BUTTE — With 16 years as a state legislator and 30 years working for Butte-Silver Bow, Jon Sesso knows quite a bit about public service.
“I’m going from employee to encyclopedia on the shelf. If they’ve got a question and want to look something up, they can call me and I’ll be glad to answer any questions and continue to share my institutional knowledge,” said State Sen. Jon Sesso, D-MT.
Sesso is ending his term as a state legislator and as Butte’s Superfund Coordinator at the end of this year. Sesso is proud of his eight years as a state representative and eight as a state senator, where he was able to accomplish much, including getting the Southwest Montana Veterans Home built in Butte.
Sesso, a Democrat, said the key was working with people from both sides of the aisle.
“And you try to ignore the static of ideology, of people who are more interested in their ideology than they are of governing and finding solutions to problems and you can get stuff done,” said Sesso.
Sesso also worked on Butte’s Superfund cleanup of mine waste over the past several decades, which eventually led to the signing of a consent decree earlier this year.
“You know it just took too darn long to get the consent decree done, but the fact that it is done and now we have a blueprint for the work that we have to accomplish in the future and more importantly not only the next five years for the implementation of the rest of the remedy, but taking care of the remedy forever,” said Sesso.
Sesso believes Butte’s economic future is bright, but he’s more encouraged to find that the next generation is stepping up to take a leadership role.
“We’re seeing some young people get involved in the future of our town and I think that’s very important that young people get involved and start becoming our leaders,” said Sesso.
Sesso, who is 67, said he and his wife, Barb, plan to continue to live in Butte and travel in retirement.
