Mayor Smelser's Top 10

Bret Smelser will end a 12 year term serving as mayor of Sidney after choosing not to seek re-election. Although no one accomplishes everything they set out to when elected, Mayor Smelser is proud of what he and the city council have done during his time in office.

1. HB758 in 2005 gave the city 1/10th of 1% of the county's oil production, split between Sidney and Fairview. "It's the glue that's held us together," Smelser said. "It's not enough to do major projects but it has given us some breathing room."

2. Balanced budget. The budget has been balanced and cash brought forward, with increased cash reserves each year until this one when the city is starting to have to spend those reserves on infrastructure.

3. 3vs.4. The revamping of Central Avenue was done for safety, the slowing and controlling of traffic, and to anchor downtown businesses with 10 vs. 8 feet of parking.

Urban forestry. Sidney has been a Tree City USA for 12 years in a row. Close to 2500 trees have been planted in the past 14 years. The downtown enhancement project is also scheduled for 2014.

5. Increasing the walking paths which were started when Smelser was a councilman. People use the 2 ½ miles of paths daily, all the way from the high school to Millers' Corner junction. Richland County completed the path to that junction once the city had completed their share on 5th St. S.E.

6. Governor Nutter's statue. The statue was built using all private donations, and placed in Veteran's Memorial Park. "To me, it gives our kids the idea that leaders can come from Sidney. Hopefully it inspires them to accomplish more. And it reconnects us with our past," Smelser said.

7. Involvement with The Montana League of Cities & Towns and President in 2007. "It's important. We need to stay engaged with them," he said. Five mayors and one councilman from Sidney have served as president of the Montana League of Cities and Towns in the past 50 years.

8. Leadership. "I hope I have provided steady leadership. I've always been ready to listen, yet ready to fight for what was good for the majority of Sidney. I hope I could be counted on to be steady at the helm. Going at least once a year for ten years to Mr. Faulhaber's government class, dealing with the kids, has given me a great perspective."

9. Oil & Gas Commissioner. "I represent all of Eastern Montana on the commission because that's where our funds come from. I want to keep an eye on the budget. HB 758 was only temporary. Those funds could disappear." Smelser will be on the board for at least one more year.

10. Infrastructure and Recreation. "For 5 or 6 years, we were on a schedule to replace 2 to 4 blocks a year of our 100 year old water and sewer mains. Then, we had to switch gears and start new projects to accommodate new growth and subdivisions. 170 acres were purchased in 2005 and 2006 to give us design options on a new sewer lagoon. A 15" sewer collector line was laid 2 years ago from the Justice Center to the Sunrise subdivision. The main offal line has been redone from the city boundaries to the lagoon. We appreciate the county commissioners' assistance on that project.

Recreational opportunities were increased with the addition of the new splash pool, the water slide, the skate park, and Sidney's 19th park which contain the new tennis courts and native landscaping.