Homelessness Public Comment from Megan McPheeCity of Kalispell
201 1 st Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
January 27, 2025
To whom it may concern,
I used to live in Kalispell, so my interest was piqued when I read a story in an international news
outlet about the homelessness crisis in the region (The Guardian 1/27/25, "A Montana town is
waging war on its unhoused citizens..."). I am sympathetic to the communities dealing with a
problem that stems from national -level forces (e.g., income inequality, untenable costs of
housing and healthcare, fentanyl), which are beyond the ability of single communities to
address.
But my sympathy quickly turned to disgust when I read the quote from County Commissioner
Brad Abell, who baselessly claimed that homelessness and the breakdown of families "began
with Black families. It started with the Black population of the United States." Wow. NW Montana
already had a reputation for being a home for White Supremacists but it was disturbing to see it
spelled out so plainly and brazenly by a member of the local government.
The next time I come to the Flathead to visit friends or take my family to Glacier, I will be buying
all of my groceries and gas in Poison or East Glacier.
Sincerely,
G
Megan McPhee