Kentucky voters head to the polls Tuesday, November 3, voting for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Auditor, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and, in Jefferson County, an open District Judge position.  Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bring along a form of identification, including a driver’s license, social security card, credit card or any photo identification bearing your signature.

Six precincts in District 9 are among twenty-five across Jefferson County which are being moved for the November 3 election. These D9 precincts are moving:

• L-117 — From Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Ave., to Clifton Center, 2117 Payne St.
• L-136 and L-139 — From St. Mark's Episcopal, 2822 Frankfort Ave., to Field Elementary, 120 Sacred Heart Lane.
• L-155 — From Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Ave., to Lincoln Elementary, 930 E. Main St.
• M-137 and M-138 — From Field Elementary, 120 Sacred Heart Lane, to St. Mark's Episcopal, 2822 Frankfort Ave.

Everyone in Jefferson County can check voter registration status and find out his or her November 3 voting location here: http://ags2.lojic.org/WhereDoIVote/ .

Individuals who will be out of the county on Election Day may vote early at the Urban County Government Center , 810 Barret Avenue, Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, now through November 2,  and on Saturday October 31, from 9:00am-2:00pm.  More information about absentee voting is here: http://www.elections.jeffersoncountyclerk.org/absentee_voting.shtml.

Exercise your right to vote this Tuesday, November 3! 

A free bulk waste and junk drop-off event for all Jefferson County residents will be held on Sunday, November 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Waste Management Outer Loop Landfill, 2673 Outer Loop. Now is the time to get rid of bulky items not accepted by regular garbage collection such as appliances, furniture and mattresses. See what is and is not allowed here.

Kids love Halloween! They get to dress up and get free candy! Trick or treating isn't what it used to be. Send a responsible adult or older teenager with the little ones. Serve your kids a filling meal before trick or treating and they won't be tempted to eat any candy before they bring it home for you to check. 

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS

There are many ways to keep your child safe at Halloween, when they are more prone to accidents and injuries. Simple common sense can do a lot to stop any tragedies from happening.

• Costumes should be fireproof and have eye holes large enough for good peripheral vision. 
• Make sure jack-o-lanterns candles on your porch are far enough out of the way so costumes won't be set on fire.
•  Make sure that if your child is carrying a toy prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.
• Kids always want to help with the pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn't be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face. It's best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which you can carve for them. 

Teaching your kids basic everyday safety such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing when the lights tell you to, will help make them safer when they are out Trick or Treating.

Thanks to everyone who braved the rain on Saturday to volunteer for picking up litter in D9. We had a big turnout in Bingham Park off Coral Avenue in Clifton and teams were also working in other parts of the district.  A big thanks to Heine Brothers’ Coffee for coffee and Clifton McDonald’s for providing breakfast sandwiches!

We’ll have another big D9 cleanup in the spring but in the meantime you can organize your own efforts and sign out tools by contacting our office (bill.hollander@louisvilleky.gov or kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov or 574-1109) or by contacting Brightside (http://louisvilleky.gov/government/brightside/neighborhood-cleanups  or 574-2613).

Finally, you can be a litter warrior without much organization.  Next time you go for a walk or to a park, bring a bag and spend a few minutes cleaning up the litter.  You will feel better by making D9 stay green and you might just make someone else a little more responsible.  When folks see you cleaning things up,  maybe they will think twice about littering next time or better still take your cue and make the commitment themselves to become litter warriors!

We’d like to feature your sustainability story - a resident or business doing good things for the environment.  Riding the bus, bicycling, walking, gardening and more - our eNews will feature practices which can benefit all of us.  Send your story to Bill Hollander or Kyle Ethridge. 

The next Community Conversation is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 17 at the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, 2115 Lexington Road.  I have invited Mr. Michael Prather with FiberTech to speak about the recent small cell antennas and poles that are planned for the District, some of which have already been installed.  We have asked a number of questions about these, which result from a franchise agreement entered into in July 2014.  A recent Insider Louisville article is here: http://insiderlouisville.com/metro/new-small-cell-towers-right-ways-installed-city-franchisee-irk-neighbors/

This is an opportunity for you to learn about the franchise agreement and ask any questions regarding the antennas. This is also an opportunity for you to visit with me about any concerns, issues or suggestions at a time and place we hope will be convenient to you.  Please mark your calendar and stop by – and bring along a friend or neighbor!

The best option for fall leaves disposal is a “Love ‘em and Leave ‘em” approach as described below. Other choices include reusable containers and compostable containers.

Metro is also offering a free leaf drop-off service. The drop-off service will be available Tuesday through Saturday, November 10 through December 5.

Drop-off will not be available on November 26 and 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Only loose leaves will be accepted and transport containers must be disposed of off-site by residents.

Citizens are urged to consider one of the following disposal methods before using the drop-off service:

Best: Mulch leaves with a lawnmower and let them settle into the turf as a natural fertilizer and weed deterrent. Get more information on this Love ‘em and Leave ‘em approach at www.lelelouisville.com.

Next Best: Place yard waste in reusable containers no larger than 40 gallon capacity that have handles to reduce the need for continual purchase of single-use bags. A limited number of cans are available for in-person-only sale at our Solid Waste Management Services office at 600 Meriwether Avenue. The cost is $10 per can and must be paid by check.

Still Good: Paper bags designed for yard waste collection or compostable plastic bags that meet ASTM D6400 standards. A limited number of paper bags are available at no charge at any of our Staffed Recycling Centers or at the Solid Waste Management Services office at 600 Meriwether Avenue.

Drop-off locations and hours:

• 10500 Lower River Road (corner of Bethany Lane) Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• 595 Hubbards Lane at the East District Public Works Yard Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
• 636 Meriwether Avenue at the Waste Reduction Center Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Helpful Hint: The number of containers needed for large volumes of leaves can be reduced dramatically by mowing or shredding the leaves before collecting them.

For the past seveal years, the District 9 office has hosted a mobile tax preparation site at United Crescent Hill Ministries, offering free tax preparation to individuals and families under a certain income bracket. Each year we depend on volunteers to help prepare taxes and greet clients at our mobile site. We have a few dedicated volunteers that help us out every year, but we need more! This year we’d like to offer additional tax preparation dates and hope you’ll consider joining our team! If you are interested in volunteering for the 2015 tax season (February-April 2016) please contact Kyle Ethridge at kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov or call 574-1109. The first volunteer training will be offered on December 12. Volunteers are needed to help prepare taxes AND greet clients.

The American Printing Housing for the Blind (APH) has posted a terrifying audio recording of “The Tell-Tale Heart” (1843) by Edgar Allan Poe on their website, http://www.aph.org/tell-tale-heart/. This classic story of Gothic fiction is told by an unnamed man who endeavors to convince the reader of his sanity, while describing a murder he committed! The story is read by award-winning APH narrator Roy Avers.

Recording copyright American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. You may download this recording for personal enjoyment. It may not be used for commercial purposes.

A new driver’s license website, DriveJefferson.com, was launched in mid-June. It features helpful information about obtaining a driver’s license, permit and ID card in Jefferson County. It also includes info on the six Driver’s License branches, locations, hours, prices, CDLs, how to pay a traffic citation, Ky. Alive at 25 defensive driving course, etc.

The Robley Rex VA Medical Center, 800 Zorn Avenue, proudly presents the “From War to Home” Art Exhibit on Tuesday, November 10, 2015. You, your family members, and fellow Veterans are invited to attend this exhibit as part of the Mayor’s Week of Valor. The Art Exhibit explores the realities of military service through words and images from Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The event will be in the west entrance, E005 conference room from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Children activities will be provided and light refreshments will be served. If you need any additional information, please contact Ms. Crystal Woodard, Transition Care Management Program Manager, at (502) 287-6196 or toll free at (800) 376-8387, extension 56196.

On Friday, December 11, from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, the 9th District office, in partnership with U of L Hospital and the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, will offer FREE mammograms at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street.  To make an appointment please contact my office at 574-1109.  Mammograms are for women age 40 and over. There is no cost to eligible women without insurance.  Women with insurance will need to bring their card so a claim may be filed.