During the public-comment period at the Jan. 2 Terre Haute City Council meeting, residents urged the council to take action on homelessness as winter approaches and debated the location of a proposed pedestrian/bike path.

Don Hyde, who identified himself as a 70-year resident of the community, told the council he had "never seen more homeless" people than in 2024 and warned that without adequate blankets and services some people could die from exposure this winter. Hyde urged the council to address homelessness and cited rising rents and impacts on elderly residents living on fixed incomes.

Council President Nation responded that the Department of Redevelopment’s consolidated plan (the CDBG/HOME plan the council later approved) includes the city’s approach to homelessness and that the plan is part of a multifaceted response involving other governments and organizations.

Kevin Southwood spoke in opposition to an off-street Heritage Trail-style bike and pedestrian path described in local media; he said such a path is "missing the mark" and argued for marked walking routes on city streets that would be closer to residents. Council members acknowledged his comments and commended his use of existing paths.

What the record shows
Both topics were raised during public comment and recorded on the public record. Hyde’s remarks emphasized urgency for winter services; Nation pointed the public to the consolidated plan, which council later authorized for HUD submission. Southwood’s remarks were an expression of preference for on-street routes rather than remote trails; no council motion or vote on the bike-path location occurred in this meeting.