Chris Kennedy

Restore the public voice to #1 on the agenda! Our input matters!

Last year, 10 members of our city council and our mayor took a troubling leap away from transparency, accountability and even democracy: they voted to move public comment from the beginning of the City Council meeting, to the end. This measure has had the desired effect. Dissent has been nearly silenced.

Before this change, Missoulians could say whatever they wanted at a reliable 6pm to their local government. Now everyone must wait an unknown and fluctuating time, until 8pm, 10pm, or even the middle of the night to be able to share their thoughts and suggestions. Citizen participation has dropped precipitously, by perhaps 90%.

Two city council members were brave enough to put effective public oversight over

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