HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-20 Public Comment - L. Kirk - Mr. MehlFrom:Lisa Kirk
To:Agenda
Subject:Mr. Mehl
Date:Tuesday, September 8, 2020 5:08:08 PM
Attachments:image001.png
All,
Sorry I was unable to meet the noon deadline today. We are helping an employee deal with the
impact of the Bridger Foothills Fire.
Chris Mehl is an intelligent and impassioned leader. He has done good work in seeing Bozeman
through the pandemic thus far. It is clear that he loves Bozeman and is committed to being involved
in the future of our community. I would not be surprised to see him pursue a broader role in
government. It is also clear to me that he has a personal vision for Bozeman’s future –
unfortunately, one that does not welcome the input of other stakeholders. As elected leaders for
the Bogert Park Neighborhood Association, my husband and I experienced Mr. Mehl’s efforts to
intimidate and dismiss our efforts to understand and communicate neighborhood concerns after the
NCOD was quietly modified to achieve development objectives championed by Mr. Mehl. After
asking our neighbors for input about what they valued and were most concerned to protect in our
neighborhood, I shared that information with the City Commission during Public Comment. Mr.
Mehl verbally “buttonholed” my husband and I after the session, demanding to know “who in the
city told us to do that,” implying that someone told us to use a formal process of stakeholder
engagement with our neighbors. He seemed not to believe that we, too, might understand and
employ stakeholder engagement methods without City guidance, and he was dismissive of its
results. He often appears to believe he is the smartest person in the room…which isn’t necessarily in
evidence. He was also dismissive of our efforts to study and describe parking patterns and demands
as they related to the overfill development of historic downtown.
After we formed Save Bozeman, Mr. Mehl sought to engage members of our group privately, in
small groups. This was not an attempt at transparent stakeholder engagement, such as we did for
the neighborhood in an open process, but rather one intended to allow him to filter and control
information. We declined. He sits as community liaison on myriad city boards, where he has similar
opportunities to filter and direct information. By controlling the dialogue, Mr. Mehl restricts
transparent democratic process.
It is indeed unfortunate to lose such a talented and motivated leader, but his type of personality
suggests that he is unlikely to change his behavior. He believes he – and he alone – is right.
Thank you for considering my opinion and experiences with Mr. Mehl,
Lisa
Lisa Bithell Kirk, Ph.D., P.Geo.
Principal – Biogeochemistry
lisakirk@enviromininc.com
524 Professional Drive
Bozeman MT 59718
Lab +1-406-581-8261
Cell +1-406-224-5154
www.enviromininc.com
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