Calvert County Commissioner Tim Hutchins(middle) with the rest of the board.
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County Commissioner Thomas “Tim” Hutchins[R-District 2] is officially stepping down from his post on June 28 because he could not meet his standards as commissioner.
Hutchins stepped down because he believed he could not handle the physical and mental demands of the job anymore.
“During the past months, I have coped with significant challenges that limited my physical attendance at the Board sessions until the first part of May. However, I continued to work diligently throughout the period via telecommunications methods, the same as many others who had to adapt to such during this COVID environment,” Hutchins told TheBayNet.
Although he stayed engaged with the Board via telecommunications during his struggles, he would rather move on than hold on for too long.
“Consequently, given my situation, I will not be available to represent my consistency to the degree that I am accustomed, as I am not one to just simply hang on and see how it goes,” Hutchins said. “I feel strongly that even though being a commissioner is technically not a full-time commitment, it requires a level of availability which I demand of myself and could not provide.”
This was no simple decision for Hutchins since most of his life he has served some organization, and he has never directly worked for his home district.
“Having spent my early youth in the quietness of the crossroads of Barstow, I went on to serve in many organizations capacities both here and abroad,” Hutchins said. “Thus, it was a particular honor to come back to Calvert and serve you in my home district.”
After his first year as commissioner of District 2, he knew he could not do what was needed even by putting his best foot forward. As a result, he made a decision that best suits all parties.
“For example, in the first year of this term I was President of the Board and worked over 1900 hours in that capacity,” Hutchins said. “Accordingly, I feel strongly that it is in the best interest of the constituency and the Board for me to resign and thereby facilitate the operation of law resulting in the appointment of a successor to fill the remainder of the term.”
Before being elected commissioner of District 2, Hutchins was a member of the United States Army and the Maryland Army National Guard. He was also a Vietnam veteran. Eventually, he retired from the Army National Guard in 2004 after serving close to four decades of continuous duty.
Then, Hutchins served various organizations as a leader. His motivation to serve others came from his upbringing.
“My mother and father instilled in me and my siblings, Connie, Bobby and Charles Reid, the obligation of service to others and our form of government,” Hutchins said. “We were taught to treat all people with courtesy and respect no matter their color of skin, economic status or country of origin.”
Additionally, Hutchins attributes a lot of his later success as a commissioner, as director of Governor Larry Hogan’s Office of Homeland security, as Superintendent of the Maryland State Police and his many other leadership roles to his time in the army.
“The United States Army shaped most of my adult life, it furthered my exposure to many places and people in the best and worst of situations,” Hutchins said. “I employ the ethos and training of the military in organization philosophy, planning, analysis, training, leadership and emergency response. The military exposure has proven to be a versatile guidance system applicable to any setting that I have encountered.”
Hutchins might have stepped down as commissioner, but he will still serve others. However, he plans to spend this extra time with his family.
In the meantime, Hutchins has submitted his resignation to the Calvert County Republican Central Committee(CCRCC) so they can appoint his successor before the 2022 election. The CCRCC must submit a written nomination to the governor to appoint the recommended person or make a different nomination within 15 days of the submission.
After the next meeting of the Maryland General Assembly starts, the governor will have 30 days to submit the nomination of one of the nominated individuals to the senate. Then, the Maryland Senate will vote to confirm or reject the appointment.
Contact Tony and the rest of our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
