PAID ADVERTISING September 23, 2024 Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl Flathead County Commissioner Brad Abell Flathead County Board of Adjustment Dear Commissioners Holmquist, Brodehl and Abell: First, thank you for being willing to assume the immense responsibilities of leadership of Flathead County, Montana - a very dear and special place to us all. With the utmost respect, it is my intent to express deep concern - even alarm - regarding the current consideration of the construction of a Pre-Release Center on East Oregon Street, Kalispell. Although the legal address is Kalispell, this location is of course with in the Evergreen Community, and immediately near an already fragile residential neighborhood. Without getting deep into the broader, philosophical and socioeconomic aspects a Pre- Release Center concept entails, please consider the potential - and I will argue, certain -harm and degradation this will have to an already struggling Evergreen community. Your Flathead Valley citizens of Evergreen consist of middle to lower income families, straining to balance budgets, succeed professionally, raise their families, and contribute to their communities while still enjoying a modest and unassuming Montana lifestyle. In delving deeper into the concepts of Pre-Release Center employment, I have learned experts estimate potential recidivism to crime, exceeding 30% of a PRC population. That is a rather alarming, even if unintentional, introduction of a known harm to a community currently struggling with high crime and poverty rates. To even consider this for the community of Evergreen is arguably wrong headed. At present time, you will find countless good and deserving citizens of Evergreen, diligently striving and fighting to improve Evergreen and make it a better place to safely work, live and ideally thrive. Were recidivism to crime with the addition of a PRC even approach half of what experts estimate, its placement will most certainly introduce additional crime and subsequent harm to the community. In the most respectful but strident manner I implore you, do not proceed with this woefully flawed concept of a Pre-Release Center on East Oregon Street, Kalispell. In my opinion, it is not only extremely harmful in this location, but actually reckless to consider an already overburdened and challenged community as Evergreen for a Pre-Release Center. Very respectfully and with much concern, Be fusta B.J. Lupton Kalispell, Montana PAID ADVERTISING September 23 , 2024 Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl Flathead County Commissioner Brad Abell Flathead County Board of Adjustment Dear Commissioners Holmquist , Brodehl and Abell : First , thank you for being willing to assume the immense responsibilities of leadership of Flathead County , Montana - a very dear and special place to us all . With the utmost respect , it is my intent to express deep concern - even alarm - regarding the current consideration of the construction of a Pre - Release Center on East Oregon Street , Kalispell . Although the legal address is Kalispell , this location is of course with in the Evergreen Community , and immediately near an already fragile residential neighborhood . Without getting deep into the broader , philosophical and socioeconomic aspects a Pre- Release Center concept entails , please consider the potential - and I will argue , certain -harm and degradation this will have to an already struggling Evergreen community . Your Flathead Valley citizens of Evergreen consist of middle to lower income families , straining to balance budgets , succeed professionally , raise their families , and contribute to their communities while still enjoying a modest and unassuming Montana lifestyle . In delving deeper into the concepts of Pre - Release Center employment , I have learned experts estimate potential recidivism to crime , exceeding 30 % of a PRC population . That is a rather alarming , even if unintentional , introduction of a known harm to a community currently struggling with high crime and poverty rates . To even consider this for the community of Evergreen is arguably wrong headed . At present time , you will find countless good and deserving citizens of Evergreen , diligently striving and fighting to improve Evergreen and make it a better place to safely work , live and ideally thrive . Were recidivism to crime with the addition of a PRC even approach half of what experts estimate , its placement will most certainly introduce additional crime and subsequent harm to the community . In the most respectful but strident manner I implore you , do not proceed with this woefully flawed concept of a Pre - Release Center on East Oregon Street , Kalispell . In my opinion , it is not only extremely harmful in this location , but actually reckless to consider an already overburdened and challenged community as Evergreen for a Pre - Release Center . Very respectfully and with much concern , Be fusta B.J. Lupton Kalispell , Montana