Around Town & In the Community
Thank you to everyone who came out to the District 5 Budget Town Hall hosted by the County Executive. I want to personally thank every resident and organization who spoke. From our school health professionals to the volunteers with Animal Care and Control. From our faithful Friends of the Trails Volunteers and Save the Trees educators, with a mission to save trees through invasive vine management.
Our firefighters who remind us, are the men and women who respond when your house is burning, when your loved one needs emergency medical care, when a severe accident happens on hot asphalt on a 105 degree summer day. Then there were our police. With each piece of testimony their words reminded me that the last few years have been some of the toughest years for the incredible men and women of our police department.
Our police have consistently been recognized as an example of how to do it right. Even being recognized at the national level. How to train extensively, and mentor beyond graduation. How to build community relationships through pickup basketball games and numerous community events. How to connect and break barriers. But, they have felt every ounce of the weight of a heavy conversation. I know each of them cares for our community. One officer spoke about nearly losing his life, his arm, and the deep pain the road to recovery has been, but his desire to live and return to service overcame all. We all want these brave men and women to respond, if God forbid we ever need to call 9-1-1. We want this profession to be one women and men are called to, to serve their community and country. It is a heroic ability to walk towards danger in the face of fear. This does not make them superhuman though. They are human and deserve grace, and respect for the incredible job they do. Every day they go to work, could be the day they make the ultimate sacrifice. The split second decisions they make. The extraordinary events they witness. It is a job few of us could, or would ever do. We need our police. We need to acknowledge the extraordinary and valued commitment this career is so others may follow. If you see an officer in blue. Say hi to them. Thank them. And please remember, they have a family to go home to too.
