Bozeman City Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy resigned her seat this week, several months after being diagnosed with cancer.
Pomeroy was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor and underwent surgery to remove it in June. In the months since, Pomeroy has undergone radiation and chemotherapy and recently traveled to Korea, where she grew up.
Pomeroy said in a phone call Wednesday that she recently received good news from a scan, but will continue to receive treatment in the coming months. She expressed gratitude to Bozeman residents for her time on the commission.
“I am just very thankful people have given me this kind of opportunity three times,” Pomeroy said. “I came from a foreign country, from Korea; English is my second language — and I became a commissioner. That means whoever wants to serve as a commissioner can do it, too... I think I gave them some hope.”
Pomeroy’s primary issues during her tenure included affordable housing, mental health care access and protecting Bozeman’s environment. She reiterated her hope Wednesday that the city continues to focus on furthering those goals.
“I do hope when more people come here, instead of saying ‘Don’t come, I came here first,’ we learn how to share,” Pomeroy said. “And we preserve the wetlands and trees and mountains so not only can we enjoy them ourselves, but also for the next generation and the next generation and the next generation.”
Pomeroy was first elected to the commission in 2013 and recently won her second re-election in 2021.
According to the city, Pomeroy was the first immigrant and person of color to be elected to the commission.
Pomeroy started I-Ho’s Korean Grill as a cart near Montana State University’s campus, before opening a brick and mortar location. In 2022, the restaurant moved into a purpose-built building off West Main Street.
Pomeroy is known for holding fundraisers at the restaurant, with the proceeds going to causes like relief for people in Ukraine, an earthquake in Turkey or for those affected by the Bridger Foothills Fire.
Mayor Cyndy Andrus said Wednesday that she is going to miss the spirit and sense of humor Pomeroy brought to commission meetings.
“She’s just done so much for the community, and we’re just really going to miss her,” Andrus said. “I’m sure it was a hard thing for her to decide, but I’m grateful we gave her and her family time to think about this and decide what was best for her and her family.”
Deputy Mayor Terry Cunningham said that even though Pomeroy was diagnosed several months ago and has been away from commission meetings since, her resignation was still jarring to hear.
Both Andrus and Cunningham spoke to how passionate Pomeroy was about issues like mental health services and affordable housing during her time on the commission.
“She has been sort of the champion of the underdog, people who are not dealt the greatest hand, so that’s been her legacy,” Cunningham said. “I think one of the things that’s been clear in watching Commissioner Pomeroy’s votes and actions on the commission, is her life experience really informs her decisions.”
Commissioner Christopher Coburn said Pomeroy brought a sense of love, humor, and compassion to her work on the commission.
“I will be forever grateful for the path that she set us on as a community,” Coburn said.
Commissioner Jennifer Madgic said Pomeroy brought a “breath of fresh air” to their meetings that they will miss.
“She really helped the overall demeanor of the commission going into our meetings,” Madgic said. “We all need to just see how much a bright spirit like that can lift a room, and can lift individuals, and to try to be more like that.”
Pomeroy’s resignation is effective Nov. 1.
The commission will have 30 days after Pomeroy’s resignation date to appoint someone to fill the seat, according to a city press release. Those interested can apply by writing a statement of interest of up to 1,000 words and submitting it to agenda@bozeman.net by Nov. 16.
Applicants must be registered voters whose principal residence is within the city to be eligible. The person chosen by commissioners will serve for the rest of the term, which will be up at the November 2025 municipal elections.
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