HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-24 Public Comment - O. Murie - Look in the MirrorFrom:Conservationist
To:City Desk; Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Look in the Mirror
Date:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 8:55:05 AM
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Dear Bozeman City Commissioners:
Your brouhaha with City Manager Mihelich is an exclamation point on the mismanagement of
the City of Bozeman for many years. I've spent my career working with municipalities acrossthe United States. Without reservation, I can say Bozeman is the worst management city I
have ever encountered.
But, the problem isn't the city manager. In fact, seven years ago, you forced out ChrisKukulski, who is widely hailed in my travels as one of the top city managers in America. This
week, you're pushing out the person you hailed as "the guy" to manage Bozeman'sunbelievably rapid growth.
No, the problem is the city commission is too busy gazing at your individual navels, chasing
shiny objects, pet projects, and virtue signaling opportunities. I despise the word, but, yes,your woke agenda has taken your eye off the ball.
The city government has some very fundamental responsibilities: streets, public safety,
sanitary, waste, and storm water management. That's about it. Yet, everytime I open theBozeman Chronicle, I cringe at your latest diversion of staff capacity and funding to the hot
topic of the moment.
In fact, I've stopped picking up the Chronicle on a daily basis--my ulcer can't handle it. On aweekly basis, you've approved a new development without requiring the developer to cover
necessary public infrastructure or to secure new sources of water to service the development.Downtown, you've cowered time and again by waiving the requirements that developers create
enough new parking to service residents and customers of the new development. Instead, youallow them to use existing parking garage or on-street parking. My group of friends have
stoppped shopping and eating downtown altogether because there is no convenient parking.
And let's talk about the amount of money you give to non-governmental entities each year.Annually, you take tax dollars from citizens and regrant upwards of $2 million to charities of
your choice. Where does the federal or state constitution give you the right to take my moneyand make donations on my behalf? Circling back to the top, you're engaging in things that are
not the basic services required from municipal governments.
Now, regarding Mr. Mihelich. I don't know and have never spoken with him. However, havingbeen around thousands of "water cooler" conversations in city halls around the country over
the past 30 years, his comments were not out of the ordinary and were akin to blowing offsteam. Maybe worthy of a ding on his annual review, but nowhere close to a firing issue.
The issue displays the thin skin of the commissioners. Grow up. Start focusing on delivering
world class municipal government services at maximum value for every tax dollar you collect.
Stop pursuing your individual dreams of Utopia or Work World and start managing the city.
Olaus