Councilwoman
Paula McCraney
601 W. Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1107
Email Councilwoman McCraney
 

Links

Visit the District 7 Website

Phone Numbers
of Interest

Air Pollution: 574-6000

Animal Services: 363-6609
or 361-1318

Anonymous Tipline:
574-LMPD (5673)

Brightside: 574-2613

Jefferson County Clerk's Office: 574-5700

Legal Aid: 584-1254

Metro Call: 311 or 574-5000

Metro Parks: 456-8100

Metro Police: (Non Emergency) 574-7111 or 574-2111

Metro Safe: 572-3460
or 574-7111

MSD: 587-0603

PARC: 569-6222

Poison Control: 589-8222

Public Works: 574-5810

Solid Waste Management (SWMS): 574-3571

TARC: 585-1234

Veteran's Affairs: 595-4447

In this issue...

• Message from Councilwoman McCraney
• July 4th Festivities in District 7
• Independence Day at Locust Grove - July 4
• Diamond Street Food & Hops Opens June 28
• Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop - June 28
• J-Town Summer Beer Fest - June 29
• Turners Circus Presents: Space - June 29
• Walk-In Passport Fair - June 29
• Pick Up The Parks Event - July 5 & 6
• St. Matthews Chamber Business Expo - July 11
• Swing N’ Wing Ding - July 11
• Protecting Places of Worship Forum - July 11
• Juneteenth Jubilee Rescheduled to July 28
• Tickets on Sale for the Taste of Frankfort Avenue
• Sustainability Story: The Three Rs of Waste Reduction
• District 7 Public Notices
• JUST FOR FUN

Message from Councilwoman McCraney

Hello Neighbors,

How was your week? Lovely, I hope. Mine, you ask? Well, I would describe it as fast-paced and jammed-packed. I started the week off at the optometrist for my annual eye exam, followed by a meeting with a group of developers (more about that in a future newsletter). I went from meeting to meeting leading up to the big one - the budget vote (more about that below).

The budget, as you may have heard, passed 24-1, with little to no debate. The debate occurred after the budget vote. What was the subject of the debate? Marijuana!

One of my colleagues proposed an ordinance that tells police to make possession of half an ounce or less of marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority. Therefore, an adult 21 years and older would not be investigated, cited, or arrested for possessing that amount of the drug.

I suppose I was one of the reasons the debate seemed to go on for hours. I vehemently oppose this legislation, and chimed in on the floor every chance I could after one of my colleagues spoke in favor of it. My opposition, I thought, was simple and smart. Allow me to break it down:

1.  Possession of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Kentucky is illegal!  It's a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 45 days in jail and a $250 fine.

2.  The sponsors of the bill suggests that the ordinance will serve as a criminal justice reform that minimizes citations and arrests of African American citizens who are generally disproportionately cited and arrested for possession of small amounts of marijuana. While I recognize the disparity in arrests among African Americans, I don't believe words on a paper, beit a law or not, addresses the alleged systemic problem. Since the legislation does not carry with it a penalty for police officers who disregard the mandate, I maintain that the better way to address this is to require the police chief to include wording into the department policy manual that prohibits such citations or arrests. It's at the department level that misconduct can be monitored and dealt with. 

3.  I don't think it is wise to pass legislation on the local level that contradicts laws on the books that are passed at the state or federal levels. Until the state legislature legalizes marijuana, possession of it, regardless of the amount, is a misdemeanor. 

One of my colleagues, a former police officer, said it best, "Saying something is right when it's wrong, whether you agree with it or not, demonstrates a disrespect to the rule of law."

4.  Mayor Fischer and Police Chief Conrad stated that it is already the practice of the police department to overlook low-level possession of marijuana. If that is true, then as legislators, we should hold them (Fischer and Conrad) accountable for the fact that while African Americans make up less than one-fourth of Louisville's population, they account for two-thirds of those charged with marijuana possession. 

To close out the debate, I went on the record stating that I would vote "yes" on legislation to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes, and will remain open-minded during a debate on legalizing the drug for recreational use. Of course, before I cast a vote one way or another, I will solicit your input.

Yes, my week was quite hectic. However, not everything I did was a chore. The highlight of my week was attending the grand opening of the Northeast Regional Library. 

The grand opening took place on Monday, June 24. I was joined by Mayor Greg Fischer, Louisville Free Public Library officials, and a few of my colleagues, including Councilwoman Marilyn Parker, whose District is the fortunate area that houses the nearly 40,000 square foot facility.

Several dignitaries spoke before the ribbon was cut, and I especially enjoyed the remarks of Lyndon Mayor, Brent Hagan:

"It's an honor to have this library in Lyndon. We hope that you use the space. Schedule meetings here, meet people for coffee. Take the kids for story time, find a quiet place to write or watch a cooking demonstration. I know it sounds crazy, but you could even check out a book!"

With more than 120,000 books and materials, the library includes quiet spaces for reading and studying, several meeting rooms, an auditorium, a large children’s area, and a separate space for teenagers. But, wait, that's not all! This state-of-the-art library has a kitchen (for food demos), sewing machines, an ATM-like machine for checking out laptops, and a media studio with an area to create videos using green screen technology. 

The library is open from 1 - 5 p.m. on Sunday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday, and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The library is absolutely beautiful! But, don't take my word for it; go check it out yourself. Until then, I hope you enjoy the pictures. 

July 4th Festivities in District 7

Graymoor-Devondale

4th of July Patriotic Parade
9:30 a.m.
Begins at St. Albert's Gym (1395 Girard Dr.)

Westwood

4th of July Celebration
10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Windy Hills

15th Annual 4th of July Community Parade
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Sojourn Community Church East (2501 Rudy Ln.)

Woodlawn Park

4th Annual 4th of July Parade
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Begins at the corner of Beechwood and Kinloch 

Independence Day at Locust Grove - July 4

10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
561 Blankenbaker Ln.

FREE TO THE PUBLIC all day! Join the Clark and Croghan families as they celebrate Independence Day 1816. General George Rogers Clark’s soldiers return to honor him and all who fought. Hear readings of the Declaration of Independence throughout the day, and discover the Revolutionary spirit. Food and drinks will be for sale. You may also bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds. There will also be a small summer-reading book sale.

Diamond Street Food & Hops Opens June 28

Diamond Street Food & Hops, located at 3922 Shelbyville Road, opens Friday, June 28, at 5 p.m. Going forward, hours will be Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 2 a.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 a.m.

Most food items are around the $10-$14 range. A kids’ menu also is available. Added features include a shuffleboard table and a corner in the dining room for live acoustic music most nights.  Also, two booths near the bar will be transformed into dedicated gaming system tables, and some arcade games will be added.

Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop - June 28

Please join us Friday night (June 28) for the "Think Local, Drink Local" Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop sponsored by West Sixth Brewing!  Enjoy drink specials at participating businesses along The Avenue. Trolleys run 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., featuring balloon sculptures from 6 - 8 p.m. Cheers!

J-Town Summer Beer Fest - June 29

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
J-Town Pavilion (10416 Watterson Trl.) 

Jeffersontown Summer Craft Beer Fest takes place in the heart of downtown Jeffersontown at the Pavilion. The Fest features more than 50 craft breweries, hard ciders and sodas, wines, food trucks, and live music. Age: 21+. No pets. Rain or Shine event.

Turners Circus Presents: Space - June 29

8:00 p.m.
3125 River Rd.

Walk-In Passport Fair - June 29

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

4600 Shelbyville Rd.

To apply for a passport, you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate, a valid photo ID and a passport photo. Passport fees are $110 for people who are age 16 or older, and $80 for minors under the age of 16. Both parents must be present with a valid ID for minors under 16. Passport fees must be paid by check or money order and made payable to the U.S. Department of State.

Execution fees are $35, and photo fees are $15. You can pay for them with credit card, debit card, check or money order made payable to the U.S. Postal Service. Applicants may choose routine service (which takes 4 - 6 weeks) or expedited service (which takes 2 - 3 weeks). Expedited service costs an additional $60. Visit www.travel.state.gov for more information.

Pick Up The Parks Event - July 5 & 6

Every year, Independence Day brings hundreds of visitors to the parks - and with that heavy traffic comes a lot of extra litter.  On Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6, Louisville Parks and Recreation needs volunteers for the “Pick-up the Parks” Days.  The event will function as a do-it yourself volunteer project for individuals, families, neighborhood groups and organizations. Louisville Parks and Recreation encourages anyone and everyone to stop by their neighborhood park or one of the suggested parks to check for litter. Any litter collected can be left in a tied off bag next to any trash can in the park. Need gloves or trash bags? Those cleaning up the parks can pick up supplies from any of these locations during operating hours: Joe Creason Park, Main Park Office located at 1297 Trevilian Way Newburg Community Center located at 4810 Exeter Avenue Molly Leonard Portland Community Center located at 640 N. 27th Street Berrytown Community Center located at 1300 Heafer Road For large groups, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Flarsheim at 574-7275 ahead of the event to ensure there are enough supplies. Parks has identified high-traffic parks that might need a little bit of extra attention after the holiday. Those parks are listed below, but those wanting to chip in can clean up any park in the city.  George Rogers Clark Park Petersburg Park Chickasaw Park Berrytown Park Highview Park  Win prizes! Share your #LitterFreeLou photos! Be sure to post clean-up photos to social media using the hashtag #LitterFreeLou and tag @loukyparks. Those posting photos will be entered into the Park Prize Raffle. It’s that easy! Have Questions? Contact the Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Flarsheim. Email sarah.flarsheim@louisvilleky.gov or call/text 574-7275.

St. Matthews Chamber Business Expo - July 11

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Olmsted (3701 Frankfort Ave.)

Take a trip around the world with The Chamber of St. Matthews at the July Business Expo. There will be an anticipated crowd of 200 - 300 attendees, and a maximum of 65 exhibitor spaces. Admission to the expo is FREE with a business card.

All vendors are encouraged to decorate their booth space with their favorite destination. Be creative and have fun with this year’s theme. The best decorated booth will receive a prize!

Every attendee will also receive a passport. You will have to visit specific destinations in the room to be considered for the grand prize drawing. Please contact Josh Suiter at 899-2523 or email joshs@stmatthewschamber.com to become a passport sponsor, and have your company highlighted on the passports.

Swing N’ Wing Ding - July 11

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Westport Village (1315 Herr Ln.)

Go to Westport Village on July 11 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., and check out the Swing N’ Wing Ding. There will be live swing music from the Billy Goat Strut Revue, face painting, swing dancing with Lindy Hop Louisville and art activities provided by Pixie Dust!

You will enjoy the Kentucky-themed wing mural painted by international street artist, Kelsey Montague! Kelsey is behind the #WHATLIFTSYOU movement combining social media with interactive art. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Smithsonian and Good Morning America!

Protecting Places of Worship Forum - July 11

Juneteenth Jubilee Rescheduled to July 28

Schedule:

• 7:30 p.m.:  The public is invited to gather at the KFC Yum! Center Plaza, 2nd & Main Streets.
• 8:00 p.m.:  March to the Lincoln Memorial (a distance of approximately 1 mile).
• 8:30 p.m.:  The celebration at the Lincoln Memorial begins.
• 9:15 p.m.:  The event will conclude with a beautiful sunset over the Ohio River.

Umbrellas are permitted, tents are not permitted.  Food, beverages, and crafts will be available for purchase at the Lincoln Memorial beginning at 7:30 p.m.

TARC will provide a free circulating shuttle at 15 minute intervals from 8:15 - 9:45 p.m. between the Lincoln Memorial, the Green Parking Lot (adjacent to the Great Lawn), and Yum! Plaza at 2nd & Main. Shuttle stops are indicated by a red t on the route map below (printable version here). Parking is also available at locations indicated on the map. (Please note that the Wharf Parking Lot is paid parking.)

Tickets on Sale for the Taste of Frankfort Avenue

Enjoy all The Avenue has to offer on Sunday, August 18, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the American Printing House for the Blind.  General admission and VIP tickets are available at FrankfortAve.com. Purchase yours today!

Sustainability Story: The Three Rs of Waste Reduction

There's a clear number one in the three Rs of waste reduction – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. While they are all important to sustainability, Reduce is first because it eliminates waste at the source. Plastic grocery bags are a good example. They could be reused and even eventually recycled back at the store. But shoppers can refuse the bag in the first place and thereby reduce a source of eventual waste. Take reusable grocery bags to the store instead. Reducing the amount of trash we generate brings down the costs of trash collection, transportation, and disposal, and reduces pollution, the need to extract raw materials for new products, and even threats to public health. Continue to reuse and recycle but try to reduce first. Here are a few ways to generate less trash: Choose reusable products instead of single-use (especially plastics!). Be aware of packaging - buy in bulk or shop at farmers markets to avoid packaged produce. Bring your own drink travel mug when buying coffee. Keep a water bottle with you so you can avoid buying bottled water.

District 7 Public Notices

Public Meeting

JUST FOR FUN

Absquatulate

Definition: to flee in a sudden and secret manner

Used in a sentence: The burglar absquatulated with jewelry and a television.

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."
--- Babe Ruth

An Easy Way to Clean the Grill

Fresh onions are great for more than a savory kebab. The pungent bulb can also help clean the grill itself. Simply rub onion halves over a hot grate to loosen and lift food residue. This will save you from having to vigorously scrape the grate with a grill brush.

NOTICE: All Metro Council meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and U-verse Channel 99. The meetings are also available online at the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk by clicking on the “Watch Meetings Online” button.