After 12 years on the Centralia City Council, 10 of which he spent as mayor, Tim Browning walked out of Tuesday’s city council meeting for the last time as a city councilor.
But Browning saw it as just another meeting, saying it was “nothing major.”
Out of all the council meetings over the past 12 years, number 287, give or take a few, was just like number one.
He said he has only missed one meeting over that time.
“I worked as hard as I could for 12 years and completed that task,” Browning said. “Now I’m onto the next one.”
The 68-year-old owner of PostNet Centralia said he doesn’t plan on running again in four years.
“It’s time for a younger group of folks to take over with new ideas and new energy,” he said.
But reflecting back, he’s proud of what he and the rest of the city council were able to accomplish, from being involved with the construction of the city’s new wastewater treatment plant to the creation of Riverside Fire Authority.
He takes the most pride in helping guide Centralia through one of its most turbulent times.
“He cares about the city,” said Councilor Bonnie Canaday, who came onto the council the same year Browning did. “When I came onto the council the downtown was a disaster.”
Bars littered the downtown area and crime was a concern, she said.
The city also had no cash reserves and was borderline bankrupt.
However, Browning said the city now has a $2 million reserve and has been able to stay afloat in a time of economic turmoil.
His colleagues in Lewis County politics say he was a direct advocate for the people of his city.
“Whether you agreed with him or not, you knew that he was making his decision based on what he thought was best for Centralia,” Councilman Harlan Thompson said.
“Tim was a dedicated servant of the city,” Lewis County Commissioner Ron Averill said. “His charge was ‘protect my citizens,’ and he probably crossed some people by doing that, but he didn’t apologize for it.”
Browning also saw the advantage of working together within the county and the region, Averill said.
“One community can’t stand alone by itself,” Browning said. “If your partners are suffering, it’ll affect your neighbors.”
Looking forward, he said the city was in a good position financially considering the economic climate and has built-in advantages, such as its position between Portland and Seattle and inexpensive utilities and properties, that should promote growth when things turn around.
He leaves office with some disappointments: Centralia’s 50 percent rental rate, for one, along with the fact that the city and Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority have yet to move a shovel of dirt to protect homes and businesses.
“We have residents that are still at risk and don’t know what to do with their property and are frustrated,” he said.
Browning said possible short-term solutions could be shoring up China and Salzer creeks and extending the Long Road Dike to Interstate 5.
He may not be on the council, but he said he doesn’t plan on “fading into the world.”
Former Centralia City Councilor Dan Keahey said the council will miss his knowledge and ability to meld different ideas.
“I think the city has benefited from his knowledge, and he deserves a break,” Keahey said. “He’s got my respect as an individual and the mayor of the city.”
When Browning was asked to sum up 12 years of service in one sentence, he took a moment before answering.
“I believe with the assistance of my fellow city council members and the city manager and staff, the community is a better place now that it was 12 years ago.”
Marqise Allen: (360) 807-8237
