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Councilwoman
Nicole George

601 West Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1121
Contact Nicole

Legislative Aide
Rachel Roarx
Contact Rachel

Visit the District 21 Website

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IN THIS ISSUE...

• A MESSAGE FROM NICOLE GEORGE: "MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING" EDITION
• IMAGE OF THE ISSUE: QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACTS IN D21
• AREA ACTIVITIES
• HEALTH & SAFETY
• INFRASTRUCTURE: UPCOMING PAVING IN D21
• NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS
• SATELLITE OFFICE HOURS IN THE CITY OF LYNNVIEW
• DO YOU KNOW A YOUTH WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE A PAGE FOR THE METRO COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 1ST?

A MESSAGE FROM NICOLE GEORGE: "MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING" EDITION

A boy with a knife is chasing my teenage daughter. 

The house next to me has been vacant for 2 years and people are trespassing. 

I can’t let my children play in the front yard for fear of a traffic accident in front of my house.  

Someone is illegally parked in front of my car and I can’t get out to go to work.  

What about the tall grass and litter in the park?  

These are just a few of the many concerns received by the Council Office on any given day, and rightly so. They are all important with real impacts to health and safety. They are also not unique to the neighborhoods of District 21. But not being unique does not negate the number of qualified census tracts in the Southend neighborhoods in and around D21. It does not mean need is felt less by those experiencing a problem. And on the subject of problems, one theme felt in all neighborhoods experiencing poverty involves the corresponding diminished capacity for civic involvement and advocacy. In fact, I am reminded of a neighbor who recently recounted how they are so busy working they barely have time to take their kids to the park much less volunteer to pick it up.  

Now back to the concerns. Whether we are talking crime or parking, “money changes everything.”  Enter our Metro FY23 budget, the largest budget to date and to the tune of 1.3 billion dollars. In an attempt to help step out the budget process, align needs with their respective Metro agency budgets and capital investments, and share advocacy opportunities I recently held 3 “Southend Sourcing Sessions” aka Budget 101 meetings. In the process I have learned the following: 1.) Aligning needs with the Metro agencies tasked with carrying out the work is not intuitive to those unfamiliar with the structure of local government. 2.) Neighbors are the experts on their experiences but the solutions and subsequent budget requests do not come easily.  There is a reason I mostly hear from nonprofit leaders and more professionalized advocates with specific requests. 3.) My neighbors do not see solutions in the form of specific Southend investments. In looking at the proposed capital projects list, one would be hard pressed to understand how the vast majority of investments will be felt in the Southend. (Please note exceptions like capital infrastructure funds, paving & sidewalks, and Evolve502). A similar concern also exists with the 87.4 million dollars of proposed American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding but will save that for another day. 

In many ways I bear responsibility. In an attempt to focus on strengths and capitalize on community pride, I rarely take to the bully pulpit to shout about the oppressive need experienced in portions D21. It is unrealistic to expect people who do not spend a significant amount of time in your neighborhoods to understand its need and in the under-sourced system known as Metro Government we are all competing for the same limited resources.  

No matter the reason, we find ourselves in a situation where there is great need in many of our Southend neighborhoods, budget advocacy is hardest for those most in need, and investments directed to the Southend are low. While longer term strategies are needed for developing capacity and advocacy skills within the community, time is ticking on influencing Metro’s biggest budget. To quote Councilman Arthur, “make things happen.”  

First and foremost, take the opportunity to elevate Southend needs. Identify the issue for which you are most passionate (look back at what you last posted on your neighborhood discussion group to get some ideas). List out how a funding increase would positively improve the issue. Then submit a comment or sign up to speak at the June 2^nd public hearing. While money may not fix everything, it is part of the formula for improvement and our Southend neighbors need to see positive change!

IMAGE OF THE ISSUE: QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACTS IN D21

The Image of the Issue is a map showing the updated Qualified Census Tracts in District 21.

Qualified Census Tracts are those in which 50% or more of the households are income eligible (with incomes below 60% area median gross income) and the population of all census tracts that satisfy this criterion does not exceed 20% of the total population of the respective area. 

Here is a link to the webmap if you would like to zoom in and take a closer look. 

https://lojic.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=c6ab29d8aed94c329e38979e68b8cbc6

AREA ACTIVITIES

Buddha's Birthday

On Sunday the 29th from 10am-12pm at Buddha Bless Temple (7748 3rd Street Rd, Louisville, KY 40214) there is a celebration ceremony going on for Buddha's birthday, a momentous occasion in the Buddhist religion.

Lots of things will be happening such as a Grand Ancestral Lion Dance and an announcement of future programs.

Ballet Bound

Louisville Ballet Presents BALLET BOUND in partnership with Olmsted Parks Conservancy!

The Ballet Bound program provides young dancers from all across Greater Louisville the opportunity to study classical ballet – FREE of charge – in Louisville Ballet's Downtown Studios. This summer, Louisville Ballet will host outdoor audition workshops to identify approximately 20 dancers for the 2022-23 Ballet Bound Class.

Auditions open to all children ages 7-9. SPACE IS LIMITED, RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! http://lbce.eventbrite.com/

IROQUOIS PARK: July 16 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

SWMS Pop-Up, Drop-Off

View the entire 2022 schedule at Louisvilleky.gov/PopUps.

HEALTH & SAFETY

You can now order more free COVID-19 home tests

Americans are now eligible for a third order of free, at-home coronavirus tests shipped through the U.S. Postal Service. Each household can 16 free COVID-19 tests. The tests, authorized by the Food and Drug Administration and available on the federal website covidtests.gov.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Grant Writing Workshop: Free Virtual Training

On behalf of Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc., please see info below for an opportunity to attend a free virtual Grant Writing Workshop:

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

9:30-11:30 a.m.

In this training, you will learn:

• How to be ready to pursue grant funding
• How to find good-fit potential funding for your projects
• Strategies for preparing winning proposals
• Tips for organizing and managing your work
• Getting started on project implementation

To register, please click here

LDC Reform

INFRASTRUCTURE: UPCOMING PAVING IN D21

Below is the list of Louisville Metro Public Works paving projects scheduled for the week of May 30, according to "The Works Week" Newsletter.  Note: the schedule is subject to change due to weather and/or operational factors. Possum Path from Kenwood Hill Rd. to dead end (all) Coon Trail from Kenwood Hill Rd. to Possum Path

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS

• Beechmont Neighborhood Association: Meets 3rd Monday @7:00pm, Iroquois Library
• Iroquois Neighborhood Association: Meets 3rd Tuesday @7:00pm, DeSales High School.
• Preston Park Neighborhood Association: Meets the first Wednesday @6:30pm, Lynnview City Hall
• Lynnview City Council: Meet 2nd Tuesday @6:00pm, 1241 Gilmore Ln
• Wilder Park Neighborhood Association: Meets 1st tuesday @6:30pm, 121 Fairmont Ave
• Airport Neighbors Alliance: Saturday, August 20 @10am, via Zoom
• Community Noise Forum: Monday, July 25 @6pm, via Zoom

SATELLITE OFFICE HOURS IN THE CITY OF LYNNVIEW

We will be available the 3^rd Wednesday of each month at Lynnview City Hall (1241 Gilmore Ln. 40213) from 9am-3pm.

Note: The District 21 office uses this time to address issues in the area in addition to being at Lynnview City Hall. You may want to call ahead (502-966-4086) to make sure we will be in the office before you stop in.

DO YOU KNOW A YOUTH WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE A PAGE FOR THE METRO COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 1ST?

District 21 is looking for a youth resident to be a Page at the December 1st Metro Council Meeting. Know someone? Contact our office.