HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-23 Public Comment - P. Epple - Public CommentFrom:Andy and Paulette Epple
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment
Date:Saturday, November 25, 2023 10:29:57 PM
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November 25, 2023
Dear Mayor Andrus, Deputy Mayor Cunningham, Commissioner Coburn, and Commissioner
Madgic,
I am writing to encourage you to appoint Angie Kociolek to fill the vacant City Commission
seat. Angie has already demonstrated a strong commitment to public service in her last 4
years serving currently as the chair of the Urban Parks and Forestry Citizen Advisory Board,
and previously on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. She has shown great leadership
and attention to detail as she oversaw the development of the new Parks, Recreation, and
Active Transportation (PRAT) Plan. I was able to watch her manage the advisory board
meetings through this process and was impressed with her professionalism and efficiency in
running the meetings.
Angie is a strong advocate for Bozeman neighborhoods and cares deeply about our
community. She has been involved with the Northeast Neighborhood Association for years
and has developed a good understanding of our zoning regulations and the planning process.
She is committed to finding solutions to our lack of affordable housing.
Angie’s commitment to community volunteerism is impressive. Though I have known Angie
for years through our time with the Sacajawea Audubon Society, I was amazed to learn of all
that she has given back to the community through Eagle Mount, the Cancer Support
Community, Hospice, Haven, Wind Drinkers, and her son’s Hawthorne School, to mention a
few organizations that she has volunteered with.
The recent election and candidate forums leading up to it show how strongly Bozeman citizens
feel about environmental issues, including the City’s response to climate change and the
protection of existing stands of mature trees, especially cottonwood groves and native habitat
as the City continues to develop. These are topics that speak deeply to Angie’s environmental
ethic. She will strive to protect mature stands of trees whenever possible and balance the
need for Bozeman to continue to grow with the need to protect neighborhoods and a healthy
environment. In addition to all this, Angie has been actively providing input into the Gallatin
Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan.
Angie Kociolek will bring her vast experience working with groups and organizations to her
work on the City Commission and will represent all the citizens of Bozeman with integrity and
transparency. I’m confident Angie will make an excellent City Commissioner, and I urge you to
appoint her to the vacant seat.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Paulette J. Epple
1725 Hillside Lane
Bozeman, MT 59715
bigskyepples@msn.com
406-580-6186