HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-18-25 Public Comment - P. Lupton - Bozeman Right to CounselFrom:Patrick Lupton
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Bozeman Right to Counsel
Date:Tuesday, April 15, 2025 5:56:43 PM
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Dear City Commission,
My name is Patrick Lupton and I’m a small business owner of a moving company. I’m a
former public educator at Belgrade High, and a wrestling and football coach at Bozeman
and Belgrade High. I am also a father of an 8 year old son and stepfather of a 24 year old.
I am an outdoor enthusiast who wants to see a sustainable, clean Bozeman for years to
come.
When I had to move suddenly 6 years ago, I had to move four times in one year, bouncing
between spare rooms of friends and family with my son, who was a toddler at the time. I
was fortunate to have a community who helped me at the time, but so many transitions put
an incredible amount of stress on my son and I. After living in spare room after spare room,
I qualified for income-restricted housing at the Bridger Apartments. My son and I share a
one-bedroom apartment there to this day, sleeping on bunk beds.
When I was searching for housing in those years, my income as a teacher was insufficient
to cover the cost most rentals demanded. Montana is one of the lowest paying states for
teachers, which made many rental options very limited.
It would be a scramble for housing and a big “if” of whether I could stay in Bozeman if I
faced a sudden eviction, and the reality is that I would leave town. Moving would likely
mean not being able to see my son, who spends 50/50 time with me and his mother.
If I believed an eviction threat to be ungrounded, it would quickly exhaust my savings to
turn around and hire a lawyer tomorrow to represent me in eviction court, and if I did, it
would quickly cause me to be unable to buy groceries and pay my rent. So often, deep
pockets make legal situations become extended, and the longer they take, the more money
it costs, and I would not be able to sustain that. I have learned hard financial lessons in the
past which have caused me to do my best to save what I can now, but not nearly enough to
hire an attorney for a prolonged court case.
Having access to legal representation would mean that I would get to have a fair shot in
court, which could be the difference between me staying in Bozeman or leaving. In my
scenario, this could also be the difference of being a regular presence in my son’s life.
Fund Right to Counsel and keep valued community contributors in Bozeman, and keep
families together.
Sincerely,
Patrick Lupton
751 Professional Drive #71, 59718
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People helping people...it's powerful stuff!
Patrick Lupton
303-968-9661
lupton.network@gmail.com