The August News from District 8!

Louisville Metro Government sent this bulletin at 08/01/2022 01:12 PM EDT

Councilmember Cassie Chambers Armstrong

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Megan Metcalf
Legislative Assistant

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District 8 Phone Number: 502-574-1108

District 8 Website

Council Recap: Back from Summer Break
Support Our Eastern KY Neighbors: Donate to Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund
District 8 Extended Office Hours: Neighborhood Development Funds (or Whatever Else is on Your Mind!)
August (Virtual) Community Conversation: Local Government and Climate Change
Highlands-Douglass Tree Planting
Support Highland Community Ministries at the Cherokee Triangle Association Summer Concert Series
National Night Out: August 2nd
Neighborfest: September 17th
Douglass Community Center Renovations Update

Council Recap: Back from Summer Break

Dear District 8,

Council is back in session after our summer recess. It was wonderful to get to visit with so many of you over the break during my extended office hours. Thank you to everyone who came by to chat and tell me what was on their mind.

Full council met this past Thursday, and--although it was a light agenda--we passed two resolutions that I was proud to be a sponsor of, along with my Women's Caucus co-chair, Councilwoman Paula McCraney. These resolutions called on the General Assembly to waive taxes on diapers and menstrual hygiene products.

A wide body of research has shown how taxes on diapers and menstrual hygiene products perpetuate inequity: low-income people, women, and parents are disproportionately impacted. Both of these items are essential health products, meaning a lack of access can lead to more serious health conditions. We currently don't tax a lot of essential items--like groceries and prescription drugs--because of the regressive nature of these taxes. Lots of other states have waived taxes on diapers and menstrual hygiene products for that reason.

Both resolutions passed unanimously, and I'm hopeful this bipartisan support will help these bills get traction in Frankfort. Only the state has the ability to change the law to make diapers and menstrual hygiene products tax exempt, but our unanimous resolution signals strong Louisville support.

You can read more about the resolutions and the reasons they are important at: https://wfpl.org/diaper-and-menstrual-product-taxes-worsen-inequity-some-council-members-want-to-pressure-the-state-to-end-them/

As always, thanks for reading, and please be in touch if I can do anything to be helpful.

Best wishes,

Cassie

Support Our Eastern KY Neighbors: Donate to Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund

Like many of you, I have been heartbroken by images and stories coming out of Eastern Kentucky. I have family in one of the impacted counties, and--although they are thankfully okay--many of their neighbors and community members have faced devastating loss. I know from my time growing up in Eastern Kentucky that the people there are hard-working, resilient, and will do everything they can to heal their communities. I also know that they will need resources and support to be able to do that work.

I hope you will join me in supporting our Eastern Kentucky neighbors during this crisis. There are many great organizations collecting supplies and donations. I made a donation to the Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund set up by Governor Beshear. If you are looking for a place to give, it's a great option, and you can make a donation at this link: https://secure.kentucky.gov/FormServices/Finance/EKYFloodRelief

District 8 Extended Office Hours: Neighborhood Development Funds (or Whatever Else is on Your Mind!)

A few weeks ago we announced that we are accepting applications for the District 8 Neighborhood Development Funds. These funds can be used for small grants to non-profits or other government agencies for any work that furthers "a public purpose." There's more information on the requirements and how to apply in the below graphic.

To make sure that everyone has their questions answered, we are hosting extended office hours this month. We will be available from 10am-1pm on Thursday, August 11th, at City Hall (601 W. Jefferson St.) to meet with folks about applications, or hear general feedback about what you'd like to see us use the funds for. No need to make an appointment in advance--just stop on by!

You're also welcome to stop by to chat about things other than the grant process. If there's something else you want to come talk to us about, we are happy to chat with you about that as well. As always, if our office hour times don't work for you, please send us an email, and we'll be happy to schedule something at a different time.

August (Virtual) Community Conversation: Local Government and Climate Change

Join us for a community conversation about the role of local government in climate change policy. What can cities do to address the existential threat of climate change? What is Louisville doing? What do the experts say we need to be thinking about?

This will be a panel discussion streamed via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/CouncilmemberCassieChambersArmstrong/

Got questions in advance? Please email them to cassie.armstrong@louisvilleky.gov

Highlands-Douglass Tree Planting

Flooding and Heat: Planting canopy native trees is a major way that homeowners can help reduce flooding and heat in our neighborhood. If you live in the Highlands-Douglass neighborhood and have a 15 x 15 feet or more open space, you can have one or more 5-7 foot native canopy tree planted for $35 each. We have over 25 species from which to choose. Please contact Barbara Berman at barbaraberman2@gmail.com or 502-553-6451 at your earliest convenience as we are ordering our trees now or if you would like to volunteer. Planting will be Oct 7-9th 2022, weather permitting.

Support Highland Community Ministries at the Cherokee Triangle Association Summer Concert Series

This week the Cherokee Triangle Association learned from HCM Executive Director, Troy Burden, that the food pantry is in need of donations. Demand is up, but supply has lagged, so they have been running out of critical food items. The greatest needs are for canned soups, pasta sauces, pasta, pre-packaged mac & cheese, and canned meats like tuna and chicken. HCM is a key service provider for people in our neighborhoods.

On August 7^th Sunday Concert, Cherokee Triangle Association will have a major collection effort, asking concert-goers to the Summer Concert Series to bring food donations.

What can you do now?

1. Drop off donations at the HCM office. Food Pantry volunteers can take your donations every Wednesday, Thursday or Friday from 10 AM to 1 PM. HCM is in the former United Church of Christ building at the corner of Breckenridge and Barrett Avenues. There is plenty of parking in their lot. You can call them at 451-3695.

2. Put together a box or bag of your food donations to bring to the re-stocking drive at the Sunday, August 7^th Willow Park concert (7-9pm)

5. Tell your friends and neighbors about the CTA/HCM food drive

National Night Out: August 2nd

Tomorrow is National Night Out, a night where cities across America hold events to promote police-community partnerships. This event is free and open to the public. Details below!

Neighborfest: September 17th

The Deer Park Neighborhood Association is hosting Neighborfest on Saturday, September 17th. This event is open to the public and designed to build relationships among neighbors. Details below!

Douglass Community Center Renovations Update

Did you know the historic home at the center of the Douglass Community Center will soon be reopening? In a few months, this beautiful space will be open to the public (after years of being closed) thanks in large part to the efforts of the Highlands-Douglass Neighborhood Association. Not only did they raise money for the renovation, they’ve put in hundreds of hours cleaning and doing repairs. Thank you to all the volunteers who’ve helped give this gift to our community! Thanks also to the Parks Department for their efforts.

You can learn more about the HNDA efforts at: https://highlandsdouglass.com/dcc/

If you have a question or comment, please call me at: (502) 574-1108 or email: cassie.armstrong@louisvilleky.gov (and copy megan.metcalf@louisvilleky.gov). If you have a service request, please call Metro 311 or visit Metro 311 online. If you have AT&T you may have to dial 502-574-5000.

Thanks for reading, and tune back in next month!

Councilmember Cassie Chambers Armstrong | Louisville Metro Council | District 8

601 West Jefferson Street, Third Floor

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

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