 Fourth of July, also called Independence Day or July 4th, in the United States, is the annual celebration of nationhood. It commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
City Hall offices are closed in observance of Independence Day. In fact, Louisville Metro Council members are on a two week summer break. The summer break started Monday, but I am chugging along to complete a few projects, clean up my inbox and do some much needed filing.
While on 'staycation,' I plan to totally disconnect from all electronic and online devices --- laptop, iPad, work cellphone, Webex, Zoom, email, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It will be interesting. With that said, you will not receive an e-Newsletter on next Friday, July 10, but I'm sure the contents of the next issue on July 17 will be filled with lots of news and stories of my various escapades.
The offices of City Hall have been closed since the end of March when COVID-19 reared its ugly head and forced most office buildings closed. It will reopen on July 13. Regardless of the closure, we worked from home and hosted our bi-weekly Committee and Council meetings almost flawlessly. We never skipped a beat. We managed through Webex, telephone and consistent communication through e-Newsletters and other correspondence. As I understand it, starting with the July 23, 2020 Metro Council meeting, City Hall Chambers will be open again to the public. If that is not so, I will update you before that date.
I hope you're planning a fun and exciting 4th of July celebration, although it may be a bit contained this year. Along with wishing you well during this holiday weekend, I wish you peace, happiness, family love and independence!
Speaking of independence, I have been invited to kick-off the reading of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, the 4th of July, at 9:00 a.m., on the front steps of the Federal Building, 601 Broadway. This event is open to the public!
 Government Oversight Committee takes first steps in Investigation of Mayor Fischer’s Administration
Government Oversight and Audit Chair Brent Ackerson (D-26) and Vice-Chair Anthony Piagentini (R-19) announce their intention to file a bi-partisan resolution that will initiate an investigation of the decisions made by Mayor Fischer and members of his administration in the events leading up to and following the death of Ms. Breonna Taylor. This investigation is meant to investigate topics such as government transparency and the failure of such, the events surrounding the death of David McAtee, and the use of force during portions of the protests.
Pursuant to the request of Metro Council President David James and the Council Members present at the press conference held on June 1st at the Central Government Center, it is the intent of Ackerson and Piagentini to make this a formal investigation under KRS 67C.103(13)(f) and Metro Council rule 4A.04(b).
The resolution initiating an investigation will be officially read at the July 23, 2020 meeting of the Metro Council. Members of the Government Oversight and Audit Committee will be invited to become co-sponsors of these matters and all Council Members who are not members of the Government Accountability Committee are encouraged to attend and take part in these hearings.
“The matters to be investigated pertain to knowledge the public has demanded and has a right to know about. The Metro Council will ensure that the citizens of Louisville receive the transparency they deserve.” says Councilman Ackerson.
On May 27, 2020 Mayor Greg Fischer and Metro Council President David James announced the creation of the Civilian Review Board Work Group to research and recommend the best structure for a Civilian Review Board that would add a new layer of independent review to Louisville Metro Police Department policies and disciplinary matters. The overarching purpose of the Civilian Review Board is to investigate police shooting cases, incidents involving loss of life due to police action, abuse of authority, excessive use of force, and in-custody deaths.
The Work Group has met twice and produced a summary report of its work to date. To access the report and share your thoughts and recommendations for a Civilian Review Board, please click on the following website address: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/mayor-greg-fischer/louisville-civilian-review-board-work-group#materials
This Independence Day holiday weekend, many of your facilities will be busy. The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) would like to remind you that the global COVID-19 pandemic is making a resurgence in many U.S. communities.
To protect your business and our community, and to continue to keep the economy open, please ensure your employees and customers are following all COVID-19 precautions and Kentucky Healthy at Work guidelines.
Please pay particular attention to customer movement in your establishments:
- Ensure customers are maintaining 6 feet of distance and are not congregating inside or outside your establishment.
- Please also ensure your employees are properly wearing face masks.
Food Safety inspectors will be in the community this weekend, inspecting to ensure compliance for requirements for restaurants and bars and Kentucky Healthy at Work guidelines for all businesses.
- Establishments found to be out of compliance will receive a Warning Order to make corrections. Failure to make corrections will result in a Closure Order.
- Non-compliant establishments may also be referred to Louisville Metro ABC for closure and the assessment of a citation and penalty fees.
We strongly recommend regularly checking the Kentucky Health at Work website for updates. You may also contact your Food Safety Inspector directly or our office with inquiries (502.574-6650).
Hillard Heintze firm to perform top-to-bottom review of LMPD
Mayor Greg Fischer announced that the Chicago-based consulting firm Hillard Heintze, a Jensen Hughes company, will perform the comprehensive, top-to-bottom review of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) that he called for last month.
“It is clear we need to reimagine what policing looks like, and that includes taking deep, hard looks to see what’s working well, and what we can be doing better,” Mayor Fischer said. “Our next permanent police chief will be responsible for ensuring that LMPD’s policies, procedures and structure align with the goals and values of our entire city, and this review will be a vital tool in ensuring a complete understanding of the department’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Since its inception in 2004, Hillard Heintze has helped dozens of public safety and law enforcement agencies at all levels of government, and is among the nation’s leading public safety consulting firms. Among its high-profile work, Hillard Heintze helped drive the critical advancements in policing called for in the Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing: Transparency, Accountability, and Better Community Engagement. The U.S. Department of Justice chose Hillard Heintze as the sole provider for the Community Oriented Policing Services Office Collaborative Reform Initiative for Technical Assistance — the largest U.S. program to advance police transformations and reform in cities and universities across the U.S.
“We’re very pleased to be asked to do this critical work,” said Ken Bouche, Hillard Heintze Chief Operating Officer. “Sound policies and procedures lie at the heart of how LMPD personnel operate every day – from engaging directly with the community, to training and supporting officers and addressing internal affairs with integrity and fairness. It’s vital that these be evaluated from an independent and objective perspective, informed by best practices in use by other departments with comparable challenges. We are very confident that the findings and recommendations emerging from this review, upon implementation, will help the Mayor, the permanent chief and every member of the Department improve services delivered to all members of the city’s communities.”
In Louisville, the review will focus on a number of areas, which may include training in use of force and bias-free policing, as well as accountability, supervision, community engagement, and other topics. The review will also identify any obstacles in implementing changes to improve those areas.
Hillard Heintze was selected in collaboration with Metro Council President David James.
“I feel confident that we have selected the best firm to carry out this review of LMPD,” President James said. “While we know that due to poor past leadership, LMPD has many problems that need correcting, this study can be used as a blueprint for the yet to be selected new chief to follow.”
Hillard Heintze will be active in gathering community feedback to ensure substantial interactions with community members, interest groups, prosecutors and defense attorneys and LMPD personnel.
“Public safety is a community production, and it’s key that the opinions and needs of the community, police and partners are understood as we move forward,” the Mayor said.
Chief survey extended
Also today, Mayor Fischer announced that the community survey for residents and the internal survey for LMPD personnel to share their priorities for the next permanent police chief will be extended through Friday, July 17. Nearly 9,000 people have completed the online version of the survey, which can be accessed at https://arcg.is/18fTnS.
Residents can also call (502) 528-3543 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. through Friday to participate. They will be assisted by call-takers who will input their answers to questions on a community survey, which has been available online since early this month.
The survey asks:
- What are the three most important qualities or skills you would like to see in the next police chief;
- What are suggestions for improving police services; and
- What a new chief must accomplish immediately, and over the next 2-3 years.
“I’m encouraging everyone in our community, especially those who feel strongly about police policies, to participate in the process to hire a new permanent chief by calling or completing the online survey,” Mayor Fischer said.
The city has contracted with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a non-profit Washington, D.C.-based police research organization, to conduct the search.
In addition to the survey, PERF and Metro Government are holding listening sessions over the next month with various focus groups across the community. PERF will review and analyze all the information residents provide, to help identify the qualities and characteristics needed for the city’s permanent police chief. They will use that information to conduct a national search and create a list of qualified candidates. Louisville Metro Police officers are also being surveyed.
Since its founding in 1976, PERF has identified best practices on fundamental issues, such as reducing police use of force; developing community policing and problem-oriented policing; using technologies to deliver police services to the community; and evaluating crime reduction strategies.
Eviction prevention
Eviction Prevention COVID-19 Relief Fund aims to aid low-to-moderate income households that are delinquent on rent payments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will pay for up to three months of rent for households facing COVID-related delinquencies.
Individual households may begin applying for rental assistance through the Office of Resilience and Community Services immediately. To be eligible, households must earn at or below 60 percent of the area median income ($45,840 annually for a family of four) and have had their income impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Households can begin the application process here: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/one-louisville-fund-online-application.
Beginning July 1, Landlords may apply for assistance on behalf of their tenants to the Office of Housing. To be eligible, the landlord must:
- Be currently registered on the Rental Registry.
- Have no outstanding code violations for the property for which rent is being paid.
- Waive all late fees, fines, and penalties.
- Forgo evictions for assisted tenants for 60 days after assistance is provided.
- Provide pre-COVID-19 rent rolls to document delinquency rates before and after the pandemic.
Funding will be prioritized for affordable housing units (households at or below 60% of area median income) or properties with more than 50% of their units in the Housing Choice Vouchers Program.
Landlords will be required to submit the following documentation:
- Information about the property, including its tax ID number, ownership and delinquency rates
- W-9
- An eviction prevention application worksheet
- Certification of non-payment of rent signed by each tenant for whom assistance is requested
- Copy of each tenant’s ledger for whom you are claiming to be reimbursed for delinquencies
- Copy of Recorded LURA or Recorded Deed Restriction
- Accounts Receivable Report for period January 1, 2020 to current
- Copy of Final 8609 (if a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit project)
- Executed and Notarized Landlord Tenant Rental Assistance Certification
To find out more information and apply, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/develop-louisville/eviction-prevention.
As of 4 p.m. July 2, Gov. Beshear reported at least 16,079 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 239 of which were newly reported Thursday.
“Our case numbers are staying relatively stable, but we can’t become complacent,” said Gov. Beshear. “Especially on a holiday weekend, where lots of families and friends may be getting together, we have to keep in mind the things that will protect us: washing hands, staying outside as much as possible, six feet away from people outside of your household, and wearing masks if you have to be inside or closer to each other.”
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported nine new deaths Thursday, raising the total to 581 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
“These losses hurt. They hurt these nine families and they hurt each of us, because a loss to any Kentuckian is a loss to all Kentuckians,” said Gov. Beshear.
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.
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).
Fiscal Year 2021 began July 1, and cities are still waiting on Congress to pass legislation that provides direct aid to local governments and liability protections from COVID-related lawsuits. The financial crisis that resulted from the forced pandemic shutdown put a strain on city budgets and threatens vital services. Kentucky cities face a collective budget shortfall of $180 million!
|
Urge Kentucky's federal delegation to protect our local communities and secure the revenue replacement cities desperately need.
|
If you would like to write Kentucky’s federal delegation you can do so at the following addresses: (NOTE: You can find the room number and office building for Kentucky's senators and your representative at the links provided above. Due to security concerns, mailed letters may take weeks to arrive at the member’s office.
|
For Senators: The Honorable [Full Name] [Room #] Russell Senate Office Building United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
|
|
|
For Representatives: The Honorable [Full Name] [Room #] [Name of] House Office Building United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Saturday, July 4, 2020, and Sunday, July 5, 2020, are Air Quality Alert Days for ozone in Louisville/Southern Indiana. Forecasters believe ozone will be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange) range. Sensitive groups include seniors, children, and people with breathing ailments like asthma and COPD. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Check the air quality at louisvilleky.gov/airquality
Find tips on reducing air pollution at helptheair.org
This Independence Day, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is joining the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind drivers that “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.”
Unfortunately, this summertime celebration creates dangerous road conditions when drivers choose to drive while impaired. “If you are under the influence of any substance and choose to get behind the wheel, you put everyone on the road in danger, including yourself,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “During the Fourth of July holiday, make sure to have a sober, designated driver for all your festivities.”
Last year in Kentucky, there were 66 crashes due to a drunken and/or drugged driver over the Fourth of July holiday period, resulting in 28 injuries and four deaths. “Impaired driving is 100 percent preventable,” said KYTC Office of Highway Safety Acting Executive Director Jason Siwula. “Drivers must understand that drugs and/or alcohol not only hinder your ability to drive, but also affect your judgment about whether you can or should drive. You may think you’re fine, but impairment slows judgment, coordination and reaction times.”
According to NHTSA, impaired driving fatalities typically spike during holidays. To prevent tragedies from occurring, the KYTC recommends the following: Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night; If you’re impaired, use a ride-booking company, taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely; If you see an impaired driver, safely pull over and contact law enforcement. You may dial the KSP toll-free line directly at 1-800-222-5555 or call 911.
If you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get them safely to where they are going. Wear a seat belt! It is not only the law, it is the best defense against an impaired driving. Buckling up helps prevent injury and death if involved in a crash. “We want all Kentuckians to enjoy their Independence Day celebrations,” said Siwula. “All we ask is that you make smart choices and celebrate responsibly.”
For more information on drunken driving visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving. For more information on drug-impaired driving visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving
|
 |
 |
Three Presidents Died on July 4th.
- Thomas Jefferson – Jul 4, 1826
- John Adams – July 4 1826
- James Monroe – July 4, 1831
Two Presidents Died on the Same Day – July
Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence and both died on the same day. Weird.
Born on the 4th of July
President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4th, 1872, putting him forever into the history books
Fireworks
Each year Americans light about 200 million pounds of fireworks! And most of them are imported from China – $247,100,000 worth.
American Flag
65% of Americans own an American Flag. And you guessed, most are made in China.
Could have been a Turkey instead of an Eagle
Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a Turkey. He said the bald eagle is a bird of bad moral character, the turkey is a more respectable bird.
AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY!
Almost 100 years after the Declaration of Independence, in 1870, July 4 was made an official holiday by Congress.
Mount Rushmore
There are 4 Presidents on Mount Rushmore: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Thomas Jefferson Signed the Declaration of Independence.
 Crazy Horse Memorial
The nearby Crazy Horse Memorial is just 16 miles from Mount Rushmore and is just as impressive. It pays tribute to Crazy Horse, one of the last hold outs to surrender to the American government.
Read more here.
 Sign Your John Hancock
The Term “Sign Your John Hancock” comes from an actual guy named John Hancock.
He was the president of the Continental Congress and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
August 2nd 1776
Although it is widely believed that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, Only John Hancock and Charles Thompson signed it on July 4.
The rest of the 56 delegates from 13 colonies actually signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776, to make it official.
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
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc
Click here for more info.
|
