By Ken Armstrong, Mill Creek City Manager.

As I mentioned in a previous column, a lot has been written about the City’s Strategic Plan.  Unfortunately, much of what was written portrays the Strategic Plan as being a tax instrument and that by approving the Strategic Plan, City Councilmembers were “indicating their support of the utility tax by including it in the Strategic Plan.” Actually, that is not the case.

Please join Mill Creek Parks & Recreation staff for the fourth annual Kids Fun Run on Saturday, August 10, 2013.

The Run will take place at Heatherwood Middle School Track and Field, 1419 Trillium Blvd. SE, Mill Creek, WA 98012.

Children ages 3 years through 5th grade are invited to participate in three age-appropriate run/walks starting at 10:00 a.m.

Check-in is at 9:00 a.m.

From July 16–31, 2013, Snohomish County Fire District 7 responded to 219 calls, 81 of which were in Mill Creek.

• Fires: 36
• Medical Aid: 145
• Motor Vehicle Collisions: 17
• Service Calls: 21
• Total = 219

Most of those eligible to cast a vote in Tuesday’s primary election won’t do so. Since this is not a big national election year, turnout will most likely be around 30 percent.

However, Mill Creekers have a chance to make a difference as two City Council seats are on this year’s primary election ballot. Voters will decide which two candidates will qualify for the November 5th general election.

The Mill Creek Town Center Business Association along with the City of Mill Creek’s Art & Beautification Board is pleased to announce the artists for the August 8th Mill Creek Town Center Second Thursday Art Walk.

The event will run from 5 to 8 pm on Thursday, July 8, 2013.

Donna Michelson, Mill Creek City Councilmember liaison to the Art & Beautification Board, has been involved in the planning, “The Art & Beautification Board are very excited about the upcoming Art Walk.  This is the second year for this new event and we have added an extra month (June) to make it four months total.”

The Mill Creek City Council voted unanimously to repeal an ordinance banning firearms in Mill Creek City parks at their July 23, 2013 regular meeting.

This action was taken at the advice of Shane Moloney, Mill Creek City Attorney, in order to avoid possible legal action and to better conform to Washington State law.

A previous Mill Creek City Council made it unlawful to carry a firearm in any park as an effort to increase public safety.

Bart Masterson has filed for reelection to the Mill Creek City Council. He was first elected to the City Council in 2009.

According to Masterson’s press release, “During the economic turmoil of the last four years, he has concentrated on the City’s fiscal soundness by advocating for tactical expense trimming and careful spending rather than drastic service cutting measures.  As a result, our financial reserves have remained strong and service levels high.”

Tambark Creek is a 40-acre park located southeast of Mill Creek on 35th Ave SE just north of 180th Street SE. With an athletic field, picnic shelters, walking trails, a playground and an off-leash dog area this park can be enjoyed by the whole family.

The off-leash dog area is fully enclosed with a fence allowing dogs to run and exercise off-leash. There is an open space, ideal for energetic pups, and a shady area with some trees. It's a clean and beautiful space for dogs and their owners to enjoy.