HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-23 Public Comment - G. Thompson - Homeless encampments and Tenants Rights organizationFrom:George Thompson
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Homeless encampments and Tenants Rights organization
Date:Tuesday, September 19, 2023 10:29:57 AM
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Good morning Mayor Andrus and Commissioners;
As an elderly small business owner of rental property in Bozeman I am concerned about the
shrill demands of Tenants Rights that we as a community must embrace the degradation of thecity by urban camping. Across the country we are seeing the tragedy of mental health and
choice of addictions destroy vibrant communities.
As a taxpayer I am weary of supporting individuals who make poor choices, don't takeresponsibility for their actions. And then demand equity and justice.
All of us in America are free to make choices, achieve dreams by motivation and ambitioushard work. Unfortunately their freedom of choice may not result in equality of outcomes.
What percentage of the urban campers actually have one, two or three part-time jobs to
support their lifestyle? Perhaps require proof of residency, local drivers license, pay stubsfrom local businesses, evidence of local bank accounts to validate their contribution to our
community. Local Businesses can provide vouchers for the clean-up and policing requiredfor their workers who can't find affordable housing and must camp on our streets and
sidewalks.
The Commissions Plan of 5 days and required moving is well-conceived withappropriate policing and allocated funding for trash removal.
We only have to look to Colorado's Boulder and Ft Collins to see the impact ofTenants Rights and homeless communities on local business and contribution to increased costof housing. Does the Tenants Rights group want to have increased rents to cover the cost ofhomeless choices?
As Commissioners you are only looking at the tip of the iceberg of problems exacerbated byhomeless urban camping. We do know that such camps do contribute to increased petty crime,localized violence, and unsanitary waste disposal.
Do not be swayed by both City board members and HRDC who say their interviews withurban campers show they would be inconvenienced by moving, and the cost of gas. We aredisgusted by such blight. Plenty of jobs out there, and it has always ( since 1970's) taken 2-3jobs to live in Bozeman. That's the price of one's decisions.
Unfortunately, at this time, my only recourse is to stop my voluntary contributions to HRDCand allocate such funds to local organizations which actually support development of humanpotential. Please take a strong stand and hold to your initial plan on tight restrictions for urban campsites.
Thank you, G. Thompson,
Bozeman resident