Story and photo
By JENNIFER MOLK
For The Outpost

Yellowstone County Commissioner Jim Reno announced last week that he will run for a third term in 2010.

Commissioner Reno has served as commissioner since 1998. The 64-year-old Republican stood on the Yellowstone Courthouse lawn before a few dozen supporters and colleagues, including fellow Yellowstone County Commissioners John Ostlund and Bill Kennedy; Yellowstone County Attorney Dennis Paxinos; and former Commissioner James “Ziggy” Ziegler to plug his accomplishments and lay out his goals for a third term.

“I’ll work hard for you,” Commissioner Reno began. “We do have a good team. We have a good work ethic, I think, in our county. While there is much we have accomplished, there is much more to do.”

Commissioner Reno listed his goals should he be re-elected county commissioner in 2010:

Goal 1: Expand online business solutions. “Yellowstone County has a progressive technology attitude, yet you still see lines at our Motor Vehicle Department and Elections,” he stated. “In this technological age, one should be online rather than in line. The state of Montana must become part of the solution.”

Goal 2: Continue with the rebirth of MetraPark. “The recently completed half-house is a step in that direction,” Commissioner Reno said. “We should hold more dirt-related events outside. There is something about watching a rodeo outdoors that you just can’t replicate indoors.”

Goal 3: Pave roads. “While road funding is always a struggle, trying to maintain gravel roads with high traffic volumes is probably not the best use of maintenance funds,” Commissioner Reno said. “The key is managing our resources to make paving possible.”

Commissioner Reno touted among his accomplishments the improvements to Shiloh Road, Airport Road and the Bench Connector.

In addition, Mr. Reno mentioned improved cooperation between county and city officials, and said that the Board of County Commissioners has worked hard to control costs and use as few tax dollars as possible.

The 2010 primary election is June 8.