ONTARIO — Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson is stepping down from his position to join the Area Agency on Aging.
“The goals I had when I got into office I feel that I’ve left in a good spot,” he said Wednesday during a City Council meeting.
The 65-year-old Hutchinson said his last day as mayor will be July 10 and he will start his new job with the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging on July 11. He will be the organization’s mobility manager.
Trae Turner, chief of community living for the AAA5, said the mobility manager works with community organizations and seniors needing transportation services. The mobility management program transitioned from the Richland County Regional Planning Commission earlier this year.
“That team works to enhance current transportation services and also identify gaps where we can improve,” he said.
Hutchinson was elected mayor in 2013 after retiring from the Ontario Police Department. He spent 26 years on the force, including as a lieutenant and the city’s first D.A.R.E officer.
He won the mayor’s seat in the city of about 6,600 residents by receiving 71 percent of the vote to defeat David Metzger in 2013.
The popular mayor was unopposed when he earned re-election in 2017 and 2021. He won the “Elected Official of the Year” award from the Area Agency in 2017.
Duana Patton, CEO of the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, said she is excited to welcome Hutchinson to the nonprofit.
“Randy as mayor is very passionate about supporting the community and our residents,” she said. “He’s already established relationships with the community, so I think his transition will be pretty seamless.
“We couldn’t be more exited to add him to our already amazing team.”
The Richland County Republican Central Committee shall make an appointment for the rest of Hutchinson’s four-year term, which expires at the end of 2025.
“It’s been a pleasure,” Hutchinson said. “I’ve really enjoyed the last 10 years here and look forward to staying involved in the community.”
