WE HIRE WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, OR BREED, DOGGONIT

I like your style! If you don't ask you don't get. If you ask, the answer may still be no but at least you'll know for sure, and maybe even why.

Mike Heemer

Tell Bear to fetch this:

The Milk-Bone Canine Heroes Program™ is part of an ongoing effort to support local law enforcement and security preparedness nationwide. The program helps law enforcement agencies add to or maintain canine units at no cost to tax-paying citizens and has sponsored more than 700 police and service dogs in communities across the country since 1997. Winn-Dixie and Milkbone have donated a total of 26 canines to police departments throughout our operating area since beginning the partnership in 1997. Working together, we can make a difference one dog at a time!

Worth checking out.

Below are just some of the responsibilities for a police K-9 team. Also add liability issues that come with the team. The Big Dog is a smart man he knows that there are other priorities right now he needs.

Requirements:

Vehicle dressed out for K-9 patrol.-$$$$$$$

Extensive training commitment in the beginning.-$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

On going weekly training.-$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Cost of a reputable dog from a breeder.-$$$$$$$$$$$$

Liability insurance-$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Veterinarian cost-$$$$$$

Food cost-$$$$$

Over time cost for a call out to sniff.-$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Mike,

You've got me in stitches.  Have always liked your blogs, but this one has me in stitches. 

I second your vote on style finder.  He's one of a kind.

And I also have to agree with Magnumforce on the cost issue.  With the tightening budget, let's hold off on getting a pooch.  Besides, if the PD hasn't (through the Big Dog) asked for one, it's a moot point.

Keep up the good work Mike.

Fred Catchpole Office 904-771-6852 Cell 904-708-5541

I will not inject myself in what appears to be a situation that you have well in hand.  I am here just to ask you what is the City of Green Cove and the County relationship with Reynolds Airpark.

It seems like an asset that is not being used to its fullest capability, I believe it is still listed as a Private Airport, I flew into it in 1988 when I was looking for a place to move my business.  The runway was a bit too short at the time.

thanks for any information you can share on it.

Fred Catchpole

Funny and smart, this guys is on a roll...  As far as I can tell mayor you are the police department's #1 fan. I dont think anyone here doubts what your vote would be if the police department asked for a k9. I have heard who the people who actually warned the chief against even asking for a dog, and it was NOT YOU. I could mention the positions they hold but I wont do that right now. The point is that I doubt the chief would even ask for the dog his officers need, cause he probably wants to keep his job. And let me say again, I dont think the issue about the dog had to do much about money, cause there are grants out there for police departments. I think it has more to do with people who know little about law enforcement trying to make deciosions that should be made by the guys who wear the badges.

If the Chief was already told never to mention the word "K-9" of course he is not going to ask for one, even if the city has a drug problem. Easy as this Mr. Mayor, ask the Chief if he thinks a K-9 would make a dent in local drug activity. If your alone, maybe he will tell you the truth "Heck Yeah!" 

Oh, to you who keep mentioning taxes. Ive heard the math come out to about $1.50 per person for the whole police department budget. You think that is bad? You should move down south to where I come from. My parents pay 3 times that amount for a sheriff's office that takes 20-30 minutes to get there when they call. (kind of like Jacksonville) 

Seeing how everyone else on here has ignored the fact, I'll just go ahead and point it out.  Mayor Kelter has still not explained to us (citizens of Green Cove) which plan he is going to put forth to the city counsel for our new police station. Mayor, is it plan A,B,C, or D ?. When you choose the best plan Mayor, WHEN are you going to bring it to the counsel? When can we citizens expect to see the new station Mayor, Will most of us still be alive by then? I think the common theme amongst the bloggers is the same Mayor, we want more action (on all city issues) and less talk!

Oh, and here are a few local police departments that use police dogs (just F.Y.I.)

Palatka Police Dept.  (and their sheriff's office)         

Jax Beach Police Dept.  (and their sheriff's office)

Starke Police Dept.      (and their sheriff's office)

St. Augustine Police Dept.  (and their sheriff's office)

Gainesville Police Dept. (and their sheriff's office) 

These departments use their dogs to help fight drug problems, apprehend criminals and locate missing people. I don't think any of them regret getting their 4 legged officers.

Sunny,

The Big Dog at GCSPD called me yesterday (Monday).  That Dog knows how to use a phone.

While we were barking at each other, he told me that he wasn't barking for a puppy.  Not quite yet. He has other priorities.  I agreed that this was his fire hydrant and I wouldn't be so bold as to be marking his territory behind him.

When we got to talking about the new doghouse (GCSPD HQ), the Big Dog asked me how much did I think the Big Dog masters (the taxpaying public) would be willing to spend.

Good question.  Back to you Sunny.

How big a Police Department should the City Construct?   That will drive the costs.  Also, we came up with four options for financing the Construction:

Plan A:  Get a grant

Plan B:  Lease the existing PD facility for use as a restaurant and use the proceeds to build a new facility.

PlanC:  Talk Sheriff Beseler into giving us the money

Plan D: Borrow the money.

 Which plan do you like best, Sunny?

Mike 

Mr. Mayor - don't be so bashful.  Come on out of your shell.  Congrats for embracing the medium, and not running from it.  I think Green Cove is fortunate to have your leadership.  And your sense of humor.  Looking forward to following the goings-on in GCS via MyClaySun.com.

Mr. Mayor, I don't mind paying a few extra bucks for this town to have some nice things. That is what being part of a municipality is about, and I understand that. I think the police department should be built big enough to accommodate any future growth the the city is anticipating (not much growth as far as I can tell), so that a new building doesn't have to be built if the department grows. As far as the plan that I most like, I don't care Mayor, just get the job done. 

What is the average income level? I am sure all those in favor of a pretty little town, would love to cough up the coin to help make that pipe dream come true, but I would think that the majority of the residents in the city of green is not rolling in the green.

Catch me I am on a roll................

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle

GCS has nice things, old homes, a spring fed pool, a boat/fishing dock, a great play park with old oaks to shade the playing children,  a quaint little museum,,, the county seat, two major highways bisecting in the middle of town. All three levels of schools, the School Board offices,

What more could a person want? 

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle

Even though there is room for improvement, I agree Green Cove does have nice things.