Missoula’s Urban Camping Impotency Continues With A New Mayor Kicking The Can

by Travis Mateer

Yesterday I turned in the keys to a studio space because my lease was terminated. One of the complaints against me was the suspicion that I was SLEEPING at this studio at night, an act more appropriate for a residential lease, which mine was not.

The residential housing I finally found in this insane market is a room I’m paying $800 dollars a month for so I have somewhere appropriate (and legal) to sleep at night. The economic dynamics across the country are terrible, everyone knows it, but instead of looking at the BIG PICTURE of economic insolvency and, more importantly, WHY we are back on the precipice of an economic cataclysm, the conversation at City Council regarding housing continues to be focused on the people who want to create homeless shanty towns in parks across Missoula.

Here is the latest NON-action on the “urban camping” ordinance. From the link:

The Missoula City Council has now seen multiple proposed urban camping ordinances over the last few months, and now one more has been pushed to the new year.

Many members of the community spoke out against the ordinance during public comment where the city council is unable to respond.

“This ordinance criminalizes being unhoused in some shape or form across most of the city, as you saw in that map that was shown earlier by proposing confusing unrealistic regulations around where, how long and under what conditions people can live,” said Missoula resident Winona Rachel.

The debate over “urban camping” is a very limited and stupid one because it leaves out a GIANT component of what’s happening on the streets, and that’s the breakdown of our criminal justice system. Instead of talking about homeless CRIMES, I’m watching our ignorant do-gooders line up to play the victim card for every camper living marginally in our community, and that’s a mistake.

Instead of assuming everyone is a victim, like Clayton Shaya, I ask questions, like WHY is Clayton still homeless after moving to Missoula in 2019? I’m only asking because I’ve chatted with Shaya enough to know he’s a pretty interesting character, but it was only this morning that I discovered that a Clay Shaya ran as a write-in candidate for Whatcom County, which is located in the northwest corner of Washington State, on the border with Canada.

Is this the same Clay Shaya as the homeless man making regular appearances before City Council?

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on October 14, 2019. The complaint alleged that Clay Shaya, a write-in candidate for Whatcom County Sheriff in the November 5, 2019 general election, may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.205 for failure to file a Candidate Registration (C-1 report) within two weeks of declaring candidacy; (2) RCW 42.17A.700 for failure to file a Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1 report) within two weeks of declaring candidacy; and (3) RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing contributions and expenditures undertaken by the Campaign.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; and the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Mr. Shaya has no filing history with the PDC as a candidate or appointed official and has not been found in violation of PDC laws or rules. He was not successful in the election for Whatcom County Sheriff and the small number of votes he may have received as a write-in candidate appears to have had little impact on the final outcome of the election as the total votes for all write-ins accounted for only 0.17%.

If this IS the same Clay Shaya who ran as a write-in candidate for Sheriff, then that makes the rumors I’ve heard about his intent to enter the local political arena that much more intriguing.

If you appreciate my ability to ask questions, even when the subject is a supposed victim of the housing crisis, then consider supporting Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF), or you can make a donation at my about page.

Thanks for reading!