Before entering the general election in November, one seat up for election on the Centralia City Council needs to be whittled down from three candidates to two in the primary election on Aug. 6.
Councilors Lee Coumbs, Dan Henderson and former Centralia Downtown Association President Jeff Miller are all vying for the open position 2, at-large seat.
The at-large seat carries a two-year term rather than a four-year term and was opened when Councilor John Elmore dropped out and switched to a four-year, District 2 seat.
Elmore will run unopposed in the general election.
Only positions that have three or more candidates will be in the primary election. Positions with one or two candidates move directly to the general election.
The candidates running for the position 2, at-large seat have their own experience and plans for the city. Coumbs is a long-time councilor who has helped start community events such as Summerfest and the Spring Youth Fair. Henderson is completing his first term on the council and recently spearheaded efforts to save the Pearl Street Pool. Miller, a local downtown business owner, has ideas to bolster business through energy programs and heritage tourism.
For Coumbs, who served twice on the City Council, first in the 1980s, and currently as mayor pro tem in the District 1 seat, was on the fence about running this year, but ultimately decided he wants to stay involved in the community.
“There are some major changes that will occur in Centralia over the next few years that I would like to be a part of,” Coumbs said.
Coumbs referenced the Interstate 5 widening project, Northwest Sport Hub and Centralia Station projects as encouraging developments for the city.
Coumbs also wants to remain a part of the Fort Borst Park Christmas Light Show, Summerfest and the Spring Youth Fair; all are events he helped start.
“I have always had a strong community interest,” Coumbs said. “I have always been objective throughout my career and I have a strong sense of community.”
Brian Mead, a member of the Centralia Historic Preservation Commission, and Ron Greenwood Jr. will run in the general election for Coumbs’ District 1 seat.
Coumbs, 70, said he had a health scare in January and recognized a two-year term would better suit him this election season.
“A two-year term is something that is attractive to me,” Coumbs said. “I’m looking forward to working on a council that is more cohesive and is all pulling in the same direction.”
Henderson, who left his District 3 seat to also run for the at-large position, said after serving the past three years on the council he has the experience to keep working on community projects such as growth management issues and the future of the Pearl Street Pool.
“I want to continue the path I’ve been on,” Henderson said. “There is a learning curve with being a freshman councilman. My personal experience is often times my voice is not heard.”
Henderson said he wants to keep working with the citizens.
He noted at the last council meeting when citizens packed City Hall in support of the Pearl Street Pool as an example of how the Council should work with the locals.
“That is what I like to see is when people are energized and feel welcomed,” Henderson said. “I think those people came and went with a greater perspective of how the Council handles the taxpayers’ money.”
Max Vogt, the owner and designated broker at Windermere Real Estate, and Patrick Gallagher, the owner of Gallagher Engineering, are both running for Henderson’s District 3 seat in the general election.
Running against fellow councilor Coumbs for the at-large position, Henderson said he feels like a challenger facing an incumbent, and he is comfortable in that role.
“I have this belief that you need to refresh your leadership occasionally,” Henderson said. “People that have been in there 15 or 20 years, clearly they have been able to maintain what has been done, but are not interested in changing the future.”
Miller, who runs his own business, Miller Marketing, in downtown Centralia, said he is invested in the community and is running for City Council to share his ideas with the community.
“I’m all in,” Miller said.
Miller, the former Centralia Downtown Association president, said he wants the city and Centralia College to coordinate together on projects like alternative energy programs.
The Pearl Street Pool would be a great place to start, Miller said.
“My goal for the pool is to turn it into an energy laboratory,” Miller said. “Lets use it as an energy program and as a pool.”
Miller said he is focused on energy opportunities and developing more tourism in the area.
He also wants to see the community step up and take pride in the area by volunteering or just sweeping their sidewalks.
“Sometimes the city can’t do it all, and if the citizens want to have their voice heard, it’s time to get your hands dirty, roll up your sleeves and get it done,” Miller said.
Another priority for Miller is improving the streets and trails around Centralia.
“We are a totally disconnected city and our streets are crumbling,” Miller said.
