HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-06-20 Public Comment - Forward Montana - Email to Commissioner Wallner and Statement on City Commission VacancyFrom:Michael Wallner
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: Forward Montana Letter on City Commission Appointment
Date:Tuesday, October 6, 2020 3:13:15 PM
Attachments:Wallner _ Forward Montana Statement on Bozeman City Commission Appointment .pdf
From: Emma Bode [emma@forwardmontana.org]Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2020 3:06 PMTo: Michael WallnerCc: Kiersten IwaiSubject: Forward Montana Letter on City Commission Appointment
Dear Commissioner Wallner,
Thank you for undergoing this challenging transition of leadership at the City Commission.
We would like to offer our condolences to those harmed by former Mayor Mehl’s actionswhile in office. You and the other City of Bozeman staff faced an extremely difficult situation
over the past several years and were exceptionally brave in advocating for a more welcomingand productive working environment. We hope that you continue this progress in appointing a
City Commissioner that will move Bozeman forward. Please see attached a letter from myselfand Kiersten Iwai concerning the upcoming appointment decision.
I am always happy to speak with you if you have any questions or concerns or just want to talk
further about this important decision.
Kind regards, Emma
(307) 413-8886
emma bode
bozeman field manager | (she/her/hers)
forward montana | forward montana foundation
406-542-8683 | 307-413-8886
emma@forwardmontana.org
Dear Commissioner Wallner,
As Montana’s largest youth civic engagement organization, Forward Montana is deeply
invested in advocating for leadership that is prepared to meet the needs and vision of our
generation. The resignation of former Mayor Mehl creates a unique opportunity to appoint a
Commissioner whose lived experiences reflect Bozeman’s diversity. We strongly urge you to
appoint someone who will represent a new voice and bring bold ideas to the Commission. The
decisions you make will shape the future of our community; your policies and plans will inform
who thrives and who struggles to live in Bozeman.
Bozeman faces a number of challenges including 1) a severe lack of affordable housing and
skyrocketing housing costs, 2) discrimination and injustice towards the LGBTQ+ community,
Black and Indigenous folks, and communities of color, and 3) a climate crisis that threatens our
economies and way of life. These pressing challenges require creative thinking and
out-of-the-box solutions. It requires someone who is willing to listen to residents and advocate
for those most impacted. You now have the incredible opportunity to appoint a Commissioner
who intimately understands these challenges and will bring new voices to the table in designing
solutions.
While the Bozeman City Commission has always demonstrated a deep responsibility to their
constituents, the makeup of the city commission hasn’t been fully reflective of the diversity of
our community. Bozeman is the youngest city in Montana, with 70% of residents under the age
of 40. It’s a diverse generation who needs a representative who’s lived experiences reflect their
own.
In the coming weeks you have an incredible opportunity to make the commission more
representative of Bozeman’s vibrant community. As the City enters a new chapter, we urge you
to look to fresh ideas and new leadership.
Sincerely,
Kiersten Iwai (she/hers)Emma Bode (she/hers)
Executive Director Bozeman Field Manager