ST. GEORGE – Zachary Renstrom is a civil engineer and patent attorney who hopes to add another title to his name in November – that of County Commissioner. Renstrom is running for Washington County Commission Seat A and has said his background will benefit the county and its people.
“I have a unique set of abilities I can bring in,” Renstrom said.
With his dual background, Renstrom said he understands issues of infrastructure, water, transportation, economic development, and public lands. Each of these is a topic connected to an overarching theme of growth, he said, and the challenges that prospect presents.
As to why Renstrom is running for the seat, he has a great love for the area and wants it to continue to be a place his children can grow up and raise their families. “That is my motivation for taking on this endeavor,” he said.
Changing economy
Renstorm said he understands the changing economy. As a patent attorney one of the primary things he does is work with companies on research and development projects.
“I’m of the belief that our economy will change radically in the next 20 years,” Renstrom said. “As a community we can either be in front of that wave or behind it.”
He points to ever-improving technology and innovation as being causes of the change. It’s something the county needs to be prepared for, he said.
“Our county right now is in a prime time and prime location to start looking at developing – expanding our economic base and getting in those high-paying jobs everyone talks about,” he said.
Water: key to growth and economy
Water is one of many things civil engineers come to understand in their line of work as they deal with infrastructure, Renstrom said.
“If you don’t have water, you don’t have life,” Renstrom said. “And water is directly connected to our standard of living and our economy.”
It is important to address the county’s water issues and continually improve its water system, he said, adding that the Lake Powell Pipeline needs to be a part of that discussion.
Renstrom’s opponent, Democratic challenger Chris White, has said the county should focus more on educating the public about the pipeline and ultimately put it up to a vote.
“I’m not in favor of a referendum,” Renstrom said, though he said he could see the necessity for it if final costs of the pipeline project are so high they will significantly impact the county.
Public lands
Renstrom supports keeping access to the public lands in Washington County open so residents and visitors can continue to enjoy them.
“Public land is one of our best assets in this area,” he said. “It’s going to be one of those things that if we don’t have a good, strong defense, we’re going to lose it. And once we lose it, it’s gone.”
On the subject of the prospective Northern Corridor in the county that could pass through the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Renstrom supports the creation of the roadway. The road will connect Interstate 15 and state Route 18. Once built, it is anticipated to help lessen traffic on St. George Boulevard.
“It’s essential to the county to get that road,” he said.
Building the road could also be an advantage to the tortoise reserve, he said, adding that it would allow additional access to the trails that crisscross the area. The whole endeavor could be a win-win for everyone, Renstrom said.
“It can be where we’re protecting the tortoise and relieving traffic on the Boulevard,” he said.
For additional information on Renstrom and his position on the issues, visit his website.
Related posts
- All St. George News reports related to Election 2014
- Iverson aims to continue as county commissioner, prioritizes economic development
- Van Dam calls for return to Vision Dixie principles, uniform infrastructure
- Renstrom says background as civil engineer, patent attorney will benefit county
- White aims for County Commission Seat A
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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.
Water is necessary for growth. But how many of us want that much more growth? Hence, why not a public referendum on the Lake Powell pipeline? The pipeline’s cost is bound to be over $1 billion (some are using numbers as high as $4-5 billion) plus years of bond interest. Anything that big deserves a vote. Without one, most of us will believe that land owners, real estate developers and building contractors, aided and abetted by the WCWCD, played us for suckers.
You have a clear choice here BIGGUY. Vote in Democrats for the three county commission seats. These positions should be non-partisan anyway and political ideology has little play at the county level. A Republican office holder in Washington County will NEVER oppose the pipeline, or allow the public to vote on it.
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I know you, and most of the county, are too programmed with hate for the Democratic party to do the right thing. You’ll keep on pulling the lever for the straight R ticket. You’ll get the pipeline and its ruinous costs because you were too foolish to make a correct decision.
You are absolutely correct. Why are these politicians afraid of a vote? It can only be that they think there is a good chance that they would lose.
“Public land is one of our best assets in this area,” he said. “It’s going to be one of those things that if we don’t have a good, strong defense, we’re going to lose it. And once we lose it, it’s gone.”
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This statement baffles me. The only way our public lands can be lost is if they are transferred into private hands, exactly the end game of the state takeover.
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Public lands are Washington County’s crown jewels. When new industry moves into our industrial parks, bringing jobs and higher wages, it won’t be because the incoming company can graze a cow or drive an ATV anywhere and everywhere. It will happen because employees and company owners are attracted to our quality of life, with outdoor recreation and quality of schools being among the most important.
Picture looks like a dentist advertisement for bleaching your teeth
Pipeline=$$$.
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The local republican motto should be; “We’re building the big pipe whether you like it or not, so if you don’t like it you can suck it.”