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I ponder and sometimes agonize each week about what to write as my message. Inevitably something is said or done during the week that prompts me to write about a particular subject. And it never fails --- regardless of what I write, one of our neighbors is sure to send me an email to debate, argue or even compliment me on the merits of my topic and the conclusions I often draw. Whether feedback on my messages or other parts of the newsletter is good, bad or ugly, I thoroughly enjoy receiving it. Feedback promotes my personal and professional growth, and it encourages me to listen to the opinions of others and then take the time to analyze how to change course or improve my performance.
Last week, just like clockwork, and no sooner than I hit the send button, someone emailed to say, "I respectfully disagree with you about boarded up downtown Louisville. There is no justification for the destruction, looters and graffiti." Puzzled by her statement, I respectfully asked her to reread my message because I didn’t recall any portion of it supporting destruction, looting or graffiti. Nor did I at any point justify destruction of property.
Constituents who have been reading my messages of late or attending my virtual meetings, surely understand my stance on lawless behavior. But, just in case it hasn't been clear, I'll state it again, I abhor the notion and the act of lawlessness. I have no patience for it, and will always vociferously denounce disregard of the law. Period. Point blank!
Reading her critique reminded me that when I write to expose a problem and then offer my point of view not everyone will agree with me, and it's perfectly okay. All of this made me think of how polarized we have become as a society. It's so bad (in my opinion) that it appears to be more than just having a different opinion than our neighbor about certain issues. We are polarized to the point that we refuse to accept one another’s differences or even embrace each other’s similarities. I’m seeing more and more where we are clustering ourselves into groups and then competing against each other in a zero-sum game where we may be accused of betrayal if we try to negotiate or compromise. It’s tribalism at best, and the fabric of our society is threatened and stressed by its impact. Polarization is affecting our families, workplaces, schools, churches and neighborhoods.
What's fueling the flames of polarization? I think it's partisan politics.
The most important and powerful identities that people cling to these days are their political identities, and this phenomenon seems to have grown exponentially over time. Is it me, or do you, too, feel as if the United States has never been less united? Have we become irrevocably fractured along political and ideological lines — Republican/Democrat, liberal vs conservative, or red states vs blue states, that we no longer are able to be reasonable? A Leadership Kentucky classmate shared with me the other day that the last time she gathered with her family during a holiday, she established a rule that they could not talk about politics. I applauded her for the courage to invoke such a rule. These days, the admonition to avoid discussing politics has never been more necessary.
Gallup polling dating back 20 years shows a stark and widening political divide on many issues — more Americans are choosing to live in places that are politically like-minded, and in 2016, UCLA research found that more than half of Americans prefer their child marry someone from a specific political party — leading to questions over just how sharply one's beliefs could shape their worldview.
In a 2017 PEW Research Center poll of 5,000 US adults, it was reported that partisan divide over political issues related to racial discrimination, immigration, international diplomacy, and government aid to the needy has indeed widened significantly since the early 1990s. There was an average 36% difference of opinion on these issues (up from just 15% in 1994) across party lines — based on those identifying as or “leaning” to either Democrats or Republicans. This gap dwarfed divisions across differences in age, gender, race, education, and church attendance. These results indicate that for those who affiliate with a political party, polarization over issues does seem to have increased over the past 20 or 30 years.
“We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.”
— Senator John McCain (2018)
The truth is, these United States have been divided for much of its existence. The questions we must ask ourselves are, Can we reverse the polarization trend? Do we want to change course? Is it simply too late, or are we too set in our ways to think outside our own proverbial box? I don't know the answer; I guess it all depends on whether or not you believe our nation is divided or merely seems that way.
I want to believe that counteracting polarization is not a lost cause. Perhaps what we need to do as a society of conscientious thinkers is be willing to look inward, examine our own belief systems, vow to love other human beings for who they are and avoid trying to block any citizens' rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Live and let live. It's that simple. Yeah...right! Lol.
On Thursday, November 17, 2020, Louisville Metro Council passed a vote of “No Confidence” in Mayor Greg Fischer. The resolution also expressed the Council’s deep frustration with Fischer’s leadership, lack of openness and communication with the Council, supervision of LMPD and lack of transparency to the public.
The resolution passed 22-4. Councilmembers Brandon Coan, Bill Hollander, Nicole George and James Peden voted against the "No Confidence" resolution.
Rather than request the mayor’s resignation (which would have been his sole decision to make, and I felt he would not do), the “No Confidence” legislation offers actionable objectives and provides Fischer with steps he can take that will “restore trust between the residents of Louisville Metro and its government.”
It’s important to note that resolutions deal with matters of a special or temporary character versus an ordinance that prescribes some permanent rule of conduct or binding government mandate. An ordinance is a legislative act (a law) and a resolution is an expression of opinion. Resolutions provide a framework for the Metro Council to use to show our support for a matter or issue, express our displeasure with something or someone, and promote and encourage certain behaviors. Such resolutions should reflect the unique situation and needs of the community. Unfortunately, resolutions have no authoritative power.
I share the differences between a resolution and an ordinance to enlighten you to the fact that the “No Confidence” resolution cannot mandate the mayor to accomplish any of the stated objectives presented. However, we added language in the resolution that alerted the mayor that failure to advance the stated objectives may result in further action by the Council, which could mean up to and including impeachment.
I encouraged the leadership on the Council to create a document that outlined a plan of action. I felt it was a better use of our time and show of our leadership than to point fingers at the mayor, list a bunch of things that have gone wrong throughout his tenure as mayor (which, quite frankly, should have been dealt with years before I was elected to the Metro Council in November 2018), or ask him to resign - which he certainly would not do.
I authored several of the demands that were listed in the resolution but, didn’t get everything in there that I wanted. In order to get enough Councilmembers to support or sponsor a resolution or ordinance, it requires patience, deliberations and negotiations. After several give and take deliberations regarding the “No Confidence” resolution, we were finally able to arrive at a compromise.
While I support the resolution in its entirety, I realize that it’s far from perfect. Nonetheless, it includes language that garnered bipartisan support by a super majority on the Council and sends a loud and clear message that it’s time for the mayor to adjust his leadership style, improve communications and transparency with the public and Council, and work on making decisions that will create law and order, stabilize racial and civil unrest and ensure the safety and protection of all Louisville Metro residents. I am optimistic for our community’s future and stand ready to partner with the mayor and citizens to make positive change happen.
To read the resolution, click here: No Confidence Resolution.
'Conversion therapy' is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions. There is no reliable evidence that sexual orientation can be changed and medical institutions warn that conversion therapy practices are ineffective and potentially harmful. The practice has reportedly led to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness and suicide, especially among children. Medical, scientific, and government organizations in the United States and United Kingdom have expressed concern over the validity, efficacy and ethics of conversion therapy.
A total of 20 states, as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and 80 municipalities (mostly located in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Minnesota), have banned the discredited practice of conversion therapy on minor clients.
At Thursday's meeting, Council members voted overwhelmingly 24-1 to ban this harmful practice on minors. Councilman Stuart Benson cast the dissenting vote. To read the approved ordinance, click here.
 The Kentucky Supreme Court heard from all sides Thursday morning as justices weigh the legality of Governor Andy Beshear’s pandemic-related executive orders. General Counsel La Tasha Buckner argued that the actions save lives, but a representative for Attorney General Daniel Cameron's office called it “unfettered legal power.” Read more.
 You can share your thoughts regarding the top-to-bottom review of Louisville Metro Police currently being conducted by the consulting firm Hillard Heintze, the Jensen Hughes company. Click here to Learn more.
Hillard Heintze representatives are also making onsite visits to Louisville, conducting interviews, observing training, and participating in ride-alongs with officers. Upon concluding their assessment work, the team will develop recommendations to serve as a roadmap for an LMPD Strategic Plan that includes:
- Establishing a new policing environment in Louisville where the police department and the community are equal partners in co-producing public safety.
- Providing recommendations designed to reduce use of force incidents.
- Increasing transparency and encouraging greater trust and public confidence.
- Developing leadership within LMPD with a focus on community outreach and community policing efforts.
- Identifying innovative and effective recruitment strategies and best practices at the local, regional and national level that will improve the agency's police officer workforce diversity.
As Census-takers begin visiting non-responding Louisville Metro households, you are urged to complete the 2020 Census.
You can also call 1-844-330-2020 to complete the survey over the phone. The census website is here.
Census Takers in our neighborhood
The Louisville Census Complete Count Committee and community leaders are urging residents to complete the Census before Sept. 30, and notes that Census Takers are visiting every household that has not already responded. In certain areas, the Census Bureau is also calling households, reminding them to respond. Census Takers will have a valid ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. Census workers may also carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the Census Bureau logo.
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 Flu shots are a good way to prevent influenza, but there is still no vaccine for COVID-19.
The following are easy steps Kentuckians can take to help prevent both:
- Wash your hands often;
- Avoid close contact with known sick people;
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes;
- Keep a distance of at least six feet from people who don’t live in your house;
- Wear a mask when in public; and
- Stay home if you have any flu-like symptoms.
Click here to see the CDC recommendations for this season's flu shot in the era of COVID-19.
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and serves as a somber reminder of one national public health challenge our country faces, which causes immeasurable pain to individuals, families and communities across the United States and in Kentucky.
One community heavily affected by suicide is our veterans. If you are a veteran in need of support, or an individual experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. None of us is alone. Together, we can support each other and help prevent suicide.
 Fall favorite Jack O'Lantern Spectacular is switching gears for 2020 to become a safe drive-thru-only event!
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DATE: Thursday, October 1, 2020. The final day is Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020
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LOCATION: Iroquois Park 5200 New Cut Rd.
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TIME: 7:30pm in early October and closer to 7:00pm later in October. We are asking cars to arrive no earlier than 6:45PM. The hours of operation are Dusk – 11 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday) and Dusk – Midnight (Friday & Saturday)
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TICKETS: The website for tickets is www.jackolanternlouisville.com. Due to COVID-19, and the fact we anticipate sold out nights, we HIGHLY encourage everyone to buy tickets online. While tickets can be purchased at the gate, this will be a cashless event. Once purchased, you can download the tickets to your phone, or print them off at home and bring them with you to the show. Tickets can be purchased online with a major credit card.
- COST:
- Cars/SUVs/Minivans: $35
- Passenger Vans/Limos: $50
SPECIAL NIGHTS: Sensory night is held on Sunday, November 1. It is designed for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and sensory processing differences, and their families, from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. For guest’s enjoyment, pumpkins will light up the woods, but there will be no music or special effects. Sensory Night at the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular, made possible through the generous support of PNC Bank.
Supporting the Louisville Parks Foundation
Your Jack O'Lantern Spectacular ticket purchase directly supports the non-profit Louisville Parks Foundation and the community-driven projects they support in Louisville's 120+ public parks and community centers.
 Event Date: October 24, 2020
The annual Louisville Earth Walk is going city-wide this year out of respect for everyone’s safety during the CV-19 crisis. So while we will not gather together in one place at one time on Saturday, October 24th, everyone is invited to participate - from all across our city. Everyone is invited to join from wherever they are in support of a vision where every neighborhood has safe and clean water, air, and soil.
This year there are two exciting registration options: The 5K Walk option invites participants to get in their walk anytime on October 24 on their own favorite paths and routes or wherever. The Free Form invites participants to celebrate however they like from wherever they are. You can register for either option or learn more at bit.ly/LEWReg2020
In the event that you request an absentee ballot and it arrives to you in the mail and then you forget to send it in, you can take that ballot to the polling place on Election Day and ask them to spoil (destroy) that ballot and then they’ll provide you another ballot that you can complete. Or, you can fill out that ballot and take it to the polling place and drop it off in a provided drop box.
Please check the Kentucky Secretary of State's webpage to find out how to track the status of your ballot. You may be able to see if you've submitted a vote-by-mail request, if the ballot has been sent to you, and if it has been received by the Jefferson County Board of Elections.
Consider being a poll worker! - The Jefferson County Clerk is seeking both Democrats and Republicans to fill positions on November 3, in order to have more polling locations open for people who will vote in person. More information is here.
There are three ways for Kentucky voters to cast their ballot for this November’s election:
- In person early before Election Day beginning (Oct. 13–Nov. 2)
- In person on Election Day (Nov. 3)
- By absentee ballot (return by mail or ballot dropbox)
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ABSENTEE BALLOT PORTAL: https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky
or click on link below:
GoVoteKY.com
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Absentee Ballots - Want to vote absentee in the November election because you are concerned about contracting or spreading COVID-19? The portal to request an absentee ballot is now open and can be requested through the website GoVoteKY.com
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Registration - You can register, change your registration or just check to make sure you are registered at GoVoteKY.com. The deadline to register online to vote in the 2020 General Election is October 5, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. local time.
Visit Kentucky's Voter Information Portal to register to vote, request a mail-in ballot, find a ballot drop-box, find early voting locations, and access additional information about the upcoming election.
Louisville plans to have eight polling locations on Election Day, up from the one voting center during the primary election. All of the planned polling places will be “super centers” where voters can cast ballots no matter where they live in the city. All eight locations on Election Day will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and TARC will be providing free rides that day.
Elected leaders are pressing the Jefferson County Clerk, Bobbie Holsclaw, to add more locations. I will keep you posted on were that stands. In the meantime, here are the proposed eight locations:
  P.S. EARLY, IN-PERSON VOTING is AVAILABLE at the following locations beginning October 13th: Expo Center, Yum Center, Kentucky Center for African American Heritage and the undisclosed location to be announced soon. Early in-person voting can be done Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear on Saturday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).
“Today's report shows that when we let our guard down, this virus truly spreads. This is everywhere and we must keep our guard up,” said Gov. Beshear. “The only positive news in today's report is our positivity rate is still under 4% at 3.82%.”
Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 19, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 61,106 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 1,002 of which were newly reported Saturday. Of the newly reported cases, 145 were from children age 18 and younger, with 29 age 5 and younger. The youngest is just 5 months old.
“Remember, high number of cases lead to a higher number of deaths several weeks down the line,” said the Governor. “Now that our kids are going to be going back to school in many places in some form or fashion, now that we have more sports, let’s make sure that we cut our contacts, wear our masks and socially distance. Let’s do better – everyone around us is depending on it.”
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported seven new deaths Saturday. The total number of Kentuckians now lost to the virus is 1,108.
"That’s seven additional families who are suffering during this time," said Gov. Beshear.
As of Saturday, at least 1,118,855 tests had been administered. The COVID-19 testing positive rate, based on a seven-day rolling average, taking into account total positive tests reported by laboratories divided by total tests reported by labs, stood at 3.82%. The number of Kentuckians who are known to have recovered was at least 11,237.
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health, said, “The first official day of fall is fast approaching, and the weather that has descended this weekend over Kentucky will cause a lot of us to want to spend time outdoors. If you get outside, please keep following the same advice we’ve given since the pandemic began. Stay at least six feet from others, wear a mask and wash your hands often. As we prepare to begin a new season, let’s recommit to our efforts to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Let’s start the fall season off right, Team Kentucky.”
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.
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.
 To bring greater awareness to the important protections vaccines provide, Gov. Andy Beshear, First Lady Britainy Beshear and their children, Will, 11, and Lila, 10, rolled up their sleeves and received flu shots this week at the Capitol.
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, commissioner of the Department for Public Health Dr. Steven Stack and American Sign Language interpreter Virginia Moore joined the Beshears on Thursday to receive a vaccination against the seasonal flu.
“Britainy and I, and our kids, receive a flu shot each year at this time, because we know it is the single most effective way to prevent the flu,” Gov. Beshear said. “The availability and affordability of the vaccine make it easier than ever to protect yourself and your family, which is especially important this year as we continue to battle COVID-19.”
The Governor emphasized the importance of getting a flu shot this year to blunt the potential for what the medical community fears could be a “twindemic” if seasonal flu outbreaks overwhelm health care systems already stretched thin by COVID-19.
First Lady Beshear added: “I sincerely encourage parents to get their school-age children vaccinated. Doing so will help reduce the spread of the virus. No time is a good time to be sick, but right now is an especially bad time. Kentuckians are making sacrifices to safely return to the classroom and be able to safely participate in more family-oriented and social events, and the flu could block the progress we’ve worked so hard for.”
“During this time of uncertainty, there’s one thing we know for sure: vaccines work,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “We’ve all had to become more flexible about a lot of things during this pandemic, but protecting our families from preventable diseases means contacting a provider about getting back on schedule with our immunizations.”
Virginia Moore noted: “The injection didn’t hurt, not one bit.”
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 here and click on the “Watch Meetings Online” button.)
OR access prior or current meetings here:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.
TO ACCESS MEETINGS THROUGH FACEBOOK: CLICK HERE
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.
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