Centralia City Councilor Susan Luond looks at a screen showing presentation slides while Councilor Peter Abbarno listens to City Manager Rob Hill (center) and Community Development Director Emil Pierson talk about a proposed $3M streetscape project.
Centralia City Council Peter Abbarno announced his intention to seek a second term on the council Friday and told The Chronicle he intended to file the necessary paperwork with the state Public Disclosure Commission the same day.
A press release distributed by Abbarno on Friday touts his volunteerism with local schools and organizations such as the Hub City Mission Cold Weather Shelter and Centralia Little League. It also lists endorsements from state Reps. Ed Orcutt and Richard DeBolt, Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza, Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Meyer and other public officials.
Abbarno holds one of three at-large positions on the city council that aren’t tethered to a specific district. Joyce Barnes and Mayor Lee Coumbs hold the other two at-large positions set to be on the ballot this fall; Barnes has stated her intent not to seek reelection, while Coumbs has yet to state his decision.
“Just like last time, I spoke to my family and considered the time and work commitments, as well as the benefits of continuing to work on improving the city,” Abbarno told The Chronicle. “I think there are still some things left unresolved, and I want to continue to make our community a better place.”
Abbarno listed improvements to city infrastructure such as sewers, streets and sidewalks as one of the priorities he hopes to continue pushing if he wins reelection to the city council. Work to mitigate flooding both in partnership with the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority and on local projects such as China Creek is also high on his list.
With major commercial development projects such as the grocery distribution center at the Port of Centralia and expansion of the NW Sports Hub coming down the pike, Abbarno wants the city and other stakeholders to plan carefully for the impact of increased traffic and congestion.
“I think the greatest challenges for our community will be how we handle growth and how we prepare for it,” Abbarno said. “We can’t move forward without being organized on where we want growth. We have a lot of great opportunities, but they can backfire if we don’t plan well.”
Asked what he plans to hang his hat on from his first term on the council, Abbarno pointed to his voting record on fiscal matters. He supported increased city funding for senior citizen programs and for early learning programs at Timberland Library. Abbarno also said he’s voted against every tax increase that’s come before the city council.
Candidates will be able to file to run for public office online at elections.lewiscounty.wa.gov from 9 a.m. on May 13 until 4 p.m. on May 17. Prospective candidates may also submit declarations by mail or in-person at the Lewis County Auditor’s Office in Chehalis.
