In this Issue
On Tuesday, May 14th, I attended a press conference hosted by Oxmoor Farm where it was announced that a new bourbon experience has been born. The Oxmoor Bourbon Company invites the community to experience the rich history of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It is offering tours that will take us back in time to learn how five generations of Bullitt legal scholars spanning over 300 years authenticated and preserved bourbon.
The Oxmoor Farm is historic. It was originally built in 1791 by the Bullitt family and has been nestled in eastern Jefferson County for 230 years. As part of the bourbon tour, guests will be introduced to the stories of the Native Americans and enslaved men and women who lived and worked at the farm. In addition, touring guests can traverse the 13 original outbuildings, which include a smokehouse, springhouse, icehouse, hemp barn, and former slave cabins. All house tours are guide-led and last approximately one hour.
Below, I am pictured with three surviving Bullitt descendants. It was my great pleasure to meet them and learn of their roots in Louisville and migration to Washington, D.C. and back to Louisville. We enjoyed some political banter and I marveled at how far we've come since the antebellum days of yesteryear. Nostalgia was in the air, and I began to reflect on how European settlers turned to African slaves over indentured servants or paid staff. I couldn't help but recognize the irony of my standing in that library as an African American elected official who now represents the hollowed grounds of Oxmoor Farm. While there, I felt history and the present bubble up in my heart. So, I determined then that I would return to take a tour to not only explore Kentucky's bourbon beginnings, but to view Oxmoor's beauty and uniqueness, and get a "sip of history." According to the Oxmoor Farm website, all tours can be adjusted to focus on your interest, ranging from the Colonial Period, to the Civil War, to the Gilded Era.
It was an exciting morning, and the announcement about the new bourbon tour program was well-received. Who knows, District 7, Oxmoor Farm may be the site of a future community tour. Stay tuned!
 CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF OXMOOR
Mr. Paul Horner served as a page during the Louisville Metro Council meeting on May 16, 2024. Pictured to the left, Paul is seated in one of the historic chairs situated in the Council Chambers. It was from this seat that Mr. Horner happily and energetically performed his duties as a page for the evening.
Pages serve at the invitation of a Council member. They perform a variety of tasks, such as delivering messages to Council members and legislative documents from the Council Clerk to and from the Council President. During the process of performing their duties, pages also have the opportunity to learn about the lawmaking process as they observe Council members introduce and vote on legislation. Paul performed his duties with valor and appeared to have fun while doing so.
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Meet Paul Horner
Paul Francis Horner was born in Louisville, Kentucky and is a first grader at Wilder Elementary School. He excels at mathematics and Spanish, plays soccer, participates in the drama club, and was his class champion in the bean bag toss. An active Cub Scout, he attends Broadway Baptist Church and loves to play outside, ride his scooter, explore caves, and, of course, watch TV. His favorite superhero is Sonic the hedgehog, and he loves his 2-year-old sister Danielle Rose, Nana Kathy, and Grandpa Steve Horner.
Thank you, Paul, for your service! You made District 7 (and your parents, Aaron and Lauren) proud.
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Embark on an enriching journey with us as we visit the heart of West Louisville. This exclusive tour is tailored for the residents of District 7, offering an immersive experience of the rich culture, history, and community essence that defines West Louisville. Seating is limited and tickets are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis!
Secure your free ticket(s) today by scanning the QR code in the flyer above or by clicking here. Each household can claim up to four tickets.
If tickets appear to be sold out, don't worry! There will be more available in the near future, so please stay tuned to the updates in future newsletters.
You may also email me at paula.mccraney@louisvilleky.gov or contact me at 574-1107 to register! Leave your name, email address, telephone number, and the number of tickets you would like to reserve.
 This summer, locally owned and operated natural foods grocer Rainbow Blossom will open its 6th store! It will be located at 4946 Brownsboro Road, the former location of Paul’s Fruit Market. At this new location in District 7, you’ll be able to enjoy organic products, wellness items, and a full-service Blossom Bar, offering freshly prepared smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and made-to-order smoothie bowls.
To learn more about Rainbow Blossom and their products and services, you can visit their site here or visit their stores in St. Matthews, Middletown, the Highlands, Springhurst, or New Albany, Indiana.
The Louisville Metro council held its regularly scheduled council meeting this past Thursday, May 16th.
The following items on the agenda under Old Business were approved:
Other items on the Council agenda included the following:
Special Recognitions and Proclamations
- Councilwoman Dr. Paula McCraney recognized District 7 Page, Paul Horner.
- Councilwoman Donna Purvis recognized District 5 Page, Harper Palmer.
- Councilwoman Cindi Fowler recognized Valley High School’s Chess Team for winning the 2024 National High School Chess Championship.
- Councilman Stuart Benson recognized the Jefferson County Conservation District Employee of the Year, Paul Borntraeger.
Consent Calendar – all items passed unanimously
- R-041-24: a resolution approving a noncompetitively negotiated professional service contract for Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness for employee training focused on practical skills, self-awareness, and the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
- O-085-24: an ordinance amending LMCO Chapters 111 and 113 regarding the licensing of semi-nude dancers at ABC establishments.
Held at Council
- R-007-24: resolution urging the United States Congress and President to facilitate a ceasefire in Palestine and Israel.
The Council meeting and attachments may be viewed online here: https://louisvilleky.primegov.com/public/portal, and on the Louisville Metro Council Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleMetroCouncil/.
The next regularly scheduled Council meeting is on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
There are multiple ways you can follow the Louisville Metro Budget and meetings of the Louisville Metro Council Budget Committee, and you can view the Mayor’s recommended FY 24-25 budget here and the budget hearing schedule here.
The next Community Budget Hearing before the Budget Committee is next Thursday, May 23rd at 6:00 PM, and you can register to speak at the meeting from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM that day.
To share general comments on the recommended budget, you can fill out the public comment form here.
For additional information or questions, you can reach the Metro Council Clerk’s Office at (502) 574-3902.
REFLECTING ON THE BUDGET AND STATE NEEDS
(From the Desk of Senator Gerald Neal)
"It has been a month since the Kentucky General Assembly adjourned the 2024 Regular Session. With the dust settled, I find it imperative to reflect on the most important task we undertook: the budget. In this update, I will share some concerns and complexities surrounding our state’s fiscal management and the strategic decisions implemented by the legislature. The approach of this session necessitates a critical examination, particularly because of the significant financial commitments that were made.
This legislative session managed an extensive budget, directing approximately $137 billion towards various state needs with a notable emphasis on infrastructure. Despite these investments, the budget involves a strategy that restricts spending on essential services to enable tax reductions. This method of fiscal management—holding spending significantly below potential revenue levels—is cause for cautious reflection.
While the budget allocates substantial funds to infrastructure projects, it remains markedly conservative regarding spending on education, child care, housing, and state employee compensation. For instance, adjustments to the SEEK program for education funding barely accommodate inflation, effectively stagnating real investment in our schools and underscoring a continued pattern of underinvestment.
Given the volatile economic climate, our strategy to facilitate tax reductions by controlling spending comes with risks. The intent to lower the income tax from 4 percent to as low as 3 percent by 2027 is contingent on meeting stringent fiscal targets. This prioritization of tax cuts potentially compromises the funding of essential public services if economic conditions deviate from projections.
The budget addresses necessary areas such as granting state employees a 3 percent raise annually for the next two years and making critical pension contributions. However, these initiatives may not fully reflect the accrued needs from years of wage stagnation or the increasing pressures on our workforce. While essential, the focus on pension funding is a mere remedy to the broader fiscal challenges that face these systems.
The funding increases for Medicaid waiver services and foster care support represent positive steps. Yet, they fall short of addressing the broader spectrum of needs within our health and human services systems. These increments, though vital, are components of what should be a more robust plan to bolster our social support infrastructure comprehensively.
This budget cycle highlights the necessity for a more thoughtful and flexible approach that comprehensively meets the diverse and pressing needs of Kentuckians. During the upcoming interim, I remain dedicated to revisiting our fiscal strategies to ensure that our economic policies adequately fund vital public services rather than predominantly facilitating regressive tax policy."
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice HARI KRUPA 9619 LLC, 4326 Saddlebrooke Trl, Owensboro, KY 42303, hereby declares intentions to apply for an NQ Retail Malt Beverage Package License (1) license(s) no later than May 7, 2024. The business to be licensed will be located at 9619 Whipps Mill Rd. Louisville, KY 40242 doing business as Fuel 19. The members are as follows: Sanjay Patel, Member, 2796 Summer Valley Lane, Owensboro, KY 42303. ARVINDKUMAR PATEL, Member, 4326 Saddlebrooke Trl, Owensboro, KY 42303. CHETANKUMAR PATEL, Member, 4503 Reserve Way, Owensboro, KY 42303.
Any person, association, corporation or body politic may protest the granting of the license(s) by writing the Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40601, within 30 days (KRS 243.430) of the date of this legal publication.
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- In-person No-excuse Absentee (Early) Voting is open today and tomorrow, Thursday May 17th – Friday May 18th, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Election Day polls are open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Tuesday May 21st. If You are in line at 6:00 PM, you will still be allowed to vote.
- You can find your polling location by visiting org/wheredoivote. Simply type in your residential address to find your precinct, polling location, and elected representatives.
- You can also find your current polling information on a postcard you recently received from the Jefferson County Clerk.
- Sample ballots can be viewed here by typing in your residential address.
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FREE RIDES TO THE POLLS – TARC is offering fare-free service on Election Day! All routes and service, including TARC3, will be fare-free and passengers can take any route to help get to their polling place or any destination. For more information on routes, maps, and schedules, visit org.
- For more information on elections, and voting, call the Jefferson County Clerk at (502) 574-6100, visit the Jefferson County Clerk’s election website, or visit their Facebook page.
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- You’ll be seeing more city crews on local roads fixing potholes in the coming weeks as they help keep you safe on the roads this spring.
- You can report potholes in your own neighborhood or nearby roads by calling Metro 311 at (502) 574-5000 or online by clicking here.
- You can also report potholes on X, formerly known as Twitter, by sending the location of the hole to @LouMetro311 and including the hashtag #502pothole, or by using the Metro311 app available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
With election day next week, here are some tidbits about its history!
Election Fun Facts
- Why Tuesday? Since most American citizens were farmers in the late 1800s, many had to travel far to polling places in towns, and so Tuesday was the most convenient day because it was after Sunday and before market days, when most farmers sold their crops, on Wednesdays.
- Why November? It was considered a good time for elections because the busy harvest season was ending, meaning higher voter turnout.
- The first official Election Day didn’t take place until November 7th, 1848, when Whig Party candidate Zachary Taylor won to become the 12th President of the United States.
- The first use of a voting machine during an election was in Lockport, New York, in 1892.
- In the early days of the United States, polling places were often held in taverns and public houses, as they were central gathering spots in communities.
- The practice of Early Absentee Voting began during the Civil War to allow Union soldiers to vote from the battlefield, which was later expanded to citizens depending on circumstances.
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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 here to read the social media policy of the Louisville Metro Council.
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