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LINDA KAPSA CASE: COUNTY COMMISSIONER JAMES RENO WANTS COUNTY TO BE TRANSPARENT
  by MONTANA NEWS ASSOCIATION

Syndicated by: Montana News Donald Cyphers Editor-In-Chief
Written by: MNA reporter Chris Markey

Billings Mt., Aug 4, 2009--/MNA PRESS/--In regards to the Linda Kapsa case, Montana News editor and chief Donald Cyphers spoke with county commissioner James Reno about the issue of why the county and the sheriffs’ department have ignored numerous requests of local attorneys for the actual names and donations made to help the Linda Kapsa animals. Over two months ago, attorney Elizabeth Honaker went through the proper procedures to get information on the donations and still has received nothing. People in the community feel that Yellowstone County is being unfair about the Kapsa case and not being transparent.

When confronting Reno with this issue, he was very cooperative. He seemed to be under the belief that donors could keep their donations confidential if they wanted, but that is not the case. There is a record of all donations that should be available to the public according to editor and chief Donald Cyphers. Reno took it upon himself to find out why the donations are not being released to the public. He contacted the Civil Division of the County Attorneys Office and brought the issue up to Kevin Gillen. Gillen denied ever receiving any request from attorney Elizabeth Honaker, although Honaker is on film filing paperwork requesting the information. He said that if the request is resent, he would expedite the release of the information.