Jim Lynch Moves Up

WAITSBURG – Losing a public works director with 40 years on-the-job experience is bound to be a big blow to a city, but that hit is softened significantly when the incoming director has 20 years experience of his own. At the Dec. 17 city council meeting, the council approved a recommendation from the personnel committee, consisting of Walt Gobel, Randy Hinchliffe and Marty Dunn, to promote city crew staffer Jim Lynch to public works director. Lynch, who replaces longtime director Dan Katsel, began fulfilling his probationary period in the new position on Dec. 1.

Lynch moved to Waitsburg in 1991 from Osakis, Minn., where he worked for Fingerhut. He moved to be closer to his wife's family. He worked for the former Strauser Manufacturing plant in Walla Walla before hiring on to the Waitsburg city crew in 1993.

"I was originally hired to care for the cemeteries and the parks, but in the 21 years I've been here I've done pretty much everything," he said. He recalls that one of his first "big" jobs was helping with the replacement of a new main line leading towards the water treatment plant. That will come in handy since replacing the water line that runs from Main to First and Jay will be the crew's first major undertaking on the agenda for this spring.

During his years on the job, Lynch has accumulated a lengthy list of certifications and licenses. He is a Water District Manager 2, Class 2 Sewage Plant Operator, Cross Connection Control Specialist, Wastewater Treatment Operator Class 2, and holds a CDL and Public Operator's License for pesticides.

In his role as director, Lynch says he will oversee the crew (which currently consists of Travis Newman and John Langford), plan projects, and basically "just keep the town going." He says the crew will soon install irrigation at the old mill site where the ground has already been leveled and grass has been planted. The site will soon become a historic park when commemorative panels are added to the recently constructed mill vault kiosk and the old mill turbine is placed on display.

"I think I can do a good job. I've basically been by Dan's side for quite awhile now and I'm sure I can handle it just fine," said Lynch.