|
For 46 years, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Fr. Abram J. Ryan Division 1) has presented Louisville’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, celebrating Irish culture and heritage, benefiting charities like Boys & Girls Haven (and many more) and providing good clean family fun. (Other types of fun are available on the periphery of the parade.) Also, for three years now, the Hibernians have joined MSD, Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Brightside, TreesLouisville, Louisville Tree Service, other friends of trees and me in presenting the Planting O’ the Green.
The POG works like this: two years ago, for the 44th annual parade, we planted 44 trees in District 8 and 44 trees in District 1; last year, for the 45th parade, we planted 45 trees in each of Districts 8 and 6; this year, we are planting 46 trees in Districts 8 and 4 (and because circumstances allow, another 46 trees in District 3 and 28 more (why not?) in District 5). Next year, we’ll plant 47 trees in the Highlands and 47 trees elsewhere in the city – it is just our way of giving back to the community for hosting the parade and, also, paying it forward.
This year’s District 8 planting will be on Crown, Ellison, Julia and Rufer Avenues in Germantown, March 23rd at 10:00am. In District 4, we’re planting Breckinridge and Clay Streets in Smoketown on March 22nd at 10:00am. We are seeking volunteers for both days. If you or your group is willing and able to help, please email me at: brandon.coan@louisvilleky.gov (Olmsted Parks Conservancy volunteers are planting Algonquin Park in District 3, March 20th and 21st, and Elliott Park in District 5 on March 22nd.)
The 2019 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Highlands is March 9th beginning at 3:00pm, and the Planting O’ the Green team float will be back and better than ever with babies on board (weather and mothers permitting)!
* * *
It has been a long time but our Louisville Metro Government-Jefferson County Public Schools “Town-and-Gown Hall Meeting Series” is back, March 14th at 6:00pm at Highland Middle School. What started out as a small gesture to bring our city government and school systems closer together by site selecting schools for constituent outreach activities has for me developed into a complete obsession with the potential of community schools to transform local government! We’ll introduce new Highland Middle Principal Chris Burba to you, talk about the role of the school in the life of the Deer Park neighborhood and vice versa, JCPS’s Community Schools Program and more with JCPS District 2 Board Member Dr. Chris Kolb, Principal Burba, Deer Park Neighborhood Association President Art Cestaro, parents, teachers, students and neighbors. Please join us – and expect to hear a lot more about community schools from me in the near future – our goal is to hold these Town-and-Gown Hall Meetings quarterly in 2019 and 2020.
* * *
Correction Corner: You will notice that we link in the newsletter to a lot of primary documents. One of the reasons is to let the facts speak for themselves in case we misspeak about them while writing late at night. Tiny ($10,000,000) case in point: last edition, in reference to Metro Government’s pension obligation/financial situation/looming budget gap, I wrote, “…and at 3:30 the Mayor revealed $25 million in increased healthcare costs and decreased revenues – coupled with $10 million in increased pension costs – to preview his FY 2020 budget and a $35 million shortfall. (Pension costs are set to increase $10 million in FY21, FY22 and FY23, as well.)”
What I meant to say – and what the link to the City News piece made clear – is that the projected $35 million FY20 shortfall derives from “$15 million in increased healthcare costs and decreased revenues – coupled with another $10 million in increased pension costs… (Pension costs increased $10 million in FY19 and are set to increase $10 million in FY21, FY22 and FY23, as well.)”
It is important to get the facts right, especially in debates like the one we’re having now. The Mayor’s Office has done a good job of laying out more facts recently, which you can review here.
I will write more about The Situation over the next month but in the meantime the Metro Council has announced two Special Budget Committee Public Hearings for live and in person citizen feedback. (All Council Members have heard from countless constituents via phone, email and social media, as well.) The hearings are February 28th and March 4th at 6:00pm at Metro Council Chambers, 601 W. Jefferson St. There will be a table to sign up to speak beginning at 5:00.
You can also tell me what you think at two public meetings March 2nd, the Café LOUIE session at the Highlands-Shelby Park Library, 1250 Bardstown Rd, at 9:00am and the Our Money, Our Voice Voter Expo at the Bowman Field Administration Building, 2815 Taylorsville Rd, at 11:00am. (Finally, a reminder that you can vote online for OMOV, too. I think we worked out all of the kinks!)
For breaking news and information, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you have a question or comment, please call me at: (502) 574-1108 or email: brandon.coan@louisvilleky.gov (and copy jasmine.weatherby@louisvilleky.gov). If you have a service request, please call MetroCall at: 311 or visit MetroCall 311 online. Visit the District 8 Strategic Plan page here.
|
