Challenger Joyce Barnes and incumbent Kelly Smith Johnston emerged as the top two candidates from a four-person primary election for Centralia City Council at-large position No. 2 last August.
Barnes, 89, has already served two stints on the council, six years during the 1990s and a more-recent term after winning election in 2016. Her campaign started after several friends she encouraged to run against Smith Johnston opted not to run, Barnes said.
Smith Johnston, 52, is currently Centralia’s mayor, a council-appointed position. She is running because she believes Centralia is at a turning point, Smith Johnston said, and she wants to ensure the growth is handled well and that the city thrives because of it.
Ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Nov. 7. If a voter hasn’t received their ballot, the Lewis County Auditor’s Office recommends visiting votewa.gov and selecting “my ballot,” calling 360-740-1278 or visiting the office at 351 NW North St. in Chehalis. Voters who have submitted their ballots can check their status on the same site.
To find the ballot drop box nearest you and information on candidates and ballot measures, visit https://elections.lewiscountywa.gov.
Homelessness and the housing crisis
One of the biggest current issues in the eyes of voters is the uptick in people experiencing homelessness and the affordable housing crisis.
In Smith Johnston’s opinion, one major issue she sees is the assumption that if someone is homeless, they must be a criminal.
“Crime and people who are homeless, it’s a Venn diagram with some overlap … Not all homeless people are criminals. Not all criminals are homeless people. Not all addicts are homeless. Not all homeless are addicts, and we have to remember that,” Smith Johnston said.
As for housing, Smith Johnston has already had a hand in the Centralia City Council’s work toward solutions. The council recently directed a housing assessment and action plan.
The plan identified areas of housing needed for certain income groups, specifically housing for people making 30% or less of the area median income and for those making 100% or more of the area median income.
“We have 700 units in our housing pipeline right now,” Smith Johnston said.
Barnes said she understands the current housing crisis. On the other hand, Barnes said she is “not as sympathetic” as others when it comes to homelessness.
“I raised my four kids without a dad for many years,” Barnes said. “If I needed more money, I got another job. I was never on true unemployment.”
Barnes said she sees a lot of addiction and mental illness among those experiencing homelessness, and believes state and federal agencies should be doing more to aid small communities like Centralia with this issue.
Both state and federal institutions used to exist, but most were dissolved decades ago.
“They shouldn’t leave the burden on these little towns that are barely making it,” Barnes said.
With inflation, Barnes said, affordable housing is a major issue because many people can’t afford the steep deposits now required to get into places.
“I don’t understand, particularly people on Social Security and things like that, how they pay rent anymore, especially with utilities going crazy,” Barnes said.
Infrastructure and managing Centralia’s growth
Another topic of discussion that came up with both candidates was infrastructure related to Centralia’s growth, especially with WinCo’s arrival once the Port of Centralia completes phases one and two of its Centralia Station project.
Both candidates welcome growth but are wary of potential negative consequences that may arise. While doorbelling, Barnes said many voters expressed concerned the city was misusing funds for new curbs and islands on certain streets while others are in dire need of repaving.
“Why are we spending money on those when we could be paving the roads?” Barnes asked.
She wasn’t a fan of the Centralia’s new Hub City Greenways proposal to build a system of walking and biking trails throughout the city to connect neighborhoods, either. If enacted, a total of 25 miles of both nature and urban trails will be added in Centralia over a projected 20-year period.
“Seems like there’s other things that are more important,” Barnes added.
Despite not being in favor of the proposal itself, she has been impressed with Deputy City Manager and Parks Director Amy Buckler’s work in helping create the Hub City Greenways proposal and other projects.
A supporter of the Greenways proposal, Smith Johnston believes Centralia can “walk and chew gum.”
“We have to plan a vision for the future. … That is enticing and inspiring, and we also have to deal with the current issues right now,” Smith Johnston said.
With Centralia Station nearing completion, Smith Johnston is pushing for movement on the Westside Connector project, which involves the construction of a new bridge over the Chehalis River connecting South Scheuber Road and Oakland Avenue.
“It will reduce a tremendous amount of congestion,” said Smith Johnston.
She also highlighted a recently approved improvement project for Reynolds Road, which will implement new adaptive traffic lights, among other improvements.
Smith Johnston also supports the creation of neighborhood hubs within Centralia, which, if implemented, would be set up to bring essentials, from groceries to pharmaceuticals, into walking distance of the city’s neighborhoods.
“That will make it easier for people to get their daily needs met within their neighborhood area, versus everyone getting on Harrison to go to Safeway,” Smith Johnston said.
Final thoughts
While the candidates have mutual respect for one another, both believe voters should choose them for Centralia City Council on Nov. 7.
Smith Johnston stated she is fully invested in ensuring Centralia thrives and is a city people want to work in, live in and visit.
“I have values around integrity, around learning and around inclusion that are guiding my actions,” Smith Johnston said. “I am willing to make tough decisions that aren’t always popular, but when I do, it's with really careful consideration to all residents, regardless of income, tenure or any other demographic.”
A self-described “fiscal conservative,” she hopes to shape Centralia into a community where everyone feels welcomed.
Barnes is running because she believes Smith Johnston is overstepping her authority as mayor in certain decisions the council makes, and, if elected, she said she will listen to residents more.
“We will have to do the will of the people,” Barnes said.
She cited an incident earlier this year where voters were going to get the chance to decide the fate of the now-closed Veterans Memorial Pearl Street Pool. Following the failure of a Centralia School District levy in a special election earlier this year, the council moved to strike the pool proposal from the ballot.
Barnes added despite her age, she is in “perfect health,” according to her doctor.
