Growth key issue in council race

By Alexis Bacharach

Enterprise editor

Mill Creek City Council candidates Mark Harmsworth and Chuck Wright take similar positions on the issues facing the city except when it comes to growth management.

Both men are concerned about negative impacts of steady, rapid growth in and around the city, but their strategies for dealing with problems, including increased traffic and sub par development standards adopted by county lawmakers, are markedly different.

Wright, 62, who’s lived in Mill Creek since 1993, says he’s open to any strategy that preserves the quality of life he and fellow residents have come to expect from their community. Where the current council has shown little interest in utilizing annexation to defend its borders from invasive development, Wright sees opportunity.

“I’m not closing the door on any options,” he said. “I believe annexation can be a tool in protecting our quality of life, and I’m willing to consider that and other options.”

Mill Creek sits along two of the most congested roadways in Snohomish County — 164th Street and the Bothell-Everett Highway. Because gridlock is a result of growth outside the city, Mill Creek’s options for solving the problem are limited.

Harmsworth, 37, who’s lived in Mill Creek for about five years, believes defensive annexations at this point are a waste of time.

“I am not in favor of grabbing up chunks of land here and there just for the sake of annexing,” Harmsworth said. “I think there’s a mix and match of things we can do to deal with development outside our borders and get people at the county to listen to our concerns.”

Harmsworth said annexations only drive up the cost of living for current residents by forcing cities to expand police and other services.

“We as a city need to really start holding the county accountable for the development decisions affecting our residents,” he said. “I think we need to improve communication on both ends so we can work together more effectively.”

Within the city’s borders, both candidates want to make the police department a higher priority in the budget writing process to ensure there are enough officers to prevent crime in local neighborhoods.

Both candidates also agree there’s an adequate budget surplus to improve services without raising property taxes.

“We absolutely have enough money in our budget right now to improve our services for the citizens of Mill Creek,” Wright said. “The city is missing out on grant opportunities and fee increases that can sustain our surplus.”

Harmsworth took it a step farther, saying a more concentrated effort on economic development will greatly minimize the city’s dependence on tax revenue in the years to come.

“I think we need to focus on improving the quality of life for people in Mill Creek by retaining our small businesses and attracting new ones,” Harmsworth said.