HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-02-23 Public Comment - S. Perry - Ordinance 2147From:Steve
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Ordinance 2147
Date:Monday, October 2, 2023 8:32:49 PM
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I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to read this email. Thank you for the opportunity to voice
my opinion. I am disappointed in the passing of the amended ordinance 2147. I have personally witnessed the
devastation homeless encampments have had on neighborhoods and cities. In the past I worked with Andy Bales and
the union rescue mission in Los Angeles, and I am well aware of the dynamics of this problem, and the effect it will
have on Bozeman. We are now the San Francisco of Montana. That may sound like a good thing to you, but I don’t
think it is going to play out well. We are going to see the numbers and size of our homeless encampments grow
exponentially as the word of our welcome expands across the western states. Our trajectory is headed in a direction
we will not be able to reverse. I understand that this is an issue that is new to you and that you probably don’t have
the benefit of past experience. I highly urge all of you to take a trip and spend some time in Los Angeles ,or San
Francisco, or any other major city in California to witness what is in our future. It will be sobering. It’s just a
weekend of your time, and the city can pay all expenses. The benefit will be invaluable. Consider it an investment in
our future. On a positive note, I would like to share some ideas that I think deserve some thought. The city
of Bozeman partnering with Gallatin County could designate a 10 acre site, equipped to handle the RVs ,with
electrical and chemical toilets ,to accept those in need. This would satisfy the ninth circuit court requirements. This
would concentrate those who need the help in one area and make it more efficient for that help to be supplied.
Rather than have 20 camps spread out across the valley there would be one camp where counselors from the VA and
drug treatment programs , and support of community groups could all be delivered with greater results. There could
be job placement programs , housing availability programs and other benefits that could be made available if it were
concentrated in one location. This would be a zero tolerance drug free zone to protect all who fall victim to the drug
and alcohol abuse. We get the people off of our streets and into a situation where they can be helped by taking
ordinance 2147 and changing it from 30 days to three days. This will incentivize those who truly want to change
their lives to find the help they need in the provided encampment. Those who are here, or are heading here from
other states who choose to remain in their drug abuse and alcohol abuse will need to go elsewhere. We owe this to
the people who live here, raise their children here, and pay our taxes. It is their neighborhoods and their lives that
you are duty-bound to protect. They elected you, That is your first sworn obligation. This has become
a huge emotional topic. It is not just the main topic, it is the only topic on everyone’s mind. I am hearing everything
from launching recalls to filing lawsuits the latter being the more discussed. This is a side of Bozeman None of us
have ever seen. There is a lot of talk going around the community that the commission members were meeting prior
to the agenda meetings with engaged activist groups to discuss strategy. This has been coming from a lot of different
people (so-called insiders )as well as written articles. True or not this is not good. Many are talking legal action
regarding ethics violations. You may want to address this sooner than later, or it will continue to grow. I love
Bozeman as much as you do and I know we all want what’s best for our town. Respectfully, Steve Perry.
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