Homeless population Public Comment from Rebecca MillerAimee Brunckhorst
From: Rebecca Miller <rmiller001 @luthersem.edu>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2023 4:38 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Homeless population
Greetings council members,
Thank you for your service to our community.
As you consider how to handle public park usage, I understand that issues such as illegal activity, threatening behavior,
or drug use must be dealt with for the sake of safety and health of the community. However, as you address those
issues, I also implore you not to paint all homeless people with a broad brush as the commissioners just did in their
letter last week. And I also strongly request that when you take away a privilege such as being able to take shelter in the
gazebo, that you address the need that the usage was revealing. Please consider where in the city people may safely
gather to stay at least partly out of the weather in these cold times if it is not to be the gazebo. Please also consider the
way many in the community have been talking about this population and please stand up for the human rights and
dignity of the unhoused. I know these issues are complex and challenging, but I am deeply troubled by some of the
community dehumanizing language and behavior toward homeless people in recent days. Please lead our city, yes, with
concern for safety and sanitation but also for human rights and dignity.
Please continue to be supportive of truly affordable housing for our community, of safety net programs that can help
people get on their feet again, and of mental health care to the capacity you are able to support or provide it. Please
stand separate from the commissioners, and instead of drawing up battle lines with local nonprofits who are seeking to
improve the community, keep people safe, and alleviate suffering, offer such organizations your encouragement and
support.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Miller