I am excited to introduce to you my Legislative Assistant, Erin Hinson. Erin is a resident of District 7 and resides in the City of St. Matthews. She comes to the District 7 office with 5 years experience working in City Hall. Erin will be happy to assist you with addressing any district matters and will be attending suburban city council meetings, neighborhood meetings and business meetings when I am unable too. You can reach Erin at 574-3454 or at Erin.Hinson@louisvilleky.gov.  

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the availability of a Draft Site-Specific Environmental Assessment (EA) for the new Robley Rex VA Medical Center. VA proposes to construct and operate a replacement campus at 4906 Brownsboro Road, with a 104-bed hospital, diagnostic and treatment facilities, Veterans Benefit Administration regional office, and required site amenities and improvements. VA intends to issue a “Finding of No Significant Impact” following a 30-day comment period, providing there are no substantive comments that warrant further evaluation.

The Draft EA is available for review at the existing Robley Rex VAMC, Replacement VAMC Activation Team Office, at 800 Zorn Avenue; Louisville Free Public Library–Westport Branch; and at www.louisville.va.gov/newmedicalcenter/.

VA will host public meetings to accept comments on the Draft EA.

WHEN:         Thursday, January 15, 2015, 1:00 – 3:00 pm and 6:00 – 8:00 pm

WHERE:      Clifton Center – Eifler Theatre

                     2117 Payne Street, Louisville, KY  40206

A summary of the analysis and comment forms will be available. A brief presentation will open each meeting, after which the public will have the opportunity to provide oral comments on the Draft EA. Comments may also be submitted to LouisvilleReplacementHospitalComments@va.gov or Robley Rex VAMC, Attn: Replacement VAMC Activation Team Office, 800 Zorn Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206. Comments are due by February 1, 2015.  

For more information, please contact the Robley Rex Replacement VAMC Public Affairs Officer at 502-287-4227. 

 Louisville Metro has initiated a planning study for the future route of the Louisville Loop between the City of Prospect and the Big Four Bridge – the Ohio River Northeast (ORVNE) master plan. This section of the Loop is the last remaining section without an adopted master plan.

Louisville Metro Parks will be hosting a series of public meetings and workshops to give residents an opportunity to provide direction and input on the plan.

Location: Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville, KY 40207

Date:  Tuesday, January 27th

Time:  5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The meeting will be an open-house format with a brief overview presentation about the project beginning at 6:00 pm. Residents are invited to view exhibits about the project area and provide input about the Loop, the project area, and other topics related to the project.

The Louisville Loop is a planned 100-mile shared-use path corridor to encircle the city of Louisville and connect its many neighborhoods, communities, historic and cultural sites. For more information, you can view the project website at www.linkingtheloop.wordpress.com/. 

Residents are invited to attend an open house to learn more about bicycle and pedestrian improvements along LaGrange Road from Lyndon Lane to Lakeland Road.  Representatives from Louisville Metro will share information and listen to what residents think about these improvements.  

Location:  Bowen Elementary, 1601 Roosevelt Avenue

Date:  Tuesday, January 27th

Time:  5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Councilwoman Angela Leet (District 7), Councilman Kelly Downard (District 16), Councilman Glen Stuckel (District 17) and Councilwoman Marilyn Parker (District 18) in conjunction with the Metro Health Department, the Partnership for Cancer Control and the Kentucky Cancer Program are hosting a Mobile Mammography Clinic for area women age 40 and over.  

The clinic will be conducted at Lyndon City Hall (515 Wood Road) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. There are a limited number of appointments left and will be made on a first come first served basis. 

The University of Louisville James Graham Brown Cancer Center will conduct the screenings with insurance being filed for those persons with coverage. Persons without health insurance who are income-eligible will be provided screenings free of change. Although reservations are not required, they are encouraged to assist in the operation of this program. Persons interested in scheduling an appointment or in need of additional information are encouraged to call Pam Cooper at (502) 262-2164.

Eligible women:  The target is women age 40 to 64 who are low income and/or uninsured.  Women age 65 and over may participate in the screening; however, the Brown Cancer Center will file Medicare to pay for these individuals. 

With the inclement weather approaching fast, we want to remind constituents to be safe and plan ahead.

It is always a good idea to prepare a disaster kit. Suggested items to include are: water, non-perishable food items, can opener, flashlight, battery-powered radio, batteries, first aid kit, medications, cell phone and chargers, emergency contact information, a whistle and blankets. 

You should also prepare a kit for your vehicle, with snow removal items, sand or salt as well as extra clothing or blankets. Be sure to inspect your car to make sure it is prepared for the winter, including checking antifreeze levels, brakes, the exhaust system, fuel and air filters, oil, lights and hazard lights and windshield wiper equipment. Also make sure your tires have adequate tread. 

Be sure to winterize your home as well. Insulate your walls and attics, caulk doors and windows, clear rain gutters, maintain heating equipment and chimneys, install storm windows or cover the windows with plastic from the inside, insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and allow faucets to drip but learn how to shut off your water valve in case a pipe bursts. 

Please keep in mind that generators should never be used indoors and carbon monoxide poisoning is an incredibly serious threat, resulting in 20,000 emergency room visits and over 400 deaths a year. Any device that uses gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal should be kept at least 20 feet away from doors, windows and vents. Consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm and quickly move to an area with fresh air if it sounds. 

Don't forget that you can always find information online about snow routes in the city by clicking here. Stay safe and warm this winter!

Do you know the location of the water shut-off valve that controls the flow of water in and out of your home? If not, now is a good time to find the valve and “tag it.” 

During the extreme cold weather in 2014, Louisville Water received hundreds of calls from customers after their private water lines had burst.  This year, Louisville Water is offering free hangers that attach to the water shut-off valve so customers can minimize damage or risk of pipes bursting.  Customers can request a hanger through Louisville Water’s Facebook and Twitter channels or pick up one at the downtown office (550 South Third St). You can also use a bright colored ribbon to tag the valve, something that won’t be destroyed if it gets wet.

Need help finding the valve and turning if off?  Watch a video here.