Involvement.

That word was the overriding theme behind the appointment of Justin Newlun to the Pacific City Council on Monday night.

Newlun, who turns 33 in March, inherits Tren Walker’s Position 7 seat and term, which expires

Dec. 31, 2017. Walker, who had served since 2005, resigned because he is moving out of the city.

Four City Councilmembers – Clint Steiger and David Storaasli were absent – selected Newlun over three other candidates, which included Howard Erickson, who served as Pacific mayor from 1976-84 and 2000-04.

“I feel Justin is very qualified,” Councilmember Katie Garberding said. “He has done a lot for the city and the residents. He has a rapport with the community. He’s an individual thinker and does his homework.”

Newlun said he decided not to run last year for a couple of reasons. He was busy in his role as the City’s postmaster – a role he assumed in 2010 from his grandmother before the post office closed last May – and he liked the performance of the people on the council.

When Walker resigned, a resident asked Newlun to apply.

Newlun, is an office manager at Erickson Refrigeration in Auburn, served on the City’s planning commission and its parks board. Those appointments ended with his move to the City Council.

Being involved in the community is important to Newlun.

“My family has always been big with what we have, we share,” he said. “We help out those in need and less fortunate.”

Newlun, who does not identify as a Democrat or Republican, maintains an open-door policy.

“I listen to everything,” he said. “I stand up for what I believe in. What I believe in is the best thing for the community, even if it’s not the best thing for me.”

Newlun said that comes from experience.

As a sophomore, he transferred from Mount Rainier to Lindbergh High School. But he said his records were lost in the transition, which resulted in him going to Black River Alternative High School in Seattle.

“When I showed up at the alternative school the first day, there were kids lighting pencils on fire and throwing them,” Newlun said. “I thought it was going to be a typical, horrible, horrible experience, like you see in the movies. I figured everything was shot out of the water there.”

Instead, he said, he focused and was honored as King County’s Senior of the Year upon his graduation.

“It was the best experience I had, being in the smaller atmosphere and working with people that were on their last chances,” Newlun said. “I got plenty of awards and worked with officials in King County.”

A role he figures to reprise in his latest endeavor.