Three-term incumbent Centralia Mayor Tim Grenke defeated challengers Catherine Simmons and Farris Sanders last night. Grenke says he’s excited about the results and that Centralia citizens chose to keep him in office for another term.
“A three way race is always kind of apprehensive, not knowing which way it’s going to go,” Grenke said.
The mayor served in the military for more than 20 years and is currently in the Missouri National Guard. He says aside from his role as mayor, his experience in the military and public service may have set him apart from other candidates.
“In the military you get a lot of training in decision making processes and solving problems and I think that may have set me apart,” Grenke said.
Grenke says he hopes to continue with CREDI, the economic development group he put together three years ago.