The Advocate and Democrat

Citizens and local leaders said thank you to outgoing Sweetwater Mayor Jim Stutts with a reception Monday evening at City Hall after a workshop and called meeting.

Stutts has spent the past decade serving Sweetwater as city attorney, city commissioner and as mayor.

Stutts became mayor in 2004 when the late Billy Ridenour retired before his last term expired.

Stutts was elected mayor in 2005 but decided not to run this year.

Doyle Lowe was elected mayor June 11 and will be sworn in Wednesday, July 1 at City Hall.

Stutts said he enjoyed his years serving the city and does not rule out a later return to politics.

However, Stutts did not run for re-election because of his workload as an assistant district attorney under District Attorney General Steve Bebb.

Stutts said he wished he could have figured out a way to do both jobs without sacrificing the time they both deserve.

When asked if he would miss being mayor, Stutts replied, "Probably every day."

The outgoing mayor said his biggest enjoyment as mayor came working with city employees, officials and citizens trying to improve the community.

Stutts said he has met with incoming Mayor Lowe and the two have been working on a smooth transition.

Stutts said he has offered Lowe any help he needs and has been impressed with Lowe's effort to learn all he can about his new leadership role for Sweetwater.

Stutts will likely be remembered for several things as a city leader, but one of the most important areas could be his support for the city school system.

"He was a great friend to the schools," Sweetwater City Director of Schools Dr. Keith Hickey said.

Hickey noted Stutts' efforts to support and expand the primary school project.

As mayor, Stutts pushed for and got increased city funding for city schools.

Hickey said Stutts' support went beyond financial support as he supported schools in a variety of ways in his leadership role.

Stutts was a key figure in seeing through the completion of the new Fire Hall No. 2 and worked with commissioners and department heads on numerous grant applications and other projects.

Pictures from the mayor's reception are available online in The Advocate & Democrat photo gallery.

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