections

The loss of $10 million in humanities funding in the state diminishes what celebrates human creativity.

Comment: Democrats’ tax plan aimed at ‘villain,’ hit consumers

The governor should veto a B&O tax increase that will hit food prices at stores and restaurants.

Comment: Compare tax choices of 3 states and watch what happens

Idaho and Montana cut their taxes. Washington raised taxes to historic levels. Will an exodus result?

Forum: Know how to reach out and help someone in crisis

Mental Health Awareness Month offers an opportunity to learn how to help those in need of services.

For its Day of Service, Everett’s VFW Post 2100 delivered subs — Heroes for Heroes — to first responders in the city.
Forum: Everett VFW post delivers ‘Heroes for Heroes’ for Day of Service

Honoring the city’s first responders, hero sandwiches were delivered to fire, police and 911 facilities.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, May 16

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Sarah Weiser / The Herald
Air Force One touches ground Friday morning at Boeing in Everett.
PHOTO SHOT 02172012
Editorial: There’s no free lunch and no free Air Force One

Qatar’s offer of a 747 to President Trump solves nothing and leaves the nation beholden.

The Buzz: What do you get for the man who wants everything?

If you’re looking to impress President Trump, better have a well-appointed luxury 747 on hand.

Schwab: Taken for a ride by the high plane grifter

A 747 from Qatari royals. Cyrpto-kleptocracy. And trade ‘deals’ that shift with Trump’s whims.

Saunders: Saudi visit puts Trump’s foreign policy on display

Like it or not, embracing the Saudis and who they are makes more sense than driving them elsewhere.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.