About

From Milton. For Milton.

Milton is a special place with a bright future, if we are ready to work for it.

Our small City has everything we need–schools, parks, restaurants, recreation, grocery stores, a library, outstanding services and utilities, and more. By focusing on what we have, we can ensure that our residents have their needs met without opening our city to unchecked growth and development. This means making deliberate decisions and getting input from all residents, not just blindly applying a veto or stamp.

I have the broad skill set needed to make important City decisions. After 18 years in Milton, I left only to attend University of Washington. I returned after I earned my degree less than 4 years later, and I began working for our family business, Milton Millwork. In that role, I experienced first-hand what it takes to run a business and how a city’s decisions can directly (and indirectly) influence a business’s success. My parents’ entrepreneurial and tenacious spirit still speak to me and influence my positions.

I later went on to earn a law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law. During my time there, I worked at both the federal and county prosecutor’s offices. I assisted criminal prosecutions that tackled issues from the most severe acts of terrorism to misdemeanor assaults. Working closely with law enforcement and crime victims, I saw the toll crime takes on our communities and the hard work that everyone in the system puts in to combat it.

When I finished law school, I was called to public service, and I commissioned in the United States Navy as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). While in the Navy, I quickly earned a specialty in criminal litigation. I worked on courts-martial around the world, ranging from fraud in Afghanistan to sexual assault afloat in the Pacific and everything in between. In my final tour on active duty, during which I was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, I represented the Navy and Marine Corps in the military’s highest appellate courts in Washington, D.C. There is no greater honor in the world than putting on a military uniform, standing before a federal appellate court, and stating “My name is Lieutenant Commander Timothy Ceder, and I represent the United States.” My humbling military experience not only taught me how to tackle complex and urgent problems, but also how to be a consummate professional in the face of adversity.

After a decade of military service, I transitioned to the Navy Reserves, and I moved back to Milton with my wife and two daughters. We knew Milton was the place for us, and every day we’ve lived here has re-affirmed that decision. I started attending City Council meetings shortly after we returned because I wanted to understand how the City operated. When a vacant seat opened, I applied. Among the four candidates who applied, I was selected based on my experience, professionalism, and vision for the future.

In 2021, the voters elected me to remain in that position. But that election was for a 2-year term due to the seat being vacated off the election cycle. Now, I am asking the voters to elect me to a full 4-year term, so I can continue to work for the City and keep us moving in the right direction.

In the 2 years I’ve been on City Council, we have accomplished a lot. Milton’s water district is financially stable and prepared to keep water flowing for the long term. Our police are well supported and consistently near full staffing. Our parks are getting better and better each year. And most importantly, our City runs well, with a balanced budget, minimal debt, and a plan for constant improvements.

But there is much more work to do. I want to see Milton serve as a model for a successful small city in Washington. I want our roads to be safe for people of all ages to walk, ride, or drive to wherever they choose to go. I want our trails and parks to be superb, becoming a point of regional pride. And I want us to prepare for an uncertain future. I have the competence, professionalism, and motivation to ensure it happens.

I would be honored to have your support and to serve you on Milton City Council in Position No. 4.