Friday, April 11, 2008
Captain Michael Miller
With the recent negativity surrounding the Rogers Police Department, it is nice to report something positive involving the PD. At the meeting on 4/8, there was an item on the agenda to discuss Rogers Police Captain Mike Miller attending the 234th F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, VA from July 6, 2008 through September 12, 2008. Cost of training is minimal with travel, tuition, meals and lodging provided at no cost. Mike originally submitted his application in September 2002. Only the best of the best get an opportunity to attend this 10-week training. Less than ½ of 1 percent of all law enforcement officers will have the privilege of attending the FBINA; with acceptance based on invitation through a nomination process only. In fact, there were only 3 police officers from Minnesota were selected - one of those being Mike. This is a phenomenal opportunity and honor for Mike - one that he has been hoping for since 1989. No one deserves this more than Mike. If you see Mike around town, please congratulate him and wish him well.
Meeting on 4/8
The meeting on 4/8 was one of the quickest I have ever been part of. It was over by 7:30. A few of the highlights are as follows:
· Mayor Przybilla was absent.
· Nancy Sanford addressed the Council regarding Preschool U. They will be eventually utilizing space at the new High Pointe Church that is scheduled to be completed by December 2008. However, they need an interim location from approximately July to December. There was some brief discussion about allowing the use of the former Word of Peace building or allowing them to use the space Highpoint is currently using off of 81. The WOP building is currently for sale, so we recommended exploring an interim-use permit to allow the preschool to meet at High Pointe's current location in case the WOP building is sold. This item was referred to staff.
· The Senior Advisory Board made a presentation and I would like to pass on that there will be an open house at the Rogers-Hassan Senior Friendship Center (Hassan Town Hall) on Wednesday, April 23 from 1:00 - 4:00pm. I encourage everyone to attend and show your support of our City's seniors.
· A TIF workshop was set on 4/22 prior to that night's council meeting from 5:00-7:00 pm.
· At the last Council Meeting, Councilman Adams had asked Acting Chief Foster for a list of vehicles and how many miles are on each vehicle. The officers will be looking at the list to see what vehicles can be sold. The Acting Chief was also asked to begin tracking expenses by vehicle to see if there is a pattern of problems with a certain make/model. Right now we use mostly Chevy Impala's, which have been cheaper than a Ford, but if the maintenance costs are higher over the life of the vehicle it would make sense to look at buying Fords.
· There was one more item discussed, but I am going to dedicate a separate post to the topic.
· Mayor Przybilla was absent.
· Nancy Sanford addressed the Council regarding Preschool U. They will be eventually utilizing space at the new High Pointe Church that is scheduled to be completed by December 2008. However, they need an interim location from approximately July to December. There was some brief discussion about allowing the use of the former Word of Peace building or allowing them to use the space Highpoint is currently using off of 81. The WOP building is currently for sale, so we recommended exploring an interim-use permit to allow the preschool to meet at High Pointe's current location in case the WOP building is sold. This item was referred to staff.
· The Senior Advisory Board made a presentation and I would like to pass on that there will be an open house at the Rogers-Hassan Senior Friendship Center (Hassan Town Hall) on Wednesday, April 23 from 1:00 - 4:00pm. I encourage everyone to attend and show your support of our City's seniors.
· A TIF workshop was set on 4/22 prior to that night's council meeting from 5:00-7:00 pm.
· At the last Council Meeting, Councilman Adams had asked Acting Chief Foster for a list of vehicles and how many miles are on each vehicle. The officers will be looking at the list to see what vehicles can be sold. The Acting Chief was also asked to begin tracking expenses by vehicle to see if there is a pattern of problems with a certain make/model. Right now we use mostly Chevy Impala's, which have been cheaper than a Ford, but if the maintenance costs are higher over the life of the vehicle it would make sense to look at buying Fords.
· There was one more item discussed, but I am going to dedicate a separate post to the topic.
Friday, April 4, 2008
New Post...Finally
Sorry for the delay in getting a new post up. Things have been quite hectic with my family's vacation, transitioning into a new job, etc…
In the past week, each of the local papers published an interview with former police chief Oldfather. I am glad that he has chosen to make some of the details from the closed meeting public. I think he summed the situation up a lot better than I ever could. To this date, I have no second-thoughts regarding my decision to support the chief. Despite what has been said about me, I will continue to support Keith.
I was not at the Council meeting on 3/25 due to my flight being delayed on the way home, so for now there is nothing new to report. Thanks for your patience with me over the past few weeks and I promise I will get back to publishing new posts on a more frequent basis.
In the past week, each of the local papers published an interview with former police chief Oldfather. I am glad that he has chosen to make some of the details from the closed meeting public. I think he summed the situation up a lot better than I ever could. To this date, I have no second-thoughts regarding my decision to support the chief. Despite what has been said about me, I will continue to support Keith.
I was not at the Council meeting on 3/25 due to my flight being delayed on the way home, so for now there is nothing new to report. Thanks for your patience with me over the past few weeks and I promise I will get back to publishing new posts on a more frequent basis.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Needed break
I just wanted to let you know that my posts over the next week will be limited. I am on vacation with my family and have very limited internet access. Please be patient...I will get current when I return.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Update Coming...
It's hard to believe my little blog has received so much attention...thanks to everyone checking this out. I learned a valuable lesson though - my site was featured in both the Star News and the Crow River News. The funny thing is that neither reporter contacted me for comments - they just took what I had posted on here. I guess I need to careful with what I say...
That said, there were a couple of comments I need to respond to. I will do so in the next day or so.
That said, there were a couple of comments I need to respond to. I will do so in the next day or so.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
More Dialog
As I stated earlier, my goal in creating this blog is to improve communication with you the residents of Rogers. Are there any topics that you would like my thoughts/perspective on? I look forward to your comments...fire away...
Friday, February 29, 2008
Chief - Part II
I had originally planned this entry to be a recap of the 2/26 City Council Meeting. However, given the events the next evening that seems pretty irrelevant right now. Again, I struggled with what I wanted to say…so here it goes.
The meeting started as a public meeting. However, Mayor Przybilla quickly informed the audience (probably 40 or so people) that there would not be any time allowed for public input or comments. The Council, City Attorney, Interim Administrator, City Clerk and the Chief all moved into another room to conduct the “performance review” in a closed session of the Council. Unfortunately, I cannot discuss the particulars. This closed session lasted almost and hour and then the Council returned to the main room of the Community Center. A motion was made to accept the resignation of Chief Keith Oldfather with 3 months severance. To no one’s surprise, the vote was 3-2 – with Jason Grimm and myself dissenting. The audience was shocked and saddened. I cannot imagine this is the way Keith wanted his career to end. I know I wouldn’t.
Keith had a plenty of supporters in the audience, a testament to his character and performance on the job. I heard first-hand a number of people say, “You don’t know me, but you did a great job and will be missed.” I think that sums it any better than I could…
During my 5+ years on the Council, there were no complaints due to poor response time to calls. There were no complaints of excessive force by the officers. There were no concerns over public safety. That’s what I expect from a police department.
Now what???? I don’t know. As of today, there are no plans to name an interim chief. I have not been part of any conversation to determine a future chief. I spoke with Keith Thursday morning while we has cleaning out his office at around 10:30am. At that point, no one from the City had the courtesy to let the staff know how to proceed. Someone (I don’t know who) was supposed to be there at 8:00am to address the staff. I’ll keep you posted as I find out more.
The meeting started as a public meeting. However, Mayor Przybilla quickly informed the audience (probably 40 or so people) that there would not be any time allowed for public input or comments. The Council, City Attorney, Interim Administrator, City Clerk and the Chief all moved into another room to conduct the “performance review” in a closed session of the Council. Unfortunately, I cannot discuss the particulars. This closed session lasted almost and hour and then the Council returned to the main room of the Community Center. A motion was made to accept the resignation of Chief Keith Oldfather with 3 months severance. To no one’s surprise, the vote was 3-2 – with Jason Grimm and myself dissenting. The audience was shocked and saddened. I cannot imagine this is the way Keith wanted his career to end. I know I wouldn’t.
Keith had a plenty of supporters in the audience, a testament to his character and performance on the job. I heard first-hand a number of people say, “You don’t know me, but you did a great job and will be missed.” I think that sums it any better than I could…
During my 5+ years on the Council, there were no complaints due to poor response time to calls. There were no complaints of excessive force by the officers. There were no concerns over public safety. That’s what I expect from a police department.
Now what???? I don’t know. As of today, there are no plans to name an interim chief. I have not been part of any conversation to determine a future chief. I spoke with Keith Thursday morning while we has cleaning out his office at around 10:30am. At that point, no one from the City had the courtesy to let the staff know how to proceed. Someone (I don’t know who) was supposed to be there at 8:00am to address the staff. I’ll keep you posted as I find out more.
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