HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-07-20 Public Comment - B. Hietala - Public Comment for Bozeman City Commission Meeting on September 8, 2020From:hietala@mcn.net
To:Agenda
Cc:robert.s.hietala@gmail.com
Subject:Public Comment for Bozeman City Commission Meeting on September 8, 2020
Date:Monday, September 7, 2020 12:34:40 PM
Bozeman City Commission,
I am writing to offer public comment for your Special Commission Meeting scheduled onSeptember 8, 2020.
In my past positions leading a local economic development organization and leading the start-up of our areas Two-Year College, I have had the pleasure of working closely with CityCommissioners and specifically Commissioner (Deputy Mayor) Chris Mehl. Given that theallegations and corresponding hundreds of pages of documents seem to be focused oninternal management and relationships within the city government, I thought it might behelpful to share my viewpoint as an organizational partner with the city.
In my interactions with Commissioner Mehl I’ve always found him to be a professional anddedicated city official. Three projects I was involved in that benefited from his specific effortsincluded: the development and passage of the City Of Bozeman’s first Economic DevelopmentPlan, the approval for the start of the Two-Year Colleges Culinary Arts Program and the start-up and development of the Two-Year College through a number of different initiatives.
As I watched Commissioner Mehl over the years it became clear that he was incrediblydedicated to serving Bozeman, had high standards and that he would always ask the hardquestions to further improve specific projects. These are traits that were valued by the staff inthe organizations I led. It is my hope that the City Commission also values these attributes inCommission Members serving our growing city.
My other comment is directed specifically at Commissioner Terry Cunningham. I noticed thatyou conducted a television interview and wrote an editorial in the local paper in which youcalled on Mayor Mehl to “do the honorable thing and resign”. To state this publicly beforeyour commission meeting when Mayor Mehl gets to respond to these allegations, seemshighly inappropriate. I would suggest your actions were well short of professional orhonorable.
Bob HietalaBozeman, MT