Paint the Town Blue Week, resolution 25-209

44:30Okay, so resolution number four. Let's see. If you're here for Paint the Town Blue Week, please step up to the podium.

44:44Alright.

44:44Right.

44:45Hello. I'll go ahead and read the resolution. Resolution number twenty-five dash Uh two zero nine, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring May eleventh through seventeenth, twenty twenty five as Paint the Town Blue Week in Pasco County. RAS the week of May 11th through the 17th, 2025 is recognized across the United States as National Police Week, a time dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who safeguard our communities. And

45:16RAS, law enforcement officers serve with unwavering commitment and courage, accepting the risks and responsibilities that come with protecting lives, property. And freedoms of the public. And whereas all federal, state, and local police officers, sheriffs, and other law enforcement officers across the United States serve with valor, dignity, and integrity. ANRAS, for generations, brave men and women throughout Pasco County have answered the call to serve and protect our communities. Our law enforcement officers embody

45:46the encourage and honor To represent the best of Pasco County. ANRAS, in moments of danger and desperation, the first people who turn we turn to are law enforcement officers. These often unsung heroes risk their lives so that we can live in peace and security. ANRAS, the FBI Tampa Citizens Academy Alumni Association, a nonprofit organization committed to community engagement and public safety. Awareness has created the Paint the Town Blue campaign as a tribute to

46:16law enforcement officers nationwide. And RAS's campaign invites communities to participate by lighting homes and businesses in blue, wearing blue attire, and sharing supportive messages on social media as visible symbols of appreciation and solidarity. And RAS, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, proudly supports. This initiative and the outstanding contributions of our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County,

46:47Florida, that said board hereby proclaims the week of May 11th through 17, 2025 as Paint the Town Blue Week in Pasco County and encourages all residents to join in this observ observance by participating in. in campaign activities and publicly expressing their appreciation for the dedication and bravery of law enforcement officers. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting the sixth day of May twenty twenty five.

47:15Sir. All in favor. Aye. Good morning. And uh and Is this the first time we've done this one or have we done paint the the tone? No, this is the

47:24first one from Pasco County Administrator. Yeah, that's

47:26what I I know we've done it uh with other other organizations but not this one. So good morning and tell us a little bit more about your involvement in all of this.

47:35Uh good morning. My name is Jacques Hakim. I'm the president of the FBI Tampa Citizen Academy Alumni Association. With me is uh James Nicole, who actually was the gentleman behind this whole project about five years ago when it wasn't in favor to support the blue, and also with me is Board of Directors Thomas King. Um A few years ago when everybody else in the nation was uh going after the police, defunding the police, we decided to actually go

48:05in another direction which is supporting the police. So we've asked all the um Commercial partners, any federal, state, local to change the light bulbs to blue uh in observance of police week. And then we started working with uh local and uh state governments to change their lights, like the courthouses and the bridges, and we were able to do that. This is our fifth year uh with this recognition and uh I'm a Pasco County resident and

48:35this means a lot to me coming from the Board of Commissioners. So thank you for the uh resolution. Thank you for uh recognizing us. I also want to recognize Bill Cronin, who's also a part of this. Um anyone else wanna say?

48:48So I wanna ask my county administrator, are we m making this building blue?

48:53Uh we would hope so, Mr. Rubella.

48:56We are.

48:56Yes, we will.

48:57Oh that's wonderful. Thank you. Okay. Um any anybody else have any comments? I do. Go ahead, Commissioner Yeager.

49:04Um one, as a daughter of law enforcement, thank you guys for everything. And um speaking of the light bulb, I live in um downtown the city of Newport Ritchie, so they do change the light bulb. under the bridge. So when you go under the bridge it lights up.

49:21Thank you. So everyone everyone listening today, if you have the opportunity, go out and support your uh your law enforcement by putting a blue light somewhere in your home or business. Commissioner Weightman

49:33for taking the stand and and pushing this idea forward. I think it's so important for to let our law enforcement know that they're appreciated. The first responders they've been through a lot of tough years with a lot of stuff that's going on. I think there's a definite change in the nation now and thank you guys for leading the way here in Pasco.

49:48Thank you.

49:49Okay, Commissioner Weightman then we're all gonna go down because there's just a question.

49:53Yeah, thank you guys for making the truck over today. Your uh work doesn't go unnoticed. And um you know when uh Country was going one direction. I'm glad you guys want another and that means a lot here. I'm I'm fairly confident to say that this board supports our city police departments, our sheriff's office, our corrections, and we work very diligently to figure out a way to fund the organizations appropriately and support the officers that are in the field and we're just grateful that

50:23you all are here and doing the work on the other side. of the diocese support the men and women who support us day in and day out every day. So thank you. Thank you.