Gary Meek was appointed Fire District 7 Fire Chief at the February 28, 2013 Fire Board meeting. He has served as interim Fire Chief since 2011 when the previous Fire Chief retired.

“Chief Meek has done an outstanding job while serving in the interim chief position,” said Board Chair Neil Doherty. “The Board has great confidence in his ability as fire chief and we know he will continue to serve our community with great dedication and professionalism.”

Karen Dingmon was appointed to the Snohomish County Fire District 1 Board of Commissioners. She was sworn in and took office at the board’s February 19, 2013 meeting.

Commissioners selected Dingmon from a field of 11 candidates to fill a vacancy created at the end of 2012 when Millie Judge resigned from the board to take office as a Snohomish County Superior Court Judge. Dingmon will have to run for election in the fall if she wants to serve the two years remaining in Judge’s six-year term.

“I would like to help my community in achieving the best quality of service for firefighting, prevention and emergency medical services,” Dingmon said. “These vital services require informed, well thought-out plans involving both the public and the fire department to carry out the laws meant to protect all citizens.”

Development of the East Gateway Urban Village continues to move forward.

Economic development of underutilized areas of Mill Creek has been the City’s focus since the adoption of Mill Creek’s Strategic Plan on April 10, 2012.

Mill Creek’s Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Plan both highlight the East Gateway Urban Village as a main source of increased revenue for the City.

From the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency website.

Stage 1 Burn Ban in Effect for Pierce County

Please rely on your home's cleaner source of heat until air quality improves

Due to stagnant weather conditions, a Stage 1 burn ban remains in effect for Pierce County, until further notice.  Burn bans have been lifted for King and Snohomish counties, effective at 1 p.m. on January 21, 2013.

From a Snohomish County Fire District 1 news release written by Leslie Hynes, Public Information Officer.

Snohomish County Fire District 1 will begin implementing staffing changes this month as part of a lean 2013 budget that aims to maintain existing service levels, improve efficiency and avoid firefighter layoffs despite declining revenue.

Former Mill Creek City Councilmember Terry Ryan announced his candidacy for the Snohomish County Council’s District 4 seat on January 16, 2013.

Ryan announced that he is seeking the Councilmember position as a Democrat.

District 4 contains the City of Mill Creek as well as parts of Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, Briar, Bothell, and unincorporated Snohomish County. County Councilmember Dave Gossett, a Democrat from Mountlake Terrace, currently represents the District. Since Councilmember Gossett has served for three consecutive terms, he is unable to run again.

Please rely on your home's cleaner source of heat until air quality improves!

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is lowering the air quality burn ban from a Stage 2 to a Stage 1 in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties effective at 1:00 PM on January 15, 2013.

The ban remains in effect until further notice.

Snohomish County Fire District 1 is seeking nominees to fill a vacancy on its Board of Fire Commissioners.

The application deadline is January 18, 2013.

Commissioner Millie Judge left the Board at the end of last year to take office in January as Snohomish County Superior Court Judge. The Board of Commissioners will select and appoint someone to fill the vacancy. The appointee will have to stand election in the fall of 2013 to retain the seat and serve the two years remaining in Judge's six-year term.