Gallatin County Commissioners make a bad political point on the backs of poor people.

by: Rustin

Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 14:51:52 PM MST

The reason Bozeman needs affordable housing is that landlords are charging high rents. Affordable housing has been an clear need for our community for years. That's the reason that our community was granted the seven million dollars.   The property in question was bought out of foreclosure.  A recession is the perfect time to create affordable housing. This is a good deal for our community. if refused, the grant money in question will revert to somewhere else in the state.  We will lose seven million dollars, and the opportunity to serve our less fortunate citizens.

Could it be Commissioner Skinner is feeling the hot breath of Scott Sales on his neck? He's been hearing from the tea party about this.  If  he votes against this, Commissioner Skinner may gain the tea party support at the loss of his moderate image.  He needs the moderates to come out for him, otherwise Scott Sales is our new commissioner.   (shudder)  Commissioner White made a point about the federal deficit.   If this goes down, we'll not decrease the deficit by one dime.  The only thing will be that  more poor people will be on the street, or living in squalid conditions.  At a greater cost to our society at large. Voting against this grant is fiscally insane, callous,  and immoral.  We will be judged by how we treat our fellow humans. This is good policy that really helps folks and I hope the County Commission comes to find it's better angels.