Homeless presence in the Valley Public Comment from Heather FranksAimee Brunckhorst
From: Heather Franks <reaching_upward@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2022 3:56 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Homeless presence in the Valley
To the council members representing the Flathead Valley: First, I want to say thank you for all that you have already
done to keep our Valley functioning in such a way as to have less resemblance of the negative appearances that plague
the larger cities round about in this state and country.
I appreciate the chance to share with you regarding the growing concern in the community: the changing and
escalating conditions and dynamics of Kalispell, specifically to those who love to get out and about and live active
lives with their families or as individuals.
Though many of these things are out of your control such as economy, inflation, choices for rental costs, I would ask that
more attention and organizing take place through the appropriate channels, that hopefully you are aware of, in
addressing the situation regarding the homeless along bike paths, in depot park and around the library.
I personally have 2 homeless friends who I know are trying to improve their situation and simply cannot do much more
that barely survive. I greatly empathize with their situation and others like them. Often traumatic pasts can lead to bad
choices which result in broken minds and bodies and finances. I hope and pray that generous benefactors or community
events can be rallied to provide further support for those who genuinely need it and cannot support themselves.
Also, considering those who can do better but choose not to, that organizations or specialists can act so these
recognized as homeless can be assessed properly, motivated appropriately, and if necessary, given resources to get
them back on their feet. How wonderful would a second Samaritan house be, or a new and larger location for a
Samaritan house such as the old K-mart?
Currently, for those having to coexist, the homeless and those in a better situation, and having to deal with this new
experience in our community, we are obviously lacking in the know-how in these frequent interactions. I request that
mediators, more of a police presence, even a bike patrol be applied to the bike paths with known trouble spots. I
request attention in these matters so all locals, such as myself, a stay-at-home woman with children, can fully enjoy the
benefits of the extensive bike path throughout the Valley; or going to the library without it being a place of anxiety and
trepidation.
I hope that those who fall on bad times, as we have all experienced, can find hope and self-respect again. May agitators
of these freedoms be addressed through the proper channels in such a way at to discourage further behavior. May this
place continue to be a neighborly community regardless of one's status, while remaining intolerant to crime.
Thank you.
Heather Franks
145 5th st w,
Kalispell MT
59901
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