#25 - Ralph "Hutch" Hutchison - the art of calm in a sea of change.

Ralph Hutchison, or as he is known around these parts, “Hutch”, is manager of East Lampeter Township in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Today we take an inside peek of what it looks like to manage a municipality that is situated in the heart of Lancaster County. As Ralph says, “there are two things people don’t like. The way things are and change.”He shares with us his philosophy and approach to managing a Township that fully embraces two ends of a spectrum in culture and business.I am your host, Nancy Hess and I created PCC Local Time Podcast to start conversations among friends and colleagues in this professional field we call local government. East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, PennsylvaniaSign up for our newsletter and learn more about the Pioneering Change Community. Show Notes3:10 The center of Lancaster County5:50 Change, a natural state of affairs11:50 Early mentor, Michael O’Keefe13:30 Developing manager muscle15:10 Concept of urban growth and preserving agricultural land17:10 Early days of shopping outlet mall expansion22:00 Zoning and the first Walmart in Lancaster25:40 Impact on police services27:25 Steady articulation of values through changes in landscape31:00 Answering the question of “why?”34:00 Changes that improve organizational effectiveness38:00 Lincoln Highway Streetscape Plan44:00 What is on the horizon for transportation projects in Lancaster?46:10 Imagining the future and regional interests49:35 Working together in the region and the importance of engagement