HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-20 Public Comment - B. Polk - Christopher Coburn for City Commission VacancyFrom:Ben Polk
To:Agenda
Subject:Comments on New Commissioner Appointment
Date:Wednesday, October 7, 2020 11:54:32 AM
Hello Bozeman City Counsel,
I'm writing to provide some comments on the appointment of a new commissioner set to take
place during the council meeting on October 7th, 2020, at 6 PM. I support the appointment ofChristopher Coburn to serve on Bozeman's City Commission.
Chris brings many qualities to the table that make him uniquely suited to serve on the
Commission. Firstly, he is a public health expert. The background and knowledge he couldoffer the Commission would be invaluable as we continue to try to chart a safe but reasonable
course through the ongoing COVID pandemic. His experience on the Gallatin City-CountyBoard of Health would immediately translate into useful and important insights for the City
Commission.
Second, Chris is actively engaged in our community and would have a great perspective on theneeds of Bozemanites. His work with community organizations and nonprofits not only points
to his good character and devotion to his fellow citizens, it also means that he will continuallyhave perspective on current and new issues confronting us, and how the Commission's
reactions and policies are affecting people.
Finally, and most importantly, Chris would greatly improve how representative theCommission actually is of citizens in Bozeman. Obviously, race is a large factor here, and as
the first Black City Commissioner Chris would add a much-needed voice and perspective forBIPOC community members. Beyond that, he would also be the only Commissioner who
rents his housing, the only one who was raised in Montana, and the only one with studentloans. When no one at the table has the experience to give voice to these perspectives, it's far
too easy to make decisions that ignore, marginalize, or even harm people in the community.Having Chris on the Commission would go a long, long way to ensuring that impacts to all
Bozemanites would be considered when it comes to municipal decisions, and that thosedecisions would align with the "Montana way of life" so many of us treasure and live here for.
It would be a huge oversight to ignore the opportunity to add such a desperately needed voiceto the Commission.
I hope you find all of the above to be convincing reasons to appoint Chris as the new City
Commissioner. He is clearly an exemplary candidate - uniquely qualified and uniquelypositioned within our community. We'd be all the better for it.
Sincerely,
-Ben Polk