HomeMy WebLinkAboutStatement of Interest and Qualifications_Christopher CoburnCHRISTOPHER COBURN
March 22, 2021
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners,
With excitement, I submit this letter to be formally considered for appointment to the Bozeman City
Commission. Since the appointment process in October, my interest in and seriousness about
serving our community as a City Commissioner has only grown. I launched my campaign earlier this
year and have had the opportunity to connect with many of our neighbors. As a result, I have a
deeper understanding of the issues we face. My intention is, and always has been, to have a
positive impact on the community – and I believe I have the experience, commitment, and character
to be immediately helpful as a City Commissioner.
Experience
For the past two years, I’ve served on the Gallatin City-County Board of Health. Working to
protect our community as we’ve navigated the COVID-19 pandemic has been both humbling
and rewarding, and has taught me a great deal of what it takes to be a part of an effective
and efficient team that makes population level decisions. Through this work, I’ve been able to
use my public health expertise to analyze and balance our response to an emergency –
considering health, economic, and social factors. This same lens will be helpful to the City
Commission as land use and zoning decisions dominate the agenda. After all, the way we
choose to build our city has direct and long-term implications for our collective health.
In addition to the practical experience I’ve gained as a Board of Health member, I’ve become
comfortable with the work and process of the Commission by consistently attending and
participating in City Commission meetings. I spend my Tuesday evenings watching, listening,
and learning how the Commission makes decisions – from how motions are made to what
criteria are considered for a zone map amendment. I also attend other City board meetings,
and participate in other City processes – such as being part of the RFP team that selected
the firm to complete the equity indicators and gaps analysis or attending the developer’s
roundtable discussion on affordable housing.
While there are undoubtedly still things to learn, these experiences have given me valuable
insights into how the Commission and City operate. If appointed, I’m prepared to immediately
start contributing in a meaningful way.
Commitment
As a Montanan, I was raised to value community and was taught the importance of
stewardship. As a Bozemanite, I’ve lived those tenets and have consistently been involved in
our community.
I served on the Design Advisory Council for Haven as they worked to imagine their new
facility, am on the planning committee for a supportive housing program that HRDC is
leading, and sit on the steering committee for Elevating Behavioral Health – a local
collaboration of leading community organizations working to improve behavioral health
services and awareness. I also am a member of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task
Force, and part of the Task Force to Advance the Status and Safety of All Women and Girls.
I’m a collaborator by conviction, and take my involvement in community efforts seriously
because I know the value of follow-through, and that trust is the most important thing we
can foster. As a Commissioner, I’ll leverage the trust-based, reciprocal relationships I’ve
developed to build the strong engagement our community is asking for.
Character
I’ve gained the respect of my peers and this community by demonstrating the type of friend,
neighbor, team member, and leader I am. I show up. I’m engaged. I do the work, and I ask
what’s next. I understand that we’re stronger when we work together, and I appreciate the
power of an honest conversation. I value and respect individuals, and make it my priority to
present authentically, listen intently, and find commonalities. I’m guided by purpose, not by
ego. I know that it’s not about me, but rather about us – and how we get to where we need
to go, together.
The only way I know how to accomplish something is to work hard. I’ve gotten used to
balancing multiple projects or priorities at once. To be successful at this, I’ve found one has
to be disciplined, skilled with time management, and clear about boundaries – both to care
for oneself, and to be present for others. I honed these skills while completing my graduate
degree and also working a full-time job, and intend to use them to be successful as a City
Commissioner.
I’m both prepared and excited to serve our community as a City Commissioner. I’m confident I will
be a strong partner as we work towards the attainment of a future reflected in the Bozeman
Strategic Plan, the Bozeman Community Plan, and the Bozeman Climate Plan. I have the
education, experience and technical understanding to do the job. More than that, I have the
passion, commitment and collaborative spirit needed to truly engage this community.
I’m a young professional with a lot in common with most of Bozeman. The experiences and
perspectives of the many folks like me are currently not represented on the Commission. I firmly
believe our community is better when everyone is included, and we learn from and honor the lived
experiences of others.
Thank you for the opportunity, and for your consideration. It would be an honor to serve alongside
you.
With appreciation,
Christopher Coburn
Pronouns: He / Him