HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-07-24 Public Comment - J. Lucht - Urban camping in BozemanFrom:Joan Lucht
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Urban camping in Bozeman
Date:Saturday, September 7, 2024 1:46:43 PM
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I wanted to weigh in on the decisions you are making regarding urban camping in Bozeman. I feel I’ve been silent
long enough. At the risk of being thought “intolerant”, in short, I am firmly against it! I drive by these campers
every single day by Winco and on other side streets and it constantly grates on me.
I know many other homeowners in Bozeman who also feel this way but don’t say anything. We’re just average
people who’ve lived here for many years and now our nice town has become trashed because of “political
correctness.” People are just afraid to speak up and say, “No, this is wrong!” It seems our society has lost all
standards of pride in personal accountability in the face of entitlement.
Here’s my argument: Not only does urban camping look atrocious but it makes it very difficult to get down the
streets to do business. I feel unsafe just venturing to get someplace to do my daily work requirements. The part that
really irritates me, however, is that these people are paying NOTHING: no rent and no taxes. I, on the other hand (as
a homeowner), am left paying for ALL of the increasing needs for the Bozeman schools, public services etc which
seem to have price hikes ALL the time! There is NO incentive for them to get out of their situation: Why would they
choose to when everything is FREE?? My food, my electric services have gone up just like theirs and yet I have to
pay even MORE to afford to live here.
I know many view this opinion as uncaring and maybe there are people out there that are in desperate situations due
to things like medical issues. But on the whole, I really feel that as always, government handouts are just enabling
bad behavior. In the name of compassion, we are only making the situation worse.
For change to happen, there HAS to be requirements met to end this lifestyle: a job (or two like the rest of us!),
paying space rent, budget counseling, keeping the grounds clean etc. Then, there must be a time limit made
regarding how long they can urban camp (and NOT just move to another location in Bozeman). Just like an adult
child living in a parents basement, set a time that their situation must be fixed by or tough love says “Now your time
is up. Move on.” Otherwise we are not truly helping them change but enabling that bad behavior to ruin their lives.
There are PLENTY of good jobs around: my husband and I are business owners struggling constantly to find
enough help. We pay exorbitant wages, health insurance benefits and retirement investments to our employees so
that they CAN afford life in Bozeman. Over a period of time, with good budgeting, they can make themselves a
better life. It means something to them because they’ve earned it themselves! Urban campers are choosing this
lifestyle because it’s the easiest path and they haven’t been required to do change to make it different. They won’t
either until this lifestyle is made undesirable.
Come on Bozeman! Get your act together and stop the enabling!!!
Joan Lucht
Bozeman resident & business owner
Sent from my iPhone