HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-23 Public Comment - P. Duganz - Jeff the city managerFrom:Patrick Duganz
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Jeff the city manager
Date:Friday, February 2, 2024 5:09:58 PM
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What should happen when an employee unprofessionally vents about their coworkers or
company? Should there be a public inquest, or should someone from HR sit down with theemployee and discuss work appropriate behavior and use of company property?
Since this exact issue of venting happens regularly across business, government, and high
school, I’m guessing the latter is most appropriate
Holding someone to account does not, and should not, include some public flogging when nobreach of the public trust was made. I am far more concerned with comments in City Manager
Jeff Mihelich’s viral rant concerning Mayor Cunningham meeting with developers withoutpublic knowledge, or representatives of the public present on hand to assure us that these
meetings are above reproach. I would further argue that comments about Deputy MayorMorrison’s apparent acceptance of “million-dollar-condos” so shortly after being elected on a
platform to the contrary is also much more troubling than a guy ranting that he could makemore, or that a coworker should take notes during meetings. (The mayor should, after all, take
notes.)
I am also much more concerned about someone surreptitiously filming a meeting (or perhapsobtaining it via FOIA; I do appreciate the city not saying anything about that) simply to supply
the footage to Nazi-loving platform Rumble, and equally-keen-about-Nazis instagram accountTake Back Bozeman. Shouldn’t that be of concern to the city?
A hate group is weaponizing this moment to spread hate for immigrants, lgbtq persons, and
more. They are using this moment to grow and organize. And rather than have a shred ofintegrity, a meeting will be held to bring further ridicule to one, and to help literal Nazis
mingle.
Jeff Mihelich doesn’t come off well when venting to a coworker. Few would. I would highlydoubt that any member of the city government has been a perfectly sweet, professional, and
polite person when discussing others. Holding Mr. Mihelich to a higher standard is petty, andreflects an insecurity about those in power that is as disappointing as it is frightening.
Leaders should have some ability to hear insults or unkindness about them without running to
the teacher. If every insult or unkindness is met with throwing the offender in the stocks to bepilloried by the community, then surely the problem is not the one being pelted with tomatoes,
but the ones screaming “yes. Yes! Throw the tomatoes there and ask nothing of me!”
I would hope that the city commission puts an end to this charade and tell the public the truth:sometimes people are imperfect, say stupid things, and adults should understand that without
needing a meeting. I would also hope Mayor Cunningham and Deputy Mayor Morrisoncomment on the accusations made about them. If true, those accusations are much less
defensible than a guy who doesn’t leave a Zoom call when talking smack.
Thank you for your time,Patrick Duganz
Bozeman resident