I have a prepared statement that I would like to read - I will go through it - I don't see any representative from the Police Department or the K-9 Unit here - there is a couple of questions that I posed - I will state those questions and after I am finished reading my statement if anybody would like to entertain or answer those questions - I don't see any representatives here that could but we can always debate them here

Affordability

Accountability

Transparency in Government.

Is the K-9 Unit the most efficient use of taxpayer's money? We talked about collaborative services a minute ago - and is this a duplication of services - the residents of the Town of Poughkeepsie currently pay for through their taxes part of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office who has a K-9 Unit and many other specialty groups that the Town of Poughkeepsie can use.

I also wanted to know when the last documented arrest was made directly as a result of the K-9 Unit and how many it has been over the last year. I would like to put that in perspective.

What is our liability is in the event that there is a suit over - I'm just make this term up - Police Dog Brutality - [laughter] - Whatever that terminology would be - I'm not familiar with that - if that happened what it would be.

Accountability - there are many questions here that haven't been answered in regard to the K-9 Dog and Training Facility at the Frank Well Field Site

I asked the Chief who is paying for the Dog - It seems there were donations that were going to be booked forward - a person was funding the dog and then he stated that the PBA was going to fund the dog initially and then seek donations in retrospect.

Previously the PBA denied any responsibility or formal affiliation with the K-9 Unit or the training facility at previous meetings we've had. I asked questions about who is responsible for the training building - Who built it? - Who paid for it? - Where were the documentation of the donations received for the building? - Where is the building permit, plans and CO? - Who pays for this building in the future? - and Who pays for the future needs of this building for the K-9 officers? - and,

As far as Transparency in Government, I feel strongly about that concept in general and I don't feel I can endorse a K-9 Unit for the use of the Town of Poughkeepsie that is not affordable, accountable, and has not answered or shown proof of transparency in Government.