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Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright
601 W. Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1103
Email Councilwoman Parrish-Wright
Ben Harlan
Legislative Assistant
(502) 574-3452
Email Ben
Dre Dawson
Community Engagement Strategist
(502) 494-6663
Email Dre
District 3 Website
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If you've talked to any of us in the District 3 Office (Councilwoman Parrish-Wright, Ben, or Dre), you know we are going to keep it real, so we wanted to take this opportunity to talk about what we've seen recently. Please be patient through the following block of text.
Many of us were alarmed by the news that YUM will be moving its headquarters to Plano, Texas. This comes after Humana decided to sell its downtown building, and after LG&E moved out of their 9th Street location. Broadly, this presents a concerning trend about the economic state of Louisville, and our community's viability.
We, in the District 3 Office, as we're sure many of you, too, have been hearing a LOT about economic development. There are so many hard working folks in our community, but the rhetoric surrounding the strength of our city doesn't seem to match the reality of many folks searching for good, high-paying jobs. It seems the benefits of industries like bourbon and the Kentucky Derby (including the hotel industry) have not paid off in a meaningful way for the vast majority of Louisville residents. This is not to say it doesn't bring money into our city, but it is to say, money for whom? In District 3, which contains neighborhoods bordering Churchill Downs, we hear about how Derby used to be fun. We hear that it is no longer a good, local event that brings prosperity and joy to neighbors, but now is a nuisance that only caters to tourists who do little to respect our city. We hear about a crackdown on residents making money from Derby through small sales and parking, and reduced genuine concern for those who live here the remaining 364 days of the year. The Kentucky Derby should be at least a two week festival that is inclusive of all our beautiful cultures, and touches every part of our city and county. It is heartbreaking to see businesses leave our city while the industries we maintain trample over the working class residents who used to see a much more equitable share of the benefits.
We are told that, to attract businesses that can bring good jobs, we must get crime under control. We will emphasize that we all want to reduce violent crime, and build a strong, safe community for all. However, there is zero evidence, zero research, zero evidence-based practice to suggest that solutions to violence includes hyper-surveillance, more and bigger jails, and more policing. The United States has more jails, and a bigger population of incarcerated people than ever before, but we are not seeing a reduction in so-called crime. The safest communities are not over-policed, they are abundantly resourced. In making the city safer to attract more businesses, and keep the ones we have, we must ensure every neighborhood in Jefferson County has all the libraries, parks, grocery stores, and schools they need to prosper. Criminalization of street-camping, racing, and being poor does nothing more than overwhelm the jails. It is impossible to incarcerate and criminalize our way out of systemic failures that distribute resources inequitably.
Additionally, it is disrespectful for some to speak to residents in West Louisville like it is only their problem to fix crime, as if crime doesn't happen in every zip code in the county. Residents in all neighborhoods are capable of both economic development and violence. The difference is resources. In District 3 alone, we have many brilliant small business owners with grit, tenacity, and impressive business acumen. These are the folks we want to see have access to capital and opportunity because they are committed to our community. Unfortunately, because of their capacity, large scale corporations get to access the bulk of the capital needed to run a business, which locks out our Louisvillians working every day to benefit us all.
We would like to see more Louisvillians have access to resources to thrive, so we don't continue to see opportunity leave our city. We have so many assets in our people, with all of our newcomers from across the globe, and with those who've lived here for generations. We have a beautiful landscape against the Ohio River, and world-renowned parks. There is no reason the bulk of our economy should have to rely exclusively on bourbon and one weekend in May. The existing strategy clearly does not work because we continue to see businesses and opportunities quite literally fly out of the city.
The 2025-2026 budget season is upon us. While actual budget hearings will not begin until May, the mayor's office has already begun drafting its capital (building projects) and operating (personnel for the operations of city departments) budgets. We want as many people as possible thinking about what they want funded in the coming year, and to reach out to our office, the mayor's office, and the Budget committee members to ask for funding for projects that will benefit all Louisvillians equitably, in all neighborhoods. Part of this is ensuring Public Works has the funding to purchase new garbage trucks and snow plows. Another part is ensuring the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods can administer grants to those providing programming for our youth. Additionally, we need to have an honest conversation about taxation. An increased occupational tax could help TARC restore routes. The occupational tax that funds TARC has not been increased since it began in the 1970s. Thriving communities have robust public transit. Allowing TARC to struggle while continuing business as usual is a disservice to our entire city. Please get involved in the budget process with us. We should all have a say in what gets prioritized, and it should be resources for all neighborhoods. Not grocery stores, coffee shops, and subdivisions for some while others only get more surveillance, more police, and more punishment.
Our District 3 Advisory Board is made up of seasoned folks, representing many different neighborhoods, and they offer so many wonderful solutions. In District 3, we believe in listening, and taking action. Our constituents have many concerns, including sidewalk repairs, tree maintenance, reducing speeding, property upkeep, park improvements, and so much more. These will always be the top priorities for District 3. As we learn about neighborhood priorities, we are also learning how acting on each of these concerns requires the collaboration of the department of Public Works, the Parks Department, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, private contractors, and the Office for Management and Budget. This is one of the many reasons it is critical for residents to be active participants in the budgeting process. We must ensure every department receives the resources they need to address community concerns. Our constituent concerns remain our top priority. Please keep inviting sharing and inviting us to your events. We all deserve better, and we get there together.
And THAT is our point of view.
Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was a featured panelist at the Louisville Urban League's unveiling of the 2024 State of Black Louisville Report. Councilwoman Parrish-Wright wrote an article for the 2024 State of Black Louisville that can be accessed HERE!
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Councilwoman Parrish-Wright joined the first Public Works Committee meeting where she was the Vice Chair! Jennifer Kearn with the department of Public Works presented on Louisville's newly introduced Department of Transportation. |
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Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was a panelist at the Elmer Lucille Allen Conference to speak about the hazards of lead poisoning. This was very timely, given Metro Council's recent weakening of lead hazard protections. Councilwoman Parrish-Wright will always stand for more protections for the people, even if several other members do not. |
Councilwoman Parrish-Wright attending the grand re-opening of the Parkland Library! She loves libraries and more opportunities for the community and was proud to be present for this special occasion. This would have been the Councilwoman's local library when she lived in West Louisville if it were open. |
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Ben, Eric with the Parks Alliance and Gretchen with the Office for Women canvassed the South Louisville neighborhood regarding the planned re-development of GG Moore Park! We heard concerns about safety, and improved play areas for kids. |
Councilwoman Parrish-Wright attended the 5th Annual Justice Fest. She was thrilled to listen to the passion and ideas of the youth, and was a pitch panelist to support their work. She is so thankful to all the young people, sponsors, and volunteers for this great event. |
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Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was so excited to attend the Black Recharge Hair Show sponsored by Change Today, Change Tomorrow at Whirling Tiger. Councilwoman Parrish-Wright celebrates Black heritage, and was grateful for the opportunity to be in community at this amazing event. |
This year, for Metro Council's Black History Month Program, District 3 honored former District 3 Councilwoman Mary Woolridge. Former Councilwoman Woolridge is a founding member of Metro Council and proudly served for many years. Thank you, Mrs. Woolridge! |
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Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was proud to be a featured reader for Black History Month programs at both Jacobs Elementary and the West End School. She loves engaging with young people, and was so heartened to read to the young learners at both schools. |
The District 3 team presented a proclamation to Shakir, honoring the opening of his new business, Derby City Furniture on Dixie Highway. We are so proud of all of our business owners! |
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