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Debbie Hutton, newly-named Park and Recreation Director/Asst. City Collector, is pictured at her desk in the collector's office in Casey City Hall. Photo by Sharon Durham
Debbie Hutton fills new city position  Share
After living in Nashville, Tenn. for the past 30 years, Debbie Hutton has returned to her roots. A Class of '71 Casey High School graduate, Debbie is now the Park and Recreation Director/Asst. City Collector, a position newly created by the Casey City Council. Following graduation from Eastern Illinois University in 1975, Debbie worked for EIU at Chanute Air Force Base as an off-campus degree coordinator for five years before moving to Nashville. In Nashville, she first served as a consumer affairs advisor for the Middle Tennessee Health Systems Agency, a government funded program. When the program ended, she went to work at Shoney's corporate office for the next 18 1/2 years, starting as a secretary in the marketing department and working her way up to Director of Advertising. Now she is back home and couldn't be happier. ''I started thinking about it nearly five years ago,'' Debbie said. ''My father's accident (Jim Hutton) started me thinking about coming back. Last year I finally decided it was time to come home.'' The job opportunity came up after she had made her decision. Debbie said the new city council wanted to focus on Fairview Park.
''Our park is so wonderful, and such a great place for families,'' she said. ''I can remember when I was a child, it was always full. The goal is to get a lot more scheduled events in the park on a year-round basis.'' Among the ideas she discussed were visiting Santa Claus in the park, having Halloween activities at the park, hosting fishing derbys, getting city band started, bringing in local bands, or sponsoring gospel sings. She and the council would like to have activities that would attract all age groups. ''I think the campground could be full,'' she said. ''We need to get the word out about our facilities.'' Debbie said her job is to work with established festivals and help them grow, pointing out that the 25th anniversary of the Popcorn Festival will be coming up soon. She will be meeting with the Park Committee soon to discuss future plans. ''We've got a lot of things to talk about,'' she said. ''We want to get some plans in the works.'' Although Debbie is anxious to get started on events for the park, she is learning the collector side of her position first. ''The training has been excellent. I've never been trained so well for a position,'' she said, referring to the training she is receiving from City Collector Randi Parr. ''All the people have been great,'' she continued. ''Everyone has made me feel welcome. It's been wonderful to be back, and I'm anxious to get involved in my town and make a positive impact.'' Debbie said she would certainly welcome any ideas, thoughts or comments on Fairview Park. Comments may be sent to caseypark@mchsi.com. Sharon Durham is a staff reporter for the Casey Reporter.
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