HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Ordinance Public Comment from Matthew Buenrostro 5-14-14 r*41a,J ,
Matthew Buenrostro
610 Fieldstone Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715
1 am also the Administrator at Grace Bible Church and am speaking as
an official representative of its 1400 congregants.
I'd like to thank the commission for its attempts to accommodate
religious organizations while, at the same time, looking after the
interests of all members of the community. What is tragic is how this
issue has polarized public opinion in much of Bozeman. Indeed, one of
the things that attracted my family to Bozeman when we moved here
was how welcoming the city is.
1 would, however, say that there is considerable room for improvement
if this NDO is going to become law.
In SeCti n �/I " 0.0i1n Definition J. C. h1" Accornmoda+'on"
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appreciate that the commission has attempted to exempt churches and
religious associations; however, that exemption is nullified insofar as
churches and religious organizations allow the public to use their
facilities as stated in subsection (a). For example, especially during the
school year, Grace Bible Church is host to over 500 people every week
who are members of the broader Bozeman community. They are
involved in choirs, Red Cross Blood Drives, police and fire department
physical fitness testing, weddings, funerals, community bible studies,
quilting groups, home school groups needing indoor basketball courts.
People eat, exercise, study, and enjoy fellowship with each other in
myriad ways using most of the facilities on site.
Next week alone, Bozeman High's jazz band and orchestra are both
holding concerts at Grace. And we have willingly allowed our facilities
to be used for "public memorials" such as the Tara Bowman funeral. By
implementing the NDO wording, as is, we would almost certainly be
compelled to cease making our facilities available to anyone who was
not in membership — or face legal challenges for not allowing activities
which were contrary to the Bible. Nor are we the only church or
religious organization in Bozeman who would do likewise.
Implementing the NDO reduces the opportunities for community in
Bozeman. I would therefore strongly recommend deleting the
exception to definition (J.c.) so that it simply reads "Public
Accommodation does not include a church or other religious
association or corporation." End sentence.