HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-23 Public Comment - G. Nielsen - Consensus-builder Douglas Fischer for City CommissionFrom:Gerald Nielsen
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Consensus-builder Douglas Fischer for City Commission
Date:Friday, November 24, 2023 2:51:13 PM
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To the Commission:
I have enjoyed life in Bozeman for 57 years, as a professor of soil science at MSU and a business owner. I am
writing to endorse Douglas Fischer’s appointment to the City Commission. People like Douglas Fischer enrich life
in this ever-changing community with their consensus-building skills. Douglas has demonstrated these skills in a
contentious time as a trustee of the Bozeman School Board, earning public trust and being elected to a third term
with over 8,000 votes in a field of 9 candidates.
Douglas Fischer has a record of consensus-building that ranges from work with 4th grade students to senior adults.
Douglas led a group of 4th graders and others to successfully pass legislation, resulting in the Scobey soil series
being named Montana’s official state soil. These students (including his own children) learned to work together and
were rewarded for their remarkable accomplishments. With what group is it harder to build trust and consensus than
with children (especially your own)? Yet Douglas “leads with his ears”, asks questions, thinks, and if necessary,
speaks and writes with a few well-chosen words.
With my 89 years of life experience, I rank Douglas Fischer as the “best consensus-builder” I have ever known.
Please consider Douglas Fischer for a seat on the City Commission if including a builder of consensus, trust, and
solutions to tough problems is as important as any expertise or agenda.
Sincerely,
Jerry Nielsen
3800 Sourdough Road
Bozeman, Montana 59715