During the council meeting August 12th, we had the pleasure of seeing this year's award recipients for the Hemet Police Department. Everyone who knows me knows that I am a huge advocate and supporter of local control. Even with the limited resources and slashed budgets, they have been able to keep up with what is needed.  I have had the honor of doing ride-alongs with both Fire and PD.  Those of us who live in the city of Hemet are very lucky to have the men and women of both departments. You are unsurpassed and I am grateful for each and every one of you. I come from a family of public safety and it is also a priority that you all go home to your families everyday. Because of my loyalty to our public safety, it makes me ill when I hear someone speak highly of them when I know they truly think otherwise.  I understand it is an election year, but be honest about how you would contract out our public safety in a heartbeat if you weren't concerned as to how it would impact November. Voters listen up because if you vote for Smith or any other candidate aligned with him (I hear Robert Masson is), here is what you are going to do... Contract out your public safety and every other city department.  Your city will no longer be your city. As it stands, we are letting it slip away because we, as voters, are not doing our part in the process. Get informed about what is really going on and don't listen to the election year one-liners that carry no weight. I don't appreciate people harming the integrity of our city and those who truly serve it.