Use Permit for Flathead Warming Center from Jesse MJudi Funk
From: Jesse M <jesseamcfarland@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2024 2:52 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Use permit for Flathead Warming Center
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hello Mayor Johnson and City Council Members,
I am writing in response to the board work session on 5/13/24 regarding the continued approval of the
Flathead's Warming Center use permit. I would have loved to give a public comment, but with family
responsibilities, it ran a bit late for that. However, I really appreciated the council's points made, as well
as most of the public comment on either side.
My background / community roles include a current Assistant Principal at an Elementary school in
Kalispell, a CASA volunteer / advocate / GAL for CASA for Kids Flathead, and a board member with
Community Kitchen - Feed the Flathead. I have been in education for 10 years, and have held these
particular volunteer roles for the past 7 years. My wife and I have 5 kids in Kalispell public schools, and
are both born and raised in Kalispell.
With all of these experiences in volunteer work, education, working with youth as a teacher / coach, and
watching the area change over the past 40 years, I am writing in full support of maintaining approval of
the Flathead Warming Center's use permit. I completely agree with Mr. Hunter's statement about some
members of the committee and of the community confusing the important terms of "correlation" and
"causation".
Since the Flathead Warming Center has moved in, there has been an increase of homelessness, mental
health issues, crime / vandalism, and unsafety in our beautiful town. This is all true. However, this is not
only city / state - wide, it is nation-wide. Kalispell, in 2020, was a very different place. The high -rate of
immediate growth into our valley changed many things, and brought about major changes. What has
also increased since 2020 are student behavior issues, trouble getting parents involved with their kids'
education, student attendance, crime across the valley, etc. At Feed The Flathead, we have had more
"behavior concerns" and suspensions / removals since 2020, than we did in the prior 20 years. These
occur in different buildings / churches throughout the valley.
Notice we are not discussing the idea of shutting down schools because behavior is on the rise, or
entertaining the idea of shutting down Feed the Flathead because our guests have grown and there are
more issues arising surrounding mental health and well-being. The majority of stories I heard regarding
vandalism and causing trouble in our neighborhoods, are from people that have been suspended /
removed from the warming center. They do not meet the standard that the Warming Center holds them
to, and are not welcome there. The Warming Center cannot be reasonably held responsible for the
decisions these individuals make once that determination has been made.
I don't like the disturbing behavior(s) stories that were shared in that neighborhood, they are awful and
sometimes horrifying. I was a child from birth until 2nd grade in that very neighborhood. I miss the days
where kids can ride their bikes 3 blocks down the road to a playground and be home by dark, and be
safe. But these concerns are not exclusive to this neighborhood. They are everywhere. Between 2015-
2020, 1 would go jogging in the evenings, as this was the only time we had. I used to go through the East
and West sides of Kalispell and around Woodland park. I don't feel comfortable jogging in Woodland
Park after dark anymore. I am sad about my community changing from the safe place I've always known,
to a place where we need to be more careful. With all this said, the Warming Center is only playing a part
in the solution, not the problem. We don't need fewer services for the hungry, disabled, ill, etc., we need
more. We need places for people to go to receive services if they are mentally ill or trying to rid
themselves of a disabling addiction. We need places to go when people are hurt, sick, hungry, dirty,
tired, or unwell. We need more places and people serving, to be a part of the solution, and together, we
can make our town a better place.
Today, the majority of our elementary schools have between 45-95% free and reduced lunch. The
poverty rate in Kalispell continues to climb. Families are uncomfortable, under tons of pressure, and
mental health and addiction is more and more prevalent every day. Yes, we need more boundaries,
more accountability, more clarity when it comes to expectations in our world, but most of all, we need
more love for our neighbors and for our brothers and sisters across the world, we need more grace for
those working tirelessly to get on their feet and make life better for them and their families, more people
who want to getaway from blaming, hating and complaining, and instead want to be part of solutions. If
we have people and systems in place who want this, and are willing to give, our small town will become
better, as well as all of the areas around it. And when it comes to talking about solutions or serving our
community, I'm all in.
Please don't make things more challenging for those attempting to be a part of the solution. Please,
instead, get more involved with the programs that are trying to help, more involved with our school and
kiddos, more involved giving a hand up to those willing to take it. Please do not revoke the use permit for
the Flathead Warming Center.
Thankyou so much for your time,
Jesse McFarland
140 Kinshella Rd
Kalispell, MT 59901