HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-26 Public Comment - P. McGown - Keep Article VII - Role of Public Engagement in Local Governance in the City CharterFrom:Patty McGown
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Keep Article VII - Role of Public Engagement in Local Governance in the City Charter
Date:Sunday, May 17, 2026 6:15:02 PM
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Dear Study Commission:
Thank you for all the hard work. I support Article VII Neighborhoods are the backbone of Bozeman. I am very
frustrated that Doug Fisher wants to take this section out. He does not represent me. He represents developers. It’s
important that this section stays in for that very reason.
Please keep the 5/13 draft language in Article VII, which codifies neighborhood associations and the Inter-
Neighborhood Council and incorporates input from INC reps. The existence and purpose of neighborhood
associations and INC need to remain in our city charter.
Neighborhood associations have democratically elected officers, including their representative on INC. INC is the
only city advisory body that is not appointed by the City Commission, providing a crucial neighborhood perspective
and voice.
At least three new neighborhood associations have recently formed or been revived. This is emblematic of INC
playing catch-up in our rapidly growing city. The more neighborhood associations there are in INC, the more
valuable INC becomes.
Please keep the language of Article VII that defines and protects the institutional structures of public engagement.
Thank you for your consideration,
Patty McGown