This looks like the face of someone who is up to something! Well, I suspect I am. First, I'm up to the challenges that lie ahead.  After a two-week Metro Council summer break and a quick vacation and shopping spree to Atlanta, GA, I'm rested and ready to conquer the world.  Perhaps not the world, but at least what's going on here in our beloved Louisville, Kentucky.

Now that the budget is behind us, and everyone is realizing the ramifications of the budget cuts (which, as I've said before, were actually not as bad as they were reported to be), we can now begin to focus our attention on 2020. Yes, there's quite a bit going on in 2020 --- Presidential races, Congressional races, several local Metro Council races, etc. But, the attention I speak of right now is the determination of what type of city we want to be in 2020 and beyond. Deciding this will help us tackle the next budget with laser-focused vision.

Do we want to be a city that struggles to keep up with quality of life desires and demands, and one encumbered by pension bills, tax liabilities, skyrocketing health insurance, aging infrastructure...and the list could go on and on. Or, do we want to be a vibrant city that is also responsive to citizens' desires and needs, and one that is a great place to live, work, play, raise a family, get an education, and live the American dream?

The Budget Committee, on which I serve, is going to get a head start on the 2020-2021 budget; we will start discussing options in August. Deep and sincere dialogue must take place in order for us to come up with a financial strategy that makes sense for a city our  size. It has been said that we cannot continue to cut our way to success. I agree. Finding revenue streams to cover the ever-increasing and cumbersome pension bill is priority number one. Getting in the face of the state legislators (particularly the ones throughout the Commonwealth who are typically indifferent to Louisville) to ask for relief of taxing authority is a close second priority. Imposing a restaurant tax, for instance, to ease some of our pension and growing health insurance burdens, would be a huge relief on our budget. As citizens, we must lean heavily on our state representatives and give them encouragement to fight the good fight in Frankfort. It's going to take all of us, working with each of them, to get the state legislative and administrative bodies to see how important it is to give Louisville a break. As the major economic engine for the Commonwealth, it is in everyone's interest (or it should be) that Louisville thrives. Right now, we are only surviving.

I will soon announce a series of community meetings and pop-up sessions that I will host in District 7, in order to hear from you and get your input on "round two" of the budget saga. I will host Mingle with McCraney events and Muffins with McCraney, starting in August. I will post the times and locations of the Muffins with McCraney, and hope you'll stop by to chit chat. I'll also be hosting a town forum in September. This gathering will introduce you to some of the key government and quasi-government agencies we consistently work with to keep District 7 looking good, clean, safe and loveable. Representatives from the Louisville Metro Police Department, Metropolitan Sewer District, Emergency Medical Services, LG&E, the Jefferson County School Board, and others will be on hand to listen to your concerns, and discuss some of theirs. Stay tuned!

I'll close as I began; I look like I'm up to something. Yes, I am! I'm up to a whole lot of somethings. I want to represent you with all the attention and aptitude that I can muster. I hope you'll join me at some of the gatherings, shoot me an e-mail, call the office, or stop me in the grocery store if you ever have a question, concern, idea, or "a bone to pick." I want to hear from you. 

Oh, and one more thing, I am currently 'up to' my eyeballs in work. I say this because my office is now without a Legislative Assistant; I am it for now! That's one of the reasons why you didn't receive an e-Newsletter last week, as I had thought you would while I was on vacation. Don't fret (I don't know if I'm talking to you or to myself when I say that. Lol), as I have hired another Legislative Assistant who will start work on August 5. She comes to my office from the Louisville Ford Plant, in management with one of its suppliers for 18 years. She has great transferable skills and a wonderful personality that will benefit us all.  I will tell you more about her real soon.  In the meantime, go easy on me, but don't hesitate to contact me. You + Me = WE. Working together, WE can do great things for District 7. I have every confidence in us!

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign. This event enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. 

The St. Matthews Police Department will once again participate in the National Night Out community event on Tuesday August 6, 2019 beginning at 6:30pm in the St. Matthews Community Park located at 310 Ten Pin Ln.  

Several organizations will be participating including St. Matthews Fire and EMS and the St. Matthews Public Works Department. Many other neighborhood partners will join us. Mission BBQ, Kroger, and Target to name a few.

There will be things for all ages: equipment displays, prize drawings, and giveaways from many of the participants.  St. Matthews Police invites everyone to come out and meet your police officers and get to know your St. Matthews neighbors.

For additional information about the National Night Program, visit the website here.

Please click on and watch the video below for a brief  message from 9th Mobile Commander Major Billy Hibbs.  

Click HERE: https://twitter.com/i/status/1149380119858962433

#LMPD #LockYourGunsUp #HelpUsHelpYou #StopTheViolence 

The Louisville Small Business Development Center, in partnership with Louisville Forward Economic Development, the SBA, SCORE and Sullivan University, announces the launch of Scale Up Louisville, a year-long program to help small business owners plan for and execute a growth plan.

The program begins Aug. 21, and will provide direct support to a cohort of 15 business owners through a competitive application process, with the goal of helping companies grow jobs and enhance economic development.

The comprehensive program consists of topics such as:

• Sizing up your business
• Exploring growth opportunities
• Strategic decision-making
• Using financial tools
• Strengthening products
• Sizing up the market
• Leading the Organization
• Managing growth operations
• Charting financial performance
• Making it happen

Those wishing to apply are encouraged to visit: http://scaleuplouisville.com

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is an American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S.

At the Lincoln Memorial, sculpted by Ed Hamilton a decade ago, a sunset performance will celebrate freedom, featuring guest speakers reading excerpts of the Emancipation Proclamation embellished by artistic responses and other readings and performances.

This first community-wide Juneteenth Jubilee commemorating the final communication of the abolition of slavery in the United States was rescheduled to July 28 because of the threat of thunder storms on June 19.  The new date of July 28th also holds a special significance because on July 28, 1868, the adoption of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was certified. The amendment grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves.

The 2019 Juneteenth Jubilee will begin at 2nd and Main on the KFC Yum! Center Plaza with a community gathering in remembrance of the thousands of enslaved Africans sold at this site in the 1800s. Lead a group in the community parade, and to wear t-shirts and carry banners or signs representing your group. Grand Marshal Ed Hamilton and the River City Drum Corp will lead participants through Downtown Louisville in a march for freedom to Waterfront Park.

TARC will provide a free circulating shuttle at 15 minute intervals from 8:15-9:45pm 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 above. Parking is also available at locations indicated on the map. (Please note that the Wharf Parking Lot is paid parking.)

TARC is also providing a free shuttle from the Parkland Boys and Girls Club at 3200 Greenwood Avenue, Louisville, KY 40211, on the following schedule:

• 7:00pm – Shuttle leaves Parkland Boys and Girls Club for the parade site at Yum! Plaza
• 7:30pm – Shuttle leaves Parkland Boys and Girls Club for the parade site at Yum! Plaza
• 9:15pm – After the performance (approximately 9:15pm), shuttle leaves Lincoln Memorial to return to Greenwood Avenue
• 9:45pm (If needed) – Last shuttle will leave Lincoln Memorial for Greenwood Avenue

All shuttles are generously sponsored by TARC free of charge in support of this community event.

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

Concessions will be available for purchase during the Lincoln Memorial portion of the event.

Admission: Free!

For more information go to: https://louisvillewaterfront.com/plan-your-visit/calendar/juneteenth-jubilee-072819/

Louisville Metro Animal Shelters are at Full Capacity, and Still NEED YOU TO ADOPT A PET!!!!

The LMAS Shelter is at max capacity and in an effort to reduce overcrowding, all redemption fees are waived for currently impounded stray pets the month of July. Anyone searching for a lost pet is asked to visit the LMAS Shelter located at 3705 Manslick Road to look for their cat or dog.

Pet owners with no previous violations will receive amnesty. Owners are still responsible for the cost of vaccinations, licensing and a microchip. To file a lost pet report, or search an online directory for lost and found pets, visit www.louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services.

If you’re looking to adopt, we encourage you to visit Animal House Adoption Center and take advantage of discounted adoption fees for the month of July. Kitten adoptions are now just $50! For select dogs under 40lbs, the standard $150 adoption fee will be a reduced donation of $50-$100. It’s always free to adopt adult dogs 40lbs & up! All adoptable pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped and up-to-date on vaccinations. You can view adoptable pets from LMAS at www.louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services. To meet adoptable pets, visit Animal House, located at 3516 Newburg Rd., Tuesday-Sunday 12-6pm.

There's No Place Like Home! Please consider adopting --- you'll be glad you did, after the many times these pets will show you unconditional love.  Give it a try, won't you?