Mentally Ill Resident concern Public Comment from Ann CooperDear Mayor Johnson and City Council,
August 20, 2025
We have a situation here at The Woodlands, a 55 + community
In Kalispell involving a 64 year old woman, Linda Thomas who
is mentally ill and more often than not goes off her medication and
makes her condo neighbors' life a living hell. Her rants can last 24 hours with
banging on walls and floors, breaking a neighbor's door down, yelling off the
balcony to passer-bys that they are "f... k ing whores", even hitting some
residents. One elderly lady had to pepper spray her to ward off her attack.
We had a hearing yesterday attended by over 40 residents, to continue
with two restraining orders of close neighbors. The judge granted
the continuance for one year. The neighbors downstairs and next door
and on her floor are ready to move out, but because of this woman could
not in good conscious sell their units to some unknowing buyer.
Currently Linda Thomas is in the Kalispell jail for breaking the restraining order,
resisting arrest and more. It took 5 - 7 strong Sheriff deputies to get her into the
police car.
Montana has very few facilities for mentally ill individuals and so she
is simply put in jail for short periods of time, taking up resources, and
let out only to continue harassment of our Woodlands residents. People
fear for their well being even to the point of being afraid to get their mail
and play cards in the common area.
If money is an issue, I would suggest a one year 2% sales tax for purposes
for mental health facilities stragetically placed in several counties.
If there are excess funds, those monies could be earmarked to improve reading
and basic skills in our schools as well as raising teacher salaries.
I wanted to make you aware of this serious situation so that somehow a
good resolution for Linda and for the residents here can be accomplished.
Sincerely,
Ann Cooper 100 Woodland Way, Spruce 406, Kalispell, MT 59901