Statement on Homeless Issues from Debbie Kuha-McPhersonJudi Funk
From: Debbie McPherson <blessedjesusfreak777@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2024 11:05 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Fw: Statement on homeless issues
Attachments: CCCHomeless Report 124.docx
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
[NOTICE: This message includes an attachment -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you
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To: Mayor Mark Johnson, City Manager and Kalispell City Council,
Good Morning.
My name is Debbie Kuha-McPherson. I'm one of the Pastors at Destiny Mountain Church. We rent the 3rd floor at Central
Christian Church. I asked Pastor Jeff Foster to
forward me this information so I can pass it on to you all. The vagrant situation around the church gets worse every year.
have to call the Kalispell City Police continually to
remove the vagrants from the church property. I press charges for trespass every time I call. Now there is vagrants
hanging out on the city bench in front of the church and also
on church property. The trash left by the vagrants on the Church property Pastor Jeff and I pick up. The trash on the city
property we pick up sometimes but the city needs to be
picking it up. That should not be left up to Pastor Jeff and 1. Two weeks ago I was walking a handicapped congregation
member into the church building and one of the people
hanging out by the bench was yelling at us. Our church numbers have declined because people that want to go to church
don't feel safe even walking to the building. I would
like to know what the City Council is planning to do to help get this problem resolved.
I am looking forward to any solution you may have to help us.
Respectfully,
Debbie Kuha-McPherson
Pastor
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Jeff Foster <pastorccckalispell@gmail. com>
To: "blessedjesusfreak777@yahoo.com" <blessedjesusfreak777@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 07:22:34 PM MST
Subject: Statement on homeless issues
Debbie,
I think this is what you were looking for. I will try to attach the photos to this too. I don't know if the videos will
send. Peace, Jeff
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Rev. Jeff M. Foster
Pastor
Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Kalispell, MT.
IVAdaiL
CENTRAL
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
KALISPELL, IV ONTANA
211 Ave. E. Kalispell, MT. 59901 Office Phone: (406) 755-5265
www.CentralChristianKaIisaell.o
To Whom It May Concern,
As the Pastor of Central Christian Church here in Kalispell, we have had more and more negative
run ins with our houseless population in recent months. Despite placing signs on our porches
saying, "No Smoking or Sleeping," we still people daily and nightly breaking said rules. Our
property continues to be vandalized, trashed, defecated and urinated on. Police officers have
been called on numerous occasions. I have personally threatened and verbally assaulted on
several occasions. Recently, I took photos and videos of several folks covering their heads with
blankets as they smoked what I assume was crack pipe on the city bench located on the
northwest corner of 211 Ave. E and 3rd St. just off the church property. The same day, I found a
syringe and razor blade outside of the church office door. Houseless folks have broken metal
covers and locks that we have placed over our electrical outlets. We were finally forced to start
turning the power off to all outdoor electric outlets. This is problematic as this also turns off
power to needed outlets on the inside of the building too. We try to minister to this community
through support of various homeless ministries to help provide meals and spaces that are
warm, dry and asway from the streets. We do not feel supported by the City of Kalispell. These
folks just simply get pushed around town from place to place with no real solutions to actually
deal with the problems. I and the members of Central Christian Church bring forth this
information in the hopes that solutions can be made. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rev. Jeff M. Foster
Sr. Minister