HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-21 Public Comment - T. Keene - ARPAFrom:agenda@bozeman.net
To:Agenda
Subject:Thank you for your public comment.
Date:Wednesday, June 9, 2021 5:52:47 PM
A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name:Public Comment Form
Date & Time:06/09/2021 5:52 PM
Response #:1114
Submitter ID:39255
IP address:2600:6c67:5000:d6ad:2112:1cb0:8bac:ee0b
Time to complete:13 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 Thea
Last Name Keene
Email Address Tkeene.msu21@gmail.com
Phone Number 4065318511
Comments
Hello,
It’s come to my attention that the City of Bozeman will be receiving $6 million in Biden’s Rescue Grant.
While this is an amazing sum of money, it concerns me that there is talk of using this money to support
infrastructure that is already receiving support and funding. I see this grant as an opportunity to heal the
parts of Bozeman that have suffered tremendously during the pandemic; specifically, schools and mental
health resources.
Staying at home was no small feat, and for some people, the distant connection to others was isolating and
scary. Many of the people I love in my life came to terms with mental health issues that had been ignored
or put on the back burner. Going forward, caring for one’s mental health could be as routine as going to the
dentist or seeing the doctor. I strongly encourage the City of Bozeman to invest this grant money into the
wellbeing of Bozemanites.
Secondly, the effects of the pandemic on education has been atrocious. Kids fell behind in their classes,
while parents struggled to keep their jobs AND teach their kids. When the parents couldn’t be around to
help, older siblings had to give up their valuable school time to help their younger brothers and sisters
navigate the Zoom class room. Don’t you think they deserve better going forward? Bozeman leads the state
of Montana in quality of education, so let’s not lose that momentum and help students get back on track.
Funding summer programs, childcare scholarships, and after school tutors are all ways you can help
Bozeman’s kids catch up.
There are many more avenues this grant money could be spent on, and I encourage you, our city leaders,
to look beyond the construction tape as a means of growth. Invest in your community. Invest in your
neighbors. Invest in the people who helped you get through the pandemic, or in something that you found
was severely lacking. Make substantial and sustainable change with this opportunity.
If you would like to submit additional documents (.pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .gif, .jpg, .png, .rtf, .txt)
along with your comment, you may alternately address agenda@bozeman.net directly to ensure
receipt of all information.
Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
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