In this Issue
Hello Neighbors & Friends,
The Easter season brings such great optimism for a springtime of renewal and hope. If your plans this weekend are to celebrate Easter on Sunday or simply enjoy the day by resting and relaxing, I hope you’ll consider that since spring has already sprung – albeit with gusty winds and low temperatures – we should rejoice and be glad in it. With spring’s longer days filled with sunshine and blooming flowers, it is time to celebrate all the beautiful parts of this season. To help you get into the spring spirit, I leave you with this poem, “Spring has sprung!,” exclaimed the bumble bee. “How do you know?,” said the old oak tree. “I just saw a daffodil blooming on a windy hill.” “So, I think I’ll enjoy it and just be still,” (said I).
Happy Easter weekend and happy spring - may you see beauty and joy in everything!
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Last week, I included information in the newsletter about issues with state roads, particularly the calls my office had been receiving about the overpass on Brownsboro Road at the I-264/US 42 interchange. I listed the names of two gentlemen that citizens can contact to express their concerns or lodge a complaint. Well, my newsletter entry caught the attention of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) when you began calling them. (That proves the power of your voice!) When you exercise your voice in a manner that is constructive and meaningful, government listens. I wish I could tell you that once you voice your concerns, everything will be fixed and fine, but I can’t. However, what I will say to you is, when you see something, please say something. That is how things can get fixed. I also must tell you that the first line of defense for most of your complaints regarding street repairs and other infrastructure concerns, should be the Louisville Metro Government's customer service department, known as Metro311. I was asked by KYTC to inform constituents to direct roadway maintenance and other concerns to Metro311.
Metro311 Service Request Information:
Here is the exact suggestion from KYTC:
“For citizens, we recommend calling 311 for all maintenance/ debris / litter / lighting outage concerns. If it’s an interstate issue, 311 will forward the call to us. Our metro partners log 311 reported issues on non-interstates and share that with us. To alleviate your office managing constituent complaints, we would highly recommend having citizens call 311 to report an issue. Citizens can also contact KYTC directly using the “report an issue” form, linked here Report an Issue.”
KYTC also informed us of this:
“Our Metro liaison works with LMPW (Louisville Metro Public Works) to ensure they are aware of maintenance. LMPW, under our Metro contract, will be performing street sweeping/cleaning next week. And, Metro crews will be addressing potholes on the bridge deck tomorrow. Any non-interstate “state highway” (for example, US 42 or KY 913) is maintained by Louisville Metro. We have a contract with the Metro Government for their maintenance of these roadways.”
I drove by the overpass the other day and did notice that the Louisville Metro Public Works Department was filling in potholes (albeit not so good, they were paying it more attention than it's received all year). I am looking forward to the street sweeping/cleaning because the overpass median needs it badly. The pictures below show rocks that have been placed on top of the median off the street. But given the high winds we’ve been experiencing, these rocks will be back on the streets to tear up tires before you know it. My office is hosting a community cleanup on April 13th, and I could send a crew of volunteers there to pick up the rocks, but I hope Public Works cleans up the rocks by then.
Lastly, KYTC shared this about the overpass and connecting interchanges:
“In regards to the I-264/US 42 Interchange Improvement - Project 05-804, the project consists of a total Reconstruction of the I-264/US 42 (Brownsboro Road) interchange. [in January 2024 an email was sent to select personnel discussing the installation of a deck overlay.] This deck overlay will extend the life of the existing bridge and provide for a smoother riding surface – until the construction project commences.”
Like my expressions in the Message from McCraney section above, hope springs eternal. This means that it is human nature to always find fresh cause for optimism. Even if things seem bleak, we can find a reason to hope. I hope that since you voiced your concerns and helped to bring awareness to the ongoing issues presented by the overpass on Brownsboro Road, the partnership between KYTC and Louisville Metro Public Works will commence to eliminate some of the driving hazards that we must endure on a daily basis. Let’s keep watch, as we also keep hope alive.
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I've been spotted at several events throughout District 7 and Louisville Metro recently. Here are some of my stops from the past two weeks.
Puttshack Grand Opening
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The site that used to host a Sears has changed a lot over the last few years. Now home of a Topgolf and restaurants, Oxmoor Center is evolving and offers visitors more than just shopping. That evolution continued this week with the opening of Puttshack.
Louisville resident Allison Zimmerman attended the grand opening and said it was something she hadn't experienced before.
Click here to read the full story published by Spectrum News.
St. Albert the Great Fish Fry
A Special Presentation to Ms. Mattie Jones
We missed Ms. Mattie Jones during the Rosie the Riveter Awards ceremony at the Metro Council Women's Caucus on March 14th. But this week, I had the honor of presenting Ms. Jones with her Rosie the Riveter Award during a private luncheon event. It was great spending time with this Civil Rights icon and mentor to many in our community. She graciously expressed her gratitude and proudly received the prestigious award and accompanying proclamation, one day before her 91st birthday. |
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Happy Birthday, Ms. Jones, from District 7!
Goodwill Opportunity Center Grand Opening
I also had the pleasure of being one of the many attendees at the official grand opening ceremony for the Goodwill Opportunity Center. A huge crowd of organizational partners, public officials, and interested individuals gathered together for the ribbon cutting ceremony for this worthwhile cause.
In addition to housing the headquarters and career services for Goodwill, the West Louisville Opportunity Center will be home to nine co-located partners: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Blak Koffee, KentuckianaWorks’ Kentucky Career Center, the Kentucky College of Barbering, Legal Aid Society, Park Community Credit Union, University of Louisville College of Dentistry, Volunteers of America Mid-States and the YMCA of Greater Louisville. Together, their programs and services are expected to serve 50,000 people annually. Congratulations to everyone who made this new era of hope possible!
The Louisville Metro Council did not hold meetings this week due to spring break.
The next Metro Council meeting is Thursday, April 11, at 6:00 p.m.
To see all meetings on Facebook Live, go to the Metro Council Facebook page by clicking here.
The public can also view all council and committee meetings on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
These proceedings can also be viewed live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184, or UVERSE Channel 99, or streamed live from Swagit’s page at https://louisvilleky.new.swagit.com/views/506/ (only when live) and on Facebook on the Louisville Metro Council’s page at https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleMetroCouncil (when live and after the meeting).
From the Desk of Senator Gerald Neal:
LEGISLATURE LITIGATES LOUISVILLE
One measure I found myself in a position of strong opposition to in the final days is one that directly affects Louisville. HB 388, which concerns the merger legislation for Louisville Metro, presents itself under the guise of alignment and efficiency. However, the bill introduces profound changes that, in my view, threaten the fabric of our local governance and the accountability mechanisms that are foundational to our police force.
The shift towards nonpartisan elections, though seemingly benign, strips away a layer of transparency and voter understanding in a political landscape already marred by confusion and disillusionment. Furthermore, the imposition of a disciplinary process for Louisville Metro Police Department officers decreases public transparency, which contravenes our strides toward accountability and raises the burden of proof, likely prolonging the process and diminishing trust in an era where it is most needed.
The legislative amendments in HB 388 also propose a freeze on changing Louisville's zoning ordinances until after next year’s legislative session, a move that directly intervenes in Metro Council's autonomy and its ability to address pressing housing and developmental needs. This, coupled with the requirement for the city to reimburse suburban fire districts without a clear delineation of funding sources, places an undue burden on our already stretched municipal budget. Furthermore, the additional requirement for a study on the makeup of the Metro Council, though appearing to be a step towards inclusivity, raises concerns about legislative overreach into local governance.
OTHER BILLS PASSED IN THE SENATE THIS WEEK:
Senate Bill 258 increases penalties for the torture of a dog or cat to a class D felony. It passed the Senate 31-5.
SB 295 is designed to remove the existing COVID-19 vaccination mandates for businesses, educational institutions, and workplaces throughout Kentucky.
HB 275 requires school districts to fully investigate teacher misconduct even if the teacher resigns before the investigation is complete. It would also require teacher applicants to disclose recent disciplinary issues when applying for a new job. HB 275 was approved by the Senate unanimously.
HB 535 calls on the Kentucky Board of Education to create academic standards for civic literacy in high schools. That would include lessons on America’s founding, the U.S. Constitution, principles of government, and civil liberties, among others.
HB 278 ramps up criminal penalties for offenders who sexually abuse, assault, or exploit children. The bill also seeks to prevent people convicted of sex crimes or violent felonies from working in public schools. A last-minute amendment also requires pornography websites to provide age verification before users can gain access. The bill cleared the Senate unanimously.
HB 142 bans all tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products in Kentucky public schools. It would also require school districts to adopt disciplinary procedures for students who violate the bans. The Senate passed it 35-1.
HB 622 requires vacant seats in the United States Senate to be selected through a special election rather than an appointment by the governor. The measure passed the Senate 31-3.
Senator Neal stated that he was disheartened that HB 5, the Kentucky Crime Bill, achieved final passage this week. This significant piece of legislation, which he strongly opposed, aims to overhaul our criminal justice system by imposing harsher penalties for various offenses and implementing a 'three strikes and you're out' policy for victimless crimes like homelessness. It is now headed to the Governor's desk, where Senator Neal anticipates the Governor will veto it. However, it will then be returned to the legislature for potential overrides.
Here are 5 Tips for stopping unwanted calls:
- Block the phone numbers of unwanted or suspected scam callers.
- File a complaint to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Report unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Register for the National Do Not Call registry to minimize telemarketing calls.
- Check with your phone provider to see if they can assist with blocking spam calls from your device.
- Click the photo below or here, go to page 6, and click on your phone provider for more information.
Waste Management District would like insight into Louisville residents' opinions on the effects, prevalence, and consequences of littering, and litter prevention and abatement efforts. Please take this survey about litter in Louisville. It will take less than 5 minutes! Click here to take the survey |
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Click here to read the full report.
For questions, email community.louisville@usdoj.gov or call 844-920-1460.
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Louisville Metro Government has partnered with the Kentucky Solar Energy Society (KYSES) and the Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC) to launch the third annual solarize campaign, Solarize Louisville (formally known as Solar Over Louisville), to give residents and small businesses bulk-purchasing power to obtain discounted wholesale rates for solar installation through vetted installers. Going solar helps property owners save energy costs, support local clean energy jobs, and help Louisville meet its goal of 100% clean energy community-wide by 2040! In the past two years, 150+ residents went solar through Solarize Louisville. Our selected installers for 2024 are Icon Solar Power and Pure Power Solar. Both installers are reputable regional companies offering the same standard panel price with a 12-18% discount.
To sign up for solar or learn more, please visit: solarizelouisville.com. In addition, the Office of Sustainability will host two “Solar 101” workshops in April where community members can learn more about the program. Information and registration links can be found below.
- Solarize Louisville Workshop with Icon Solar
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Location: LFPL Main Library, 301 York St, Louisville, KY 40203 (in-person in the Board Room)
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Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024
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Time: 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
- Register for the workshop here.
- Solarize Louisville Workshop with Pure Power Solar
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The next Pop-Up Drop-Off event will be at Sun Valley Park and Ashby Lane Baptist Church on Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
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Please do not arrive early. The event begins when all equipment is in place, no earlier than 9:45.
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No loose debris, bagged garbage, or construction materials! This type of material is accepted at the Waste Reduction Center on Meriwether for a fee.
Separate your loads into categories! To make it easier to offload quickly, please separate your loads. By doing this we can recover more material and keep it out of the landfill
The Jefferson County PVA will mail property assessments on April 26, 2024. The 2024 reassessment covers MLS Areas 2, 3, and 7 including areas in and around Germantown, The Highlands, Clifton, Crescent Hill, Butchertown, St. Matthews, Indian Hills, Audubon Park, Hikes Point, Jeffersontown, Fern Creek (areas east of Bardstown Road), and Fisherville. If your property value changes, you will receive a full-color assessment notice on a large postcard that includes a photo of the property and information about the assessment appeal process.
If you believe the assessed value is not correct, The Jefferson County PVA wants you to know: You have a right to appeal.
The first step of the appeal process is to complete the PVA Online Conference which is available at www.jeffersonpva.ky.gov from April 26, 2024 at noon EDT, until May 20, 2024 at 4pm EDT. If you need assistance with the Online Conference, PVA staff will be available and ready to assist you.
In-Person Appeal Assistance at Library Branches
Assistance Hours are 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted
- Opening Day April 26: Jeffersontown and Highlands/Shelby Park 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Jeffersontown: Weekdays April 29-May 20
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Highlands/Shelby Park: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays April 29 - May 20
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St. Matthews: Tuesdays and Thursdays April 30 - May 16
- Final Day May 20: all three locations listed above
More helpful information, including tips on preparing for your Online Conference can be found at www.jeffersonpva.ky.gov.
The tax deadline is quickly approaching. See if you qualify to have your taxes prepared for FREE at one of the sites below. Click here for more information.
The Louisville Audubon Society is raising awareness about its Lights Out Louisville initiative to protect birds during peak migration seasons. Save the graphic below and learn more by visiting their website.
The {ulti-mutt} FREE event, which helps to support Kentucky Humane Society, will return to Westport Village on Saturday, April 13th from 11am-2pm, presented by Three Dog Bakery!
Bring your four-legged-friends for live music, a Fido Marketplace of vendors, Tito's Pup-tails benefiting Kentucky Humane Society, complimentary pet portraits, pet caricature art, a K9 Splash Zone {sponsored by Wild Eggs}, a Canine Crafting Booth for kiddos by Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and MORE!
For more information, check out the Westport Village website.
For more information about upcoming events in Lyndon, visit https://www.cityoflyndon.org/ or call 502-423-0932.
St. Bernadette Diaper Bank is hosting its inaugural fundraising gala on May 18th! The Diaper Bank Ministry collects diapers to help agencies that assist low-income and homeless families. They supply diapers for children, the elderly, and the disabled. Over the past year, the Diaper Bank has donated over 50,000 diapers a month to 30 various community agencies.
Consider supporting this organization by purchasing a ticket or table for the Dancing for Diapers Gala. You can also show your support by advertising your business in the program booklet that will be taken home by all attendees. For more information, contact Deanna Hornback (saintbernadettediaperbank@gmail.com) via email or at 502-425-2210 Ext. 214.
Tickets: $20
There will be a $10 buffet dinner, $1 desserts, and cash bar for those interested in arriving early to eat.
Advertisements (Booklet size 5.5” x 8.5”):
$25.00 ¼ Page
$50.00 ½ page
$100.00 Full Page
Spot the difference
Try to find all 6 differences between the Easter eggs below.
Check your answers at the end of the newsletter.
Having issues with high grass, illegal parking, street repairs, or other Code Enforcement concerns in the community? Contact 311!
Metro311 Service Request Information
- Submit a Service Request in the online system.
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Only service requests for the past 30 days will be accessible in the system. If you need information on an older request, please call Metro 311 for status.
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To receive email notifications of the status of your service request you must have an account and you must have included your email address when you created your account. You can create a new account and report a new issue.
- Not all issues you put a service request in for require you to login. Some issues may be submitted anonymously, such as reporting a pothole and property maintenance cases, for instance. But having an account will allow you to track the progress and status of the request.
- The outlined or highlighted area on the map indicates the area which is serviced by Louisville Metro Government.
If you do not see a category which corresponds to your issue, please call Metro311 at 311.
For all the details you need regarding the new drivers license please click the link below:
To read about the most recent VA Medical Center construction events, go to: https://www.va.gov/louisville-health-care/programs/new-robley-rex-va-medical-center
To request weekly updates about the construction events, send an email requesting updates to: LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
For ALL construction-related inquiries, please email: LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
Check us out on social media:
Metro Louisville now has an interactive map that will allow you to see what is happening in your neighborhood as well as others across the city. The map updates daily and if you choose you can receive alerts for your area by subscribing using the red receive alerts button on the page. Click here to try it out: Interactive Map to Track Crime.
Message from the LMPD 8th Division
Please make note of the below tips to help make sure theft doesn't happen to you.
- Never leave anything of value in your vehicle; this includes laptops, purses, GPS devices and even loose change.
- Do not leave your vehicle running while unattended.
- Always lock your vehicle doors.
- Remove garage door openers from vehicles when parked outside.
- Do not leave your keys in your vehicle, this includes key-fobs.
- Do not leave the windows of your vehicle open, or partially open.
- Try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
- Never leave a firearm unprotected in your vehicle.
- Immediately report any suspicious person, or vehicle to (502) 574-7111.
Click here to Subscribe to the 5th Division E-Newsletter
District Resource Officers (DRO's)
After more than 3 years the 5th Division is happy to announce we have 2 DRO's! DRO's are the "Jack of all Trades" for the community. They are our problem solvers, ambassadors, community representatives and anything else you can think of. Congratulations to Officers John Keeling and Brad Steller, your 5th Division DRO's.
They can be contacted at the links below.
Officer John Keeling
Officer Brad Steller
Need support now?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Are you thinking of hurting yourself or ending your life? Text LOU to 741741
Community mental health resources:
Metro United Way's Community Resource Directory can connect you mental health and crisis intervention resources. Or call 211.
Need to dispose of unwanted bulk items? Click the link below for details regarding Pop-Up Drop-Off event dates around Louisville. Click HERE
Accepted Items:
- Up to 3 electronic items (recycled)
- Metal & appliances - no refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers or any items containing Freon (recycled)
- Up to 4 passenger tires (recycled)
- Household recyclables, follow curbside rules (recycled)
- Yard waste, follow curbside rules, wooden pallets (composted)
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Large household items (landfilled)
- Documents for shredding (recycled)
Prescription medication (disposed properly)
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Stay aware of new development in your area! Sign up for Gov Delivery notifications at:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYLOUISVILLE/subscriber/new
On January 1, 2019, a new Comprehensive Plan, called Plan 2040, went into effect. As a resident of District 7 (or any district in Louisville), it is important to review the Comprehensive Plan if you are interested in development that is proposed for the neighborhood. The Comprehensive Plan is the guidepost for all development, and the Planning Commission must use it as one of the guiding principles and tools for making decisions regarding the approval or denial of a neighborhood development project.
Read The Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040)
The Comprehensive Plan is representative of over 6,000 voices, including Metro staff, an advisory committee, and resident volunteers. The Advisory Committee, made up of diverse representatives from neighborhood and community organizations as well as development and business interests, finalized its recommended goals, objectives, and policies on February 21, 2018.
On April 16, 2018, the Planning Commission recommended the Comprehensive Plan for approval. The document was then reviewed by the Metro Council as well as 12 local municipalities with zoning authority for formal adoption. Those 12 local municipalities are: Anchorage, Douglass Hills, Graymoor-Devondale, Hurstbourne, Indian Hills, Jeffersontown, Lyndon, Middletown, Prospect, Shively, St. Matthews, and St. Regis Park.
Plan 2040 Survey Findings
Plan 2040 Demographic and Economic Projections
Plan 2040 Core Graphics
Louisville Metro Council livestreams all of its regular meetings and committee meetings on Facebook Live.
To see all meetings on Facebook Live, go to the Metro Council Facebook page by clicking here.
The public can also view all council and committee meetings on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc.
Click here for more info.
Click below to read the social media policy of the Louisville Metro Council:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/louisville-metro-council-social-media-public-comment-policy.
Just for Fun Answers
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