HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-26 Public Comment - M. Campanelli - Support for continuing NAs and INC in Bozeman draft charterFrom:Mark Campanelli
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Cc:Douglas Fischer; Joey Morrison; Alison Sweeney
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Support for continuing NAs and INC in Bozeman draft charter
Date:Wednesday, June 17, 2026 10:11:38 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Study Commission,
I am the president of the Bogert Park Neighborhood Association (BPNA) and its delegate tothe Inter-Neighborhood Council (INC). While I am clearly informed by my service to BPNA,
I speak for myself herein.
I would first like to thank you for continuing the inclusion of Neighborhood Associations(NAs) and the INC in section 8.04 in the draft amended Charter. I have found that NAs and
INC are key components of a well-functioning local government that supports a robustdemocracy. In particular, these key components, which include important informational and
check-and-balance functions, are too important to be omitted from the Charter. Rather, theyneed to be explicitly included in the Charter in order to ensure their persistence and ability to
continuously serve and build our local community. Leaving the City's NeighborhoodsProgram solely up to City ordinance leaves too much at risk to political fancy and
administrative impulse.
While the City's current Neighborhoods Program is highly inclusive to any who choose toparticipate, no program is perfect. In the draft Charter, I also greatly appreciate calling for the
continuous improvement of the Neighborhoods Program, especially by ensuring that Cityresources are sufficient to make the program as representative as possible through sustained
outreach to all the City's neighborhoods. Please be assured that the NAs with whom I haveinteracted continue to welcome such inclusivity, growth, and nurturing, as well as the City
resources required to meaningfully achieve this.
I am also happy to see the draft Charter's sections 8.01-8.03, which call for a multi-prongedapproach to reaching, including, and engaging all of our community in our city government
and its operations. The Neighborhoods Program is but one well-established and valuable pillarin this effort at continuous improvement.
Sincerely,
Mark Campanelli
Bogert Park resident and neighborLinkedIn