HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-14-26 Public Comment - W. Hammond - Vacancy appointmentsFrom:Will Hammond
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Vacancy appointments
Date:Saturday, February 14, 2026 1:45:07 PM
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Hello,
My name is Will Hammond, I am a resident of Bozeman.
Bozeman's city commission has a moral and legal duty to represent the interests of the
constituents (the residents of Bozeman) in its governance of the city. To appropriately fulfillthis duty, commissioners MUST be elected by residents of Bozeman. As a representative body
for the residents of Bozeman, it is wholly unacceptable for the city commission to continue thepractice of appointing new commissioners to fill vacancies. This practice dilutes the power of
the residents especially with regard to having their needs and desires represented in the city'sgoverning body. The monetary cost of holding a special election is negligible compared to the
costs of a governing body which was not democratically elected and does not represent theinterests of its constituents.
Article II, section 1 of the Montana Constitution says " All political power is vested in and
derived from the people. All government of right originates with the people, is founded upontheir will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole." In order to uphold this right
of the people of Montana, the Bozeman Study Commission must end the practice ofappointments to the city commission.
Thank you,
Will