HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-23 Public Comment - B. Stoddart - Candidate endorsementFrom:Bill Stoddart
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Candidate endorsement
Date:Monday, November 20, 2023 10:21:49 AM
Attachments:Fischer letter.pdf
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Hi All,
I wanted to share this letter of endorsement for Douglas Fischer for the open seat on
the Commission.
Thanks for your hard work and ongoing commitment!
All the best,
Bill
406.579.6096 m
November 20, 2023
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners,
I am wri9ng to endorse Douglas Fischer for the remaining seat on the Bozeman City
Commission. I know there are a number of qualified candidates, but I believe Douglas’ direct
experience makes him an excep9onal candidate for this par9cular 9me in the City’s history.
I have worked with Douglas in several different capaci9es and have always been impressed by
his diligence, level-headedness, and commitment to collabora9on and building consensus in the
face of significant obstacles.
In par9cular, Douglas’ 9me on the Bozeman School District Board forced him to navigate several
highly charged conversa9ons. During the Covid and the mask debates, he helped establish
sensible policies to ensure student and staff safety, while addressing parents’ concerns and
naviga9ng a barrage of informa9on, both accurate and less so, that was heaped into the
discussion.
Douglas also worked directly with staff and parents to address the issues surrounding the
teaching (or more accurately, not teaching) of Cri9cal Race Theory. The result was a policy that
informs parents when poten9ally controversial issues are going to be addressed in each
classroom, so parents can make the choices they feel are best for their student.
Dealing with calls to ban books in the classroom, addressing ongoing staff shortages and
managing contract nego9a9ons, and working within a poli9cal environment somewhat hos9le
to public educa9on, have all added to Douglas’ resume for helping build consensus out of
controversy and his penchant for building a founda9on for reasonable dialogue and informed
approaches to crea9ng sound policy.
I trust you all will make a good decision regarding the choice of a hard-working, principled
candidate who is experienced and capable when it comes to the challenges our City faces over
the coming years.
Best regards,
Bill Stoddart