Since I last wrote you just a few days ago, there have been two more incidents involving shots fired in Madison. This is not the same Madison we moved to in the mid-1990s. Heck, it's not even the same city I remember from a few years ago. I know what some of you are thinking: It's time to pack up and move. I can't say I blame you - and it's something we ponder, too. But something I keep in front of me is this: Conflict is everywhere - there is no utopia. Whether your feet are firmly planted in Madison or you're thinking of leaving, I ask you to please sign and share our new petition. It asks Mayor Soglin and the common council to address crime by supporting its police department. https://www.change.org/p/mayor-soglin-fight-crime-in-madison-by-supporting-its-police-department Once we get enough signatures, we'll deliver it in person - like we did last year. Will this petition result in miraculous change overnight? Probably not. But I don't expect it to. I *do* know that we're making a difference. From my animal advocacy work I've learned that progress is slow - and it takes a lot of hard work. You plant seeds and keep climbing those mountains in the hope for victories, both large and small. There are two other things you can do to help - these will benefit the Kneubuehls - this is the family of the contractor who died during the armed robbery on June 27. 1. Eat at Culver's on Saturday, July 15. The following locations will be giving 100 percent of their sales from that day to the family. 2102 W. Beltline, 4401 Cottage Grove Road, and 4700 Farwell Street in McFarland. (To my veg readers: Culver's makes a decent veggie burger. : ) 2. Write to Mayor Soglin and all alders and urge them to match the funds raised on July 15. If they can afford to waste $400,000 on a study of our police force and on other pet projects, they can certainly afford to help the family of a victim terrorized in our city. I'm also trying to find out of if the other victims from that evening are in need. Mayor Soglin: mayor@cityofmadison.com Common Council: allalders@cityofmadison.com Reach me at paula@pjpublications.com with questions or comments. I love getting your letters. I really do - especially when you tell me you've taken action by writing a letter, making a call, putting up one of our yard signs. Keep it up! Hugs, --Paula Fitzsimmons