Councilwoman 

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

Email Councilwoman McCraney

Shay West

Legislative Assistant

(502) 574-3454

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

*DUE TO A TECHNICAL ERROR, THAT HAS NOW BEEN CORRECTED, YOU ARE RECEIVING A SECOND COPY OF THIS ISSUE. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.*

In this Issue...

• Message from McCraney
• Westport Road Study - Your Input
• An Opportunity to Help Others
• Light Up Louisville
• All Is Bright
• Ballard Holiday Hall Craft Show
• Winter Faire
• La Luna La Mía
• Free Carriage Rides With Santa
• Small Business Shopping
• Small Business Saturday
• Fête de Noël Winter Holiday Festival
• International Holiday Blitz
• Winter Woods Spectacular
• Santa's Safari at the Louisville Zoo
• Ugly Sweater Run
• Potterpalooza Yule Ball
• Photography Submission Call
• Fight The Flu
• Sustain Louisville Progress Report
• Attention Louisville Water Customers
• MSD Bumblebee Tracker
• Help Prevent Surface Flooding
• Air Pollution Control District
• District 7 Crime Report
• The Works Week
• Public Notices
• For Fun

Message from McCraney

This little poem summarizes for me the condition in which our beloved city finds itself.  As you may have heard, the City of Louisville's financial outlook is sharper and brighter than it was when I was sworn into office on January 7.  A special discussion with Louisville Metro OMB Chief, Daniel Frockt, during last week's Budget Committee, revealed that the 2019 budget anticipated $621.4 million, but as fate would have it, the actual revenues of $626 million was realized. That's a $4.6 million increase! Imagine that - the City has a surplus. Yes, you read that correctly - a surplus. After months of financial feuds and budgetary bullying, the relatively small overage came as a pleasant surprise. However, before I did the happy dance, I had to analyze what these funds represent. These dollars are one-time, non-reoccurring funds from last year's fiscal budget. That means, the money should not be used to restore projects or programs in this fiscal year budget, especially if they constitute reoccurring expenses. In other words, to use the surplus to reopen a public swimming pool or commit to maintaining the Youth Detention Center, would be irresponsible. The $4 million would help this "one time," but where would we get the revenue to maintain the swimming pool or detention center beyond a year? Mr. Frockt informed us that the slight surplus was due to a $3 million increase in public service corporate property taxes, the delayed issuance of debt or capital bonding, and a slow down in hiring and prudent management. Four million dollars is a lot of money if you're operating a household budget. But, for a city our size, that amount is a drop in the bucket.  Therefore, what we do with that "chunk of change," should be focused and fair.  Mayor Fischer has proposed that the Metro Council earmark the money in the following manner:  1. $2.7 million for the pension obligations in the future 2. $1.0 million in the rainy day fund 3. $300,000 to move up a police recruiting class Several nonprofit organizations would like to get their hands on the surplus, the firefighters would like to use a portion of it to restore a fire station that was closed during the budget cycle, and at least one of my colleagues is advocating for restoration of the delayed garbage, recycling, and yard waste collections on three holidays that are currently canceled.  If you were Mayor for a day, how would you allocate the money? Keep in mind, though, you only have $4 million to work with, and it's one-time, non-reoccurring money.  Tucking away funds in a rainy day fund is a smart investment, because that is what credit ratings agencies like Fitch, Moody's, and Standard & Poors look for. Moving up a police recruiting class by one month is also a smart investment, because the sooner they are trained, the sooner they can begin protecting us. And who would argue that the $2.7 million recommendation for the looming pension bill isn't a good investment? We are by no means out of the woods, and we should not look at the $4 million as a windfall by any stretch. What the city should do (and I have no doubt they will), is continue to watch expenses closely and try to control them as much as possible, while continuing to lobby our Frankfort legislators to grant us authority over certain taxing options like a restaurant tax, and work towards a more permanent solution to the rising pension costs. The $4 million dollars brought up some facts quite profound. We may think that we're poor, feel like bums insecure, but in truth our riches astound.  Happy Thanksgiving, District 7!

Westport Road Study - Your Input

On Tuesday at the Westport Middle School, hundreds of District 7 and District 17 residents showed up to learn of and have input in the plans for traffic easement along Westport Rd.  If you have questions about the six potential spot improvement sites proposed for Westport Road, and you were unable to join us at Tuesday's public meeting, here's your opportunity to have your voice heard:  Please take a quick survey, available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WNVQYYR . Louisville Metro will produce a report by late 2019, providing a summary of the study process. The report will include additional descriptions about existing highway conditions, a description of improvements considered, community input, and recommendations.

An Opportunity to Help Others

St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) is collecting Thanksgiving baskets you can assemble.

In a reusable grocery bag, please include the following items:

• Stuffing mix
• 5 lbs. bag of potatoes
• 2 lbs. bag of onions
• 2 cans of carrots
• 2 cans of cranberry sauce
• 2 cans of yams
• Turkey gravy
• Dessert

Please bring the Thanksgiving baskets to St. MAM, 201 Biltmore Road, on Monday, November 25, 2019 between 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Enter from the double doors closest to the playground.

Also, please consider making a donation of $25 to help cover the cost of turkeys. Questions or to make a donation, please contact Sarah Banks at 893-0205 or email SarahBanks@stmam.com.

Adopt a Child

This Holiday season, please consider supporting a St. MAM child and provide Holiday gifts (1-2 outfits per child). All gifts should be put in gift bags and delivered to St. MAM no later than Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

If you don’t have time to shop, you can provide a donation of $75 to adopt a child and St. MAM will shop for you.

Contact Sarah Banks for more on the program and ways to help.

Light Up Louisville

• Pre Light Up Louisville Cruise  - Friday, November 29 from 6 pm to 7 pm,                                 Belle of Louisville Riverboats
• Light Up Louisville - Friday, November 29 from 3 pm - 10 pm, Metro Hall 
• Lots of Lights Parade at Light Up Louisville - Friday, November 29 at 6:30 pm,  corner of 4th & Liberty Streets (marching west down Jefferson Street) 
• Post Light Up Louisville Moonlight Cruise - Wednesday, November 27 to Sunday,     January 5, time varies, Belle of Louisville Riverboats

All Is Bright

All is {Merry} and BRIGHT for the holidays at Westport Village located on 1315 Herr Ln, Louisville, KY 40222. Help us celebrate the holidays in the Village with free photos with Santa, trackless train rides and a petting zoo.  Plus, enjoy balloon sculpting while dancing to live music performed by Eight Inch Elvis. Light food and drinks will be available for purchase and shops throughout the Village will have fantastic sales. Be sure to bring the whole family! For more information, click here: All-Is-Bright.

Ballard Holiday Hall Craft Show

Winter Faire

Join us for our 4th Annual Winter Faire. This festive event for children of all ages will include a cake walk, candy cane hunt, warm food and drinks, nature crafts, local artisan vendors, a children's marketplace, and more. This event is free, however some activities and food will cost money. This is one of our biggest community fundraisers of the year. For more information, click here: Winter Faire.

La Luna La Mía

Emilie Strong Smith Chamber Music Concert Series
La Luna La Mía
Sunday, December 15, 2019 from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Lane, 40207

La Luna La Mía is an early music ensemble specializing in music and poetry from medieval communities in southern Europe and the Mediterranean. They recite poetry in historical languages in an attempt to recreate the sounds and textures of ancient times. Locust Grove’s Emilie Strong Smith Chamber Music Series offers concertgoers a unique opportunity. Patrons delight in music that the Clarks and Croghans would have heard in the room where they most likely would have enjoyed it, the second-floor Great Parlor of the historic house.

Refreshments at 5:00 PM.; Concert in Locust Grove’s Great Parlor begins at 5:30 PM.

Individual concerts are $20 each. Pre-paid reservations are required--please call (502) 897-9845.
Season subscriptions may be purchased by calling Locust Grove at (502) 897-9845. Categories are Patron, $200; Supporter, $100; and Subscriber, $70. For more information call 502.897.9845 or visit www.locustgrove.org.

Free Carriage Rides With Santa

Small Business Shopping

Small Business Saturday

LIBA is proud to team up with American Express, Louisville Forward and many other organizations to support the 10th annual Small Business Saturday. From family-run corner stores to food trucks to online boutiques, small businesses fuel our local economy and give our community a sense of place.

www.keeplouisvilleweird.com/SmallBizSaturday

Fête de Noël Winter Holiday Festival

Start a new tradition this holiday season at Paristown's inaugural Fête de Noël (Festival of Christmas), a 6 week Winter village featuring Louisville's only authentic outdoor ice skating rink in the newly opened Christy's Garden. Skate, shop, eat, and drink in the heart of Paristown located at 724 Brent St., Louisville, Kentucky 40204, and enjoy the return of Louisville's award-winning Holiday Laser Dome Louisville, holiday movie nights, Stoneware & Co. ornament decorating, and much more.

Tickets will be available at the Fête de Noël Skate Shack:
+ 1-Hour Skate Session w/ Skate Rental: $12
+ 1-Hour Skate Session w/o Skate Rental: $9
+ Season Pass: $45

Visit paristown.com/fetedenoel for full festival and ice skating rink details.

LIBA is proud to team up with American Express, Louisville Forward and many other organizations to support the 10th annual Small Business Saturday. From family-run corner stores to food trucks to online boutiques, small businesses fuel our local economy and give our community a sense of place.

www.keeplouisvilleweird.com/SmallBizSaturday

International Holiday Blitz

Winter Woods Spectacular

Santa's Safari at the Louisville Zoo

Santa is making a special stop by the Louisville Zoo and he’s bringing some of his North Pole friends along too. Enjoy a visit and photo with Santa plus meet Mrs. Claus and Frosty the Snowman. Be part of Santa’s workshop where elves help families create a wonderful holiday craft.  And of course, no visit would be complete without Mrs. Claus serving her famously delicious holiday treats and beverages (and hot chocolate or coffee for the grown-ups). Enjoy holiday sing-alongs and a complimentary photo with Santa for each child to take home.  Then grab your special Santa Safari passport and begin your journey through the Zoo’s heated buildings to experience one-on-one interaction with Zoo educators. Don’t forget to bring your cameras. For tickets and details, click here: Santa Safari.

Ugly Sweater Run

Here is your chance to run or walk with a fun group of people and wear your favorite ugly sweater. This is the 3rd annual Ugly Sweater Fun Run which is completely free, non-competitive, and open to the community. You can choose from 2.5, 5, or 7 miles. There is also a new 5 mile trail run option (weather permitting). There is no sign-up so just show up at Hogan's Fountain Pavilion, 3110 Scenic Loop, Louisville, KY 40205 about 15 minutes before the race for some group pictures. After you have completed your distance of choice, stick around to enjoy some festive food, drinks, and raffle with multiple prizes! Coffee/tea/hot cocoa will be provided by Panera & tasty holiday treats made possible by Shiraz Bakery. Kids and friendly furry friends are welcome. We hope to see you all there.

Potterpalooza Yule Ball

Photography Submission Call

Shining A Light: Women's Fight for the Right Photography Submission Call The Muhammad Ali Center is already gearing up for its 7th annual Shining a Light Photography Contest and Exhibition. On June 4, 1919, Congress passed the 19th amendment. In 2020 and in support of the Frazier History Museum’s initiative and the city of Louisville, the Muhammad Ali Center will host Shining a Light: Women’s Fight for the Right celebrating the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. The exhibition will focus on women’s suffrage on a global scale in hopes that it will honor the women around the world who have fought and continue to fight for the right to vote without bias, without discrimination, without violence, and without fear. It will also explore the narrative of suffrage, and reflect on women who have fought, throughout history and all over the world, for political representation and the right to participate in politics in general. Click here, for the Online Submission Form. Please share with anyone you know who would be interested in participating. The call for submissions will be open until December 31, 2019. The exhibit will open on International Women's Day, March 8, 2020. For more information, click here: www.alicenter.org.

Fight The Flu

To learn more about Influenza, click here: FightTheFlu.

Sustain Louisville Progress Report

The Sustain Louisville 2017-18 Progress Report has just been released. The report summarizes the progress toward the goals and initiatives set forth in the city's sustainability plan in 2013. It highlights key successes toward reducing Louisville's carbon footprint, protecting the environment, and ensuring the health and wellness of all Louisville residents, as well as identifies areas for improvement.    To view the report, or check out previous progress reports, click here.

Attention Louisville Water Customers

Louisville Water have received some reports of scammers trying to enter customers' homes to read meters, collect payments, or calling customers demanding immediate payment. For more tips on avoiding scammers, click here:  Identify a Louisville Water employee.

MSD Bumblebee Tracker

MSD’s tunnel boring machine is carving through rock to build the Waterway Protection Tunnel. Nicknamed “Bumblebee”— in honor of Muhammad Ali—the 412-foot-long machine is currently 200 feet under East Witherspoon Street next to Louisville Slugger Field.

This week Bumblebee, the machine drilling our waterway protection tunnel, is near Louisville Slugger Field in the hole being dug out 200 feet below Witherspoon Street behind the baseball stadium. But Bumblebee won’t surface at home plate.

The drill is about 37 percent through its 4-mile journey from the Portland neighborhood to its destination at Lexington Road and Grinstead Drive. In baseball terms, Bumblebee has rounded first base and is on its way to second. The path that started at Twelfth and Rowan streets has so far seen the drill make its way eastward more than a mile, including a significant stretch below the Ohio River. The rest of the journey will go through the Butchertown and the Irish Hill areas before completion near Cherokee Park.

Help Prevent Surface Flooding

Air Pollution Control District

Notice of Action on a Title V Construction Permit

            The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (District) proposes to issue a construction permit to Clariant Corporation (catalysts and catalyst carrier manufacturing plant), 1227 South 12^th Street, in accordance with Regulation 2.16. This permit is being issued to construct equipment and modify a process. The 30-day public comment period starts on November 23, 2019, and ends on December 26, 2019. A public hearing may be scheduled if the District determines that there are germane, unresolved issues or substantial public interest, in accordance with Regulation 2.07.

            Drafts of the permit and summary are available at the District office, 701 W. Ormsby Avenue, Suite 303, Louisville, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling Matt King at (502) 574-6000, emailing airpermits@louisvilleky.gov, or at the following website: http://www.louisvilleky.gov/APCD/docket. Copies of the application are available upon request. Written comments will be accepted at airpermits@louisvilleky.gov until midnight or at the District office until 5:00 p.m. on December 26, 2019.

District 7 Crime Report

For the week of Sunday November 10, 2019 to Saturday November 16, 2019

Theft from Automobile - There were a total of nineteen thefts from autos, which was an increase from the previous week (12). In eleven of the thefts force was used, two were unlocked and six were by unknown means. Please remember to lock your vehicles and take your valuables out of your car. 

Auto Theft - There were eight reported auto thefts for the week which was an increase from the previous week (3). In five the keys were used and three were by unknown means. 

Burglary - There were three reported burglaries this reporting period, which was a decrease  from  the  previous week (7). All three burglaries were residential. The method of entry is as follows: Force was used in two and one was unlocked. 

There were no reported Robberies for the reporting period.

The Works Week

Thanksgiving alters waste collection schedule

There will be no residential garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection within the Louisville Metro Urban Services District (former Louisville city limits) on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2019.  This holiday incurs a one day delay schedule. Residents who normally have garbage/recycling/yard waste collection on Thursday will have service on Friday, November 29, 2019. The regular Friday collection will be delayed until Saturday, November 30, 2019.

Public Notices

For Fun

Brouhaha

Definition: A noisy and overexcited reaction or response to something.

In A Sentence:  My sister, the drama queen, made a huge brouhaha over her broken nail.

"A mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work if it isn't open."

~ Frank Zappa

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.