With the new year 2010 now upon us and the new years resolutions already shattered ( well, I hope not all of them); comes new life and energy. As many of you know, Mayor Ron Tussing is on his way out because come next week., the new Mayor elected back in Novemeber is Tom Hanel and he’ll take his place on Monday night at the head of the City Council Chamber meetings. Mayor elect Hanel seems confident to get some new energy arriving in the Billings area from government communication to local activities in the local area. One thing for sure, 
time will tell as we start this ride with Mayor Hanel.
In the past year or so, Billings has made significant changes in regards to making the city a little more easily accessable. If you haven’t driven the state highway 3 along top the rimrocks or near the Billings Logan International airport; it’s a sight to see as well as a drive to make. With all the city lights and sights; it’s no wonder Billings has been deemed Montana’s trailhead by the Billings Chamber of Commerce.
To the Westend of Billings along Shiloh road (also known as 40th street), new round-abouts have been installed from the north to the south at the major intersections. Reason has it that round-abouts provide energy efficeincy coupled with better traffic control at the major intersections.
A roundabout is one of several types of circular road junctions or intersections at which traffic is slowed down and enters a one-way stream around a central island. Technically these junctions sometimes are called modern roundabouts, in order to emphasize the distinction from older circular junction types which had different design characteristics and rules of operation. In the United States those older designs commonly are referred to as “rotaries” or “traffic circles”. Roundabouts are designed to make intersections safer and move efficiently for drivers, pedestrians and cyclist. Did you know that roundabouts are the newest form of intersection in the U.S?
Now as billings is the biggest city in Montana, new businesses have recently set up shop and more are coming. Outdoor retail giant Cabella’s has come and opened its doors and currently provides business at the new Billings Town Square shopping corridor. In addition, retail giant Walmart (now 3 stores in the Yellowstone County area) will be opening its extended arm of Sam’s Club in January. Billings will win in many ways in that more jobs will be acquired as well as competitive food prices. Sam’s Club (an extention of Walmart), will go head to head with bulk food prices against Costco. Costco has been all alone in the Billings region for awhile until now. It will be interesting to see how much the consumer wins.
However, with all the new developements occurring in the Billings Town Square area, only time will tell what new giant retailer or food joint will sprout up in the metropolis of Billings. For example, what about In-and-out Burger, Jack-in-the-Box,or another Mexican or Italian (Frazolli’s) restaurant. Five years from now, what we have now will be out of date. Who knows, maybe the Pappy’s Cowboy Cookout will explode and be another means by which Billings is put on the national and internationsal map more than it is already.
With all this speculation on what the future brings to Billings, Mayor Tom Hanel has endless opprotunities to bring his energy, expereince, and leadership to work for Billings residents. I’ve personally met the guy and his wife and I’m convinced he’s got a lot of opportunities and can do the job. Time
