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Monday, May 25, 2020
The coronavirus has caused quite a change in our daily routines. Some would argue that the change has been good (working from home has its benefits --- no commute to work, no traffic, no road rage). However, some would adamantly declare that the change has been quite disruptive (cabin fever, no refuge to which to retire because of working from home, facilitating school lesson plans, the COVID-19 – and by that, I mean the 19 pounds put on while staying at home!).
Even without a pandemic, it's typical for people to busy themselves for most of their waking hours. During this time at home, many have reported that they are much busier --- cooking, cleaning, working longer hours, etc. This often translates to people forgetting to take care of themselves.
Failing to take care of ourselves can lead to fatigue, which can occur when we go through periods of prolonged cognitive activity without giving our brain a rest. This becomes mentally and emotionally draining, not to mention overwhelming.
So, if you are victimized by any of the typical symptoms of mental fatigue – stress eating, loss of appetite, insomnia, lack of motivation, and a feeling of being mentally blocked, please take the time to engage in some outdoor activity. Go for a walk or hike, read a comforting book under a shade tree, take a long drive through beautiful and tranquil parts of our city (or better yet, have someone drive you around), visit a park to take in the scenery or plant a flag at a gravesite.
I encourage you to think about that which makes you happy. Do that thing. It’s time to not only live through this virus but, thrive past it. Think about what you can do to get out of the house and safely do the things that make you smile.
Listed below are various things to do during this Memorial Day weekend or on Memorial Day Monday. And as you do the thing that makes you happy, consider incorporating in your plans something that honors the brave men and women who served our country and protected our freedoms.
Stay safe – stay distanced – stay encouraged!
As you are aware, Louisville has been in the national spotlight --- not because of Derby, Thunder over Louisville or our bourbon trails. We have been the hot topic due to the death of Breonna Taylor during a no-knock raid at her home by policemen in the midnight hour. As a result, three Council committee meetings - Budget, Government Oversight and Public Safety, featured Police Chief Steve Conrad. He was invited to answer questions about the department's budget and his handling of the Taylor case.
I serve on three committees, but only one of the three listed above - the Budget Committee. This week, however, I attended all of the Council committee meetings. These three meetings in particular were long, pointed and at times heated. Committee members were determined to get to the bottom of why police overtime was seemingly abused and why an audit revealed the following:
1. There is not a reliable record of which officers worked an event and
the quantity of hours the officer worked. As a result, there is not a
standard process for monitoring the completeness and accuracy of
overtime for special and reimbursement events.
2. The Office of Management and Budget accounts receivable did not have an adequate process to monitor the completeness and accuracy of event billings.
3. The Office of Special Events does not have documented policies and procedures that define the process for billing special events and waiving fees.
4. LMPD services were provided and billed in the absence of written
agreements.
5. LMPD does not have a process for monitoring overtime for Neighborhood Development Funds.
Coouncil members also asked hardball questions about the Chief's management style, handling of the Taylor case and his outreach to victims of a deadly shooting at the hands of his officers.
As you've already heard, Chief Conrad notified Mayor Fischer of his intent to retire on June 30. This came the day after the last committee meeting hearing.
The mayor announced that he will be forming a civilian review task force to study and propose changes to the responsibilities of our current Citizens Commission on Police Accountability board. I will keep you informed on the progress and accomplishments of the task force as reports are provided.
To view past or live Council and Committee Meetings, click here:
https://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
 To join the meeting, you have four options:
- Free WebEx app for Apple and Android devices
- Free desktop app at WebEx.com
- Call in from any phone
- Request an email invite by emailing First@LouisvilleKY.gov before 5pm Friday, May 22, 2020
Joining via WebEx or WebEx app:
- Open the app or go to WebEx.com and click JOIN (upper right hand corner of the screen)
- Type in the access code: 472 973 925
- If required, the meeting password is: 37Z2AfakQVg
To call in:
- 415-655-0001
- When prompted, enter the access code: 472 973 925
If you received an email invite (it was sent on Wednesday, or you can call as instructed above and request an invite by 5 p.m. today!):
Click on the JOIN button in the email
BEST PRACTICES:
Pre-Meeting
- Be in a well-lit, quiet room
- Do not be in front of a window
- Have and keep the device on a stable surface
- When placing the device, be sure that your face is in the center of the screen
- Be aware of your background, attire, etc. as you will be on camera the entire meeting
- Earbuds will give you the best experience with audio
- If you get a busy signal when trying to access WebEx, wait a couple of minutes and try again
During the Meeting
- Please be respectful, any inappropriate language or images may result in you being removed from the meeting
- Keep cameras on
- Keep Mics off until you are acknowledged by Councilwoman McCraney
- Do not move around with your device while in the meeting
- Do not watch the meeting on FB if you are in the WebEx, it will cause audio feedback
To check your status or to register online, visit the Kentucky Voter Information Portal.
Due to this year's pandemic, citizens are allowed and encouraged to vote by absentee ballot. If you choose not to vote by absentee ballot, you can vote on election day JUNE 23.
WARNING!! WARNING!! WARNING!!!
THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IS PLANNING TO HAVE ONLY ONE IN-PERSON POLLING LOCATION OPEN ON ELECTION DAY. THIS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE KENTUCKY EXPOSITION CENTER.
937 Phillips Lane
To request an absentee ballot, click here. The deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot is June 15th.
Kroger will be testing at Southern High School beginning Tuesday, May 26th from 8:30am – 5:30pm.
Address: 8620 Preston Highway
Operators are standing by!
Sign up here or call 1-888-852-2567, select option 3.
Visit the testing website for more information:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/louisville-covid-19-response-testing.
To register for the Virtual Hike, Bike and Paddle, visit www.virtualhbp2020.org.
Registration is quick and easy; be sure to include your T-shirt size.
 Mayor Greg Fischer has announced a first-of-its-kind Virtual Hike, Bike and Paddle in place of the traditional event that draws thousands of cyclists, paddlers, walkers and fitness fanatics to Waterfront Park twice a year.
“Although COVID-19 prevents us from gathering by the thousands for Hike, Bike and Paddle, we still want to celebrate with each other, and focus on great family exercise and fun,” said Mayor Fischer. “So instead of bringing thousands to Waterfront Park for one day, our Virtual Hike, Bike and Paddle will take place over our entire city over the course of about four weeks.”
The Virtual Hike, Bike and Paddle starts Memorial Day weekend and runs through June 20, 2020. Over those four weeks, participants are asked to complete a healthy lifestyle activity and upload pictures of themselves running, jogging, hiking, biking, paddling, or any exercise while still practicing good social distancing. That includes other activities that have traditionally been part of Hike, Bike and Paddle, like Tai Chi, Yoga and Zumba.
 Participants can share pictures of themselves exercising from home, in different neighborhoods or from one of the city’s great parks, and some of those will be shared on social media.
All participants will be eligible to win a special edition Virtual Hike, Bike and Paddle T-shirt that includes a safety stripe for better visibility.
Additionally, there will be a coupon giveaway for two bottles of PowerAde Ultra from Coca-Cola and redeemable at Valu Market. Quantities are limited for both T-shirts and coupons and will be given away via random drawings. All winners will be notified by email and shirts will be available for pick up at a designated location following the June 20 completion of the virtual event.
 To honor our nation’s fallen by learning their stories, speaking their names and honoring their legacies. We invite you, your families and friends to join us, virtually, in honoring our fallen service members and their families’ sacrifice. In partnership with our friends from Team Red White and Blue (RWB), our goal is to have all 7,030 service members, who have died since 9/11/2001, to be memorialized by having their name read aloud somewhere in the world, and through active, purposeful steps of a run or walk.
READ MORE AND SIGN UP HERE:
https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/memorial-day
The American Legion will provide a safe venue to observe Memorial Day: social media. We’re asking our American Legion Family members – and those outside of the organization – to share with us the names of those you will honor and remember on Memorial Day. Our plan is to compile a list and then begin sharing them regularly via our social media channels over Memorial Day Weekend.
CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE: Virtual Memorial Day. Submissions have been shared via Facebook and Twitter starting May 22. Follow along either social media platform using the hashtag #VirtualMemorialDay.
The 152nd National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military service members at Arlington National Cemetery will be live-streamed on Monday, May 25th at the following link https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/24091 beginning at 9 a.m.
The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The ceremony hosted by Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Mark T. Esper, will be modified from the standard ceremony to practice physical distancing to ensure the safety of all participants.
 The National Memorial Day Concert honors our country’s veterans, service men and women and military families. The concert unites the country in remembrance and appreciation of those who gave their lives for our nation and serves those who are grieving through the mission put forward by Abraham Lincoln in his second inaugural address, “Let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”
For over 30 years, this multi-award-winning television event, featuring uplifiting musical performances, documentary footage and dramatic readings, has become an American tradition and is one of PBS’ highest-rated programs. On the broadcast, celebrities share real-life stories spanning the broad history of our nation’s military conflicts, award winning musicians perform songs in tribute to our country’s true heroes and the finest performers from the United States premier military choirs and ensembles are featured.
The National Memorial Day Concert on PBS premieres on the Sunday evening before Memorial Day. Most stations air the Concert at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT. Find all showtimes for local stations.
Join us May 22-25 for the We Honor Them Together National Veterans Memorial and Museum Virtual Walk/Run. This family-friendly event features options to walk 1 mile, 5k or 10k in memory of a lost loved one. Complete your walk or run safely on your own and share on social media to honor the sacrifice of America’s heroes.
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Register before May 18 to receive your event T-shirt prior to proudly wear during your walk or run on Memorial Day.
Register
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 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:
Virtual Seminar and Family Program Registration
MAY 19-25, 2020
This year will look a little different, but we will still provide you with all the resources, love and care your TAPS family has to offer. You are lovingly invited to our Virtual National Military Survivor Seminar and Family Program as an online event available to everyone, at no cost, with all of the resources, care and love we can offer, coming to you in the comfort of your home in a way that will ensure we all stay safe and healthy.
We have an exciting program of informative sessions, engaging care groups, family programming, opportunities to honor our loved ones, and special celebrity appearances.
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. Click on the“Watch Meetings Online” button.
OR access prior or current meetings here:
https://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
Agendas for these meetings can be viewed using the following link:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
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