Seeing Logan in a different way: Life as the mayor
Returning every phone call from individuals in the community is the only trait that sets Logan City Mayor Randy Watts apart from other local mayors, he said.
“I’m pretty proud of this,” Watts said. I have all my notes and phone call messages from people with different problems. There has not been one person in two years that I have not returned a phone call to and discussed the problem. There have been many times where I have taken the call and have left my office literally to go take a look at the problem in the city.”
Watts began his journey toward becoming mayor nearly six years ago, when a position opened up for an interim Logan City Council member. Watts said he put his name down and was chosen to serve on the city council for roughly six months.
Watts said because he has served in many different positions in the city of Logan, he has created a broad friend base and has made acquaintances with people from all walks of life. With many of these individuals, Watts said they would make frequent visits to Shaffers Bakery on North Main in Logan and discuss many of the problems of the city.
“Because I was retired and was just enjoying fishing, they told me I needed to run for office,” Watts said. “I told them I’m not a politician but more of a businessman, but after a lot more convincing from them, I gave them my scouts honor and told them I would run.”
Watts said he is in a city position because he is not a politician but runs the city more as a businessman with checks and balances and rebuilding of the reserve fund. Most importantly, Watts said he ran because it is a reason to give back to the community he grew up in all of his life.
Watts said going into the office as mayor, he knew a vast majority of the headaches he would have to face on a daily basis. He said this position is one in which he cannot make everyone happy but works hard to meet everyone’s needs. Watts said because decisions are being made which concern a large quantity of people on a day-to-day basis, his job is never boring.
“One minute I can be deep in police talk about crimes that have been committed, and that same afternoon I can be over at the fire department talking about a fire that just happened,” Watts said. “Then the next morning I can start off with public works because we had a water line that just blew up on the streets.”
Watts said he has his hands full running the city of Logan. He said with more than 400 employees and a little less than a dozen departments, a typical day for Watts tends to be very busy. Watts said his day begins no later than 8 a.m., and the day is carefully and tightly scheduled. He spends a vast majority of his time meeting with individuals from the different departments or citizens in the community that would like to discuss a specific issue. A minimum of one or two speaking assignments is also scheduled throughout the week for Watts, whether it is at the Lions Club or the high school. As mayor, Watts even has the power to perform marriage ceremonies, which he said he enjoys.
As mayor of Logan for just more than two years, Watts has made several accomplishments to help the city of Logan succeed. One project Watts faced was the ability to turn Logan into a 100-percent recycle community.
“Because we were the garbage collectors, trash collectors and waste collectors for the entire valley, why not implement the blue barrels?” Watts said. “It is just one of the accomplishments that are important for the future of this county.”
Watts also said he has put a lot of time into creating a new city logo for Logan.
“Below the city logo it reads, ‘United in Service,’ because that was the direction we wanted the city to go,” Watts said. “Meaning we as departments, collectively together are united in our service to help the citizens of Logan.”
Watts said his favorite part about serving as mayor has been the opportunity to interact with people.
“I love the challenge of making a problem work for all of us,” Watts said, “instead of just slamming the door and not letting people feel they have been a part of it.”
Watts said he was taught by his father to always leave people in better shape than when he found them. Watts believe this is the best philosophy to live by and is easy to do whether it is only a smile, handshake or a simple greeting.
Watts said he is very unique because he has never used an ATM. He said his philosophy is that money will come and go, but as busy society, people do not have time for one another.
“I’ve always taken the time to walk in and talk to the teller,” Watts said. “It doesn’t take that much more time out of your day to be a bit more outgoing.”
Watts said he hopes the students attending USU know the Logan city council represents them also and they are not forgotten.
“The students are a big part of our city,” Watts said. “I’ve always said, ‘Where would Logan be without USU?'”
-courtnie.packer@aggiemail.usu.edu