HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-20 Public Comment - S. Swimley - Mayor MehlFrom:agenda@bozeman.net
To:Agenda
Subject:Thank you for your public comment.
Date:Tuesday, September 8, 2020 3:53:45 PM
A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name:Public Comment Form
Date & Time:09/08/2020 3:53 PM
Response #:566
Submitter ID:30286
IP address:216.166.171.217
Time to complete:52 min. , 14 sec.
Survey Details
Page 1
Public comment may be submitted via the form below, or by any of the following options.
Public comment may also be given at any public meeting.
Email:
agenda@bozeman.net
Mail to:
Attn: City Commission
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
First Name Susan
Last Name Swimley
Email Address swimley@swimleylaw.com
Phone Number 4065865544
Comments
Dear City Manager and City Commission:
It is with great trepidation that I add input into the public record.
In 2015 I contacted City Attorney Greg Sullivan regarding then Commissioner Mehl's bully and aggressive
behavior toward females who testified in public at City Commission meetings. City Attorney Greg Sullivan
asked if he could forward my email setting out my concerns to then Commissioner Mehl. I agreed.
Commissioner Mehl sought an in-person meeting. I agreed to attend at Sola. When I arrived, I learned that
Commissioner Mehl had included then Commissioner Andrus in the meeting. I explained what I had seen
and my opinion that Commissioner Mehl’s behavior was unacceptable and was dramatically more abusive
toward females.
Commissioner Mehl then spent approximately 40 minutes explaining to me that I had not seen or heard
any inappropriate behavior. We now call this gaslighting. In 2015 the term was unfamiliar to me.
As I read the continued course of conduct, what I see now is that leaders within the City, as well as elected
officials have avoided taking a stance. I am grateful to Commissioner Cunningham, who I don’t know and
have never met, for taking a stance. No matter the response from Mayor Mehl, the City Commission needs
to be acutely aware the depth of acceptance for the set forth behavior and attitude runs deeper than just
the Mayor.
Susan Swimley
406-586-5544
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receipt of all information.
Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
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