No not really, there never are Final Chapters in sad stories someone always lives with them.

At tonight’s City Council Meeting the Council will be asked to approve a settlement agreement between the Estate of Stephanie Meier AKA Stephanie Bender in the amount of $250,000.00.

I didn’t want to let this end up in the Fade and Forget File, because at the time the very, very sad story helped to demonstrate the problem Spokane faces with mental health and homeless issues. Problems I might add that in most cases Law Enforcement have to initially deal with.

Here are a few media stories to refresh you memory:

http://www.inlander.com/Bloglander/archives/2015/06/09/police-report-details-the-stephanie-meier-tragedy

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/04/woman-sleeping-by-road-under-blankets-and/

http://www.khq.com/story/28249439/update-woman-hit-by-truck-while-sleeping-near-road-dies

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/05/woman-killed-by-truck-was-beautiful-artist/

I think it is important to keep in mind that even though there was a settlement the family and driver of the truck along with his co-workers will never really have a Final Chapter in their memory.

Fortunately, Mayor Condon, and the City Council have tried to help address the problem, and for that I give them both credit.

http://www.inlander.com/Bloglander/archives/2017/02/24/spokane-opens-doors-to-homeless-families-at-daytime-shelter

The truth is, that no matter how many shelters you provide a segment of those suffering from mental illness simply won’t participate in the services we provide and in most cases those folks at one time or another become a problem-solving dilemma for our first responders.

There are no Final Chapters in the issues surrounding mental health problems, and likely never will be. The death of Stephanie Meier, sad as it was for everyone involved, helped in some small way to emphasize how important the issue is. This story is simply intended to be a reminder for everyone, including myself.

I REPORT YOU DECIDE AND PLEASE DON’T FORGET!!!