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Lewis County dedicates Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Expo Hall to Lee Combs
Summary
The Board of Lewis County Commissioners approved Resolution 25-053 to dedicate the Expo Hall at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in memory of longtime community volunteer Lee Combs; family members and local officials spoke during a lengthy public tribute and the fairgrounds plan to unveil signage May 2.
The Board of Lewis County Commissioners on Feb. 18 approved Resolution 25-053, dedicating the Expo Hall at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in memory of Lee Combs.
A commissioner read the resolution recounting Combs’s civic service — including his role as the first mayor of Centralia under the council form of government, his work founding the spring youth fair, service as a fire commissioner during a district merger, and years managing the Southwest Washington Fair — and concluded that the board would "dedicate the Expo Hall at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in memory of Lee Combs." The resolution describes Combs as "a dedicated public servant, lifelong community advocate, and passionate volunteer."
Family members, fairgrounds volunteers and local officials spoke in support. Becky Gillum, who identified herself as Lee Combs’s daughter, said the fair "played a big part in our lives." Bonnie (no last name given) provided details about the memorial service: "His service is March 8 at 11:00 at the TransAlta Commons at the college, and everybody is welcome." Alex (fairgrounds representative) said a sign will be unveiled the first night of the spring youth fair: "We will be unveiling the [signage] the first night of spring youth fair, which is, Friday, May 2." Several speakers recalled Combs’s longtime volunteer work, his role in restarting harness racing in the early 1980s, and his work producing pulled-pork sandwiches at events.
The board moved and seconded to approve deliberation items 25-051 through 25-053 together; the grouped motion carried by voice vote (3-0). The resolution dedicating the Expo Hall was therefore approved as part of that motion.
