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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Dear Neighbors and Friends,
Sunday, June 14, is Flag Day. While not an official federal holiday, it is an observance that is traditionally proclaimed annually by the President of the United States. On Flag Day, many communities host parades and other events to celebrate the history and symbolism of the American flag - Old Glory - Stars and Stripes. Adopted by the Continental Congress as the US flag on June 14, 1777, our flag is officially 243 years old.
Flag Day comes this year at a time when our nation is experiencing great turmoil. In a span of about four months, our nation has witnessed the coronavirus kill more than 106,000 Americans, watched as some 40 million people lost their jobs and businesses tanked as a result, and we continue to observe thousands of people protesting against racial inequality, and some get arrested for looting, burning buildings and participating in other unlawful behavior.
As thousands of protestors take to the streets to bring attention to inequities and police brutality in the United States, the issue of the flag and whether kneeling in front of it during the National Anthem is unpatriotic.
As you may recall, it was 2016 when NFL 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality, racial injustice and systemic oppression in America. His protests were polarizing. Some praised him for his acts of defiance and others denounced him. Because Kaepernick took a knee, he found himself out of a job.
Four years later after Kaepernick's big stand (kneel), here we are in 2020, watching thousands of 'Kaepernick's' protest against the same injustices. Was no one listening in 2016? Was America asleep? Did we just not care?
NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, recently released a video and said, "It has been a difficult time for our country, in particular black people in our country. First, my condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and all the families who have endured police brutality. We, the National Football League condemn racism and the systemic oppression of black people. We the National Football League admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We the National Football League believe black lives matter."
Goodell, went on to say, "I personally protest with you, and want to be part of the much-needed change in this country. Without black players, there would be no National Football League. And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff. We are listening. I am listening, and will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family."
As companies, leagues and individuals attempt to reconcile how they choose to discuss race, policing and systemic oppression, and as people around the world decide how they choose to protest against same - whether peacefully or by burning buildings, and yes, the American flag, one thing's for sure, people need to unite through respectful, informed sharing of racial history and its consequences for different people in today's society. The experience of "walking through history," or "walking a mile in someone else's shoes," can lead to truth, racial healing and transformation.
So, you see, it's really not about kneeling. It's not about the flag, the National Anthem or anything else obscure. It's really about our respect, tolerance and acceptance of one another. It's up to each individual to decide that not only do we want a change of mind as it comes to race relations, we must have a change of heart.
Oh, and just for the record, in 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a law that made "The Star Spangled Banner" our official national anthem. If someone kneels, or takes some other posture when the national anthem is played, it is part of our right to freedom of expression. There is, however, a federal statute (36 U.S. Code Section 301) that sets forth that individuals in uniform, members of the armed forces and veterans, as well as all other persons present, "should face the flag and stand at attention when the national anthem is being played and the flag is present." NOTE: The key word here is "should," according to legal experts, which stops short of "shall" or "must."
The passage is part of the larger U.S. Flag Code, which prescribes American flag and National Anthem etiquette. However, as a 2007 report to Congress noted, the code "does not prescribe any penalties for non-compliance" and "functions simply as a guide to be voluntarily followed by civilians and civilian groups."
In other words, it's not against the law to sit out (or kneel) as the National Anthem is being presented, regardless of however controversial it might be.
Everyone has a right to freedom of expression. Let's be respectful of the way in which peaceful protestors choose to exercise that freedom.
Happy Flag Day!
On Thursday, June 11th, my colleagues and I unanimously passed an amended ordinance banning no-knock warrants. The ordinance, named Breonna's Law, prohibits police from entering a home without first announcing their presence. A draft of the legislation initially limited police use of no-knock warrants to extreme circumstances involving murder, kidnapping, hostage taking, terrorism, sex trafficking and human trafficking, or imminent threat of harm or death.
With the passage of Breonna's Law, officers executing any search warrant must physically knock on an entry door at the premises and clearly and verbally announce as law enforcement having a search warrant in a manner than can be heard by the occupants.
Breonna's Law also requires that body cameras be worn and activated by all officers present for at least five minutes before and after a warrant is issued. The body camera footage must also be retained for at last five years. The law also states that any Louisville Metro Police Department or Metro law enforcement must knock and wait a minimum of 15 seconds for a response.
After the passage of Breonna's Law, Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother, said, "I'm just going to say that Breonna, that's all she wanted to do was save lives. So with this law, she'll get to continue to do that."
"I wholeheartedly agree with Council that the risk to residents and officers with this kind of search outweigh any benefit," said Mayor Greg Fischer after the vote. "I plan to sign Breonna's Law as soon as it hits my desk."
(Note: At a ceremonial signing on Friday, June 12th, with four of my colleagues and I looking on, Mayor Fischer made it official by signing the legislation into law.)
Councilwoman Jessica Green, District 1, and Councilwoman Barbara Sexton-Smith, District 4, created the original ordinance limiting the use of no-knock warrants.
"Over the last several days, members started to voice their opinions to completely ban them," said Councilwoman Green.
“I’m still kind of pinching myself where we ended up,” Green said. “Because as I said, anybody who has been around Metro government, we don’t agree unanimously on anything, even innocuous things. So for us to end up here, it’s nothing but the will of the people and the power of God.”
According to at least two of my colleagues, the unanimous vote to ban no-knocks completely could also have occurred as a result of an email I sent to all of my colleagues four days prior to the vote. Councilman Dr. Rick Blackwell, District 12, turned to me after the vote and thanked me. He stated that because of my email, he was able to process what needed to be done, and supporting a complete ban was clear. Councilman Bill Hollander, District 9, said to me the next day during the ceremonial signing of Breonna's Law, that I was instrumental in getting the ordinance passed. He thanked me for the email and said that it was very effective in persuading him to vote on a complete ban of no-knock warrants.
Here's an excerpt of my email plea to my colleagues:
I would be derelict in my duty as an elected official if I didn't share the following with you.
After listening to the people, I have had a change of heart on no-knock warrants and believe they should be banned altogether. One reason for the change of heart is, I spent additional study time on the subject and believe they are not necessary. Another reason for my change of opinion is that young people who are peacefully protesting, along with all people of color, need and deserve a big ‘WIN’ right now. They want and need to see elected officials take meaningful and bold steps to address some of the injustices they witness each and every day. Until they see us do this, they will continue to protest and mistrust police officers AND elected officials. The urgency of the moment should dictate our actions and encourage us to be bold!
According to the Fourth Amendment, people have a right “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” This right limits the power of the police to seize and search people, their property, and their homes. Nothing in the Constitution allows or prohibits no-knock warrants. ALSO, when it comes to the exclusions listed in the proposed ordinance - murder, hostage taking, kidnapping, terrorism, human trafficking or sexual trafficking - none of these acts of violence require "searching" for things. These acts are heinous crimes that require immediate attention and saving of lives, and police officers in most of these instances don’t/won't have time to secure a search warrant from a judge AND get it signed by the police chief or his designee. If they indeed need or pursue getting a warrant, they don’t necessarily in these cases need a no-knock warrant.
I look forward to a healthy conversation about the no-knock ordinance, as I would like nothing better than for us to get this right - out of the gate. With the civil unrest and all eyes on us, we have to be bold for the community to see that we mean business.
Why not be the state (city right now) and Council members to be leaders in this issue? I think with this and many other policy changes that will soon be coming before us to consider changing, we as a Council should not be divided. But, I understand how the process works, and respect the rights of each of you to do ‘you.’ As for me, and to be completely transparent with you, at Thursday’s Council meeting, I will be arguing the ban of no-knock warrants completely – and with no exceptions.
To get the no-knock warrant language in the ordinance changed to reflect a complete ban, I approached one of my attorney colleagues, Councilman Brandon Coan, District 8, who I have known to be reasonable and someone who likes and is good at writing legislation. When I shared with him that I was interested in a complete ban of no-knocks and shared the legal language that I wanted to see in the ordinance, he ran with it. I then worked with him and the County Attorney's Office to get the language I wanted to see in the ordinance just right.
Because I did not in any way want to appear usurping the great work of the original sponsors and the powers of the Safety Committee members, who had, the week prior, voted 7-0 to pass the original ordinance which didn't ban no-knocks completely, I stepped back and allowed Councilman Coan to work closely with the two original sponsors. Coan and Hollie Hopkins, attorney with the County Attorney's Office, kept me in the loop along the way, and I was able to sign off on the final draft of the amendment by substitution and didn't say anything else about it until the night of the vote. And even then, I was careful not to mention my email or hint at my involvement in putting the no-knock warrant ban language in the ordinance. The moment belonged to Councilwomen Green and Sexton Smith (although, Councilman Coan was acknowledged a couple of times the night of the vote on the floor of the Council Chambers.)
I was very proud of my colleagues that night; we made history together. We exhibited true and courageous leadership. Breonna's Law is one worthy of emulation, and I have no doubt that the Suburban Police Departments throughout Jefferson County will adopt a similar ordinance, and many other cities and states will follow our lead.
As for the ever-so-gentle slight my contributions received, I pay it no mind. As a former corporate banker, I was often a mastermind behind change, and watched as men took credit for my work. I learned long ago to adopt the spirit of Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote, "There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it doesn't matter who gets the credit."
Mayor urges residents to participate in survey to share views on search for new LMPD Chief
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Mayor Greg Fischer encourages Louisville residents to participate in a survey to share their priorities for Louisville’s next permanent chief of police. We want to hear your priorities for our next permanent chief of police. Specifically, he said, residents are asked to share: *The three most important qualities or skills you would like to see in the next police chief? *Your suggestions for improving police services? *What a new chief must accomplish immediately, and over the next 2-3 years?
At the same time LMPD employees will be asked similar questions. The input of both the public and the department are important, the Mayor said, noting, “The new Chief must be able to communicate and have trust with both the community and our police department.”
The community survey will be up for at least three weeks and can be accessed at https://arcg.is/18fTnS. Metro is working to set up a phone line for those without access to a computer. In addition to the survey, there will be listening sessions over the next month, with various focus groups being held across the community. After that, all the information residents provided will be reviewed and analyzed to help pinpoint the qualities and characteristics needed for the city’s next police chief. They will use that information to conduct a national search and create a list of qualified candidates. Next steps include convening a small group of community and Louisville Metro representatives to review the list, narrow it, conduct interviews, and send the Mayor their final recommendations. The entire process is expected to take 4 to 6 months, the Mayor said, adding, “We want you to be engaged in the process, because it’s going to take all of us to get this right.”
The Mayor stressed that Metro Council will be involved in the process, encouraging people to take the survey, helping identify focus groups participants and recommending members of the group convened to do interviews.
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Case information
As of 4 p.m. June 13, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 12,445 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 315 of which were newly confirmed Saturday.
“As we reopen, we must continue to follow precautions and protect each other,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’ve come a long way but the fight is not over.”
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported two new deaths Saturday, raising the total to 499 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
Fortunately, 3,409 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus. For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.
Currently, there are 418 Kentuckians hospitalized with COVID-19 and 67 are in the ICU. At least 3,390 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.
Testing expansion
Gov. Beshear on Wednesday announced that the state’s ongoing partnership with Kroger will bring expanded COVID-19 drive-through testing next week in several locations across the commonwealth.
Information on how to register at more than 180 sites throughout the commonwealth can be found at kycovid19.ky.gov. At least 315,068 tests for the coronavirus have been conducted in Kentucky so far.
Census update
Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians of the critical importance of filling out their U.S. Census forms. Those who have not can fill out the Census at https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/GEudC4xvVXumG8lKSMjlCn?domain=my2020census.gov or by phone at 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish).
Absentee ballot request application online
Gov. Beshear is encouraging all voters to use a new absentee ballot request application now available online. A link to the State Board of Elections’ portal can be found at govoteky.com. He urged everyone who plans to vote in the primary elections to go to the portal and request an absentee mail-in ballot. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is June 15.
More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at tinyurl.com/kygovespanol (Spanish) and tinyurl.com/kygovtranslations (more than 20 additional languages).
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Election Day is JUNE 23, and everyone is being encouraged to vote by absentee ballot. For the first time, you will not need an excuse to vote absentee.
To vote absentee, voters must request a mail-in ballot at: GoVoteKY.Com by 11:59 pm on June 15.
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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.
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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 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 ELECTION DAY - 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.
#WeMoveTheCity
LOUISVILLE, KY. (June 10, 2020) —On Election Day, June 23rd, TARC will provide shuttle service from Union Station, 1000 W Broadway, to voting polls at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
This fare-free shuttle service will run every 30 minutes, beginning at 6 a.m. from Union Station and ending at 6:30 p.m. from the Expo Center. Routes 10 (Dixie BRT), 23, and the 99 all have direct stops at Union Station.
“Union Station is a great, central location to offer this service,” said Laura Douglas, TARC Co-Executive Director. “Positioned in the heart of downtown, it serves as the best point of access for high-ridership routes.”
“Having reliable access to voting polls on Election Day is important,” said Margaret Handmaker, TARC Co-Executive Director. “We are more than happy to help our community exercise their right to vote.”
TARC would like to remind all passengers that due to COVID-19 restrictions in place, ridership on ALL TARC BUSES—including the Election Day shuttle service—still require face coverings to ride, and passengers to exit via the rear door.
The St. Matthews Friends of the Library reminds us that if you have a library card with overdue fine-restrictions, if you have a library card that has expired or is about to, or if you are eligible for a library card but don’t have one yet, LFPL’s digital resources are available for you.
- New library cards will be granted virtually.
- Restrictions due to overdue fines and replacement fees have been lifted.
- Recently expired and soon-to-be expired library cards are extended until September 1st.
- All holds have been extended to 21 days.
- Late fees are suspended. Don’t worry about returning materials to the library until it reopens.
The St. Matthews branch is currently open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, for curbside pick-up of items that were being held when the library closed. The branch has a limited number of staff, who are calling patrons who have items on reserve and scheduling pick-up times. The branch asks that pick-ups be scheduled at least two hours in advance. Patrons may schedule a pick-up time by calling 574-1771. When you arrive to pick up your reserved item, park in one of the designated spaces and call to let a librarian know you are there. He or she will bring the item to your car.
Nearly 80% of library employees are still furloughed at this time. Curbside pick-up for existing reserves is currently being offered at seven locations including the Main Library. Other locations will be offering curbside pick-up for reserves one day per week. The libraries do not yet have a way to fulfill new patron requests.
LFPL is currently working on a plan on how best to re-open for the health and safety of staff and library users.
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SUMMER READING
The St. Matthews Friends of the Library have donated $1,000 to the Library Foundation in support of this year’s Summer Reading Program. Because of the pandemic, much of this year’s program will be virtual.
The Summer Reading Program is free to all area youth, birth through 12th grade. You can register and log books read by calling 502-574-1611, by e-mail at Beanstack@LFPL.org, by completing the Summer Reading form (formularioenEspañol), or by writing your book titles on a piece of paper and mailing it to: Main Library, 301 York St., 40203.
Summer Reading goes through August 8, 2020. Everyone who completes the program will receive a throwback backpack and free passes to local attractions as well as sweet treats from Ehrler’s Ice Cream, Fazoli’s Lemon Ice and participating McDonald’s. Plus, every completer is automatically entered for a chance to win one of our grand prize giveaways.
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I’m sure you’ve heard of the 3 Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and you might even be familiar with more recent additions like Repurpose. Although they are all important to sustainability, there’s a reason Reduce is first: Waste reduction starts at the source.
Let’s say you made a quick trip to the grocery store and your items were put into a plastic bag. You could certainly reuse it later, and even eventually recycle it back at the store. But you could have REDUCED by refusing the bag in the first place! Taking reusable grocery bags to the store is just one example of reducing.
If you’re inclined to try and reduce the amount of trash you throw out, try reducing the amount of trash you generate. The benefits are astounding! By reducing the amount of trash you generate, you also reduce the cost of collection, transportation, and disposal; water and soil pollution; emissions; the need to extract raw materials for new products; and even threats to public health.
Continue to reuse and recycle but try to reduce first! That’s why reduce is #1! Here are some ideas to get you started:\
- Choose reusable products instead of single-use (especially plastics!)
- Be aware of packaging – buy in bulk or shop at farmers markets to avoid packaged produce.
- Bring your own reusable bags to the store. Bring produce bags too!
- Keep a water bottle with you so you can avoid buying bottled water.
- Plan meals and use leftovers to reduce food waste.
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Below is the list of Louisville Metro Public Works paving projects scheduled for the week of June 15, 2020. The schedule is subject to change due to weather and/or operational factors.
• River Road from Zorn Ave. to Blankenbaker Lane
• River Road from Wolf Pen Branch Road to US 42
• Wolf Pen Branch Road from River Road to US 42
• Congress Street from 12th Street to 13th Street
• Rankin Street from Kenton Street to Garret Street
• Tulane Ave. from Kenton St to Garret Sreet
Speed humps will be installed on Emerson, Lipps, Indian Lake, Meidale, Larchmont, and Northwestern Parkway.
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President's Report
6/12/2020
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Dear Alumni and Friends,
I hope you are staying well as we continue facing the pandemic. In this edition of the Presidential Report, you'll find a summary of how the university is prioritizing our Cardinal Principle of Diversity and Inclusion and how we continue leading the way in our response to COVID-19.
Go Cards!
Neeli Bendapudi
President, University of Louisville
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 UofL is leading the way in adapting quickly and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Neeli Bendapudi addresses recent events of racial injustice and emphasizes UofL’s commitment to the Cardinal Principle of Diversity and Inclusion.
 University of Louisville Needs You to Better Understand Covid-19
The University of Louisville needs your help to better understand COVID-19.
Approximately 15,000 households in Louisville have been mailed a letter from the university, signed by UofL President Neeli Bendapudi, inviting them to participate in coronavirus testing research.
UofL and the Co-Immunity Project would like to encourage anyone who is interested in the study to please access the website to learn more about the opportunity. Instructions are included on how to respond online here https://www.primarybio.com/r/louisville
This research will help in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Louisville and elsewhere. The first round of testing will conclude on June 19.
The Co-Immunity Project is a collaboration of the University of Louisville, Christina Lee Brown, Envirome Institute and the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, along with Louisville’s three major health systems, Baptist Health, Norton Healthcare and UofL Health.
Here's the Wuzzle that appeared in the newsletter that was mailed to you a week or two ago. Did you get all the anwers? If not, the answers are listed below.
1. History Repeating Itself 21. Update
2. Ring Around the Rose E 22. Balanced Meal
3. Repeat After Me 23. Tennis Shoes (10 Issues)
4. Read Between the Lines 24. Excuse Me
5. You’re Under Arrest 25. Time After Time or Double Time
6. Four Square Meals 26. Bad Influence
7. Ready (Red E) 4 More 27. Won By a Nose
8. Alice in Wonderland 28. Too Big to Ignore
9. Right After Me 29. Big Bird
10. Frank in Stein 30. High Chair
11. Made in China 31. Ice Cube
12. Settle Down 32. Foreign Language (4 in Language)
13. 1 in a Million 33. Space Invaders
14. 4 Wheel Drive 34. Safety in Numbers
15. Land Before Time 35. Blanket
16. I’ll Be There in a Minute 36. Who’s in Charge
17. Rail Crossing 37. Equal Rights
18. Micro Scope 38. Tip Toe Through the Tulips
19. Banana Split 39. Free four (4) All
20. Painless Operation 40. Neon Lights (Knee on Lights)
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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