The Greater Hillyard Business Association is meeting on Monday Dec. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Outlaw Cafe located at 5012 N. Market Street. This is a special meeting about the utilities and maintenance payment plan for the Historic Hillyard Business District that's been proposed earlier this year. See the agenda here (Word) and the minutes from the Nov. 17 meeting here (Word).

Then on Wednesday Dec. 15, Mayor Mary Verner and Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick along with city staff and city council members will be at a public meeting also at the Outlaw Cafe from 3:30 to 5 p.m. This meeting is a direct result of a letter written and signed by Hillyard business owners and neighbors, asking for more police protection in the area - especially in the hours between midnight and early morning. Many business owners have video surveillance inside and outside their stores in a effort to cut back on shoplifting and drug dealing - but problems persist. The meeting is (of course) open to everyone.