By David Tyler

A new organization called the Greater Manlius Police Appreciation Coalition (GMPAC) will host an event to honor the Manlius Police Department on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. at Lewis Park in Minoa.
The GMPAC was formed by a group of concerned residents of the town, including several current and past public officials. The stated purpose of the coalition is to express support of all police departments in the area, especially the Manlius Police Department.
“In the last few months, there have been several events around the country that have put focus on police departments and law enforcement in general,” stated a release announcing the event. “These events have shown how important it is to have a professional department which continuously looks to improve and incorporate new processes and standards. We are lucky to have such a department.
“Unfortunately, voices calling for sensible reforms have sometimes been drowned out by people who demean law enforcement and threaten to defund the police, which the GMPAC believes is the opposite of what should be happening,” the release continues. “In these critical times, communities should be focusing on increasing training and support, not removing it. Unfortunately, these detractors have also succeeded in damaging morale and sense of mission for many police departments across the country. It is vitally important at this time for our community to show the TMPD that we support them and their mission.”
County Executive Ryan McMahon, Manlius Supervisor Ed Theobald, Minoa Mayor Bill Brazill and Fayetteville Mayor Mark Olson are scheduled to speak at the event, which is expected to last about an hour.
The members of the organizing committee for the event are Rich Rossetti, Brazill, Tim McCarthy, John Loeffler, Mark Lavine, Bill Harris and Tom Engelmann.
Loeffler said the event is non-political and candidates for office in the upcoming election will not be speaking.