Warming Center Public Comment from Mrs. James RoskosCity Council Members,
Contained within the folder being submitted for your study and perusal are several hard copies of articles
that I and others have written, composed, edited, and published.
These articles (which have also been emailed to all of you) are first-hand accounts by those who have
been assaulted by the homeless, an interview with a homeless woman, a report by a woman who works
for and is a volunteer at the Warming Center (concerning a Warming Center guest who overdosed on
Fentanyl and nearly died) as well as Fentanyl being consumed in the bathroom inside the Warming
Center along with a lack of fiscal/financial accountability via records by the Better Business
Bureau/Charity Navigator concerning the FWC, along with reports of littering and other accounts of crime
in the area near the FWC as well as accounts concerning crime where the FWC guests travel (meaning
in the vicinity of the Hockaday Art Center and the Library).
You may access my website via the following, (Montanalstnews.com) and you may open the interview
with the homeless woman at Interview Homeless Woman Kalispell Part1 and Interview Homeless
Woman Kalispell Part 2 via YouTube. Also, you may obtain the financial/ accountability records from the
Charity Navigator by typing in charitynavigator.org Flathead Warming Center Inc. and
charitynavigator.org A Ray of Hope
I have had extensive experience over many decades concerning addiction and homelessness as I and
my husband housed and fed multiple women and sick women and young children, toddlers, and infants
in our home for years, as well as having assisted A Ray of Hope for almost a decade, and helped procure
sobriety for a family steeped in addictions over many years and who are now recovered and working,
doing well and leading productive lives.
In conclusion, please consider pulling the 'Conditional Use Permit' which was issued to the Flathead
Warming Center and if it were to ever re -open at some point please consider it via a rebranding process
and by dropping the 'Low Barrier Shelter' status and replace that with drug and alcohol testing, local ID
for entry and strict accountability and requirements.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. James A Roskos
City Council Members,
Contained within the folder being submitted for your study and perusal are several hard copies of articles
that I and others have written, composed, edited, and published.
These articles (which have also been emailed to all of you) are first-hand accounts by those who have
been assaulted by the homeless, an interview with a homeless woman, a report by a woman who works
for and is a volunteer at the Warming Center (concerning a Warming Center guest who overdosed on
Fentanyl and nearly died) as well as Fentanyl being consumed in the bathroom inside the Warming
Center along with a lack of fiscal/financial accountability via records by the Better Business
Bureau/Charity Navigator concerning the FWC, along with reports of littering and other accounts of crime
in the area near the FWC as well as accounts concerning crime where the FWC guests travel (meaning
in the vicinity of the Hockaday Art Center and the Library).
You may access my website via the following, (Montanalstnews.com) and you may open the interview
with the homeless woman at Interview Homeless Woman Kalispell Part1 and Interview Homeless
Woman Kalispell Part 2 via YouTube. Also, you may obtain the financial/ accountability records from the
Charity Navigator by typing in charitynavigator.org Flathead Warming Center Inc. and
charitynavigator.org A Ray of Hope.
I have had extensive experience over many decades concerning addiction and homelessness as I and
my husband housed and fed multiple women and sick women and young children, toddlers, and infants
in our home for years, as well as having assisted A Ray of Hope for almost a decade, and helped procure
sobriety for a family steeped in addictions over many years and who are now recovered and working,
doing well and leading productive lives.
In conclusion, please consider pulling the'Conditional Use Permit' which was issued to the Flathead
Warming Center and if it were to ever re -open at some point please consider it via a rebranding process
and by dropping the 'Low Barrier Shelter' status and replace that with drug and alcohol testing, local ID
for entry and strict accountability and requirements.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. James A Roskos
City Council Members,
Contained within the folder being submitted for your study and perusal are several hard copies of articles
that I and others have written, composed, edited, and published.
These articles (which have also been emailed to all of you) are first-hand accounts by those who have
been assaulted by the homeless, an interview with a homeless woman, a report by a woman who works
for and is a volunteer at the Warming Center (concerning a Warming Center guest who overdosed on
Fentanyl and nearly died) as well as Fentanyl being consumed in the bathroom inside the Warming
Center along with a lack of fiscal/financial accountability via records by the Better Business
Bureau/Charity Navigator concerning the FWC, along with reports of littering and other accounts of crime
in the area near the FWC as well as accounts concerning crime where the FWC guests travel (meaning
in the vicinity of the Hockaday Art Center and the Library).
You may access my website via the following, (Montanalstnews.com) and you may open the interview
with the homeless woman at Interview Homeless Woman Kalispell Part1 and Interview Homeless
Woman Kalispell Part 2 via YouTube. Also, you may obtain the financial/ accountability records from the
Charity Navigator by typing in charitynavigator.org Flathead Warming Center Inc. and
charitynavigator.org A Ray of Hope.
I have had extensive experience over many decades concerning addiction and homelessness as I and
my husband housed and fed multiple women and sick women and young children, toddlers, and infants
in our home for years, as well as having assisted A Ray of Hope for almost a decade, and helped procure
sobriety for a family steeped in addictions over many years and who are now recovered and working,
doing well and leading productive lives.
In conclusion, please consider pulling the'Conditional Use Permit' which was issued to the Flathead
Warming Center and if it were to ever re -open at some point please consider it via a rebranding process
and by dropping the 'Low Barrier Shelter' status and replace that with drug and alcohol testing, local ID
for entry and strict accountability and requirements.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. James A Roskos
Kalispell MT: Fentanyl Overdose
at Flathead Warming
Center/Multiple Under Influence
By: Publisher May 4, 2024
Fentanyl is now an everyday word in Flathead County and
unfortunately, on April 17th a young woman nearly died at the
Flathead Warming Center from a Fentanyl overdose. What is highly
concerning is that on the same night "a few were going in and out
of the bathroom" (as well as the woman) and the volunteer also
states that she could also tell "who was high tonight".
The volunteer is thrilled that the young woman's life was spared
(and yes we thank God for that as well).
The issue is multi -faceted. Drug addiction is a very heavy burden
for all involved. Were the 'volunteers' on shift that evening at FWC
really equipped to deal with such seriousness and trauma? Centers
and shelters who drug and urine test their 'guests' do so for
multiple reasons one being the safety of the staff and volunteers.
Another reason is quite clear -if folks are found with drug/alcohol
laced blood they will work harder at getting off these substances if
they know the reward is a warm, clean, dry, safe place to stay and
receive help.
When drug/urine tests aren't required often times we see the
continual cycle of addiction over and over as it becomes a dog
chasing its own tale. When there are requirements the drive to
"strive" for sobriety in many cases becomes stronger.
This particular evening at the Flathead Warming Center could have
ended in death and the death of multiple people by the sounds of it.
(read what the Flathead Warming Center volunteer had to say
below).
Tonight at the FWC I had a life changing
event happen to me. A young 21 year old
od'd on the I*.. fentanyl. She also OD'd
last Thursday before coming to the center.
At 10 pm I was outside talking and smoking
with her and I asked how she was doing
since last week. She said she hasn't done
any blues but was doing other stuff (meth).
We went in the building and I could tell who
was high tonight. I also knew something
was going down as a few were going in and
out of the bathrooms. My gut was telling
me to keep a close eye on what was
happening. As I went to the ladies
bathroom I could see she was not good,
nodding out with her hands on the
bathroom counter. I knew instantly she did
fentanyl. I ran behind the desk, grabbed
the Narcan and ran back to the bathroom
and had Ray Young call 911. She was on
the floor now, not breathing,turning blue. I
grabbed her and put her under my arms
yelling at her, wake up chicka,come back
to me! She turned ice cold,no pulse,no
breath. She was dieing in my arms and I
was begging God to bring her back. 4 cans
of Narcan,chest compressions and mouth
to mouth finally she let out a gasp. She did
not breathe for at least 8 mins. She's 21,
she has a mom who is probably worried
sick about her. If u don't have Narcan in
your car or purse, I highly recommend u
do. This experience changed me and it's
for real. The shits everywhere in the valley
and people are dieing. Is all I can say is
Damn ... what a freaking nightwhat a rush.
When and how does the cycle of this magnitude of drug addiction
end?
When people are tested for drugs it gives incentive to continue to
try to get clean. We are thankful this young lady's life was spared
but we desperately want to see this center drop the 'Low Barrier
Shelter' status is hopes of requiring mandatory drug and alcohol
testing with more stringent accountability as the 'guests' work
towards sobriety. When a facility offers too many perks without true
accountability such 'guests' will do as they please and to their
demise such as what occurred on the evening of April 17th.
Additionally, a Walgreens worker chimed in with the following,
"Scary! We are having od's often in the bathrooms at Walgreens.
It's become almost a daily thing for people to smoke meth and
other things in our bathrooms. Someone was shooting up today
and left blood all over. Needles stuffed in drains and the feminine
trash boxes. They keep the bathrooms open. So dangerous to not
only the employees but our customers. I almost walked out and quit
my job. I'm so sick of all the drugs! It's so bad everywhere!"
How scary is right. What happened the evening of April 17th at the
FWC is the stuff best suited for ER rooms with highly skilled
professionals. Individuals drowning in addiction must take those
most important first steps toward freedom. Their very lives depend
on it.
[Publishers Note: I have taken highly needy single/ill mothers with
babies, toddlers, and young children into my home for years,
helped A Ray of Hope homeless shelter for close to a decade and
dealt with numerous people steeped in addiction who walked
victoriously in sobriety as a result of the program entitled 'Teen
Challenge' -Therefore / am writing these things from years of
experience having dealt with those in need and addiction.]
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Kalispell Resident Interviews
Homeless Woman "They Need to
Make a Homeless Shelter That's
Open 24 Hours a Day" (Video
Footage)
By: PUbhshL May 3, 2024
What you are about to watch contains graphic language and is very
telling. Here we get a glimpse into the life of a homeless person
living on the streets of Kalispell. She has an encounter with a
young gentleman whose intent is to simply share the good
message of Jesus Christ with the woman.
He wanted to understand homelessness from her perspective and
what she had to say was very revealing. Watch the two videos
below and then read the following summary and analysis.
Part 2 (to be continued)
In this 2nd video the woman claims "They need to make a
shelter that's open 24 hotars a day"
There are some interesting things to note by listening to and
watching the videos.
She begins by stating that "they only extended it to be open until
the end of April" meaning the Flathead Warming Center will soon
close down and that soon she and her friends are "gonna be
everywhere" -"we're gonna be everywhere sleepin' everywhere you
know" and that local teens 'U*k" with them then proceeds to
mention "and there's nothing being done about it"'.
She also shared that 'two of my friends were killed' and 'we get
messed with quite a bit by teens'.
When the young man asks her "What would you like the county to
do about it" she states "They need to make a homeless shelter
that's open 24 hours a day".
The interviewer then asks her "What should happen if someone
wants to get well"? She proceeds to tell him that "That's what A Ray
of Hope does every day" (referring to "drug and alcohol testing
every day") but she won't go back because "they are too pushy
with the whole religion thing" and how she's "been kicked out of
the Samaritan House for 4 years."
She then told him she's "thinking out of here and going to
Missoula."
Let's now analyze this situation from a place of logical thinking.
She feels it's someone fault (most likely the city) that the
Flathead Warming Center is shutting down for the season.
This is an attitude of entitlement. Why should this place be forced
to stay open? What is most telling is that she HAD places to stay,
safe places but her rebellion is why she is living on the streets
(except for the nights she's stayed at Flathead Warming Center).
She's upset that "no one is going to do anything about it" (meaning
who will take them in)? Who will 'rescue' them?
She believes it's the communities responsibility to take care of her
and her friends and protect them from `street assaults' but she
appears to be making no effort to obtain any sort of living situation
beyond a hand out.
She's been kicked out of the Samaritan House (4 years ago
and not let back in apparently).
Why would she be kicked out of the Samaritan House? The
chances are she broke the rules. There could be multiple reasons:
failure to do as asked, possible harm to other? There could be a
multitude of reasons.
She doesn't like A Ray of Hope because of religious reasons.
Could it be that she doesn't like the mandatory work that is required
by AROH meaning the guests are required to help in some capacity
either in or out of the shelter for up to 20 hours per week? The
Bible is offensive to those in rebellion. Perhaps she didn't like the
drug and alcohol tests which are essential for guests who stay.
She wants a shelter that's going to stay open 24/7.
What it appears is that she wants a continual 2417 free ride. She
expects meals that are often provided, warmth, shelter, safety,
services, (from everywhere) and all without real accountability and
the ability to be able to come and go freely as she pleases.
Her next plan is to head to Missoula.
We wish her well and pray she finds hope and salvation in Christ
for He is ultimately her answer to what it is she really needs.
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r
Kalispell 'Art Scene' Since the
Flathead Warming Center Moved
In "It's Incredible"!
By: Publishing Staff April 13, 2024
The art scene by the 'Flathead Warming Center' and the 'Gateway
West Mall' is nothing short of incredible these days!
Incredibly HORRIFIC that is.
Below you can see today's newest artistic 'flair'.
Ever since the Flathead Warming Center was erected in Kalispell
the landscape has been 'painted' with drug needles, feces, blood,
urine, and now TADA! This beauty. A citizen snapped a picture of
this exquisite artist's rendition (which I like to call "Litter Bear") while
on their way to the gym today (Saturday) and shared,
"This sane individual was 'decorating' the bear when I was walking
to the gym this morning."
The Gateway West Mall in the background (hosts services such as
'CAP' Community Action Partnership) which is where the Flathead
Warming Center "guests" receive guidance and direction and help
from. (Looks like they need to step up their game).
If YOU or someone you know who lives on this side of town is fed
up with this nonsense come to the meeting on May 13th, 7 pm
that is being hosted by the Kalispell City Council at 201 1 st Ave E,
Kalispell, and email (publiccomment@kalispell.com.) them ASAP
asking them to shut the Flathead Warming Center DOWN
IMMEDIATELY by pulling their "Conditional Use Permit" (or at very
least demanding they drug and alcohol test their incoming 'guests'.
Enough is enough.
To learn more how you can fight against this nonsense click
here.
Kalispell City Council Member
Fisher Disgusted by Homeless
Mess- MT Gov. Candidate Tanner
Smith Speaks Up
By: Publishing Staff April 24, 2024
Let's face it everyone is fed up to the gills. The homeless litter is
absolutely disgusting as well as them defecating wherever and
whenever they please. (See yesterday's article concerning this
matter by clicking here).
That's correct Councilman
Fisher -you nailed it!
Hopefully the rest of the
City Council will catch the
vision of how horrific this
is and pull the `Conditional
Use Permit' from the
Flathead Warming Center
which is drawing folks to
our county at an alarming
rate with little to no
accountability.
One valley resident shared the following asking Fisher, "No
Enforcement????
She continued, "Whatever happened to these ordinances????"
Councilman Fisher responded with, "Guessing it only applies to
those who can pay fines. I'll research."
08 we M"590"416 M I
City of Kaf►spM MT t Code a Qrdlmrces
Chapter 11 Garbage, Refuse and Weeds
§ 11-19 Materials to Be Collected.
§ 11-20 Areas to Be Collected.
§ 11-21 Preparation of Materials.
Article 5 COMMUNITY DECAY
§ 11-22 Purpose. >
§ 11-23 Definitions.
§ 11-24 Prohibition.
§ 11-25 Shielding.
§ 11-26 Abatement.
§ 11-27 Jurisdiction.
§ 11-28 Penalty.
Several folks chimed in with responses of how disgusted they were
and how Kalispell is turning into "Spokane" etc.
One gal shared, "I saw like 5 different abandoned piles in just my
few stops today."
A gentleman stated, "In Georgia, they gave them 24 hours to leave
then came in with bulldozers and dumpsters. After they cleaned up
the villages they put up 12' high fences with razor wire on top."
Tanner Smith (R) running for Governor of Montana interjected,
"When I'm Governor we're going to fix this problem
Statewide."
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Frightened Resident Shares
Flathead Homeless Trauma -
Solution? "Ship them to LA
Problem Solved"
By: Publisher April 17, 2024
Although this traumatic encounter occurred last January now
seems the perfect time to share this story. With all the nonsense
going on around the Flathead Warming Center revealing more
truths is important for the safety of our citizens. A local Flathead
County resident stopped to allow a homeless man to cross the
street. Below are the resident's words as to exactly what transpired
on that frightening day. This type of thing is not uncommon in
Flathead County now and especially since the Flathead Warmer
Center opened their doors. We know that the Center absolutely
attracts outsiders to our county.
Here is her first hand account and exact words,
This homeless man came after me today as I was
letting him cross the street. He ran up and
punched my drivers side window to my pickup so
hard I'm pretty sure he broke his hand M I was
pretty shook up after it. I reported it to police.
They said hes in and out of jail every 3 days here.
! 1 hate downtown Kalispell!
• rye. `� .. "'� ,:y-�
Note: Although this traumatic event happened in the downtown
Kalispell area, crime and homelessness has sky rocketed since the
Center opened its doors -also several 'guests' who stay at the
center move to the area by the library during the day.
The shook up driver shared more details,
I needed them to know the guy was `unhinged'.
(M1N comments) "Just how many unhinged people is it going to
take before citizens become severely wounded or raped or killed?
We just recently have reports of the homeless choking people."
She continued,
The driver is stating if her window had been down she would've been 'knocked out'
Exhausted and exasperated she summed it up with, "I have a
solution; ship them to LA problem solved."
Continue to check back with Montana 1st News as we will be
sharing up-to-date pertinent information on the homeless situation
in Flathead County.
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Kalispell Homeless Man Stalks
Cars on East Side Then
Defecates
By: Publisher April 22, 2024
It seems no place is immune these days in Kalispell.
Today a homeless man was (attempting to ransack) through cars
on the East Side was at large. We do not know if he was successful
in his attempts but thankfully a decent citizen called the police to
"notify patrol of his location". (See below)
Just watched some strung out dude strolling down
6th Ave E in Kalispell looking in cars and trying doors..
followed him to notify patrol of his location. He stands
on the corner looking if he's gonna try all the cars at
the church on 4th St E. Stops in the alley way behind
one of this big beautiful houses and just takes a dump
behind their house by the dumpster.... wtf Kalispell....
Apparently, the man was pondering if he should go through
vehicles in a nearby church parking lot as well.
Absolutely uncalled for.
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DOCUMENTS: FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTABILTY (BBB Ratings) -
Flathead Warming Center 69%-A
Ray of Hope 100%
By: Publisher May 12, 2024
Friends, facts are facts.
When you do a Google/Chrome search and type in
BetterBusinessBureau (via "Charity Navigator') concerning two
distinctly different charities (see below) here are the results that
came up.
OF SPECIAL NOTE is the fact that the Flathead Warming
Center's `Finance & Accountability' rating was a mere 69% (in
school language that's a D) whereas A Ray of Hope (homeless
shelter) rating's were 100%.
There is a vast difference between these two non -profits and the
results are very telling.
Here are the links (CLICK HERE and HERE) where you can study
these issues in detail for yourself. Once entered scroll down to see
the `Accountability & Finance' where ratings of both are
explained in detail concerning both of these charities.
Below are the results for Flathead Warming Center
Accountability & Finance (Flathead Warming Center)
Score
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2022
Below are the results for A Ray of Hope
Accountability & Finance (A Ray of Hope)
Score
100
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2022
There is much to research here and we've given you the links
above to do your own search.
Continue to check back with Montana 1st News as we uncover
more on the Flathead Warming Center.
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