Why do you want to run for the study commission?

I am running for the City Study Commission because I think this is a good time for a review of the 20 year old City Charter and other City processes. Bozeman has grown alot since the last Charter was approved. Too often there is a lack of trust in local government and a feeling of powerlessness in our community. Therefore, we need ro restore a sense of fairness and transparency. I think we can make some changes ro improve how we are governed. I believe my experience on the School Board, on City Advisory boards and on the City Commission, coupled with an open-mindedness will lend itself to good decision-making, with other Board members with different experiences with the Commission and in our community.

What skills and experience do you have that you think will help you in your role as a study commissioner?

I mediated legal disputes and facilitated public policy discussions for twenty years until 2016, when I  retired to give my full attention to being Mayor. I think my work as an elected official as complemented by my role as a mediator-facilitator will contribute to good discussions.

Have you ever served in local government, either as an elected official or volunteered on an advisory board? If so, when and in what capacity?

I served on the City Cemetery Advisory Board (1998-2004?), the City Ethics Board (2007-2009), and then, on many Advisory Boards as a Commissioner (2010-2018), including the City-County Board of Health. I was a Bozeman School Board member from 2001-2009 and a City Commission.

What would you hope to achieve if elected to serve as a study commissioner?

I would hope to be part of a thorough review of the City Charter and other City procedures that leads to appropriate changes to the Charter and other process recommendations for the City Commission. I believe that a Study Commission with different perspectives can review the current situation and come up with some good and well researched ideas to better connect our community members with our City government

Bozeman Daily Chronicle Interview