Garbage Pickup, the Fiscal Cliff and Police Academy: Feedback Friday

The most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments from around the west metro between Dec. 28 and Jan. 3.

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Shakopee, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation. (The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.) *** Residents Learn About Law Enforcement Through Police Academy Beginning Jan. 29, every Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. the Golden Valley Police Department will host the Citizen's Police Academy where residents can learn about SWAT teams, canine units…

• Photos (1)

Deadline Looming: Nominate Golden Valley Patch's Person of the Year

You have until midnight on Sunday to nominate a local person who has made a difference in Golden Valley.

Nominate Golden Valley Patch's Person of the Year

If you know someone who made Golden Valley a better place over the last year, this is your chance to recognize him or her.

Who deserves to be recognized as Golden Valley Patch's Person of the Year? If you know someone who made Golden Valley a better place over the last year, contributed time and effort to various causes or even made a smaller impact that's still important, nominate him or her. Please fill out the form above by 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16. We will take the nominees and ask our readers who they think should win. After a Person of the Year is selected, Patch will run a story about the person selected. You may nominate yourself, someone you've worked with or even someone you've just read about that might deserve this recognition. Any questions? Email me at Val.Engler@Patch.com

• Photos (1)