HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-20 Public Comment - A. Meister - Chris MehlFrom:Alice Meister
To:Agenda
Subject:RE: Chris Mehl
Date:Saturday, September 5, 2020 3:22:16 PM
Dear City Commissioners:
I am writing regarding Chris Mehl and the allegations made against him. As the former Bozeman
Public Library Director from 1997-2010, I worked closely with Chris during the Library building
project as he was Chair of the Library Foundation, which was responsible for fund-raising. When our
Development Director Wendy Bay Lewis had to leave unexpectedly in 2005 due to health issues,
Chris immediately stepped into the breach and became responsible for many more duties than
expected, including fund-raising and hiring a new Development Director—all of which took
incredible time and energy to accomplish.
Our close association allowed me to appreciate Chris for his dedication, leadership, intelligence, and
commitment to our project. He has strong opinions which he states articulately and directly but I
never felt bullied nor intimidated by him, especially not physically. He constantly prepared well and
did his homework so he could back up his statements. He can be overzealous at times but this is
only due to his commitment and care for the Library and the City.
I realize that good people make mistakes, and Chris has apologized for his. As a City employee, I
know that employees are given opportunities to improve on their mistakes before dismissal, and I
believe Chris needs this opportunity to redeem himself. He has worked tirelessly for years to be
Mayor, an aspirational goal, and finally stepped into the position this year fraught with many
challenges such as coronavirus and hiring a new City Manager.
Please give Chris this opportunity to improve and prove himself. Everyone deserves a second
chance, and he has given so much of himself to City matters for years that he definitely has earned
this consideration.
Thank you for your attention in this matter.
Most sincerely,
Alice Meister
612 N. 3rd Avenue
Bozeman, MT. 59715
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