Next week, the Waterfront Development Corporation is scheduled to consider a proposal to impose a parking charge in all of its lots, five days per week.  There would be free parking only on Monday and Tuesday.  Governor Bevin's veto of $420,000 in annual state funds (http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/28/bevin-vetoes-waterfront-botanical-funding/83658896/) has left a hole in the park’s funding stream but I think charging for general parking at Waterfront Park is a bad idea. It's one of the most diverse places in Louisville, and it’s important that it remain accessible to everyone, every day — and not just on Mondays and Tuesdays.  

Articles about opposition to the parking charge by me and Metro Council colleagues are here:

http://www.wave3.com/story/36102765/metro-council-member-rejects-waterfront-park-parking-fee

https://insiderlouisville.com/metro/council-democrats-speak-against-proposed-paid-parking-at-waterfront-park/

The decision on a parking charge will be made by the Waterfront board, not Metro Council, and the vote could come on August 23.  Please let that board know what you think today by calling (502) 574-3768 or by using this contact form: https://louisvillewaterfront.com/contact/.

Photo: Waterfront Development Corporation 

I hope families had a great first day of school this week. Please be mindful when driving that young kids are waiting for buses on corners and on streets, and that school buses are learning new routes and making frequent stops. Here’s hoping everyone has another great school year!

Consider volunteering to help students and others this year. Opportunities at United Crescent Hill Ministries and St. Joseph Children’s Home are in this eNews.

St. Leonard Community School, 440 Zorn Avenue, presents The Solar Eclipse Party from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join the school and staff for a view of the partial solar eclipse. Eclipse glasses and snacks will be provided. Donations accepted. Questions, please contact the school at 897-5265.

Join me and my colleagues Councilmembers Coan and Sexton Smith next Wednesday, August 23, at 6:00 p.m. for another neighborhood watch workshop. Learn how to start and maintain a block watch in your neighborhood! The meeting will be held in District 8 at the Douglas Community Center, 2305 Douglas Blvd. 

D9 features three farmers markets (Crescent Hill, St. Matthews and Rainbow Blossom) and one of them, at Rainbow Blossom, 3738 Lexington Road, has a special event this Sunday, August 20.

The Farmers Market Celebration is an annual event that celebrates all things local to our area.  Featured vendors include local farmers and food artisans who bring the best in just-picked produce, pastured meats, fresh eggs, baked goods, preserves and ready to eat items. In addition to the regular weekly vendors, the Farmer’s Market Celebration will include food trucks, artisans, education, and live music. 

The Farmers Market Celebration runs from Noon – 4 pm.

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. 

Metro Public Works (MPW) is moving forward on the N. Jane Street sidewalk, which will be located on the eastern side of North Jane Street just north of Sycamore Avenue. A missing sidewalk section there forces many people making their way to and from Brownsboro Road, including the Kroger there, to walk in the street. The project will include a small retaining wall, curbs and will slightly expand the roadway. The tentative start date is early September. Construction is scheduled to take several weeks, and the road will be closed during that time.

United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) is currently seeking volunteers and peer tutors to assist in providing homework help and enrichment activities to youth participants in grades K-8 during the UCHM United Learning after-school program. Peer tutors are exceptional students in grades 6-12 who have excelled in one or more subject areas who provide one-on-one tutoring to a student at least three grade levels below them. In addition, UCHM is also recruiting after-school program volunteers, who are 18 and up, to provide homework help to youth and assist with general program activities. To apply or for more information, contact Katie Litanga at klitanga@uchmlouky.org or 502-893-0346. 

St. Joseph Children’s Home, 2823 Frankfort Avenue, provides a loving home to Louisville’s most vulnerable children - those children removed from their homes due to neglect, abuse, domestic violence or substance abuse. St. Joe’s is in need of volunteers for the following events. To sign up, please email joannc@sjkids.org.

• Friday August 18th:  Kickball at 4pm; Movie night at 6:30-8pm
• Wednesday August 23rd:  6:30-7:30pm Karate Class.  This is a 4 week class that ends in the kiddos getting their yellow belt.  
• Friday August 25th:  6:30-8pm:  Movie night

Love to ride bicycles? Do you have a child that likes to ride? Come ride with Team Louisville. They have adult and junior squads as part of the Louisville Bicycle Club. They run several rides throughout the week, and support road, mountain bike, and cyclocross riding/racing. Looking for a place to start? They host a slow and easy Monday road ride through Seneca and Cherokee Parks. It meets at the St. Matthews Baptist Church parking lot, 3515 Grandview Avenue in D9, at 6:00 p.m. Any bike or clothing is fine, but helmets and water or sports drinks are required. It is around an hour of riding, with an average pace of about 15 mph. Any age of person is welcome, although young children should have a riding chaperone/parent. For more information, please call or text Kirsten at (502) 648-0550.

Drivers have another option for purchasing RiverLink transponders. RiverLink starter kits are now sold at all Thorntons locations in Louisville and Jeffersonville.

The starter kit includes a RiverLink prepaid transponder that can be used on the three tolled bridges connecting Louisville and Southern Indiana, a reload card and a RiverLink customer agreement.

Drivers do not need to register their transponder or their car to use the prepaid transponder. They simply need to purchase the kit and activate it at the store register. The RiverLink starter kit can be found with other prepaid cards and gift cards in Thorntons.

Using a RiverLink Starter Kit
Purchasing and using a RiverLink starter kit is easy:

1. Load $20 to $500 on the prepaid transponder at checkout. There is a one-time $3.00 activation fee.
2. Place the RiverLink transponder on the inside of the car windshield, as instructed.
3. The RiverLink prepaid transponder is ready to use on any of the three Louisville – Southern Indiana Ohio River tolled bridges.
4. Keep the RiverLink reload card and use it to add funds to your RiverLink transponder at participating retailers. The minimum amount to reload a prepaid transponder is $20. There is a $1.50 reloading fee every time money is added to the transponder.

A positive account balance is required to pay the lowest toll rates. If the prepaid RiverLink transponder reaches a zero balance, drivers will pay higher toll rates, and receive an invoice in the mail.

Find more information on RiverLink tolling, including answers to frequently-asked questions, at www.RiverLink.com.  Find more details on the Louisville – Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project at www.kyinbridges.com.