Councilwoman
Paula McCraney
601 W. Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1107
Email Councilwoman McCraney
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: 574-7275
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
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My mother taught me at a young age about the sin of gloating. I remember her quoting these words, "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles." I think that was good, sound advice.
We are made to love and to have sympathy (or better yet, empathy) for others. We are not of good character when we harbor in our souls a feeling of pure delight at someone else's misfortune, setback, mistake, malpractice, wrongdoing, etc. We are not to use our ingenuity or expend our most creative juices to make fun of, take great pleasure in, or triumph over one's failures.
Imagine how hard it was for me to refrain from jumping out of my seat to do the "I told you so" happy dance, when the Chief Financial Officer for Louisville Metro Government announced in the Budget Committee meeting Thursday evening that the city is projected to realize an $18.9 million revenue surplus this fiscal year.
You mean to tell me that I was right! That my vote against a tax increase was not in vain. That the harassment I received from some who listened to the tax and spend pundits and leaders was worth it. I have the battle scares that prove my stance on the budget was undeniably brave, smart, prudent, fiscally responsible and honorable. But, I won't gloat.
As you may recall during budget talks last year, the sky was falling. I did not buy-in to the hype, though. After careful review of the budget, I was vehemently opposed to an insurance premium tax increase. I also didn't think we needed to make deep cuts to services. But, to all of our surprise, libraries and swimming pools were closed, police recruit classes were canceled, a neighborhood place was shut down, a fire station was abandoned, the Youth Detention Center was relocated and reassigned, employees were let go, the affordable housing trust fund was slashed in half...
The budget surplus is derived from higher than expected corporate profits and payroll taxes, as well as a one-time payment of $4.7 million from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, Louisville Metro prudently managed expenses.
The city budget still has its challenges. Pension obligations, deferred maintenance, bond payments, rising costs of healthcare and, yes, lawsuits continue to threaten the fluidity of the budget and the services you deserve and have grown to enjoy. These threats are real, and we must remain vigilant to keep from experiencing the pain that was felt after the budget was approved last year. Plus, we must work on discovering new revenue streams and lobbying the legislators in Frankfort to help us with revenue options.
So, while I want to gloat, I will not. I will continue to put ointment on my wounds to hide the scares from the name-calling, finger-pointing and shame/blame game that pursued against my colleagues and I who cast a "No" vote on the tax increase. I will also be a good girl and remember what my mother taught me about gloating. The words, "I told you so", seem so sweet to my ears, but in reality, they're just words that will make me look petty, vindictive and shallow. Those words do not describe me. In our compassionate city, no one should want those words to describe him or her. I'm just saying...
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