I am in the thick of the current situation between the Calvin Miller arrest, City Council meetings and the Champaign Police Department. I take my role as a councilwoman very seriously. I have been on ridealongs with different officers and I have a small idea of what a typical night is like. I feel that to serve effectively one needs to keep informed and that is my goal when going on ridealongs. It gives a sense of how the officers police the community and the views the community has of the department. In all the situations that I encountered during my ridealongs I only witnessed professionalism and respectfulness on the part of the officers. For the most part, the persons who called the police or those being charged were also respectful. Not happy, but respectful. So when these recent situations arise, I only know what my previous experiences have shown me. I am definitely willing to keep an open mind.

As for the Council meetings, I was very disturbed by the Study Session of October 25th. I had been asked by one of the activists Monday night about speaking to Council Tuesday. I replied that since it was a Study Session only comments concerning the topics would be allowed. The following week we would hear everyone's comments during Public Participation. Our rules were totally disregarded and the meeting was hijacked without all of our topics even covered. It is my opinion that City business should be allowed to happen first, then if we need to suspend the rules to allow for public comment, sobeit. I did not have a problem suspending the rules at the appropriate time. But to disrupt our meeting was wrong. I do not know if we will be amending our rules concerning the addition of Public Participation and Council Comments at the end of a Study Session, but that is a possibility that I might support. People need to follow civil discourse.

I cannot say how much I value our Champaign Police Department. There are many dedicated staff members, civilian and officers. The amount of training and education that many have is outstanding. The officers have a hard job and are expected to respond to every incident whether a traffic stop or a suicide or any other tragedy. They do their jobs with dignity and compassion. As a Council person, I feel it is my responsibility to search for the answers that the questions have raised. I have already started speaking with individuals who I feel can help find solutions and work with me and others to improve. Moving forward is key.

Champaign is a great place to live! I want all the citizens to feel that way. I think that by continuing to work together we will achieve our goals. Trying to divide our community will not.