The Lewis County Republican Party must reach out to young people serving in local elected offices, even nonpartisan positions, according to Peter Abbarno, a former executive director of the Washington State Republican Party who held the same position in Vermont.
“I am a nonpartisan city council member, but everybody knows I wear the Republican party on my sleeve,” said Abbarno, an attorney elected to the Centralia City Council in 2015. “There are a lot of conservative local officials who I think this club and this party needs to … begin investing in.”
Abbarno recalled his telephone interview in Vermont when Olga Miller, of Centralia, a state party official, described Lewis County as “God’s country.”
“It really wasn’t until I came out here as executive director, traveled the state, and when I chose to live in Lewis County that I realized how right she was,” he said.
Six months later, he met his wife. They now have two children.
“I love my family more than anything; that’s really my identity,” said Abbarno, who hosts KELA’s “Let’s Talk About It.” “But just below that, with family and God and country is the Republican party.”
As the Lewis County Republican Club’s featured speaker at a recent meeting at Napavine, Abbarno recapped some of Centralia’s accomplishments during the past several years. He noted ongoing street improvements, streamlining of permits, focusing on employee morale, and efficiently building reserves without raising taxes.
“I’ve never voted for a tax increase,” Abbarno said. The city raised property taxes in 2016 by a 4-3 vote and boosted utility taxes over three years by a 5-2 vote.
“Last year we were lucky to not increase property taxes,” he said, noting the vote was 5-2. “That made me proud. Maybe we’re moving in the right direction.”
The city’s reserves are double what the state auditor recommends, he said. “It’s not because we’re stockpiling money or we overtax people, but we’re making wise investments.”
He also noted that without raising taxes or dipping into reserves, the city assisted the senior centers and homeless population, moving the center out of the business district, and supported Timberland Library’s early learning center.
“We as the Republican party should work on identifying individuals just like me, and really courting them to join our party,” Abbarno said, adding that he’s worked with young professionals who are conservative. “I think as a party and as a club, we can help make that connection.”
Ron Averill, former Lewis County commissioner, commended Abbarno for allowing self-proclaimed “King” Chuck Haunreiter onto “Let’s Talk About It.”
Abbarno said he doesn’t use caller ID.
“I think it’s important if you live in this community, regardless of what your point of view is, to be heard,” Abbarno said. “That doesn’t mean we have to agree. I don’t care if he attacks me. It’s okay. You know what? If that’s the voice of liberal Lewis County, I encourage him to call.”
He said it’s important for local officials to consider the effect of their decisions in the future.
“A lot of times we’re cleaning up the messes of earlier officials,” Abbarno said. “Or things that happened in the last 30, 40 years they couldn’t anticipate.”
He said even in local races, it’s important for voters to know their candidates’ political leanings and beliefs.
When introducing Abbarno as speaker, Rep. Richard DeBolt described him as “a great parent and a wonderful husband with wonderful kids.”
“But the thing I appreciate most about him is that he doesn’t hide his Christianity,” DeBolt said. “He doesn’t hide his Republicanism. He’s made great decisions for us and he’s helping to lead Centralia.”
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Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.
