HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-29-25 Public Comment - D. Carty - Support for WARD ballot intiativeFrom:Daniel Carty
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment: Support for WARD ballot intiative
Date:Thursday, April 24, 2025 10:01:48 AM
Attachments:Support_WARD-Ballot-Initiative_DCarty_4-24-25.pdf
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April 24, 2025
Please place the following public comment (attached as pdf) in the WARD Ballot Initiative
folder. Thank you.
Daniel Carty
213 N. 3rd Ave
Bozeman. MT 59715
Public Comment:
Support for Bozeman Water Adequacy Ballot Initiative (aka WARD)
April 24, 2025
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners:
I am writing in support of the Bozeman Water Adequacy citizens’ municipal ballot initiative (aka
WARD ballot initiative).
To introduce myself: I hold a Master’s Degree in Fish and Wildlife Management from Montana
State University Bozeman, and I worked for the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a
fisheries/fish biologist for 30 years—11 years in Yellowstone National Park, 3 years at the
USFWS Creston Fish and Wildlife Center (Kalispell), and 16 years doing applied research at the
Bozeman Fish Technology Center. During my career, I lived for 14 years in below-market-rate
rental housing in Yellowstone and Kalispell, which allowed me to save enough money to make a
down payment on a house when I moved to Bozeman.
Although I came to the WARD ballot initiative for the issue of water conservation, I stayed for the
issues of affordable housing and direct democracy. It is to the issue of direct democracy that I
write now.
To remind everyone: The Bozeman City Attorney’s Office approved the WARD ballot initiative
for signature-gathering on March 25, 2025, and the WARD working group is acting in
accordance with the Montana Constitution (as follows):
ARTICLE II. Declaration of Rights. Section 1. Popular sovereignty. – “All political power is
vested in and derived from the people. All government of right originates with the people, is
founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.”
and
ARTICLE V. The Legislature. Section 1. Power and structure. – “The people reserve to
themselves the powers of initiative and referendum."
To conclude: When Bozeman’s elected representatives fail to represent the prevailing views of
their constituents, direct democracy provides a path forward. The WARD ballot initiative is an
exercise in direct democracy that bypasses the Montana legislature, bypasses the Bozeman
City Commission and City staff, and brings the crucial and intertwined issues of Bozeman’s finite
water supply and need for affordable housing directly to Bozeman’s voters. Whether the WARD
ballot initiative becomes law or not, Bozeman’s voters will be the final deciders. Thank you.
Daniel Carty, WARD working group
213 N. 3rd Ave
Bozman, MT 59175