HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-23 Public Comment - V. Brailsford - Ordinance 2147 meeting on August 8th, 2023 (UC)From:Victoria Brailsford
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Ordinance 2147 meeting on August 8th, 2023
Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 12:14:10 PM
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Dear City Commission:
I am a Bozeman resident and am the director of a Montessori school with two locations inBozeman. I am strongly in favor of an ordinance that would prohibit "urban camping" adjacentto residences, schools, and daycares. I would similarly support rules that would require thatcampers move every five days to a different location.
While we have a heart for those who have fallen on hard times, our priority is to keep childrenand families safe in our schools, early childhood programs and daycares. Bozeman Montessorihad a school bus housing two people, both with criminal records, parked immediately adjacent
and within ten feet or so of our program's outdoor play area.
We are proud to have a neighborhood school where staff and families can walk to and from ourfacility, but during the several weeks the bus was parked outside our school, some of our staffwere afraid to come in to open the school early as was their normal routine. Others werenervous to be the last one out and have to walk by the bus, and our families were incrediblyconcerned about the safety of their children. We offered help to the owners of the bus as soonas we could, and later even offered to move it for them when they said they couldn't get itstarted. Ultimately the bus was moved but we are fairly certain that this will happen again andthere is nothing we can do to stop it without your help.
Please consider our story in your discussions towards this ordinance. Sincerely,
Victoria Brailsfordshe/her/hers (what's this?)Owner/Director
Bozeman Montessori"Where the community comes together in support of children."
www.bozemanmontessori.com406-600-8098 Option 3
Facebook: Bozeman Montessori3774 Equestrian Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718