As I have listened to recent discussions about economic development in Centralia, one thing has continued to concern me.
At a recent council meeting, questions were raised about whether people would want to work in warehouse jobs. As I reflected on that discussion, I couldn't help but think about the thousands of hardworking people in Lewis County who have built their lives working in warehouses, mills, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, trucking, construction and other industrial occupations.
These are not jobs that need to be defended. They are honest jobs.
For generations, these workers have raised families, purchased homes, paid taxes, volunteered in our communities, coached youth sports, served on community boards, and helped build the Centralia we enjoy today.
Their work deserves respect.
Not every career path requires a four-year degree. Not every successful life follows the same path. A strong community needs teachers, nurses, business owners, tradespeople, warehouse workers, truck drivers, manufacturers and countless others. Every job that provides honest work and supports a family has value.
I also find myself asking another question.
Our city employs planners, engineers and professional staff to review proposals, analyze impacts and provide recommendations. These individuals bring education, training and expertise to the process. Elected officials certainly have the right to disagree with those recommendations. That is part of their responsibility.
But when they do disagree, what evidence are they relying on instead?
If the recommendations of planners, engineers, traffic studies, environmental reviews and economic analyses are set aside, what facts support a different conclusion?
I am not suggesting every project should be approved. Questions should be asked. Concerns should be examined. Public input matters.
However, decisions that affect jobs, tax revenue, public services and the future of our community should be guided by facts, evidence, and informed analysis — not assumptions about what constitutes a worthwhile job or personal opinions about industries we may not fully understand.
Centralia deserves thoughtful discussion, respect for working people, and decisions grounded in evidence. We reap what we sow, and the decisions we make today will shape the opportunities available tomorrow.
My hope is that those decisions are guided by facts, respect for all forms of honest work, and a clear vision for Centralia's future.
Deb Parnham
Centralia
