HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-24 Public Comment - G. Thompson - Urban Camping analysisFrom:George Thompson
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Chuck Winn; Brit Fontenot; David Fine
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Urban Camping analysis
Date:Tuesday, August 13, 2024 9:49:42 AM
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August 13, 2024
RE: Urban Camping – Just say NO, have a no camping moratorium till further analysis
Mayor Cunningham and Commissioners
The recent mob (Tenants United ) approach to civil discourse in the City Chambers wasmost disconcerting. Such national organizations simply do not deserve representation inBozeman.
With such passionate views on necessity of allowing urban camping, it is puzzling that thestrident camping supporters do not offer their own off-street parking spaces and driveways tocampers, or offer their couches to our increasing homeless population.
If one looks at the Vacation Rental Policy debacles impacting cities, it can be seen that staunchsupporters aggressively pushed their demands upon unsuspecting governing bodies. I had
argued, unsuccessfully, to our then City Commissioners that these small VRBO businesses
destroy neighborhood cohesion. Yet Bozeman quickly acquiesced to fervent demands andnow is trying to walk back such policy errors.
Urban Camping is a similar situation. Demands that Commissioners “Take Action Now” ignoresthe thoughtful analysis of long-term implications to beneficial growth of communityaspirations. Cities across the country are trying to take back their public lands, San Francisco is
bussing people out of town to other locations. Austin TX has scrubbed the camping which hadengulfed the beautiful walking trails around its downtown Lady Bird lake.
Based on the recent outburst in City Chambers it is of paramount importance thatCommissioners simply say NO Camping. Give current campers 30 days to vacate the Citylimits, then begin analysis of camping and homeless issues with essentially a clean slate.
This will a allow thorough examination of impacts to the community of increased crime,demands of policing, mental health criteria. Most importantly it will provide time to discernthe impacts of such policies upon community households and businesses who are actually
working, paying taxes, raising their children in the intellectually vibrant town we call home. Our choice to live in Bozeman is predicated on the fact that no one wants to live in, viewthe squalor that others chose to create.
Perhaps City staff will find that the same dollars now spent on campers/homeless compliancewould fund the creation of vibrant start-up entrepreneurial businesses, vocational training toraise aspirational needs of those wishing to contribute to the community in which they choose
to live.
Where one chooses to live is a personal lifestyle choice, all that is required is that suchchoice results in their positive contribution to the community, its children, schools andbusinesses.
Just say NO to urban camping.
George Thompson, 46 years as Bozeman property owner
Copy: City Manager Chuck Winn, Economic development: Brit Fontenot, David Fine