District 7 E-Newsletter

Councilwoman Paula McCraney 601 W. Jefferson Street (502) 574-1107
pic

Councilwoman 

Paula McCraney
601 W. Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1107


Email Councilwoman McCraney

 

Links

Visit the District 7 Website


Phone Numbers
of Interest

l 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

weekend

In this Issue...



Message From McCraney

Hello Neighbors and Friends,

As you have heard, Louisville - our beloved city - will be paid a visit this Saturday by a group named NFAC, which stands for, No ("F'ing") Around Coalition. The leader of that organization spoke with Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Metro Council President David James, and stated that the group is nonviolent and is not coming to 'protest.'  Their movement is considered a 'Formation.'  They dress in all black, including a black mask, and they are urged to carry a shotgun, semi-automatic or rifle. Pistols and hide holsters are to be worn under the arm.  If persons show up and are not in full stated regalia, they will not be able to "be in the formation," according to the group's leader.

This group is considered a Black armed militia group.  Their plans are to walk from Baxter Square to City Hall (or Metro Hall) on Saturday in support of the second amendment and the shooting death of Breonna Taylor. Again, both AG Cameron and President James said the meeting with this group's organizer was productive and the AG discussed his continued commitment to moving forward with what he promises to be an independent and thorough investigation into the death of Breonna Taylor.

Since the announcement of the planned protest by NFAC, several other outside groups announced that they may come to town to counter-protest.  The names of some of those groups include: 

  • White Militia of Mississippi
  • Patriots for Reclamation
  • The Kentucky Militia
  • Kentucky Security Forces
  • Original Kentucky State Militia

I continue to get briefings and updates from the Mayor's Office and LMPD, and I'm trusting in the Police Department and Sheriff's Office to do what they do best - protect and serve. I am also cautiously optimistic about protestors' plans, and I have made the decision to stay close to home and avoid the downtown area. 

I share with you that I plan to stay home, but I am stopping short of advising you to do the same.  I'm doing so because of an email I received from a D7 constituent two days ago. The constituent notified me that she was scared about the protestors coming to Louisville and wanted to know what "I" was going to do about it.  After assuring her that LMPD was assuring me that they are prepared for the visitors, and after telling her that I would be staying home and advising residents of D7 to stay home, she accused me of being scared and "advising lawful citizens to stay home and cower in fear..." As I mentioned to her during our email exchange, I don't view my stance to stay home as an act of fear, but an act of maturity.

So, to avoid being accused again of being afraid or advising residents to "cower" at home, I will not advise you on what to do.  I will say, however, that if you choose to join the protestors or stand on the sideline to watch, please be careful and know this, while I am not anticipating a problem with protestors this weekend, I do believe that with so many different groups and varying opinions and ideological beliefs, tempers may flare and not-so-friendly debates may escalate to shouting, name-calling, and yes, gun shots.    

Here is what LMPD shared regarding their plan of action this weekend:

lmpd

The Following streets are closed Saturday, July 25, 2020 8am - Midnight

  • Jefferson Street from 4th Street to 7th Street
  • Liberty Street from 5th Street to 7th Street
  • 5th Street from Market Street to Muhammad Ali Blvd.
  • 6th Street from Market Street to Liberty

Regardless of the protest(s) on Saturday, I wish you a very happy weekend filled with family fun and merriment.  Do whatever makes you smile and be happy!



Civilian Review Board Work Group Update?

accountability

What are your thoughts about a Citizens Review Board for our community?  Let us hear from you.  Please visit the website of the Work Group to review the documents and models we've studied, read our first summary report, see who is serving on the Work Group to create a review board, and share your thoughts and comments.

NEXT MEETING:  Friday, July 31, 2020.  PLEASE TUNE-IN IF YOU CAN!

The meeting will be live streamed on Facebook, so the public can watch and submit questions and comments.

To share your thoughts and recommendations for a Civilian Review Board, please click here. https://louisvilleky.gov/government/mayor-greg-fischer/louisville-civilian-review-board-work-group#materials

accountability


team ky

Update from the Governor

capitol

Visit the Governor’s Facebook page to watch today’s news conference

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 24, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday announced the second-highest daily total of new cases of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in Kentucky.

“Today we are reporting what I believe is the second-highest number of new cases we have had since our first case on March 6, with 797 new cases of COVID-19. That brings our total number of cases to 29,931. What it means is we are continuing to see an increase and a growth that we absolutely have to stop,” said Gov. Beshear. “And we’ll be watching these very carefully through the weekend and if we do not see the numbers come down, we going to have a series of recommendations and steps that we’ll need to take next week.”

Case Information As of 4 p.m. July 24, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 25,931 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 797 of which were newly reported Friday. Nineteen new cases were from children ages 5 and younger.

“Let’s make sure that we’re more committed than ever,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s make sure that we are not violating these basic rules that we know can help us. Let’s make sure we realize that each and every one of our actions can impact someone else. And let’s just realize that this thing is escalating in Kentucky, that we’re seeing more cases than we ever imagined before. And now is the time for everybody to recognize the severity of the situation that we’re in.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported seven new deaths Friday, raising the total to 691 Kentuckians lost to the virus.


Governor's Travel Advisory

ky

On Monday, Governor Andy Beshear announced new steps the state is taking to curb the spread of COVID-19. Changes include a reduction in the number of people allowed at social, noncommercial mass gatherings, and a travel advisory for Kentuckians visiting any state with a positivity rate of 15% or greater. Read more.


ban

State Revenues Outperform COVID Expectations

budget

The governor announced on Wednesday that Kentucky expects to close the books on Fiscal Year 2020 without a revenue shortfall. The Consensus Forecasting Group (CFG) originally projected a $457 million shortfall. Governor Beshear noted that the state will not implement budget cuts to education, health and public safety, the legislative branch, or the judicial branch. Read more.








Update from Mayor Fischer

covid

Mayor Greg Fischer announced Tuesday he is extending his State of Emergency order through August 31 (from July 31) because of a continued surge in COVID-19 case counts.

According to Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, COVID-19 cases are being primarily spread among people going to bars, gyms, workplaces, youth camps and sports, family gatherings and in travel to hot-spot areas such as those Governor Beshear outlined in his recent travel advisory: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Mississippi and Puerto Rico.

Dr. Moyer provided a reminder that the virus doesn’t move, people move.

“When we look at the data, people in Louisville are moving now as they were back in March when we had to close things down and stay at home,” Dr. Moyer said. “Remember the data we are seeing today is reflective of our movements two weeks ago. If we want to keep businesses open, get kids back to school, we must slow things down. We all need to reduce the number of people we’re encountering daily.”

Dr. Moyer emphasized that anyone who travels to any “hot spot” states should add a 14-day quarantine to their vacation plans. She also said it’s important for anyone who tests positive or anyone who was a close contact of someone who tested positive to quarantine at home for 14 days and follow these directions:

  • Stay home and away from other household members. Do not go to work or go to the grocery store.  The only exemption is medical care, if needed.
  • Do not have family or visitors over.
  • Check your temperature twice a day and keep daily records.
  • If you experience any symptoms, immediately call your medical provider who will make sure you get tested.

Dr. Moyer also added that people who have been tested should stay home and isolate while awaiting their test results. “If you thought you were at risk enough to get tested, or have symptoms, please stay home so you don’t risk exposing others in the community.”

Dr. Moyer encouraged anyone who has been tested and awaiting results make a list of anyone they’ve been in contact with beginning 48 hours before symptoms started. “If any of them were within six feet of you for more than 10 minutes, they are considered a high-risk exposure. If your test comes back positive, these are the people our contact tracers will help you identify to have them safely quarantine at home, so they aren’t exposing others to the virus,” she added. 

The city’s new COVID-19 data dashboard, a complete list of COVID-19 testing sites, information on symptoms, prevention and contact tracing is at www.louisvilleky.gov/covid19

NOTE:  Mayor Fischer and Dr. Klein will be on Facebook to answer questions at 10:00am tomorrow (Saturday, June 25th).  You can watch live here: https://www.facebook.com/MayorGregFischer/.



COVID-19 Resources - Stay Up to Date

virus

Eviction Prevention Program

Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services is proud to administer the Eviction Prevention Assistance program to help individuals and families experiencing the threat of eviction.

This program is designed to assist eligible households who have a pending court eviction, or a past due notice from their landlord, related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to the federal CARES Act and CARES funding via HUD Entitlement grants, up to three months rental assistance is available to help eligible households. Funds are paid directly to the landlord and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until available funding is expended.

eviction
eviction 2

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.



fyi

Removal of Lead in Water

water co

Louisville Water has a program in place to assist in the removal of privately owned lead service lines. Under the program, Louisville Water will pay 50 percent of the removal cost up to $1,500. If a customer meets certain income criteria they may be eligible for a Louisville Water Foundation grant to cover the remaining cost. Additionally, Louisville Water offers free water quality testing for any customer who has a concern. 

To make customers aware of the program Louisville Water is mailing each of those 814 customers a letter outlining the program. If they don’t hear back from those customers LWC will follow up with a postcard and phone call.


JCPS Updates

jcps

The link below includes a summary of the critical actions taken Tuesday night by the JCPS board of education. Dr. Pollio discusses the process of reaching these decisions during minutes three to ten of the video, followed by additional information on what NTI will look like for the first six weeks and the emphasis on the desire to resume the option for in-person classes six weeks in if possible. You can view the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFsF7ipxQ_U.

Jefferson County Public Schools continues with emergency feeding sites. Kids get nutritious meals at no charge at any of the JCPS Summer Meal sites. You just have to be 18 years of age or younger.

Summer 2020 sites will be drive-up locations and meals will be allowed to be taken off site due to COVID-19.

There are no income limitations for the program, and all JCPS students are eligible.


LG&E Disconnects Suspended

LG&E

Help for residential and business customers

  • Disconnects for non-payment are suspended until at least September 1, 2020,  so pay what you can — we will help set up payment arrangements for you, or you can make partial payments without fear of disconnection.
  • New late fees waived until at least September 1, 2020, so late fees won’t be accumulating and adding to your bill.

Louisville Parks & Recreation Needs Volunteers

parks

 

From Louisville Parks and Recreation:

While we are not able to serve together at this time, individual service can have a HUGE impact on our parks and public spaces!

For your safety and the safety of all park users, volunteers are required to wear a mask and practice safe social distancing while volunteering in the parks.

Gather Limbs and Fallen Sticks -

  • Summer storms and wind mean there are a lot of small limbs and sticks throughout the parks. These quickly become tripping hazards and can make grass cutting difficult. 
  • Gather sticks and limbs in piles near parking areas and roads
  • Email LMPRvolunteer@louisvilleky.gov and share where you have gathered sticks so the crew can pick them up

Weeding Tree Rings and Landscape Beds - 

  • Pull weeds around young, mulched trees or landscaped beds; pull/cut vines growing up trees (be cautious of poison ivy)
  • Debris can be gathered in old grocery bags or trash bags and disposed of in any park trashcan

Help us see what you are seeing in your neighborhood park! Complete a Park Assessment. This simple online form will help us identify future projects and areas for improvement.

Clean up litter - At this time we are unable to provide gloves or bags for volunteers. If you are able to safely help collect litter, your efforts are greatly appreciated! Litter can be disposed of in any park trashcan.

Please report your volunteer time through your My Impact Page account (here) or email LMPRvolunteer@louisvilleky.gov.

Your time, commitment, and service to the parks helps us apply for grants and funding to continue to improve our great public spaces. 

 



events

Virtual WORLDFEST

worldfest

Mayor Greg Fischer announced this week that two popular Labor Day events, WorldFest and Hike, Bike and Paddle, will not be held in-person this year due to ongoing COVID-19 health and safety concerns.

“These annual events celebrate the beautiful diversity of our city,” said the Mayor. “So, it’s disappointing that we won’t be able to gather in person to dance, exercise, try new foods and learn about other cultures. This was a difficult decision to make, but we must continue to prioritize the health and safety of our residents, vendors, guests and sponsors.”

Virtual WorldFest will provide live and pre-recorded content on social media platforms from Monday, August 31 – Friday, Sept. 4. Content will include a virtual Parade of Nations; a Global Village showcasing unique heritage, culture and dress; food and cooking segments; kid’s crafts; music, dance and more.

WorldFest has been called a “Top 20 Must See Event in September” by the Southeast Tourism Society and plays a major role in Louisville being twice named an “Event City” by the International Festival & Event Association. For the past 18 years, WorldFest has attracted record setting crowds, with last year’s attendance topping more than 160,000 over the four-day Labor Day weekend.


Virtual HIKE & BIKE

bike

Earlier this year, the Mayor announced the Hike, Bike and Paddle scheduled for Memorial Day weekend would move to a virtual platform. Since then, more than 1,000 Louisvillians have participated in the event. The first-of-its-kind Virtual Hike, Bike and Paddle is now being extended through September 7.

Participants in the virtual Hike, Bike and Paddle are asked to complete a healthy lifestyle activity and upload pictures of themselves running, jogging, hiking, biking, paddling, or doing any other exercise while still practicing good social distancing. That includes other activities that have traditionally been part of Hike, Bike and Paddle, such as Tai Chi, Yoga and Zumba.

All participants are still eligible to win a limited edition Virtual Hike, Bike and Paddle T-shirt while supplies last. To register for the Virtual Hike, Bike and Paddle, visit www.virtualhbp2020.org.

Follow Mayor Greg Fischer, AroundLou and LiftUpLou on your favorite social media channels for additional information about virtual WorldFest and Hike, Bike and Paddle.



just for fun

Dog Days of Summer

SUMMER

When is the Dog Days of Summer?

Wow, it's sure hot and muggy. That's because we're in the Dog Days of Summer, the hottest, muggiest days of the year. As the song goes "roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer".  If you are feeling the effects of  hot, muggy, sultry, "weather that you can wear", you can be certain that you are in the Dog Days of Summer. It is also a period of drought and occasional strong thunderstorms. 

By definition, the Dog Days Summer are the hottest and steamiest part of summer. Typically, this is the period when Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the Sun, from July 3-August 11.

When the Dog Days of Summer arrive, it's time to do those memorable summer time activities that help us to keep our cool. They include the following activities, as much as COVID-19 will allow:

  • Take a dip in the pool (Maintain social distancing, though!)
  • Go to the beach (But, avoid going to Florida right now!)
  • Take the kids to a water park (Is one open right now?)
  • Watch the sultry days go by in a cozy hammock (Now you're talking!)
  • Laze under a shady tree (Enjoy the company of friends and neighbors!)
  • Quaff your thirst with a frozen summer drink (Refreshing!)
  • Go to an evening baseball game (or a LOUCITY Soccer game!)

Whatever your favorite pastime for the Dog Days of Summer, we do not believe it should be spent indoors all day long, in air conditioned comfort. Rather, get out and enjoy the hot weather while it is here. 

summer

God made these dog days for us to either enjoy, or suffer through ...depending upon your point of  view.

It was the ancient Romans who defined the period between July 3-August 11 as the dog days. Typical of many ancient cultures, the Romans used a relationship between the stars and the sun to define the exact period of time.



Tune in to View Metro Council Meetings

city hall

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


State Government Website Information

ky

Click Here for State Government Website

Click Here to:  View All Agencies


Kentucky General Assembly

general assembly

Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc

Click here for more info.