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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-19 Public Comment - E. Mason - Men's Recovery House-4From:Chris Mehl To:Agenda Subject:FW: Men"s recovery house Date:Thursday, October 17, 2019 1:32:35 PM Chris Mehl Bozeman Deputy Mayor cmehl@bozeman.net 406.581.4992 ________________________________________ From: Emily Mason [emilykmason@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2019 9:14 AM To: Chris Mehl Subject: Re: Men's recovery house Thank you. I've sent a letter to the editor at the Chronicle. Below is my draft requesting a public hearing on this matter. I believe others will also be requesting a public hearing. On behalf of those who are concerned about the proposed warming center in Figgins Addition ("Some balk at proposed warming center"), I would like to clarify some points that the Chronicle article left out. The neighborhood found out about a meeting that was organized by HRDC for those who live within 100 feet of the proposed site hours before it was to take place. The proposed site sits on a major thoroughfare of school traffic, mostly unsupervised children, on foot and bike, going to and from an elementary school and a middle school. Aside from being less than 100 yards from an elementary school, neighbors feel deceived that the neighborhood wasn't informed, the principals at either school were not informed, no one in the school district was informed, and no elected official was aware of the proposed site (at least that is what they say) or of the meeting. HRDC neglected to work with any major stakeholders impacted by the proposed site. At the meeting, we were told that while the site will prioritize women and families, HRDC could potentially also allow men to stay at the shelter. They also said, to seemingly reassure us, that they would "check all weapons at the door." We are scratching our heads as to why HRDC seems to have been trying very quietly and very quickly to get the Special Use Permit approved so as to not give major stakeholders a chance to voice concerns or be a part of the process. It should go without saying that we all care deeply about people in need. And, of course, we all want people to have a safe place to sleep at night. If HRDC had been more transparent, had engaged major stakeholders and surrounding neighborhoods in the process, shed a little sunlight on their intentions instead of operating in the dark, this may have unfolded much differently. Alas, we were all blindsided and are now wondering if HRDC is naive, disorganized, deceptive, or some combination of all three. None of which bode well for how HRDC may operate a warming shelter that could house up to 38 people every night for several months in a house that was meant for one family. Currently, the city is not planning on giving the community a public hearing, which to seems very undemocratic and lacks serious transparency. Figgins Addition and the surrounding neighborhoods respectfully request a public hearing on this matter. Emily K. Mason "FAILURE IS FUEL. AND FUEL IS POWER." - Abby Wambach, American retired soccer player, coach, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women's World Cup champion