HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-24 Public Comment - L. Johnson - Commission AppointmentFrom:Larry Johnson
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Commission Appointment
Date:Sunday, June 2, 2024 6:58:42 PM
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Ladies and Gentlemen of the Bozeman City Commission,
I write to you today in support of Alison Sweeney’s application to fill the recently vacated
Commission seat. I have worked side by side with Alison for almost a year now. I havefound her to be highly intelligent, energetic and strongly committed to a future for Bozeman
that is equitable for all. Moreover, she is open minded and willing to change her position onissues when alternate points of view are well supported.
Some of you may view Alison as an adversary because of her work with the Better Bozeman
Coalition. I can tell you that in her work for the BBC she has always been an advocate of“working with the City”, as stated in our organizational mission statement.
In filling the vacant Commission seat it will be tempting appoint someone who will vote in
lock step with the others on the Commission. But take a moment to consider the difficultdecision made by Abraham Lincoln, one of America’s most revered Presidents. His choice of
cabinet members is described in Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2005 book, “Team of Rivals: ThePolitical Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” Lincoln's cabinet included several key figures who had
previously run against him in the 1860 presidential election or were prominent members ofopposing factions within the Republican Party. Despite differing points of view, Lincoln’s
team of rivals guided the nation through one of its most fraught periods, a time tension,danger, and complexity.
In appointing Alison, you would get a talented and committed individual and at the same time
gain the support of a wide swath of Bozeman residents.
Larry Johnson
517 South 3rd Ave, Bozeman
(m) +1 406-581-2305