DECEMBER 22, 2025
May the last days of this year bring you deep rest, laughter, peace, and perspective.
“Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from cares which will not withdraw from us”
— Maya Angelou, poet, civil rights activist
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Follow-Up on City of Helena Manager Hiring
The Mission of Indivisible Helena (IH) is to take action to promote, protect, and strengthen Democracy. We must increasingly work to protect the institutions in our own backyard as democracy is imperiled nationally.
Unfortunately, even the holiday season has not granted a break in the need to respond to our mission. The manner in which some of our elected leaders have used their majority to choose a new city manager has raised serious concerns about their authentic commitment to public comment, solid recruitment, and the hiring process.
Commissioners Melinda Reed and Andy Shirtliff pressed for a more open, extended, and authentic public engagement process, but they were overruled. Commissioners Emily Dean and Sean Logan and Mayor Collins hastened the vote for hiring the City Manager candidate with no experience working at any level of city government.
Here are the comments of Commissioner Melinda Reed, whose words accurately and clearly describe what has occurred. We are grateful to Commissioners Shirtliff and Reed for illuminating the values of authentic public participation and transparency.
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Commissioner Reed’s Comments on her Facebook Page
My comments tonight reiterate the serious concerns I’ve had about the integrity and effectiveness of this selection process. The approach was fundamentally flawed and did not serve the best interests of our community.
- The commission failed to establish a shared vision or criteria for our new city manager. There was no collective discussion to guide our decision-making.
- We were given a single weekend to review 67 applications and select semifinalists — an unrealistic and unreasonable expectation for such a critical decision.
- Public input was marginalized despite a very high level of engagement. The only listening session was not recorded, lacked remote participation, and the Mayor told commissioners explicitly not to attend. This excluded both the commission and many members of the public from meaningful engagement. Town halls were scheduled over two days at different locations, making it difficult for the public to attend all three.
- The scheduling of interviews and deliberations was rushed and inconsiderate of commissioners’ and the public’s availability. As part-time commissioners, we scrambled to balance professional and personal responsibilities and the duty to thoroughly vet candidates.
- Feedback from the public and the Leadership Team was delivered at the last minute, leaving no time for thoughtful consideration or public transparency.
- The Leadership Team’s letter, which stated unequivocally that “Janet Hawkinson is not a viable candidate,” was read into the record without any discussion or explanation. The commission did not even pause to consider or debate this critical input, nor did we discuss in advance how we would consider this feedback. It is noteworthy that the letter was read aloud during the meeting, but the summary of the town hall feedback was not.
This process was rushed, opaque, and deprived both commissioners and the public of the opportunity to meaningfully participate and deliberate. I have repeatedly voiced my objections, but my concerns have not been addressed. I do not believe we have ever articulated sound reasons why these decisions were fast-tracked during the holidays and before a new commission takes over in January.
Given the lack of transparency, the compressed timeline, and the disregard for public input, I cannot in good conscience support offering a contract to the finalist. I believe the flawed process resulted in a pool of candidates that were not well suited to the specific needs of our community today. While the recommended candidate may have potential, I do not believe she possesses the experience necessary to lead our city, staff, and resources from day one. Our community deserves a leader who is fully prepared to meet the challenges ahead immediately— a sentiment echoed by many residents.
I want to be clear that as a commissioner, I will do my job, and I will represent this community to the best of my ability, including by supporting the new city manager. For all of the reasons stated, however, my vote on offering a contract to the finalist candidate will be no.
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There will be more to do, and to take action now, contact your Helena city officials and let them know how you feel about this issue:
- Mayor Wilmot Collins
- Mayor-Elect Emily Dean
- Commissioner Sean Logan
- Commissioner Melinda Reed
- Commissioner Andy Shirtliff (outgoing)
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Get Your No Kings Yard Signs!
We’ve got ‘em, you want ‘em
The No Kings sign campaign is here until we are sure there will be NO KINGS, EVER!
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Support Indivisible Helena
f you’d like to support Indivisible Helena in pushing back against fascism, please consider a donation via this link to the Indivisible Helena ActBlue donation portal or use the QR code below. Your information will remain private — neither IH nor ActBlue shares or sells personal data.
Together, we’ll make sure the U.S. has NO KING.
