Civic Engagement Meeting

Hello!  Many of you may be aware that the park will be holding another virtual civic engagement meeting.  The meeting is scheduled to take place on October 3, 2023 at 6 pm MST.  Information can be found on the parks planning website.

There is a slight problem – aside from the probability that this virtual meeting will be more of the same that we got in the last 2 virtual meetings: a presentation by the park supporting their Draft EA and its contents followed by preselected questions to answer with their scripted answers.

The REAL problem is that the Medora City Council is holding their monthly meeting on October 3, 2023 at 6 pm MST.

This will be the only meeting the Medora City Council will hold during the 30 day comment period that the park is giving the public.

Wouldn’t you think that the Park would want the Mayor of Medora along with the city council members and ALL of the businesses to be part of their virtual public meeting?

Or was the meeting day and time intentional?

Given the fact that they state repeatedly that removing the horses in any capacity will have little to no economic impact on the community, don’t you think the town of Medora should be able to participate in a public meeting?

So do we!

We sent the following email to Superintendent Richman this morning:

Superintendent Richman: 

Hello!  I see that there is another public engagement meeting on October 3, 2023 at 6 pm MST.  I am sure you are aware that the Medora City Council is also holding their monthly meeting on October 3rd at 6 pm MST. 

Given the argument you have raised about the minimal economic impact removing the horses in any capacity will have on the city of Medora, I would assume that it is an oversight on the part of the park that you would schedule a meeting when the mayor and council members of Medora will be unable to attend your virtual meeting. I also understand they have a pretty full agenda for their meeting, so it is likely that many business owners will also be unable to attend your virtual meeting. 

I am requesting that you not only change this meeting, but that you hold an in person meeting with at the very least the business owners and residents in Medora to discuss how your staff came to the conclusion that removing the horses in any capacity would have little to no impact on the local economy. 

Thank you for your consideration.  I look forward to your response.  

Sincerely,
Christine Kman
www.chwha.org

We will keep you posted on her response.

---