District 7 E-Newsletter

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

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

 

Click Here to

Email Councilwoman McCraney

 


Visit the District 7 Website


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Ben Otten

Legislative Assistant

Contact Ben:

(502) 574-3454



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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In this Issue...



Message From McCraney

Happy New Year Neighbors and Friends!

Every year for as long as I can remember I have stayed awake on December 31st through midnight to usher in a new year. However, this time I was a bit pessimistic because, I think I stayed up to make sure 2020 went away.  I was determined to say adios, au revoir, sayonara, toodle-oo and bye-bye to 2020.

I don't know about you, but 2020 was a trying year.  Besides my near-death experience, I suspended my retail boutique business, had to cancel a trip to Cancun, and I lost my office, house and car keys (they are surely hiding somewhere in my house).  I dare say that the political discourse, civil unrest and deadly viral disease that dominated the airwaves throughout the year were issues almost too unbearable to handle. Yes, it was necessary for me to be wide awake to kiss 2020 goodbye.

Last week, as I was cheering on 2021, a series of unfortunate events occurred and took the wind right out of my sails.  Damage, destruction and deaths as a result of violent rioters storming the Capitol left me (and our nation) speechless. January 6, 2021, will unfortunately be documented in American history as one of our darkest days and will live forever in infamy.  Just as quickly as Congress was seated to solidify the electoral college votes of the 2020 presidential election, the halls, offices and chambers of the Capitol turned into a crime scene.  

As I watched mobs of unpatriotic American citizens destroy our Capitol and cause a constitutional crisis, my enthusiasm for 2021 was momentarily diminished. These domestic terrorists not only vandalized one of the houses of the people, they also robbed me of my positive outlook for the future.  This hostile takeover of our nation's Capitol was cruel and unjust.  It saddens me to think that we have among us neighbors, co-workers, bosses, business owners, politicians and former military personnel who would conduct themselves in such demoralizing and acrimonious manner.  What could embolden someone to behave this way?

Actions have consequences; therefore, patriots are being asked to contact the FBI if they have information about those who participated in the Capitol mayhem.  The FBI can be reached at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be submitted by clicking here or going to tips.fbi.gov.

To submit photos or videos showing the violence at the Capitol, click here or go to fbi.gov/USCapitol.

Now that the Capitol is being cleaned and repaired, and insurrectionists are being arrested, I have decided to expel negative energy and focus again on our community's future. My 'happy place' is representing you in District 7.  To do so effectively I must focus my thoughts on whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and whatever is of good report.  Whatever is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise, I shall think on these things.     

The new  year is promising, our future is bright and some of the things we can consider worthwhile are: a vaccine to wipe out coronavirus; a new police chief who is known for supporting her officers and believes in community policing; a new Office of Inspector General to investigate claims of police officer misconduct; and with leftover federal CARES Act funding, our streets will soon be swept, unsightly graffiti will be removed, vacant lots will be mowed and funding to address homelessness and gun violence is intact.

When COVID-19 is under control this year, I will again plan to sponsor community tours for District 7 residents.  We will tour the following entities:  

1.  Louisville Waterfront, including the proposed PlayWorks area

2.  Louisville Water Works Museum at the Louisville Water Tower 

3.  West Louisville: Revitalization initiatives, Louisville Urban League Sports and Learning Complex, St. Stephen Family Life Center and Roots 101 Museum

4. City Hall and Metro Hall, including Metro Council Chambers, Councilwoman McCraney's office, the Mayor's Gallery and the Mayor's suite.

We will also schedule quarterly "Muffins with McCraney" events at a coffee shop (or through Webex and Facebook Live!, if necessary).  Topics of discussion will include: Updates on the VA Hospital, widening of Westport Rd., Louisville Metro Government 2022 budget, District 7 infrastructure needs, crime, and any other topics of interest to YOU.

It's often said that all politics is local (or 'are' local).  Former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil coined the phrase to mean that a politician's success is directly tied to her ability to understand and influence the issues of her constituents.  I embrace this saying because I indeed understand that it's important to appeal to your personal and everyday concerns.  The things that matter most to you, matter most to me.  These are the things we shall consider and work on together. 

So, while the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate take care of the people's business in Washington, I shall dwell on the concerns of the wonderful people of District 7 and those things that are commendable, honorable and true.  Welcome 2021!  I greet you with great anticipation and look forward to what you have in store for the residents of District 7.  I'm feeling good about your presence!



Louisville Metro Council District 25 Vacancy

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In 2020, Councilman David Yates was elected to the Kentucky State Senate representing District 37.  He was sworn into his new office on January 5th, and therefore, the Metro Council District 25 seat is vacant.

KRS 67C.103(12) states that in the event of a vacancy, “Council shall elect a qualified resident of the council district not later than thirty (30) days after the date the vacancy occurs.”  KRS 67C.103(6) defines a qualified person as “at least eighteen (18) years old, a qualified voter, and a resident within the territory of the consolidated local government and the district that he or she seeks to represent for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the person's election.”

Any person interested in filling the Metro Council District 25 seat, and who meets the criteria stated above in KRS 67C.103(6), should send a resume to the Metro Council Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 13, 2021 via email, registered mail, or certified mail.  Resumes sent via email will receive confirmation from the Clerk. Please include all contact information on the resume.

Send resume to:

Sonya Harward, Metro Council Clerk

601 West Jefferson Street

First Floor, Room 108

Louisville, KY 40202

MetroCouncilClerk@LouisvilleKy.gov

The Metro Council will review all resumes submitted by the deadline described above, and will notify the Clerk of any applicant they wish to interview.  Interviews will be conducted at a special meeting of the Committee of the Whole on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.  The Metro Council will fill the vacancy from among the qualified applicants at the regular meeting of the Metro Council on January 28, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. 

The person receiving the vote of the majority of the remaining Council Members shall be appointed to fill the vacancy of the Metro Council District 25 seat and will serve the remainder of the unexpired term.  

We look forward to seating a new member of the Metro Council and wish our former colleague, Senator Yates, all the best!

Other Metro Council News

The Louisville Metro Council approved two ordinances at the organizational meeting on Monday, January 4th, that move nearly $4 million to help address some of the city's most immediate needs. Thanks to leftover funds from the federal CARES Act, the city had a $26 million surplus.

One ordinance moved $2.2 million to various city departments for the following initiatives:  

1.  $1 million to increase public works staffing for community cleanups, street sweeping, and graffiti removal.

2.   $250,000 to address areas of need in homeless assistance efforts.

3.   $583,700 for codes and regulations to increase vacant lot mowing.

4.  $350,000 for office of safe and healthy neighborhoods to hire youth outreach specialists and to fund the group violence initiative in an effort to reduce violence in the community.

A second ordinance adds an additional $1.7 million to the capital budget to purchase equipment and vehicles. 

More Metro Council News

A civilian review board is starting to take shape after Metro Council voted on its six slate of nominees for the mayor's consideration for appointment.

In November, Metro Council approved the Civilian Review and Accountability Board that promises the community a new layer of independent oversight on the Louisville Metro Police Department.  Guided by an Office of Inspector General, the board will be comprised of 11 citizens that will review cases of alleged police misconduct.

January 4, 2021 marked the deadline for citizens to self-nominate for a board position. 

Councilwoman McCraney says any one of the six choices, drawn from 75 applications, would represent the community well. She told WDRB 41 in a recent interview that the Council had chosen citizens who are community activists, community volunteers, a former firefighter, a former police officer, and a couple of attorneys, all with varied backgrounds.  The nominees are: Jennifer Green and Mark McCoy, for a term of one year; Scott Dickens and Sherlena Watkins, for a term of two years; and Charles Keyes and Richard Pearson, for a term of three years.

Click the link below to view the WDRB 41 interview with Councilwoman McCraney:

https://www.wdrb.com/news/louisville-council-makes-its-picks-for-citizen-panel-that-will-police-the-police/article_b89887ec-4efe-11eb-a87e-af4edf817120.html



A New Chief in Town...

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Former Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields has been appointed by Mayor Greg Fischer as the next Louisville Metro Police Department Chief of Police.

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“Erika Shields is an experienced, progressive, reform-minded leader, a well-respected visionary both locally and nationally for her ability to build strong and legitimate community and police relations; and strategize, execute, and produce results,” Mayor Fischer said. “She believes in the rules of policing but also knows when to revise them. She is skilled but open to new ideas, tough and undaunted by challenge. She is a leader, as the public called for, who not only understands but embraces the co-production of public safety, with accountability, transparency, honesty, integrity, and compassion.”   

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Shields has long been an advocate for 21st Century policing – with a focus on reducing crime while strengthening trust and collaboration with residents and ensuring accountability among officers. She is committed to developing a culture of technology, innovation, excellence and transparency in policing. 

Shields will be sworn in as Chief on January 19, 2021. Former LMPD assistant chief Yvette Gentry will continue to serve as Chief in the interim.



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COVID-19 Vaccine Priority Groups

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Click here for more information and updates regarding vaccine procedures: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-covid-19-resource-center/covid-19-vaccine-information or Click here: COVID-19 Resource Center.


Location for Mass Vaccinations

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On Monday, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness opened its LouVax site for mass COVID-19 vaccinations at Broadbent Arena on the grounds of the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center.

Open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the site is offering vaccinations by appointment only focusing on the tier 1A priority group mandated by the federal government. 

The group includes medical first responders and healthcare workers such as physicians, nurses, dentists, occupational and physical therapists, medical lab personnel, home health personnel and mortuary personnel, among others. 

Dr. SarahBeth Hartlage, Associate Medical Director for the health department reported that nearly 2,000 vaccinations were administered surpassing the expectation of 1,000 doses. 

"I'm proud to say we've had zero doses wasted," Dr. Hartlage said. "Every single vial that has been given to the health department has gone as a vaccine shot in somebody's arm. We're carrying the success of this week forward into next week with an expected capacity to administer 4,000 doses of the vaccine.

If you are a independent healthcare worker or representative of a group, company or facility that falls into tier 1A and are interested in signing up to receive the vaccine CLICK HERE. If you have any additional questions about the COVID-19 vaccine send an email to COVIDvaccine@louisvilleky.gov


Vaccine - How Will I Know It's My Turn?

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While you await your turn to get vaccinated you might be thinking when the time comes for your tier to receive the vaccine, how will you know?

The health department encourages residents in Louisville to follow Metro Health and Wellness on Facebook, Twitter and tune in to our weekly COVID-19 updates where we will share up-to-date information on everything COVID-related included the vaccine. We also share information through our local news media.

You can also subscribe to COVID-19 Health Alerts via email on Metro's COVID-19 Vaccine information page here.

The process to vaccinate all tiers will take time. In the meantime, public health officials encourage residents to continue wearing a mask, staying socially distant, washing your hands.

These are essential to protecting ourselves, our families and the community until it is your turn to receive the vaccine. 

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 will allow us to get back to the things we all love and enjoy doing.

Let's do our part as we work together to eliminate this pandemic. 

Reminder: Priority groups in the phased allocation plan for the COVID-19 vaccine are set by the federal and state government. The local health department is responsible for making sure those groups receive the vaccine when it's their turn.

For information about the COVID-19 vaccine, priority groups and planning CLICK HERE. To view the Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 vaccine phases CLICK HERE.


Message from GLI CEO Regarding Vaccine

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While the recent roll-out of two COVID-19 vaccines provides a welcome light at the end of the tunnel of this pandemic, many questions remain. When will I be eligible to get the vaccine? How safe and effective is the vaccine for me and my employees? When will it be safe for a full in-person return to work? 
 
I am honored to represent the business community on Mayor Fischer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Taskforce, which will allow me to provide timely updates to you and provide input to the task force on the needs of the business community. I am encouraged by this coordination that is occurring around vaccine distribution.
 
Information on the vaccine is rapidly changing and GLI is committed to keeping you updated with the most relevant information. I encourage you to regularly check local and state government guidance for the latest information and keep an eye out for more updates from GLI in the weeks and months ahead. We continue to update our Crisis Support Hub with information you need to keep your workforce safe and your business running. Click here to check out the latest update which includes key information on the vaccines.

Click here to read the entire message from the GLI CEO:

https://louisvilleky.gov/metro-council-district-7/document/covid-19-vaccine-message-gli


Vaccine Fraud Alert

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I-65 Corridor Study

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Over the past few months, the project team has collected data and cataloged the information.  This information consists of items like traffic volumes, traffic travel times, crash or collision data, and environmental concerns in the study area. 

On December 1, 2020, a virtual meeting was held for local officials and key stakeholders.  This meeting initiated our first public outreach effort.  We encourage anyone interested to visit our online I-65 StoryMap.  The StoryMap provides study details and the opportunity to share concerns or comments.  This outreach effort will continue through January 15, 2021. 

Click the picture below to access the interactive StoryMap and complete the survey.

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External Agency Fund Competitive Grants

Louisville Metro Government will begin accepting External Agency Fund applications on Jan. 15, 2021 for fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022). These grants, funded through the city’s General Fund, are awarded to non-governmental or "external” agencies that contribute to the city's cultural, social and economic vitality.

A summary of the application process is as follows with more details listed below:

  • Starting Jan. 8, 2021, application guidelines may be viewed for reference in the section below on this webpage
  • All agencies wishing to apply should have at least one representative attend the virtual application orientation on Thursday, Jan. 14, via WebEx from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The orientation will provide information about deadlines, how to access the application and other general information.
  • Following the orientation, the city will begin accepting applications. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Feb. 4, by 5 p.m.

Register here for orientation: https://tinyurl.com/FY22EAForientation

Email all questions to: EAF@louisvilleky.gov.


Meet Your Legislators

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Café LOUIE is back in 2021 to connect citizens to their elected representatives. From 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each Saturday morning from January 23rd through March 20th, participants can join a virtual meeting.  Elected officials will be given a brief time for prepared remarks and to answer a few pre-selected questions submitted by attendees.  The focus of these meetings is engagement through personal conversations.

Every Café LOUIE is open (virtually, this year) to the public. Councilwoman McCraney will be participating in the February 20th and March 20th events. 

Please join Café Louie and the Louisville Free Public Library for these  informal and informative sessions. More information will be posted online at https://www.facebook.com/CafeLOUIE/, and events will stream there, beginning January 23, 2021.



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Land Development Code Reform

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Community Garden Workshop

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*A representative from the community garden MUST attend one of the workshops in order to submit a grant application.

**A Google Meet link will be sent to attend the workshop after registering for a ticket.

For more information or if you have any questions, contact Lisa at programs@louisvillegrows.org or 502.905.4342.


Vegetable Gardening Classes

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The Jefferson County Extension office and the Conservation District are teaming up again this year to offer our vegetable gardening class. We are not doing the ten-month program because of COVID restrictions for gathering in person. Instead, we are offering a five-week, free, online course for residents. The course begins February 1. Register online here


Sundance Film Festival

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First Look at the Selections from the 2021 Sundance Film Festival at the Speed Curator Dean Otto gives a sneak peek at the selection of Sundance Film Festival films that will have premieres and screenings at the Speed from January 21 – February 1. Tickets for both streaming and in-person screenings are on sale now. LEARN MORE



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Update from the Governor

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To view the Governor’s recent executive orders, click here:    https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=475


COVID-19 Information

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Metro 311

Have an Issue Government Should Solve?

3-1-1

LENS Alert

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In August 2016 Louisville Metro Emergency Services teamed up with Bullitt County, Oldham County, and Washington County to create a regional emergency notification system – Louisville Emergency Notification System (LENSAlert).  Its enhanced capabilities include using all communications modes to send alerts – mobile phones, landlines, email, text, social media, IPAWS-OPEN.  Take another step in being prepared for disasters and sign up for LENSAlert today.


SMART 911.com

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In addition to receiving notifications, individuals can create a Safety Profile for themselves and their household that can include any information they want 9-1-1 and first responders to have in the event of an emergency. When individuals make an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right responders to the right location with the right information. Information about medical history, allergies to medication, number of residents in a home and even a picture of the family dog can all be added to a Safety Profile.

Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions About Smart911


Dial 2-1-1 for Assistance with Food

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Buying and Selling Safety Zones

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Are you looking for a public place to exchange items you've sold online? Do you share custody of a child and are looking for somewhere to exchange custody?

The Louisville Metro Police Department is providing MetroSWAP Zones outside of some Division offices.

There is 24 hour video surveillance. LMPD recommends:

  • Agree to meet the person ONLY at a MetroSWAP station.
  • Meet only during daylight hours.
  • Tell someone you trust where you are meeting and at what time.
  • Meet in the parking lot at two designate areas of each location.
  • Make the interaction brief and to the point.

MetroSWAP Zones are at:


Sign Up to Receive Crime Alerts

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Visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroPolice/Patrol+Divisions/ to sign up to receive the LMPD’s new crime alert update for your neighborhood. Simply select your LMPD division number and click "Subscribe to Crime Alerts by Beat" to begin receiving the update.

  • Division 5, please call dispatch at 502-574-7111
  • Division 8, please call dispatch at 502-574-2111

Fifth Division - This division covers the area including the Highlands, Clifton and Cherokee and Seneca Parks.

Eighth Division - This division covers the area including Middletown, Lyndon, Oxmoor and the Ford Truck Plant.

Interactive Crime Mapping

You can now map crime in Louisville using the interactive mapping tool


Lock Your Car!

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Tune in to View Metro Council Meetings

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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


State Government Website Information

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Click Here for State Government Website

Click Here to:  View All Agencies


Kentucky General Assembly

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

Click here for more info.