When R.W. Buzzard was sworn in as Centralia's new municipal court judge at the Centralia City Council meeting on June 24, he took the next step in carrying on a family tradition: serving the city by way of law.
"I have been a part of this community for such a long time, I thought it would be a good way to utilize my skills to give back," said Buzzard, adding, "and also it's fun."
Buzzard is a fifth-generation Centralian, and his father, Steve, and brother, Jim, also practice law.
"A lot of people go into the family business, so that's what I did," said Buzzard.
Buzzard and his wife Amy, also a Centralia native, are the parents of two young children. Jackson Buzzard is 2½, and their daughter, Audrey, was born just a week ago.
"Having a young family, you spend a lot of time with them," said Buzzard, who counts spending time with his family as a hobby and favorite pastime.
"It's kind of a sad story how (the position) became available to me," Buzzard said.
Buzzard's new position was left open when former Centralia Municipal Court Judge Merle Krouse was appointed Lewis County District Court judge to fill the vacant position created by the death of Judge Lew Hutchison.
"They opened up the position; I submitted a letter of interest, was interviewed and hired," Buzzard explained. "I've always been interested in the judiciary. By being a municipal court judge (a part-time position), I can still have a private practice, too."
As a municipal court judge, Buzzard twice a week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, hears cases such as misdemeanors and infractions of city ordinances.
Buzzard enjoys his job because, he said, "I get to see a lot of different things, and with the staff they have, it almost runs itself."
Before Buzzard was a judge, he was a general practitioner and a criminal defense attorney, so he was already familiar with the workings of Centralia Municipal Court.
"I've practiced in front of this court ever since I've been practicing law," he said.
If Buzzard ever finds himself in need of advice, he can just ask his father. Steve Buzzard is the municipal court judge for Chehalis, Winlock, Vader and Napavine.
"He's a wealth of information," said R.W. Buzzard.
Following an aborted educational start at Washington State University after graduating from Centralia High School, and a stint as a beer truck driver, Buzzard went back to school. He received a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Eastern Washington University, a master of business administration degree from City University, and topped it off by graduating cum laude from Seattle University School of Law. He has been practicing law since November of 2000.
Buzzard said there is no part of being a judge he doesn't like.
"I hope to hold the position for a long time, or for as long as they'll have me," he said.
Buzzard hasn't lived in Centralia his entire life because during his first 5 years his father was in the military, but Buzzard believes he's spent enough of his 33 years in his hometown to know the ins and outs of Centralia pretty well.
"I think that it makes my job easier in that I have an idea of how the community works. I'm familiar with the layout, with a lot of the people, familiar with how the town works — the police department, the city council. I think I have a good idea of how Centralia can have a municipal court that can benefit from its need," said Buzzard.
Buzzard is a devoted Centralian in more ways than judiciary service.
"I plan to stay in Centralia the rest of my life. I love it here; it's a great community," he said. "My wife's from here, and I want my kids to be able to call Centralia home."
Buzzard's mother, Missy, is a former Centralia mayor, and both his paternal grandparents graduated from Centralia High School. His sister stayed in the local area, too, and teaches at W.F. West High School in Chehalis.
Buzzard is a 12-year member of the local Elks Lodge, president-elect of Centralia Kiwanis Club, on the board of directors at Pope's Kids Place and Lewis County United Way, and a member of Centralia First United Methodist Church, among other community involvements.
He is also a member of several legal associations.
Amanda Wilber covers Twin Cities government for The Chronicle. She may be reached by e-mail at awilber@chronline.com, or by telephoning 736-3311, Ext. 268.
