Jerry Cole - Mayor

Contact Information:

Jerry Cole says,

"It is an honor to serve the citizens of Rainier as their Mayor."

A lifelong resident of the Rainier area, growing up in Goble, Oregon. He went to school in Rainier graduating in 1991 and then went on to college in Portland studying Paramedic and Fire Science. Professionally he is a Lieutenant Firefighter / Paramedic with Columbia River Fire and Rescue andhas a strong passion for community service and helping people.

Jerry and his wife Kristi have two daughters and couldn't imagine raising their family anywhere else.

His main priority with the City is easy available contact and good representation of the citizens of Rainier. Jerry encourages anyone to call him at 503-396-0683 with concerns or issues that residents may have. If you have an item that needs to be brought to City Council contact him today.

Scott Cooper - Position #1

Contact Information:

Scott Cooper moved to Rainier in 2008 from Baltimore, MD. as a software consulting engineer. During this time Scott has served on the Planning Commission, REDCO board, Days in the Park board and a prior term as a city councilman. Prior service includes Honorable discharges from both the U.S. Coast and the Army National Guard. Scott was raised in NW Kansas in farm country and his wife Angela is a native Oregonian. They moved to Rainier looking for that perfect Columbia Riverfront retirement home and found it.

Denise Watson - Position #2

Contact Information:

Denise Watson first began volunteering in the 1970s for a diverse range of service, from elder care to political campaigns. She has worked for Apple and Nike and in the state of Oregon for county transit and was responsible for public safety.

While looking for a permanent home in Oregon, she felt an instant connection for the city of Rainier and later with the people in it. Since moving to Rainier, Denise has been involved volunteering with City of Rainier Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Budget Committee. Denise is the creator of the current and only ladies club in Columbia County. She is an active member of the Rainier Senior Center and serves on the board of Kiwanis as the secretary. She is excited to serve the community in its current endeavors and all of its future plans.

Jeremy Howell - Position #3

Contact Information:

Jeremy Howell moved to Rainier in 1987 and attended Rainier High School, graduating in 1991. He attended Clatsop Community College and studied criminal justice. Howell raised his two kids in Rainier and both have graduated from Rainier High School. He has always appreciated the small town atmosphere and community of Rainier.

Howell is currently employed with the St. Helens Police Department and has been for 17 years. He's volunteered with Rainier Little League, Clatskanie/Rainier Soccer league, Rainier Youth Football and Rainier Youth Wrestling and served on the Rainier Budget Committee.

He's looking forward to working with the citizens of Rainier and the council in continuing to make Rainier a great place to live, work, and visit.

Connie Budge - Position #4

Contact Information:

Connie Budge has lived in Rainier since 1949 and been active in city government since the 1980s. She earned her bachelors degree from Portland State College in 1967 and worked as a child protective caseworker from 1968 to 1975 and as a member of the Longview Police Department's people's assistance team until retiring in 1994.

She has previously served on the Rainier City Council, Planning Commission, Parks Advisory Board and as chair of the library board. In addition, she has served on the Columbia County Commissioner's Transit Advisory Board, as the chair of its Cultural Trust Commission and on the Columbia 911 Special District Board. Budge was the chair of the Cowlitz County Emergency Support Shelter Board, Substance Abuse Coalition, AIDS Task Force and the establishing Head Start Board. She's currently on the city's budget committee and the Columbia County Area Agency on Aging.

Budge wants to live out her life in Rainier. She would like the city to become an even healthier, safer, cleaner, more beautiful and welcoming community.

Robert DuPlessis - Position #5

Contact Information:

Robert duPlessis and his wife chose to reside in Rainier in 2004 because they wanted to raise their children in a small town. He has served on the city council since 2014 and is an assistant scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 332.

Robert's top priority on council is public safety. His hobbies include woodworking, home improvements, kayaking and camping.

Mike Kreger - Position #6

Contact Information:

Mike is a native Oregonian, raised in Odell & Portland. Relocated to St. Helens in 1997 and then to Rainier in 2004 where he lives with his wife Kathryn. He has three grown daughters and six grandchildren.

He is a U.S. Navy Veteran and a former truck driver and instructor. Studied 911 tele-communications at PCC and was nationally certified. Now retired due to disability he enjoys serving this community in many ways including; former Rainier Days board member, member Rainier VFW post 1909, member Rainier Masonic Lodge, serves on the Rainier Cemetery District Audit Committee, and over five years as a Rainier Planning Commissioner.

"I look forward to serving the citizens of Rainier to the best of my ability"

Paul Langner - Position #7

Born and raised in a small timber and dairy community northeast of Seattle, Paul enlisted in the US Coast Guard out of high school. Over the next 22 years, he had 14 duty stations in 7 states, and travelled to four continents. Retiring from the US Coast Guard in 1996, he worked in budgeting for a state agency, managed a credit union, worked for the Port of Columbia County, and recently retired from Teevin Bros. as a facilities manager and waterfront operations manager.

Paul is married to Brenda (nee Breisch), and has two daughters, Lisa and Courtney; and two grandchildren, Alex and Anne. Paul enjoys outdoor sports, travel, and cooking. Paul has served on the Columbia County budget committee, Oregon DOT Freight Advisory Committee, Oregon Rail Committee, Oregon Marine Advisory Committee, and Northwest Oregon Regional Solutions Team. Late winter and spring Paul assists with Special Olympics.