Wanting to give back

Just two weeks after former Councilmember Bob Keel announced his resignation, the Saratoga Town Council was able to make an appointment to the vacant position. On April 20, Saratoga resident Ron Hutchins was sworn in by Mayor Creed James.

This, however, was not the first time that Hutchins had submitted a letter of interest. When Councilmember D'Ron Campbell was re-appointed to the governing body, Hutchins had been one of three applicants-including Campbell-who interviewed with the council in executive session.

Hutchins first moved to Saratoga in 1970 and worked for Foster Lumber Company doing lumber delivery. It would be the first of many experiences that Hutchins would have in the area as he also worked as a ranch hand for TA Ranches and ZN Ranch and spent time working at the coal mines in Hanna. He also worked for Welton Construction and Wyatt Paving.

Eventually, Hutchins returned to college where he studied construction management at the University of Wyoming. The university, however, lost their accreditation and asked Hutchins to consider transferring to civil engineering. Due to the class load and financial obligations, however, Hutchins returned to the workforce. His career since then has been in civil construction.

"My background, from my professional experience, is in heavy civil construction," said Hutchins. "Power plants, wastewater treatment plants, highways, roads and one of the things that really got me interested was an article in the Saratoga Sun about the upcoming need to address our infrastructure."

In his career, Hutchins has traveled both internationally and domestically. Along with dozens of jobs across the United States, he spent four years in Egypt, nearly the same amount of time in Canada and even spent some time in Kenya. His hope is that in the 18 months he has on the council, he can use that background to the benefit of the Town of Saratoga.

Hutchins added that, while it seemed like there was friction in the past with the town council, recent conversations with James, Campbell and Councilmember Jon Nelson leave him confident that the council is on the right path.

"I think, right now, the council, the mayor and the city government in general is set up for success," Hutchins said. "I think there's an agreement among all the members that we're going to knuckle down and solve as many problems as we can without all of the tension that's existed previously."

While he spent plenty of years on the road, the newest member of the Saratoga Town Council said his traveling days are behind him. Near retirement, he spends most of his time working from home training new employees and just wanted to find a way to give back to the community that had been so good for him.

"I'm here to stay now and I have no intention of going back out on the road. My door's open and if anybody has a problem they think I can help with that's why I took the job," said Hutchins. "I do not have any intentions of running for re-election, though."