HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-24-25 Public Comment - C. Anders - Communications Strategist FinalistsFrom:Chase Anders
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Communications Strategist Finalists
Date:Thursday, July 24, 2025 4:52:24 PM
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Good Afternoon, I am a Bozeman Resident at 1543 Ryun Sun Way. I am writing the
Study Commission to encourage the hiring of Andrew Thomas for the position of
Communication Strategist, and here’s why:
1. He is based in Montana.
Andrew lives in Helena, so he is a part of the local community with firsthand,
lived experience with the people, politics, and issues that matter most to
Bozeman residents. The other finalist for the position is based in Nebraska with
no prior experience in Montana or our local government. We are all tired of the
city choosing out-of-state consultants for jobs that Montanans not only can do,
but can do better and are more qualified to do. In Andrew’s own words, “I am
very intimately aware of the challenges local and state governments in Montana
face representing people, as well as many of the challenges that Montanans
face with regards to their interaction with government but also their position in
life in general.” We do not need to outsource this important role to forces
outside of Montana.
2. Andrew’s legal background and extensive experience with public policy,
education, research, and surveys set him apart.
Andrew is both a professor and is a licensed attorney, which means that not
only will he be able to effectively educate the public on the study and the
options within it, but he also has the legal background to know how to navigate
the law, which offers a unique balance to the Study Commission’s role in
maintaining the fine line of education vs. advocacy. The other finalist said that
they would need to consult with MSU’s Local Government Center to learn about
Bozeman’s current government structure and the process. The public does not
need to be learning at the same time as the consultant hired to educate us. We
need someone who can step into the position with the right knowledge and
immediately get to work.
3. Andrew’s approach to gathering public input is thoughtful, inclusive of
ALL residents, not just special interest groups, and is exactly what this
community is desperately seeking.
Andrew has extensive experience with conducting surveys, but even more
impressive is his overall approach to public participation. He plans to hold public
engagements where participants can freely express their concerns and have a
dialogue about issues that are important to them. His plan is to allow residents
to define the issues that are important to them, rather than to come in with
preconceived notions of what our problems are. He seeks to genuinely
understand the needs of residents and what is important to us. The other
candidate’s proposal included hosting “informal listening sessions at
community-based organizations and local institutions (e.g., MSU,
Bridgercare, Bozeman Tenants United).” It is far too early in the process for
these entities to be called out as groups whose opinions will be sought out. We
need someone who is coming into this with an open-minded approach to reach
all residents, and Andrew clearly offers that.
4. Andrew offers a more meaningful approach to collecting and analyzing
survey data.
Historically, the city’s surveys are performative - they check a box to say they
engaged the public, but the results are meangingless. This is an opportunity to
change that. Andrew’s in-depth knowledge and experience with the survey
process means that he will ask the right questions and be able to analyze the
data and propose solutions and the tradeoffs and consequences they might
have. The other candidate’s explanation of their survey process is more in line
with the city’s check-boxed efforts of the past. We do not need, or want, any
more of that.
5. Andrew is available to be more engaged in the process and offers a
customized approach to the work.
Andrew has said that he is available to come to Bozeman at least bi-weekly to
attend or facilitate public meetings and meet with the Study Commissioners and
other stakeholders. He has also offered to recruit engaged community members
to train them on how to facilitate focus groups and in-person canvassing. He is
also available by Zoom, email, and phone for public comment, meetings, and
interviews. The other candidate only included a plan and budget for three trips
to Bozeman in their proposal. Andrew is more flexible and clearly willing to be
very hands-on and engaged in the process. The other candidate provided a
very generic consultant-like template for their work, and Andrew’s proposal and
interview were much more thoughtful and oriented to Bozeman and its
residents.
For all these reasons, Andrew Thomas would be the best fit for Communication
Strategist role. His legal expertise, local experience, and responsiveness matter most
to this community right now and hiring him would be a major step toward gaining the
public’s trust in this process.
Best Regards,
Chase Anders