TORRINGTON – Dr. Rick Patterson has ended his campaign for the office of Torrington Mayor.
In a letter to the Torrington Telegram on Wednesday, Patterson thanked everyone who encouraged him to run and supported him during his campaign.
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TORRINGTON – Dr. Rick Patterson has ended his campaign for the office of Torrington Mayor.
In a letter to the Torrington Telegram on Wednesday, Patterson thanked everyone who encouraged him to run and supported him during his campaign.
“My current assignment as interim President of Eastern Wyoming College [EWC] has reminded me of the huge commitment of time and energy required to be a successful administrator,” he said in the letter. “You may not realize that serving as Mayor of Torrington is more than a political position. It is a full-time job. Torrington’s mayor is a de facto city manager who, along with the council, is responsible for administering an annual budget of nearly $40 million and leading over 100 city employees working in 18 departments.”
Patterson, who currently serves on the city council, initially announced his intentions to run for mayor during the council’s regular meeting on April 20 shortly after being announced as the interim president at EWC.
Patterson added in the letter he also currently serves on a local non-profit agency board, a state commission, and has been teaching as an adjunct instructor at EWC.
In an interview on Wednesday, Patterson said he hopes to make more time for family amongst the rest of his obligations.
“Being the mayor, it deserves someone that can be there focused on it full time,” Patterson said. I don’t want to take on something I can’t do right.”
Patterson also said he will continue to serve his term on the city council.
“I’m still very interested in the city and what happens with it and moving things forward there so I’m certainly not giving up on the city,” he said.
According to the county clerk’s office, all the candidates have been finalized on the ballot for print. In the case of a candidate dropping out notices will be posted to inform the community not to vote for them. Patterson confirmed he sent a letter to the county clerk’s office stating the end of his campaign.
Patterson said the people should “be mindful of the skills, integrity, commitment, and energy required to fulfill the positions.”
“Your choice matters,” he said.
Two candidates remain in the mayoral race, Herb Doby and Dennis Kelly, as the primary election will be on Aug. 16.
