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WELCOME TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER
Our Mission Statement:
“To Provide Efficient, Courteous And
Professional Service To Our Community”
"Success Comes By Helping Others"
We're Proud To Serve You In Representing District 22
Fern Creek,
The last week has been tumultuous for Louisville. The violence and destruction from protestors and other people using the protests as a cover for destroying property have been upsetting to all of us who call this beautiful city home. However, even more alarming are the actions that occurred in the serving of a no-knock warrant at the home of Ms. Breonna Taylor by Louisville Metro Police. The events that led to the death of Ms. Taylor and as well as the unwillingness of Mayor’s Office and Police to be transparent have sewn mistrust that has been compounded by other national events highlighting police abuse.
Police officers have an extremely difficult job. Nearly every officer wants to serve and protect their community without bias towards anyone. To those officers I express my sincere gratitude. Unfortunately, the actions of a few can tarnish the important roles the remaining officers play. That is when I, as a member of the Metro Council have already started to step in.
In 2018, I was a part of a bipartisan coalition of councilmembers who called for the resignation of the Police Chief. We felt that this was the appropriate action following the release of information in the explorer sex abuse case years after the investigation was completed. We saw problems then and wanted a change, unfortunately many of those same problems have resurfaced. Last Thursday, before the protests started, Metro Council unanimously demanded the release of the 911 tapes from the night in which Ms. Taylor was killed. These files were requested months ago and would help the public better understand what occurred in the case. Furthermore, the Metro Council also introduced legislation pushing for the elimination of the current no-knock warrants, which are at the heart of the investigation, as well as new policies requiring the use of body cameras for the serving of warrants. These actions and the creation of additional oversight through civilian review panels are all part of what the Metro Council has or will be doing in the wake of the March 2020 shooting.
Monday members of the Metro Council held a press conference to outline our continued issues with the lack of transparency by the Mayor’s Office and to demand more transparency. I was touched by the comments of my colleagues as we joined together to announce the action and changes that we will be taking in order to heal our community. We can all take part in this healing process by listening more and doing our best to understand our neighbor.
These aren’t easy times, and more hard work is required to move us forward. I am hopeful that in the coming weeks, we can continue to have dialogues and focus on listening a lot more. The Kentucky Attorney General has started his independent investigation of the death of Ms. Taylor. The actions that led to the death of Mr. McAtee will also be investigated by State Police rather than local officials. These outside groups will hopefully bring clarity on the events that occurred leading up to these two citizens’ deaths. Hopefully these actions will keep up the progress needed to start healing this community and move us towards a more prosperous city.
Thank you for your time reading this update.
Regards,
Robin J. Engel
Earlier today members of the Metro Council discussed the matter of enforcement and use of the mandatory Jefferson County Curfew until Monday, June 8, 2020 with Mayor Fischer This curfew is meant to assist police with protecting people and property, while also maintaining the ability of others to peacefully protest. Since its start, questions about the curfew have been numerous, and we have tried to answer them to the best of our ability.
As a result of our questions, the Mayor clarified his position, stating that persons maintain the right to work at their businesses and commute to and from them after 9 p.m. Any person needing to travel to and from work, religious services or any other necessary locations can do so. Persons can continue socializing with neighbors, but all are asked to please stay out of large groups or places where disturbances may occur. Public safety officials do have the ability to give a citation to any person who is not following the curfew, but more than likely if you are stopped you will be asked to disburse or move on.
Again, the Mayor has emphasized that the goal is not to have officers out in neighborhoods but instead in those areas where concentrated problems are occurring. This limits the use of the National Guard, but also helps to ensure that the people who are familial with patrolling our streets will be the ones continuing to interact with our residents.
I have expressed my desire to see the curfew curtailed and to again allow businesses such as restaurants, retail stores and other public venues to stay open beyond 9pm. As of now, the Mayor is not interested in that course, but we will continue making every effort to push the Mayor toward rethinking this policy and reopen our community.
The decision to invoke a curfew is an executive function of the Mayor’s Office and isn’t something that can be modified or voted on by the Metro Council. As your representative I have expressed many of the concerns voiced by constituents related to this decision, but the ultimate decision on this matter has been made by Mayor Fischer and his team. For more information on the Jefferson County Curfew please follow this link: https://louisvilleky.gov/news/curfew-qa
ABSENTEE BY MAIL OR DROP-OFF
Request your ballot before June 15th at www.GoVoteKY.com or by contacting the Jefferson County Clerk at 574.6100. You will receive a ballot in the mail. That ballot must be returned and postmarked in the mail by June 23, 2020.
IN PERSON JUNE 8 - JUNE 22 - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AT THE ELECTION CENTER (If you are unable to vote by mail)
Registered voters can make an appointment to vote in person at 701 West Ormsby Ave., STE 301, Louisville, KY 40203 prior to June 23rd (Election Day) by calling the Jefferson County Clerk at 574.6100.
IN PERSON JUNE 15 – JUNE 22 AT THE KENTUCKY FAIR & EXPOSITION CENTER - NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY (If you are unable to vote by mail or on June 23) Registered voters can vote in person at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Ln., Louisville, KY 40209. Voting hours the week of June 15th – 22nd are from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Parking will be free and the facility is accessible for those with disabilities.
IN PERSON ON TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Registered voters can vote in person at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Ln., Louisville, KY 40209. Parking will be free and the facility is accessible for those with disabilities. Persons can drop off their mail-in ballot at a special drop off located at the KFEC.
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