ONTARIO — Mayor Randy Hutchinson didn’t want any fanfare for his last scheduled meeting with city council.
Service safety director Kris Knapp said Hutchinson told him “three or four times” to not plan a celebration.
“So we’re supposed to ignore this surprise party email we got?” At-large councilman Dave Rehfeldt asked with a laugh.
The mayor previously announced his retirement from public service effective July 10. He will take on a new position at the Area Agency on Aging as mobility manager.
Starting July 11, council president Eddie Gallo will be acting mayor. The Richland County Republican Party will accept applications and appoint someone to the position by late August.
The appointee will serve as mayor through the end of Hutchinson’s elected term in December of 2025.
First Ward Councilman Nathan Sunderland will take over council president responsibilities as president pro tempore while Gallo is acting mayor.
Gallo, who was first elected to council in 2013 after being appointed, thanked the mayor for his teamwork.
“Mayor Hutchinson and I came on at about the same time and I will attest to the fact that, in those days, the relationship between the mayor’s office and council was not in a good place,” he said.
“One thing that I’m very appreciate of is that there was never a time we came in here that Mayor Hutchinson wasn’t prepared to answer questions.”
Hutchinson said his proudest accomplishments include working with council, opening the Marshall Park splash pad and growing the city’s businesses.
“It’s been a pleasure working with council for the past 10 and a half years with different council members,” he said.
“My goals when I came in were to work with council, improve infrastructure and do what’s best for the citizens … It’s been a pleasure to have that teamwork.”
Hutchinson’s neighbor suggests naming city spray park in his honor
Connie Smith, Hutchinson’s neighbor and a retired Ontario teacher, spoke during public commentary sharing a story about her late mother.
“My mother has been gone for about three years, she was 95 when she passed,” Smith said. “Mayor Hutchinson would stop and see her when she was mowing the yard and that meant so much to her — just the simple stop and saying hi.”
Smith said Craig Hunt, a regular audience member of Ontario council meetings, suggested the city name the Marshall Park Spray Park in Hutchinson’s honor.
“I think that’s a very good suggestion,” she said. “I want to say thank you for being a great mayor and a great neighbor.”
Hutchinson thanked his wife Jamie for supporting his public service as a police officer and mayor.
“Jamie’s put up with a lot,” he said. “It’s been almost 40 years of public service through the police department and here, and she’s been there through it all.”
Council members read and approved a resolution thanking Hutchinson for his service as mayor.
Also in Wednesday’s meeting, city council:
- Met in executive session for a virtual meeting with Industrial Commercial Properties owner Christopher Semarjian regarding the former GM site on 4th Street. ICP is poised to purchase the 228 acres for $1.14 million.
- Announced Raising Cane’s has filed paperwork to build a restaurant in the city, without a publicly confirmed address.
- Reviewed the preliminary 2025 tax revenue budget with treasurer Shannon Lorentz-Wiese and city auditor Mary Ann Hellinger. Rehfeldt said the city has seen an increase of $280,000 from this time last year.
- Approved a $180,000 increase in the city’s budget to fund police equipment, infrastructure, splash pad maintenance and an easement survey with the OSU-Mansfield campus.
- Approved the continuation of the city’s 5-year contract with Ontario Youth Sports overseeing the city’s recreation director responsibilities. August will mark one year of the agreement.
- Knapp said the M42 40 mm Duster was successfully transported to the Shelby-Ontario road entrance of Marshall Park. It was formerly at the front of the Ontario VFW. Council plans to make the tank the centerpiece of a future military memorial.
- Knapp said the city has contracted Kokosing Construction to complete summer road paving, including the South Lexington-Springmill work after the water line replacement. He said the Lexington-Springmill Road paving should be completed by July 4 with weather permitting.
- The 4th of July Festival Committee invited council members and the public to the festivities including a car show, parade, fireworks, live music, food trucks and skydivers on Friday and Saturday. Visit the festival website for a full schedule.