HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-25 Public Comment - M. Harding - Support Right to CounselFrom:City of Bozeman, MT
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]*NEW SUBMISSION* Public Comment Form - City Clerk
Date:Tuesday, May 13, 2025 9:53:53 AM
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Public Comment Form - City Clerk
Submission #:4044626
IP Address:38.127.94.77
Submission Date:05/13/2025 9:53
Survey Time:35 minutes, 14 seconds
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Full Name
Martha Harding
Email
hardingmardy@gmail.com
Phone
Comments
To the City Commissioners, I write in support of the city funding a Right to Counsel program in Bozeman. Montana
will continue to grow, whether we like it or not, and right now you have the ability to ensure that Bozeman grows
gracefully, and not painfully, especially for families. Ensuring that tenants in Bozeman can defend themselves
against predatory landlords will help prevent homelessness, and could even prevent eviction filings. I urge you not
to see this program as an unreasonable extreme, but a logical step towards protecting Montanans from being
displaced from their homes. In fact, Right to Counsel already exists in Montana (see Montana Code 47-1-104.).
Besides all criminal cases, an attorney is already granted to defendants in a whole list of civil cases, most of which
involve parents and children. Take the next step and ensure these families have access to an attorney in eviction
cases so they are protected from the trauma of homelessness.
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your comment, you may alternately address comments@bozeman.net directly to ensure receipt of all
information.
Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
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