Hi everyone, I have lots of news to share, so this update is lengthy. Thanks for your patience. : ) Let me get this first item out of the way so we can move on to the fun stuff . . . 1. You've undoubtedly heard of the city's budget plans. Among other things, the proposal includes a 2.5 percent cut to the Madison PD; delaying construction of Midtown Police Station for at least two years; and closing the Police Academy for 2017. This is in addition to the $400,000 the city is taking out of emergency funding to spend on a "study" of the MPD. I think this stinks. At a time when gang and gun violence has emerged in Madison; when an annex with the Town of Madison is occurring perhaps as early as this year; and a large percentage of cops are eligible for retirement . . .the mayor and city want to cut police funding? If you're concerned and outraged, I urge you to take one or both of the following actions. Can I be frank with you? Reactionary fist-banging on social media doesn't solve anything. Being an involved citizen does. Please . . . *Reach out to your alder and the mayor. Feel free to use the above talking points, but please express yourself in your own words. I'm also happy to share the letter I sent to my alder in case you need additional ideas. and / or *If you live on the west side, consider attending one of the joint listening sessions on the city budget, being held by Alders Phair and Cheeks. One is being held this Thursday, September 8, from 6:15pm to 8:00pm at the Sequoya Library at Tokay and Midvale. The other will be on Wednesday, September 14, from 6:15pm to 8:00pm at Meadowridge Library. One of our group's members, Dave Glomp has done a superb job of outlining our concerns, and offers several talking points for you, which he has posted on Nextdoor to 21 neighborhoods. If you're not on Nextdoor, please let me know via the Facebook plugin on this page, and I'll share the info with you. Ok, now for the fun stuff, as promised. 2. Our friends at Capital K9s asked me to remind everyone that the Dog Paddle Event is this coming Sunday, September 11. Please consider attending - and follow Capital K9s on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CapitalK9s/?fref=ts 3. As you know, we're holding an appreciation event, open-house style, for the Madison PD-west district on October 5, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the McKenna Road location. (By the way, please be sure to like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Madison-Police-Department-West-District-Appreciation-Event-1801217800112227/ Remember, even if you don't work in the west district, you are most welcome to attend the event. Please feel free to invite your loved ones - because there will be *plenty* of food. The event is also open to the community. If you're a police officer, I know you're probably *feeling* unappreciated these days. And that's a shame . . .because that perception is not based on fact. I get that when the media focuses on the negative, and the vocal minority, is well, unrelentingly vocal, it may *seem* like nobody loves you. I'm here to tell you that you are indeed loved and appreciated. Just one one way I can tell? By the number of donations (cash & food) that have been pouring in for this event. These are just a few of your supporters . . . * Mid-West Family Broadcasting donated $500, via our Go Fund Me page. Yes, you read that correctly . . .five hundred dollars. * Individual citizens donated over $300, via Go Fund Me and in-person. *Rosati's Pizza on Mineral Point Road is donating 20 pizzas, two full trays of pasta, and two full trays of salad. *Copps (Whitney Way, Junction Road and Maple Grove locations) is donating one large sheet cake, one bouquet of flowers, four cases of bottled water, and five dozen cookies. *Blue Plate Catering is donating a cheese & cracker tray and a vegetable crudites and dip tray. *Cheesecake Factory (west side) is donating - I'll find out later this week what the donation consists of. *The Great Dane donated a $25 gift certificate. As I said, there will be plenty of food. : ) I hear from people *all the time* how much they like and appreciate Chief Koval and Madison PD. All the time. I wish there was a way to convince you. Hopefully, this party can help with that. All the best. --Paula Fitzsimmons