Back in the Saddle for the town

Vivian Gonzales is putting the hat of Hanna Town Clerk back on after a six year absence.

Gonzales had left the town clerk position to be Hanna Parks and Recreation Director. During the past six years she has been instrumental in getting the recreation center­-with its indoor pool, racquetball courts, basketball courts and exercise equipment-into good shape.

It was a lot of work, but Gonzales is happy with what she accomplished.

Now she feels it is time to go back to the town hall.

Gonzales loves the Hanna community.

"I was raised in Hanna. I graduated from school here," Gonzales said. "I did venture out into the world once I graduated for a little while, but I came back because I wanted to raise my kids in Hanna."

She has two kids still in school, but two have graduated.

"I have three grandsons now and it is looking like they might grow up here too," Gonzales said.

Gonzales remembers her first time working for the town hall in 2008.

"It was part-time fill in to help the town clerk then in 2008," Gonzales said. "The clerk retired and I was made town clerk in 2010. Then in June of 2017, I became the Hanna Parks and Recreation Director."

When she took over as Parks and Recreation director, she became a certified lifeguard and pool operator.

There were many challenges to get the recreation center to what it is today," Gonzales said. "From painting and cleaning, to major repairs, it needed much TLC."

Gonzales said her staff over the years helped her tremendously during times when a lot is needed to be done.

"If it was not for all my staff over the years that have helped me, the center would not have been able to get the painting done, keep the cleaning up and have it in as good as a shape as it is," Gonzales said. "It was built in 1982 and I have grown up with it being in my life and it has been important to me to keep it going in good shape for future generations. It is a great place for kids to hang out and the athletes use it during offseason."

Gonzales admits it is hard to leave the facility but she feels she will still be able to help the recreation center.

"I feel, in my position, in going back to town clerk and the new hire they have for the Rec Center, we can work well together and make the Rec Center grow," Gonzales said. "I will always be around to help."

Gonzales knows the town faces many challenges as impact monies from wind projects are distributed and spent.

"I am prepared," Gonzales said. "There is still a lot of knowledge, from the time I was clerk before, which gives me a solid foundation. A lot of that knowledge just doesn't go away. Once you learn it, you learn it. I don't doubt I will have to get my feet wet on a few things, but it will be alright."

Gonzales believes the job will have her busier this time around due to so much construction activity on roads and the AML filling in the mines.

"I am never one to run from a challenge to learn something," Gonzales said. "Impact funding has helped the town a lot, so I am going to continue to look for it to help us. We will keep moving forward."