CAPTION: Commissioner Richard Winger is sworn in by Chief Judge Patricia Macke Dick Monday at the Reno County Courthouse. CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY
By Michael Glenn
Commissioners Ron Vincent and Richard Winger were both sworn in Monday as Reno County’s newest commissioners.
Winger represents the fourth commission district and the only district completely within Hutchinson city limits. Winger said he is ready to get to work as commissioner and help the county grow.
“My goal is to make the county as efficient but have the services that all people expect, and also have a forward-looking perspective in trying to get businesses to move here, working with the city and infrastructure things that need to be done, trying to make Hutch a place people want to come and live in,” Winger said.
Winger has lived in Hutchinson for over 50 years and has four children and 13 grandchildren. Winger ran as a Republican and has not held a political office before, but did work in the Reno County Maintenance/Facilities Department after retiring from the pool and spa industry. He now works at Hutchinson Community College.
Winger added he will also be connected with rural residents of the county and plans on attending town halls and meetings that are in rural areas.
“I appreciate everyone that participated in the election and the people that voted for me, but I want to be a good commissioner for the county,” Winger said. “I appreciate the people that work in the county and I’m looking forward to the next couple years.”
Vincent represents the third district which encompasses northeastern Hutchinson, Medora and Buhler.
“I became more interested in what was going on commission-wise, and that’s why I decided to run,” Vincent said. “I’m pretty interested in the way they spend money. They’ve had some projects in the past that I feel have gotten out of hand or were not very well planned. I’m really wanting to look into that.”
Vincent has lived his entire life in Hutchinson and owned a business before retiring two years ago. He said he wants to work to grow the county and Hutchinson as well as increase the amount of businesses in the county.
Vincent said even though he ran as a Republican, he has no political agenda he wants to push while on the commission. He said he wants to focus only on growing revenue and population in the county.
Commissioner Ron Hirst also won re-election in November and was sworn in for a third term.
Winger, Vincent and Hirst will join Commission Chair Randy Parks and Vice Chair Don Bogner to make up the commission. All five are Republicans.
Other county officials sworn in Monday include Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell, Reno County Register of Deeds Michelle Updegrove, Reno County Clerk Jenna Fager, Reno County, District Attorney Thomas Stanton, Reno County District Court Judge, Dist. 27 Div. II Keith Schroeder, Reno County Magistrate Judge, Dist. 27 Jeff Newsum and District Court Judge, Dist. 27, Div. IV Greg Bell.
Casey Swarts / January 15, 2025
Mr. Vincent and Mr. Winger sound like they will be excellent County Commissioners and we are lucky to have them. Our County faces many issues like declining population, aging infrastructure, and water availability. It will take honest open dialogue and good decision making to help us prosper. Outside investment in Reno County, along with support for critical infrastructure such as our Health Department, is a must. I wish our new commissioners all the best.
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Ron Sellers / January 15, 2025
I echo Casey Swarts thoughts on our new County Commissioners shown above. Reno County is privileged to have an excellent employee group that deserves leadership who is looking toward the future issues of the County.
i also want to thank the two retiring commissioners for their past work for the County. it takes a lot of time and study to be a Commissioner.
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