I was happy to support this bipartisan effort and I think Metro Council will have to continue looking at our regulations to see how we can continue to help people get back to work.  Finally, I do want to address face coverings.  There is data that in indoor areas when you are spending extended periods of time with people, face coverings can slow the spread of the disease.  When I went shopping at Kroger this last weekend, I wore one and I will continue to do that when I am indoors and shopping for now.  With that said, when I go outdoors I take it off as there is zero evidence that this has any impact in outdoor, open air spaces.  I just want to be honest with where I am and I do think that, in indoor spaces, this is a small concession while the virus is still among the population to be safe and open.

The budget committee meetings continue several days a week.  This past week we reviewed internal audit, the justice commission, external agencies, parks and recreation, the zoo, youth detention, and the office for safe and healthy neighborhoods.  There is some good news.  The changes we made last year are yielding multi-million dollar savings into this year.  For example, golf has gone from an almost $2M annual budget looser to budget neutral (aka you are not subsidizing public golf anymore) and possibly on its way to budget positive.  Youth detention has yielded $6M in annual savings this year as we transitioned it back to the state.  And the zoo was having their best year ever from a revenue perspective until they had to shut down due to COVID 19.  There are still other areas we can see savings that we are exploring right now and we are preparing multiple options in case the worst budget projections play out.  Finally, I am still concerned with our LMPD pay structure.  They are going into their 3^rd year without a contract and their pay is way, way behind neighboring departments.  We have to stop losing our best officers because we can’t pay them properly. 

Finally, I would like to comment on the tragic death of Breonna Taylor.  She was a Louisville EMT and was shot by LMPD officers as they were executing a no-knock warrant at her residence in the middle of the night while she was sleeping.  No matter how you slice this, this is a tragedy and we need a full investigation.  An innocent woman is dead without due process of law.  That is always a tragedy that demands an investigation and justice.  LMPD is doing their investigation, the state Attorney General will investigate, and a Federal Agency will review this as well.  I support that and I will be watching it closely.  With that said, this in no way diminishes the hard work of our LMPD officers and the tough position they are in every day.  My support of law enforcement is well documented, and I will continue to support them.  We must reject false binary decisions.  I can want justice for Breonna Taylor and I can support LMPD officers at the same time.  This tragedy does not diminish the importance of police and my support of police does not diminish my demand for justice when a woman is shot while sleeping in her apartment.  As a community, we need justice AND we need law enforcement. 

Please continue to stay healthy and please let my office know if you have any feedback or need help with anything.

Humbly Yours,

Anthony Piagentini

Note from JCPS - Graduation Info, Picking Up Items at School and more.

Dear JCPS Family,

We continue to be amazed at the tremendous effort you and our teachers are making to ensure your student is continuing their education under extraordinary circumstances. Each week, more than 90 percent of JCPS students have been in communication with their teachers and participating in Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI). While we know school-at-home can’t match the instruction your student gets in a traditional classroom, we are thrilled with the effort. Here are some updates:

Graduating Seniors: A web page has been created just for you. It has the schedule for every school’s virtual graduation ceremony which will be livestreamed on JCPS’ YouTube Channel, information and scheduling for cap and gown pickup as well as a list of the community-sponsored celebrations for the Class of 2020. We hope you will participate in your school’s virtual graduation ceremony. It will feature speeches by your principal and a classmate, the reading and posting of seniors’ names plus your school’s Class of 2020 video. Videos for all 28 graduating classes can be found here.

Picking up items from school: Schools will be communicating with you about opportunities to pick up any items left at school when our buildings closed in March. Your school will be notifying you of the date and time where a drive-thru and walk-up will be set up to distribute your belongings that were left in your student’s locker or classroom. 

Feel Good Videos: JCPS’ students, parents, teachers and staff have done incredible work since schools closed on March 13th. Several inspiring stories can be found on our YouTube Channel.

We hope these communications are helpful as we attempt to keep you up-to-date on what’s going on at JCPS during these unusual times. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

JCPS Launches Survey to Gain Feedback on Non-Traditional Instruction Plan

Insights will be used to improve plan for the future Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is asking parents, students and teachers to weigh in on how the district’s first Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) program went for them. “Non-Traditional Instruction has been a completely new way of learning for our entire JCPS family, and I’m proud of the incredible efforts of everyone involved, from students to parents to teachers, to make it work,” JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said.  “We are looking to gain valuable feedback from families about their NTI experience.  In a short period of time, JCPS created a platform with innovative instructional practices and provided resources to our community to ensure learning could continue even when we couldn’t be together.  As a district, we always want to listen to our employees, parents and students about any new measures or initiatives and see how JCPS might improve, especially if we are forced into a similar, unfortunate school-at-home situation in the future.” The survey opens today, and is available until Friday, June 12. Paper copies can be picked up beginning Monday at food sites. To complete an online survey, click on the appropriate link: Certified Staff: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JCPSNTI_Staff Parents: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JCPSNTI_Parents Students: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JCPSNTI_Students   Follow JCPS online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Kentucky Offering Mail-In Ballots for June 23rd Primary Election

If you are a registered voter in Jefferson County, go to jeffersoncountyclerk.org. Request to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot application or call 502.574.6100. All voters are eligible to receive a mail-in absentee ballot due to COVID 19. Mail-in ballots will have to be postmarked by June 23 and be received within three days of Election Day. In-person voting, with the possibility of drive-through voting, will be allowed, in new ways, for those who need to vote in person. Post cards will be sent out to Kentucky voters explaining the changes. The first step in voting is always registering to vote and that has not changed. Register, change your registration or just check to make sure you are still correctly registered by clicking on the link below:                          https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky The deadline to register for the June 23 primary is May 26.  Get registered and vote! Please direct questions to the Jefferson County Elections Center at 574-6100.

Your Dog and Utility Workers – Safety is the Top Priority

With more customers working from and spending time at home, it’s likely your dog may be spending more time outdoors during the day. Unfortunately, dog bites are a leading cause of injury to LG&E meter readers and field technicians.

We all love our pets and want to keep them safe, but even the friendliest dogs can become startled or upset – maybe even aggressive - when a stranger comes onto its owner's property.

LG&E trains employees on how to prevent dog attacks, but you can help LG&E keep their employees – and your pet – safe. Contain your dog away from the meter on reading days, or when work is scheduled on your property. You can find your scheduled meter reading dates in the top section of your monthly LG&E bill or when you sign in to your online LG&E account.

Learn more at: https://lge-ku.com/safety/keeping-our-employees-safe

Covid 19 Updates & Important Links

Healthy at Work (Phase 2) - Yesterday, Governor Beshear announced the second phase of reopening the commonwealth's economy. The tentative dates are as follows:

May 22 - Restaurants (with limited 33% capacity and outdoor seating)

June 1 - Movie theaters and fitness centers

June 11 - Campgrounds (public and private)

June 15 - Child care (with reduced capacity) and potentially low-touch and outdoor youth sports.

The third phase is scheduled for July 1 and could include bars (with limitations) and gatherings up to 50 people.

Testing - With the help of community partners, COVID-19 testing is expanding to help residents get the care they need and help the city better track the novel coronavirus in the community. Click here to learn more.

Build Back Better, Together - This is Louisville's effort to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and look toward the future residents want and deserve. Learn what is happening currently, what is planned in the coming months, and what our economic recovery might look like beyond 2020. There is a survey available as well to help guide this process. For more information, visit the Build Back Better, Together web page.

Click the link below to be directed to the state website: 

https://governor.ky.gov/covid19

Clink the link below to be directed to the local website:
https://louisvilleky.gov/news/what-you-need-know-about-coronavirus

Click the link below to be directed to Centers for Disease Control:
 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmll

JCPS CARE Hotline - Now Available

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) launched a hotline to help connect families with needed resources and services. Families can call 313-CARE (2273) for assistance and referrals related to medical services, drug and alcohol addiction help, homelessness and basic needs such as food, housing and utilities, among other supports. The CARE line will be operated by professionals from the Academic Support Programs Department and includes school counselors, mental health practitioners, Family Resource Youth Services coordinators, and coordinators from the departments of Early Childhood, Health Services and Community Supports. CARE operators will be able to offer assistance, resources and referrals for: Basic needs, including food, utilities, clothing, public transportation and housing Medical services Emotional/ behavioral/ mental health Domestic violence Drug and alcohol addiction support Unemployment Homelessness The line will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, until May 29.  The district will evaluate the response and determine if there’s a need for it to continue over the summer and into next year.  Families can continue to call 313-HELP for general JCPS-related questions.

Kentucky Science Center Activities - Do Science at Home

In lieu of onsite science education, KSC will provide virtual content called “Do Science at Home” which will be shared on all of their digital channels. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. These fun and educational tutorials are a great way to have a blast with children of all ages. We may not be able to visit the Science Center in person, but that doesn't mean we have to give up all of the exciting opportunities it offers!

HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

• Small Business Resources COVID-19 (updated daily and will share info on additional funding when available)   https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/small-business-resources-covid-19
• LIBA - Louisville Independent Business Association small business information https://www.keeplouisvilleweird.com/CovidResources

Social Distancing And Metro Parks

As the weather begins to warm, many of us naturally think of heading to one of our metro parks. They are a great place to go for a run, ride a bike, or play golf. While these activities are still permitted, some are not. Below is a list of what you can - and cannot - currently do in Louisville parks.

Jeffersontown Area Ministries in Need of Donations for Their Pantry

The pantry is severely low. JAM has helped a much higher volume of our neighbors with food and toiletries this week. Any donations would be helpful. Thanks in advance! Drop off Location: 10617 Taylorsville Rd Jeffersontown, KY Monday - Friday from 10am -1pm For questions please call 502-267-1055.