HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-09-25 Public Comment - H. Donvan - Public commentFrom:helen donvan
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:LaShelle Emily
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public comment
Date:Tuesday, April 8, 2025 2:26:16 PM
Attachments:revised Helen"s Public Comment 04072025.pdf
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Your time and support very much needed and appreciated, thank you H.Donvan
My name is Helen Donvan. I have lived in Bozeman since August of 1980. Although I
have left 5 times; family, and community and this beautiful natural environment have drawn me
back every time. I am a Mother, a Grandmother of a Grandson who was raised here. I am a
retired nurse who worked here for many years. I am an active member of Dances for Universal
Peace. I am part of the wonderful artist community and I’ve watched my family grow here. This
is the place where I invited my 91 year old mother to come live for the final 7 years of her life so
she could have a better quality of life. Our family enjoyed the rare gift of 4 generations sharing
this time together. I have been a renter for almost as long as I’ve lived in Bozeman. I have lived
at Comstock apartments for the last 11 years. In those years it’s been sold 3 times and is now
owned by a corporate landlord called DevCo based in Washington. I have now heard they’re
one of the biggest evictors in Bozeman. What does that even mean??
When a tenant is facing eviction we deserve to have someone to help us navigate what
our rights are, ensure they are respected and what our options are for how to navigate that
vulnerable situation. The roof over our head, our health, our connection to the community are all
at stake with evictions.
Each of us must have the right as an American citizen to be supported in a legal matter
when issues like eviction show up. Going up against corporations, that always have money for a
lawyer, is like going up against a giant machine. Everybody should be able to have fair and just
representation in the courtroom.
By committing to become a public servant, you have chosen the responsibility to protect the
well being of EVERY Bozemanite. Tenants should have the peace of mind that you will ALWAYS
choose to protect their right to a fair trial when facing eviction. This program should expand to
include free legal representation when ANY of our rights as tenants are threatened.
As a first step, please support Right to Counsel.
Thank you for your attention to this dire concern,
Helen Donvan
777 Haggerty Ln #38
Bozeman, MT 59715