Bozeman is at a tipping point. Our city is being sold out to from under us. Everyday Bozemanites have shown up time and time again at City Commission meetings and local elections, only for our voices to go unheard. New developments are rubber stamped without our input, opinions of out-of-state consultants are given more weight than those of the people who live and work here, and increased costs-of-living push our neighbors out of the community they built. How much longer will it be until the Bozeman we know and love becomes yet another sterile destination that none of us recognize?
Attempt after attempt at participating in the democratic process in Bozeman has made something abundantly clear: the structure of city government makes it difficult for city staff and elected officials to address problems, and this is by design. The current city charter, written in 2004, is outdated, leaving us with an outdated government that cannot effectively address the issues we face. No matter who we elect under this charter, the balance of power in city government will always remain the same. Our vote will always be diluted by those with more money and influence than the everyday people who make this community run. Something’s got to give.
On June 4th, we have a once in a decade opportunity to create a Bozeman city government that works for all of us. Under the Montana Constitution, Montana city and county governments are required to undergo a citizen review every 10 years. On June 4th, Bozeman residents have the opportunity to vote to approve a study commission for the review of our city government. Bozemanites have an important choice to make. Will we continue to be bystanders to our city’s dysfunction, OR will we be the architects of a new, more representative city government that delivers power back to the people of Bozeman?
Support our campaign to educate the public and re-design a city government that is representative, responsive, and effective.
