by Travis Mateer

I was going to take today off, since it’s Christmas Eve and all, but someone who doesn’t give a shit about Christmas, or committing slander, or destroying community credibility, isn’t taking the day off from SHAMING Missoula over the failed crisis mill levy, so here we are. From the link (emphasis mine):

But in order to meet the demand, nonprofit directors like Susan Hay Patrick, CEO of United Way of Missoula County, said it’s important for Missoula residents to think about their neighbors.

She was dismayed by the failure of the crisis services levy after campaigning heavily for its passage, and as a result, she has turned to motivating Missoulians to give time and money to nonprofits like United Way.

She said those who did not vote for the levy should be especially considerate of nonprofit work.

“I would say it is incumbent upon those folks to support nonprofits,” said Hay Patrick. “You can’t have it both ways.”

Oh Susan, it really is time to retire. Why? Because you’re not just a political loser running a shame campaign, you are a slanderous, out-of-control, grief-diva willing to destroy personal relationships in order to protect an abusive organization you have been given SPECIFIC information about.

Now, on to a constructive suggestion for the United Way Board President and Mayoral hopeful, Mike Nugent. If you, Mike, are wondering how one goes about pressuring someone like Susan Hay Patrick into doing the right thing and resigning, I recommend a chat with Eran Pehan, since she did a fantastic job riding the coerced departure of Ellie Boldman (Hill at the time) 11 years ago. My how time flies.

From the link:

Hill’s growing prominence within the Montana Democratic Party also played into the decision. In October, Time magazine included her in its “40 Under 40 Political Rising Stars” roundup. She was one of just two people from the Northern Rockies mentioned.

Hill’s new campaign position will involve a lot of travel. She will meet with legislative and national-level Democratic candidates to help with their campaigns and attempt to retake political offices. She said her goal is to help the Democrats retake majority leadership of the state Legislature.

“She has a true passion for the political process,” said Missoula United Way Director Susan Patrick, who partnered frequently with Hill on community projects. “But trying to do both – serve in the Legislature and run the Pov – it would just require superhuman efforts. Each of those is a superhuman job.”

Considering I worked at the Poverello Center during AND after Ellie Hill/Smith/Boldman, I can say the behind-the-scenes shit-show was VERY different than the PR spin provided by Patrick in the newspaper. This is one of those intangible services Patrick provides her collaborators, but the quality of that service is dependent on community credibility, and I don’t think Patrick has much of that left.

I can see Mike Nugent taking on the SHP role of doing public damage control for the media by thinking up a good cover story, like Susan needing time to travel to South Africa, or taking up an equestrian hobby, or volunteering for an anti-trafficking organization.

Will this bullshit Missoulian article be the last one in the shame campaign? I sure hope so, because what Susan Hay Patrick knows, when she knew it, and what she did with the information is a VERY ugly story, and I’m spending enough time on more important ugly stories to spend any more time thinking about this one.

It’s time, Susan, and I know I’m not the only one saying that.