HOISINGTON — The City of Hoisington hosted the weekly coffee for the Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning in the council chamber. City Manager Jonathan Mitchell took the opportunity to share his heartfelt recognition of Donita Crutcher, the city’s long-serving clerk. Her last official day is today, Friday, Jan. 31. A reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the City Auditorium and the public is invited. 

Mitchell shared some trivia about the year Crutcher began her employment with the city. That year, Sony released the Walkman, which sold for $200, and the top song on the charts was “My Sharona.” ESPN was introduced that year, and the price of a barrel of oil reached a new record high that year at $24. 

“Things have changed a little bit,” Mitchell said. “But one thing hasn’t changed. That’s the commitment that Donita has shown since day one when she came to work here with the city.” 

He spoke of how he came to Hoisington in 2009. 

“She’s really helped to nurture me as a city manager and helped me to develop as a leader and really been somebody I’ve leaned on for many years for advice,” he said. 

Crutcher obliged him and shared some of the changes she’s witnessed over the years. She recalled getting one of the first electric typewriters before desktop computers became the norm, and also using two-way radios to communicate with the various departments in the city. 

Celia Conrad assumes the position of city clerk, and Kim Loesch is the new deputy city clerk.