District 7 E-Newsletter - July 2, 2019

Councilwoman Paula McCraney 601 W. Jefferson Street (502) 574-1107
Paula McCraney - Official Metro Picture

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

Metro Council

Louisville Metro Council on Summer Break

The Louisville Metro Council is on summer break for two weeks. No committee meetings or regular meetings have been scheduled. The Council will resume its regular meeting schedule the week of July 15.

While the Metro Council office is closed, I will take advantage of the downtime and take a break. Notice that I didn't say "rest" or vacation. No, I will simply take a break --- from driving downtown, from attending meetings, from debating issues, from reviewing budgets (even my own!), and, yes, from writing articles and a message in our e-Newsletter.

Because of my "break," I have loaded this e-issue to capacity to hold you until I return. I hope you enjoy the variety.  

My office, however, is open during the summer break, with the exception of July 4 and 5. If you wish to contact my office with a concern, question, comment or critique, please do so by calling (502) 574-1107. My legislative assistant will be happy to assist you. He will also issue next week's e-Newsletter that will mainly feature and highlight a District 7 neighborhood, a D7 resident, and a D7 business. I will return to my normal routine on July 15.

Did You know?

1. On Thursday, America will celebrate the 243rd Independence Day.

2. The Continental Congress adopted (approved) the Declaration of independence on July 4, 1776 (although,  the day on which the final separation from Great Britain was officially voted was July 2). Independence Day has always been celebrated on the 4th of July - the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

3. The Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Statehouse. 

4. The Pennsylvania Statehouse is now called Independence Hall.

5. The signing of the Declaration declared the 13 American colonies at war with Great Britain free and independent (sovereign) states.

6. John Hancock, who was at the time the President of the Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, but the others signed it on August 2. (SIDE NOTE: His signature was historically described as iconic due to its vivacious large nature which was an indication of confidence and vibrancy.)

7. There was a "Committee of Five" that drafted the Declaration. The members of the committee were: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

8. Of the five-man committee, Thomas Jefferson was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer, and actually wrote most of the document.

9. The committee and Congress as a whole made a total of 86 changes to Jefferson's draft.

10. The National Retail Foundation estimates Americans will spend $6.7 billion on food for cookouts and picnics to celebrate the Fourth of July.

On July 4, 2019 (Thursday), I strongly encourage you to read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety, paying particular attention to the first sentence of the second paragraph. 

In the spirit of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, I bid you a safe and fun-filled Independence Day!

Best Regards,

Councilwoman Paula McCraney

July 4th

Metro Council Approves FY 2019 - 2020 Operating and Capital Budgets

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As you may know, by a vote of 24 to 1, the Louisville Metro Council has approved the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Operating Budget for Metro Government. In a unanimous vote, the Council has approved the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Capital Budget for Metro Government.

To read more about the bipartisan process used by the members of the Council, click on the following link:

https://louisvilleky.gov/news/metro-council-approves-fy-2019-2020-operating-and-capital-budgets

To view the actual details of the budgets, click on the links below:


New Laws In Effect

law

Dozens of new laws passed by the legislature in 2019 took effect on Thursday, June 27. Several of those provisions impact cities.  The Kentucky Constitution specifies that new laws take effect 90 days after adjournment unless they have special effective dates, are general appropriation measures or include an emergency clause. Click on the blue writing below to see which laws passed in the 2019 session, which ones impact cities, and which ones have different effective dates.

2019 Legislative Update.


Louisville Bats Game

bats

It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for a Louisville Bats baseball game, and District 7 was "in the house." 

Well, we weren't actually in a house, but we were in one of the Louisville Slugger Field suites (Compliments of Mayor Greg Fischer. Thanks, Mr. Mayor!)

 bats

(Here I am after preparing for our guests to arrive.)

June 30th was District 7 day at the Bats game. I was honored to host our guests, and enjoy a very exciting (and nail biting) Bats win.

bats

We had a great time cheering on the team, eating hot dogs, chicken fingers and fries, popcorn, chips and ice cream. 

Check out my guests and fans (of the game, not me. Lol):

bats

bats

I enjoyed my guests and the game. It was really fun watching the young ones get excited. They were, themselves, T-Ballers, and understood every aspect of the game.

I hope to have an opportunity to host District 7 again next season. Perhaps YOU can join the fun next time. Go Louisville Bats!


Mingle with McCraney

You don't have to drive downtown to City Hall to meet your Councilwoman, because every other month or so, she participates in what is lovingly called, "Mingle with McCraney."

A Mingle with McCraney event is merely an informal social gathering designed for you to meet District 7 Councilwoman, Paula McCraney, and ask her questions, find out what's going on at Metro Council, tell her how you feel she's doing as your representative, and hear from various Louisville Metro agencies.

The Mingle with McCraney gatherings are hosted in the home of a neighbor in District 7. The first one took place on Saturday at the lovely home of Anthony and Maggie Bieda of Maryhill Estates. THANK YOU, MR. AND MRS. BIEDA!

Joining Councilwoman McCraney, armed with invaluable information, were Major Aubrey Gregory, LMPD 5th Division; Mark Jeziorski, Louisville Metro Emergency Services; and Wesley Sydnor, MSD.

Major Gregory (missing in the pictures below), talked about the various issues within the 5th Division, and encouraged us to call 911 if we see anything suspicious. He also complimented the residents of Maryhill for contributing to the success of the 5th Division. He stated that his Division has the lowest crime rate of all other Divisions. He concluded his remarks by reminding us of the number one crime in most suburban areas, which is car break-ins. He stressed the importance of locking our car doors and removing valuables from the car.

Wesley discussed some of MSDs infrastructure improvement projects that will remedy the community's aging sewer systems, and reminded us that the earliest sewers in Louisville were built in the 1800s. He mentioned the recent repair project on Main Street, and told us about an estimated $1.15 billion priority project that is mandated by a federal Consent Decree.

Mark, with the Louisville Metro Emergency Services, discussed the agency's dispatch services, and stepped us through the process of what happens when an emergency call is received. He encouraged us to sign up for LensAlert, Smart911, and the newly updated 311. He rounded out his presentation with an interesting Hands-Only CPR demonstration (as shown in the pictures below).

Want to host a Mingle with McCraney? It's simple and fun to be a host. All you have to do is call our office at 574-1107 to select a date, agree to inviting your neighbors (as few as 6 to as many as you can fit into your home 🙂) and serving  very light refreshments. Our office will do the rest! 

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The next Mingle with McCraney is in August, at the home of neighbor Neville Blakemore.

FYI: Can't host or attend a Mingle with McCraney, then meet Councilwoman McCraney at a local District 7 coffee shop for "Muffins with McCraney." These will be scheduled randomly, and will be announced through our e-Newsletter. Stay tuned!

The next Mingle with McCraney is in August, at the home of neighbor Neville Blakemore.

FYI: Can't host or attend a Mingle with McCraney, then meet Councilwoman McCraney at a local District 7 coffee shop for "Muffins with McCraney." These will be scheduled randomly, and will be announced through our e-Newsletter. Stay tuned!

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The New Metro311 Reporting System is Live!

311

The new Metro311 Online Reporting system is now live!  

  • Report an issue now.
  • New mobile app!  Look for our new mobile app in your app store.  Just search for "Louisville Metro 311"
  • FAQs (Click one or all three below)
  1. 311 Information
  2. Mobile App
  3. Louisville Metro Business Portal

When you download the free app to your iPhone or Android you can submit service requests immediately. Use it if you need a city service and help with non-emergency issues. Just search for "Louisville Metro 311" in your app store.

You can also access Metro 311 and other departments by dialing: 

  • 311 or email metro.311@louisvilleky.gov
  • Construction Review:  574-3321
  • Codes & Regulations:  574-2508 (Rental Registry accounts)
  • Public Works (Right of Way):  574-3121
  • Planning & Design:  574-6230
  • Special Events intake:  572-3467

Lyndon Summer Festival

FUN TIMES at the Lyndon Summer Festival on June 16 in Robsion Park.  There were arts and crafts, rides, live entertainment and vendor booths.

train

Ran into a couple of District 7 residents about to take off on the little red choo choo train. Seats were filled; I had to wait for the next train.

lyndon

With my favorite people - Friends of the Library. They were giving away books. I took one home for my coffee table - "All the Presidents' Gardens" by Marta McDowell. It features Madison's cabbages to Kennedy's roses.

lyndon summer festival

No Sirree! I did not get on this ride! But, it looked fun.


Governor's Office Unveils New Pension Plan

new state retirement plan

On Monday, June 24, Governor Bevin’s office provided the Public Pension Oversight Board (PPOB) a new pension bill for quasi-governmental entities in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS). The governor’s deputy chief of staff told board members that there are enough votes to pass it, but no date has been set for a special session. PPOB also heard from the Kentucky Retirement Systems on the health and status of its pensions, including the County Employees Retirement System (CERS). Read more.


REMINDER: New Toll Rates Began Monday

riverlink

New toll rates for three tolled bridges connecting Louisville and Southern Indiana began Monday, July 1. New rates range from $2.10 to $12.61, depending on the size of the vehicle and whether drivers have a prepaid account and transponder. RiverLink is the all-electronic tolling system for the Louisville – Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project. The I-65 Abraham Lincoln Bridge, I-65 Kennedy Bridge and SR 265/KY 841 Lewis and Clark Bridge are tolled.

Drivers with prepaid accounts in good standing and transponders pay the lowest toll rates, saving more than $2 per crossing. The easiest way to maintain a positive account balance is by choosing auto-replenishment and linking the account to a valid payment method.

Toll rates increase annually by 2.5 percent, unless the rate of inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index) is higher.

riverlink

Find more information on RiverLink tolling, including answers to frequently-asked questions, at www.RiverLink.com.


Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social - July 14

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Farnsely-Moremen Landing (7410 Moorman Rd.)

ice cream

Plan to attend the annual Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social. This free family event will feature:

  • An Ice cream eating contest at 3:00 p.m.
  • Music by the Rigbys from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
  • Magic by Dave Cotrell from 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Friends of the Southwest Library Book Sale ~ 1860s Baseball Game ~ Miniature Train Ride ~ Farm Animal Petting Zoo ~ Dig with the Archaeologists ~ Tour the Historic Farnsley-Moremen House ~ “Get the Scoop” at the Community Jamboree Tent

Plus, the Louisville Zoo will pop up at the Ice Cream Social  to celebrate 50 years of being your community Zoo! Between 1 - 3 p.m., you can drop in and meet the Zoo’s new mascot, Leroy, play some fun games with Zoo staff and enter to win Zoo tickets! 


District 7 Public Notices

Public Meeting

meeting

Public Works Paving Plan

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JUST FOR FUN


Word of the Week

Donnybrook

Definition: an inordinately wild fight or contentious dispute; brawl; free-for-all

Used in a sentence: During the Donnybrook, each side of the argument tried
to throw the other under the bus.


Quote of the Week

“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close
they were to success when they gave up."
--- Thomas A. Edison


Life Hacks Lightbulb

Use Listerine as a Mosquito Repellant

listerine

Listerine (the brown bottle) can ward off a swarm of mosquitoes. Listerine may have its place in the medicine cabinet, but to some resourceful outdoors types, it has a second life. Pour a couple of ounces in a spray bottle, the story goes, spritz it in the air (or the grass) at the next barbecue, and — presto!


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.