HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-26 Public Comment - E. Mason - Re_Keep Article VII - Role of Public Engagement in Local Government in the City Charter.From:Emily Mason
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Re: Keep Article VII - Role of Public Engagement in Local Government in the City Charter.
Date:Monday, May 18, 2026 6:57:44 PM
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I neglected to add my address in my previous email. I have included my address in this email.
Emily Kelley Mason
On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM Emily Mason <emilykmason@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Study Commission,
Please keep Neighborhood Associations, the Inter-Neighborhood Council, and VolunteerAdvisory Boards in the City Charter via Article VII. At a time when confidence in local,state and national government is at an all-time low, codifying public engagement like theInter-Neighborhood Council and Neighborhood Associations is imperative.
I live in Figgins Addition and in the two years my neighborhood has become an officiallyrecognized neighborhood, we've been able to get a four-way stop at what was a dangerousintersection near Morning Star Elementary, a traffic calming installation on Arnold St., aninvitation to the MSU President's reception for neighborhoods near MSU, annualneighborhood meetings with a City Commissioner and/or presentations by City staff onnearby developments and road construction projects that impact our neighborhood, amongmany other things that have improved the safety of our neighborhood. We never could haveaccomplished all of these things alone as individuals.
Given the distrust of government at all levels, this is not a time to water down publicengagement and leave it to the whims of each new administration. Bozeman taxpayersshould not be at the mercy of each new administration who may or may not see the value(especially if it doesn't align with their policy initiatives) in strong and codified engagement.Please keep Article VII intact. This government should work for the people and by thepeople.
Also, I am a proponent of the ward-based system. While not a silver bullet, I do think itwould improve accountability and representation. For many, many years, Commissionershave lived in a small radius of downtown. My recommendation would be to have fourquadrants in the ward with the mayoral position an at-large position. It would be an option tohave two commissioners per quadrant but that may be too many Commissioners based onour population.
Thank you for your consideration,
Emily Kelley Mason
2703 Westridge Dr. Bozeman, MT