Concerned Citizen of the Flathead Valley from Tiffany Ekern (3)Judi Funk
From: Tiffany Ekern <precise.finances@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 2:36 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Re: Concerned Citizen of the Flathead Valley
https://montana1 stnews.com/2024/05/14/katispell-city-council-meeting-feces-and-needles-and-
garbage-oh-my-plus2-ineinept-council-members/
On Tue, May 14, 2024 at 9:14 AM Tiffany Ekern <precise.financesCq)gmail.com> wrote:
Hello again,
I watched the meeting online last night. My concern is that the structure and low barrier model is not
going to work for the warming center. It's simply enabling and trained professionals are the only way to
structure a model that will work. I believe that the CUP should be yanked and restructuring and
reapplication will be needed. Someone is going to end up getting hurt or killed regularly if there is
nothing done. Too many emotions in that room last night. Let's stick to the facts.
My other concern is why in the world would we have the manager of Casey's bar, a Whitefish investor
from out of state, people who are paid through warming center AND fresh life speakers show up?? One
connection only - money and power. I live in Whitefish.. these people that spoke are all paid by the same
person and I can assure you that if there was a low barrier homeless shelter in Whitefish or Columbia
falls it would NOT fly.
I feel as if money and politics are playing a roll here and it needs to be based on what actually works for
a town our size. NOT a big city such as Austin, TX.
Pull that permit and have them restructure it to something that might actually work.
Thankyou.
On Sat, Apr 13, 2024 at 3:22 PM Tiffany Ekern <precise.financesCq)gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,
I have lived in this valley for over 30 years. I am well aware that there will be homeless people, but not
at the scale that the warming center has created. There are people from bigger cities coming here
because of this warming shelter. A permit was pulled from Spokane, so they are coming here. There is
no drug testing. There is no alcohol testing for these people. There is no accountability. I personally
work in a healthcare facility, where we have a homeless person who has choked one of our nurses and
has threatened other residents, he is getting high and drunk off the premises and is a danger to
everyone. This is happening all the time. The majority of these homeless people are mentally ill, and
when you mix substance -abuse and alcohol in the mix, it's very very dangerous and it's terrifying for our
community. If you want to truly help these people through the warming center there needs to be drug
testing and alcohol testing and if there is not going to be that it needs to be shut down immediately. The
homeless are being enabled by this facility and have no reason to leave this area. In fact, they are
inviting people from other areas because word-of-mouth travels very quickly. How bad does this
situation have to get until this place does get shut down? My friend lives in that area of town, and I will
not let my daughter and her friend go out to play in that side of town whatsoever. The wonderful
walking path cannot be walked on, without being surrounded by homeless people who are possibly
crazy. Please pull this permit and make our town a better town.
Tiffany