If you live in District 7 you know the excitement that exists in
St. Matthews.

The one-word motto on the flag for the City of St. Matthews is “Forward.” A brief discussion with Mayor Rick Tonini, who took office in January 2015, confirms that the motto is, indeed, descriptive of the city’s current status.

The St. Matthews City Hall just underwent a makeover. Renovations are beginning to improve playground equipment, restrooms, and the pavilion at Brown Park; and various drainage issues are being addressed. The St. Matthews police department has grown to 40 sworn officers who do an excellent job of policing the city, including its busy shopping areas.  The Police Department also has many non-sworn employees that work as dispatchers and assistants. St. Matthews has 87 employees who are clerks, works department and general personnel to help keep the city running smoothly.

In terms of new amenities, Walden School is getting ready to cut the ribbon on their new library. Additionally, this month will mark the first pitch on the new field at the St. Matthews Community Center. “It's a major league ballfield,” explained Mayor Tonini. The field was a joint project of the City of St. Matthews and Trinity High School. The field will be used by the local Little League teams and should be a benefit for local businesses.

Perhaps the most exciting development, however, is the upcoming reopening of the St. Matthews Eline Library. Closed since late August, the library is undergoing a massive renovation and expansion that will more than double the existing space, funded largely by the City of St. Matthews, with a $1 million contribution by Louisville Metro.

The library had its beginnings in the 1950s when the Eline family who owned land in St. Matthews wanted to memorialize their son. The family worked with the Woman’s Club and the City of
St. Matthews in a cooperative effort to open the library that grew into the most used library in the Louisville Free Public Library system.

Mayor Tonini and the city council understood the needs of the library which had outgrown its footprint, and everyone in the city is excited for the anticipated May 9 ribbon-cutting. “We see the library as a great community resource,” said Tonini, “especially since people come from all over Louisville to visit.”

Holly Hillerich-Clark always knew she wanted to be a mom. She also loves to shop. With four young children, she started selling kids' clothes and shoes online via EBay while her kids were napping.  Along the way she learned a lot from parents across the country regarding quality trends, sizes, brands, and pricing that people want.

In 2005—after eight years of selling online and when her children were a bit older—Holly started the boutique children’s consignment shop called SluggerKids. A lifelong Louisvillian, Holly named the enterprise to honor her great-grandfather who started the famed Louisville Slugger in 1885.

Holly selects only high quality, in-season, fashionable clothing for SluggerKids. Her goal is to provide her customers with the highest quality and the confidence that they can find the right outfit for virtually any occasion. SluggerKids accepts new or gently used high-end children’s clothing, shoes, large baby equipment, strollers, and some accessories (eg., ties, boys’ belts, bow ties). They accept size preemie to 16/18.

SluggerKids believes in being an involved part of the community, and Holly helps people in need throughout the city, donating items to those who’ve suffered fires or others in need of children’s clothing. “Our amazing customers bring in tremendous clothes,” said Holly, “and we like to be able to give back. We also have a great location with plenty of parking, so we try to make things as convenient as possible for our customers.”

SluggerKids is located at 4909 Brownsboro Road or online at https://www.sluggerkids.net/. The phone number is 425-3867.

For some people, being a public servant comes naturally. After 31 years as a St. Matthews City Council member, Mary Jo Nay says, “I didn’t mean to make it a career. I consider it my community service.”

The city council is not partisan; Mary Jo serves as an at-large member and isn’t “into politics.” Instead, she sees her role as assisting citizens with issues, providing information, and explaining why certain things can or cannot happen. “How can I help you?” is her motto.

Mary Jo got involved with the city council when she brought issues of her own to the group for help. Then, when positions opened from retiring members, she decided to run for election to the council. Her neighborhood started the first Block Watch at the time. The rest, as they say, is history. She enjoys working with the “wonderful people at City Hall” and the fact that, “We pamper residents whenever we can” with services like rear-door garbage pick-up.

Mary Jo and her fellow city council members are accessible to the community, and she takes every issue seriously, whether it’s parking concerns, street lights, or barking dogs. She sees her role as coordinating services by putting people in touch with those who can help. “People are always appreciative,” she commented.

Mary Jo stays busy on committees, especially communications where she is responsible for the city’s newsletter and website; she believes it’s important to try to be available and responsive through all avenues.

Also engaged in the Woman’s Club, Mary Jo is looking forward to a joint forum on the new driver’s licenses being sponsored by the club and the city in April. She is also anxiously anticipating the reopening of the St. Matthews library on May 9 and the renovations that are getting underway at Brown Park. “New projects like these make it an exciting time to serve,” she said.

The Department for Economic Development, Louisville Forward, is a resource for area businesses. The small business team provides support services to aspiring entrepreneurs and experienced business owners--from planning, to location services, assistance with permitting and licensing, financing options and more. You can contact the team directly at 502-574-4140 or visit the website:

• Louisville Small Business Development page: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/services/small-business-development
• Small Business Resource Inquiry form: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/small-business-resource-inquiry

The LIHEAP Crisis Program continues through March 29 (or until funding is depleted).  LIHEAP provides financial assistance to help low-income residents of Jefferson County pay utility bills.

 This year’s Crisis Program features expanded eligibility allowing residents who received a utility bill with a past due amount to apply, in addition to continuing to serve those who received a disconnect notice.  Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.  Please click here for eligibility and for other information.

A public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 5 at 4:30 p.m. by the Ad Hoc Committee on Landmarks to discuss proposed changes to the Landmarks Ordinance (LMCO 32.250-32.263). Click here to view the amendment & attachment, as recommended for approval by the Landmarks Commission.

The recommendations – which took into account public comments previously submitted by many of you – are the starting point for the committee’s work.  The goal is to recommend an ordinance updating the Landmarks Ordinance to the whole Metro Council for debate and voting by May.

If you wish to speak at the March 5 meeting, please email your name and organization (if applicable) to: MetroCouncilClerk@louisvilleky.gov so that you may be included under the Special Discussion on the agenda.  Speakers will have a maximum of three (3) minutes, as well as an opportunity to answer any questions that committee members may ask.

If you are unable to appear March 5 but would like to submit new comments – different than what you previously submitted – you may email those to the Metro Council Clerk for compilation into the record and for committee members’ review.  If you have any questions, please call the Chair of the Committee, Councilman Brandon Coan, at 574-1108. Thank you for your participation.

Louisville Parks and Recreation offers Silver Sneakers classes for seniors for free at several community centers and facilities across the city. For more information, please click here.