Today, I yield my message space to Amanda Gorman, a 22-year old Harvard educated Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, CA, who at age 19 was named the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate. Ms. Gorman graced us with her poem, "The Hill We Climb," from the steps of the United States Capitol during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
“The Hill We Climb” Amanda Gorman
When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast, we’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace and the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it, somehow we do it, somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished.
We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one. And, yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect, we are striving to forge a union with purpose, to compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.
So we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us. We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside. We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another, we seek harm to none and harmony for all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: that even as we grieved, we grew, even as we hurt, we hoped, that even as we tired, we tried, that we’ll forever be tied together victorious, not because we will never again know defeat but because we will never again sow division.
Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one should make them afraid. If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in in all of the bridges we’ve made.
That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb if only we dare it because being American is more than a pride we inherit, it’s the past we step into and how we repair it. We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it. That would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy, and this effort very nearly succeeded. But while democracy can periodically be delayed, but it can never be permanently defeated.
In this truth, in this faith, we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us, this is the era of just redemption we feared in its inception we did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour but within it we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves, so while once we asked how can we possibly prevail over catastrophe, now we assert how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us.
We will not march back to what was but move to what shall be, a country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free, we will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation, our blunders become their burden. But one thing is certain: if we merge mercy with might and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children’s birthright.
So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left, with every breath from my bronze, pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one, we will rise from the golden hills of the West, we will rise from the windswept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution, we will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the Midwestern states, we will rise from the sunbaked South, we will rebuild, reconcile, and recover in every known nook of our nation in every corner called our country our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful, when the day comes we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid, the new dawn blooms as we free it, for there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.
The next meeting of the Louisville Metro Council is January 28, 2021. Since the organizational meeting two weeks ago, the Council re-elected Councilman David James as President. President James this week appointed committee chairs and vice-chairs.
Congratulations to Councilwoman McCraney for being appointed as chair of the Committee on Equity and Inclusion. She will hit the ground running with her first meeting on February 4th from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Committee meetings are typically conducted during the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month. This committee meets biweekly on Thursdays.
She will also serve again on the Budget Committee and the Government Oversight and Audit Committee as a voting member. You are welcome to tune-in to all Metro Council meetings by clicking HERE: http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.
In addition to Councilwoman McCraney's Council duties, she also serves on key community boards. See serves on the Criminal Justice Commission and the Equity in Contracting and Procurement Task Force.
On Monday, January 18, Louisville Metro began vaccinating people in tier 1B. That group includes:
Non-medical first responders (police officers, firefighters)
Corrections workers
K-12 school personnel (educators)
Individuals age 70 and over
Although access to the vaccine is scarce, you are still encouraged to sign up. If you are age 70 and over, click HERE to request an appointment. As more vaccines become available, people over 70 will also be able to schedule appointments through UofL Health, Norton Healthcare, and Baptist Health.
The health department states that less than 10,000 appointments are opening next week. Additional slots will become available as the state allocates more doses of the vaccine.
Metro Health anticipates that it will take three months to vaccinate individuals in tier 1B. Please be patient follow the health department on Facebook, Twitter, check our website for updates on appointment openings and to subscribe to COVID-19 health alerts via email.
Last week, Governor Beshear announced a partnership agreement with Kroger for new vaccination sites across the state starting February 1. These sites will be for those in phase 1C which includes those over 60, essential workers, and those with high-risk underlying conditions. More information on this partnership is expected early next week.
To find information on the COVID vaccine, the vaccination process, and how to request an appointment, CLICK HERE.
Major Andrea Brown of the 8th Division is a twenty-three (23) year veteran of the Louisville Metro Police Department. Born and raised in Louisville, Major Brown has always lived in this wonderful city we all call home. Growing up, she wanted to pursue many different careers: a reporter, an interior designer, or becoming a police officer. After graduating from Louisville Male High School, she attended the University of Louisville and majored in Communications and Marketing. Major Brown holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree.
While attending college, Major Brown also worked part-time at UPS and the former city’s Louisville Police Department (LPD) as a civilian. Her Captain at that time encouraged her to apply to become an officer, and as she noted, “the rest is history.”
Major Brown has worked in various LMPD divisions and departments. In 2007, she was promoted to Sergeant and served in the 1st Division on the night watch and midwatch shifts for 4 years. In 2011, Major Brown was promoted to Lieutenant where she ran the Community Policing Unit. She also worked in the Special Events Unit and planned events at the Yum Center and for the Kentucky Derby Festival. She then returned to the 1st Division and served as the Division Commander.
Major Brown has enjoyed several notable positions and opportunities throughout her career, some of which include overseeing the 2019 Presidential visit, working as a background investigator in the Recruiting Unit, and serving 11 years on the Hostage Negotiations Team which included being the Commander. When pressed about her favorite position during her tenure with LMPD, she talked favorably about working on the Hostage Negotiations Team. However, she was quick to say that she has enjoyed many amazing parts of her career and every area in which she served.
As the Commander of the 8th Division, Major Brown shared a lot of great things about serving in that role. She was appointed to the 8th Division roughly a year ago and has recently overseen a move into a new police station. “It was wonderful being able to have a say in exactly the way we needed the station to be constructed,” said Major Brown. It features nice interview rooms, functional workstations for police officers and spaces for virtual court hearings.
There are many things that Major Brown likes about being a police officer. First and foremost, she relishes the opportunity to help people. “It’s about making a difference in my community,” she said. By growing up in West Louisville, she was able to patrol that area and share her lived experiences with her training officer and colleagues. “It’s different when you grow up in an area and really know the people,” said the Commander. Throughout her career she has been proud to represent LMPD and her family. When it comes to working in the 8th Division specifically, Major Brown stated that she loves the challenge. “I spend time in the office working on projects and analyzing crime, but I am also able to go out and patrol the division,” she said. “It’s beautiful and I love it. There’s a lot to see and a lot of different challenges,” she explained.
There were two important factors Major Brown discussed when asked about the challenges facing the 8th Division. She noted how large it is, and mentioned thefts from automobiles. The 8th Division is quite large. It covers most of the eastern/northeastern portion of Louisville Metro, stretching from Clark Station Road to the county line and Taylorsville Rd. to the Ohio River. Theft from cars is the biggest crime issue within the 8th Division, and Major Brown urges everyone to remove valuable items from eyesight, lock car doors and call the police if something suspicious is seen or heard.
While being a police officer for our community is one of her favorite things, Major Brown also has many interests outside of the LMPD. She loves decorating, gardening, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She and her husband have been married for 20 years and have two children.
Major Brown concluded her interview by stating that police officers really want to help. She states, “for me, policing is a very honorable profession; and while officers are not perfect and do make mistakes, there are many who get it right. We are fortunate to have many good officers in the 8th Division.”
District 7 is honored to have Major Andrea Brown at the helm of the 8th Division. We thank the Commander and her staff for all their hard work and appreciate them greatly!
Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman today joined the governors and lieutenant governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin to encourage everyone to make a plan for how they can get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine once they are eligible.
On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate has fallen to the lowest rate since Jan. 2.
“Folks, there’s a pretty simple reason why I think our cases are declining, and that’s that I see you all doing the hard work,” said Gov. Beshear. “I see people wearing masks now more than ever and engaging in social distancing when they can. Keep it up. We are going to beat this virus in 2021. We’ve just got to protect everyone until we get there.”
Case Information As of 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:
New cases today: 2,756 New deaths today: 36 Positivity rate: 10.80% Total deaths: 3,337 Currently hospitalized: 1,561 Currently in ICU: 387 Currently on ventilator: 195
Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Bullitt, Warren and Daviess. Each of these counties reported 95 or more new cases; Jefferson County alone reported 445.
To see a list of those reported lost to the virus today, click here.
Drops of Kindness offers a customized approach to help customers resolve unpaid bills. CLICK HERE for more information.
Assistance is available for eligible residents in need of paying water and/or sewer bills via the Healthy at Home Utility Assistance Program. Appointments are required by calling 502/991-8391 or visit louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.
Income eligible residents within 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, who have lost income due to COVID, with proof of arrearage, payment plan, or disconnect notice for water and/or wastewater bill may be eligible to apply.
The Mayor's Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN) would like to invite you to be a part of the One Love Louisville Networking Night featuring our special guest from the Kent School of Social Work, Sara Williams MSSW, CSW.
January 26 is an opportunity for citizens to learn more about Violence Prevention efforts as well as find out about important resources and initiatives in our community.
Our Networking Night create an environment for change agents to build a network of citizens as well as agencies involved in efforts to help prevent violence. It provides a space for continued development of violence prevention knowledge and resources. During this Networking Night, you will learn individual and collective efforts to prevent suicide and coping strategies during the age of COVID-19.
Come ready to connect with other passionate community members and learn more about innovative violence prevention strategies to help create a safer Louisville!
Give your sweetie the moon, the stars, and a romantic treat by a warm bonfire! This year’s Valentine’s Day hike will include two options: a candlelit hike ending with hot chocolate for you and your partner or a candle lit hike leading to a private bonfire with a table for two and a s'mores kit (welcome to bring your own picnic dinner). Meet in the Horine Reservation main parking lot.
Pre-registration required. Start times vary, space limited.
To register, click here or call (502) 368-5404 $20/couple - Hike & hot chocolate $40/couple - Hike, bonfire
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
