Mill Creek paper unfairly maligns former officials

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, July 17, 2018

The city of Mill Creek is one of the most desirable areas to live in Snohomish County. This did not happen by accident. Many of our outstanding residents offer their talents by serving as city council members or volunteering for boards. They’ve shared their knowledge, professional expertise and experience to help develop the lovely city that Mill Creek has become.

My husband, Ralph Ehrlich and I have lived here for 40 years, before it became a city. We chose to raise our family here.

Many think that what is in print is always accurate. We all hope to be able to trust the printed word that comes to our door. It is not always true that it is accurate, and not always wise to trust it. Recently Fred Fillbrook, editor and publisher of the Mill Creek View gave our city a black eye by using his paper to unfairly malign many of our former city council members. He did not challenge any of the facts of the various circumstances, just chose to call them names and defame each of them.

I know these people and am offended by what he has said. They are honest, sincere, law-abiding, former public servants whose goals were, and still are, to professionally and unselfishly assist Mill Creek in its growth. They knew the value of a dollar, wanted to balance the books and follow the rules and regulations of managing a city. They did their homework. They cared deeply about the city staff, our employees, and still do.

Fillbrook has no checks, balances or restraints. He allows no dissenting opinions. He uses his newspaper for his own power, often distorting information about candidates and events. He uses it as a bully pulpit. He tries to make it sound like he is the only publication in town. He is not.

We have many talented residents with the knowledge and talents that could be valuable as City Council or board members. Please consider filing, running, or volunteering. (Next city council election is 2019.) Working with the city and volunteering will give you an opportunity to know what truly is happening in this great city of ours. You are needed to help continue its success.

Dullain Ehrlich

Mill Creek