• Doug Hamilton as Chief of Public Services, overseeing Louisville Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management Agency/MetroSafe, Public Works and Assets and Codes and Regulations. Hamilton replaces Chief Ish Burks, who recently returned to Jefferson Community and Technical College as a faculty member. Hamilton is a long-time city employee who since 2004 was director of EMA/MetroSafe. He is also a former chief of the Louisville Division of Police (prior to city-county merger) and was United States Marshal for the Western District of Kentucky. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Louisville and starts his new role immediately.

“In the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with all these agencies and respect their talents, leadership, and desire to serve the needs of our citizens and guests,” Hamilton said. “I’m honored to accept the Mayor’s challenge to focus on results. I appreciate his confidence that together we can build upon the strengths of Louisville Metro public safety and public service agencies to be the best in the country.”

• Debbie Fox as director of EMA/MetroSafe. Fox is currently deputy director of the agency that is responsible for planning, preparation, mitigation response and recovery to natural or caused disasters. The agency also oversees the 911 and 311 MetroCall networks. Fox began her career in 1982 in the Jefferson County Police Department as a radio dispatcher and she also worked for the Louisville Metro Police Department. Early in the Fischer administration, she was interim director of Metro Animal Services during a transition period. She earned a bachelor’s from Eastern Kentucky University. In 2010, she was the recipient of the International Association of Public Communications’ Director of the Year award. Fox begins her new role immediately.

“I appreciate the opportunity and am honored that the Mayor and his staff are confident in my abilities to serve as the Emergency Management Director,” Fox said. “I am excited about continuing EMA’s mission in providing excellent city services to the community and the public safety responders.”

• Vanessa Burns as Director of Public Works and Assets. Burns has more than 25 years of public sector experience in public works, transportation, budgets and finance. She is currently a member of the Appropriations Committee staff for the Connecticut General Assembly and is former director of Public Works for cities including the District of Columbia, Evanston, Ill and New Haven, Ct. She earned a bachelor’s in government from American University and master’s from the University of New Haven. She starts in January.

 Burns said she’s looking forward to her new role and in getting to know Louisville.

“It has always been my belief that Public Works departments are critical to the vitality and quality of life to a city, regardless of whether you are a garbage tipper or an engineer,” she said. “My expectations are that employees and managers will all work together to continue to maintain internal and external customer service in an efficient and timely manner.”

She continued. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with Mayor Fisher, whose forward-thinking vision for Louisville is something to behold. I have no doubt that the Public Works and Assets team will be successful in the furtherance of the goal of the delivery of exceptional service to Louisville residents.”

Fischer said the appointment of Burns came after a national search for the Public Works job. Burns rose to the top because she has overseen numerous Public Works agencies that ranged from 200 employees to 1,400 and budgets the spanned $10 million to $124 million.

 “She knows government, she knows the constraints of working within tight city budgets and she knows public work projects,” Fischer said. “The Public Works department, on a day-to-day basis, touches most citizens because the employees do everything from clearing streets of snow to paving roads. Vanessa will be a dynamic member of my team because she’s about getting things done.”

Fischer also announced that Louisville Metro Police, Metro Corrections, Youth Detention Services and The Criminal Justice Commission will begin reporting to Chief of Staff Ellen Hesen for an interim period. They previously reported to the Chief of Public Safety, which has been renamed the Chief of Public Services.

 Fischer said that Hamilton and Fox have been a dynamic team at EMA/MetroSafe. “Doug’s deep knowledge and long experience made him the right candidate for the chief’s job,” Fischer said. “And Debbie’s expertise made her the right candidate to replace Doug. She’s a proven leader and has the respect of her fellow teammates.”

 Hamilton has an ability to build high-performance teams and effectively implement a continuous improvement culture, Fischer said, which will be important in the chief role.

 Fischer also thanked Bill Schreck, interim director of Public Works and Assets, who came out of retirement to oversee the department during its transition. “He’s an extraordinary citizen,” Fischer said.

You are cordially invited to attend the City of Middletown's Light Up Festivities.

Activities begin at 6:00 O'clock P.M. on Friday, December 7, 2012, at the Middletown Community Center on the corner of Main Street and Madison Avenue.

Entertainment for all ages - with food and non-alcoholic drink for everyone.

And - Middletown Firefighters  will bring Santa,  not by sleigh - but by Firetruck!

YMCA of Greater Louisville is launching a new program called Metro Youth Advocates. The goal is to develop a cohort of inspired, informed and engaged young people to effectively advocate for policy change at the city and regional level. This program will serve as an instrument for elevating the youth voice across the city and engaging young people more substantively in the issues that impact them, both with policymakers and among one another.

YMCA will select approximately 100 high school students to serve as their Metro Youth Advocates. This group will create a diverse population of advocates, a true cross section of the city’s youth who will bring differing outlooks and experiences to the table. They are looking for passionate students who want to change their community for the better.

If you are affiliated with a high school or other youth serving organization, please follow this link for additional information. I encourage you to nominate diverse and passionate students who you feel would excel given this opportunity.

HOW TO APPLY

YMCA is currently accepting applications for the Metro Youth Advocates Class of 2013! To apply, download an application, or complete an application online. Applications are due on Friday, December 14, 2012. Selected participants will be notified early January 2013.

For questions, contact Sasha Belenky at sbelenky@ymcalouisville.org.

Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) will waive all late fees now through January 31st for cats, dogs and ferrets whose licenses have either lapsed or have never been purchased.

“Licensing your pet is extremely important and it’s the law,” said Louisville Metro Animal Services Director Justin Scally. “If you ever lose your pet, licensing can help you reunite. License numbers provide our staff with your contact information. If a Metro Animal Control Officer finds a roaming dog or cat with a license, the officer may be able to provide your pet a free ride home.”

Citizens can license their altered pets for $9 and unaltered for $50. The late license amnesty can save people a great deal and is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. Late fees can range from $47.50 for altered animals to $195.00 for unaltered animals.

LMAS uses funding from licenses to support operations including: caring for stray pets, investigating public safety threats as it relates to animals, investigating allegations of animal cruelty/neglect and much more.

Don’t delay – License your pet today at either Metro Animal Services location:

(Please bring a copy of your pet’s current rabies certificate)

Manslick

3705 Manslick

Monday thru Friday noon – 6:00 p.m. Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Animal House Adoption Center

3516 Newburg Road

Tuesday thru Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Wednesday until 7)

On-line

Download an application online at louisvilleky.gov/animalservices

1.  The Trademark Registration and Monitoring Office sends fake invoices to businesses stating “important information regarding your federal trademark.” A local business received the invoice that states they must “pay the full amount of $485 to avoid additional penalties.” The company has an “F” rating with the BBB.

2.  A bogus email about Goodwill is making its rounds. The email states “Goodwill CEO, Mark Curran, profits $2.3 million a year, he pays nothing for his products, and that no money goes to help anyone.” No Mark Curran has ever been CEO of Goodwill. Locally, Goodwill is a BBB Accredited Charity. Go to www.bbb.org/charity for information.

3.  Beware of Online Dating Scams. A local resident was chatting on an online dating site and gave out his phone number. He received a call from “Sgt. Ramirez,” who demanded money to keep someone from filing a pedophile complaint against him. The man was told to wire transfer $460 to keep a warrant from being filed against him. This is a scam!

4.  Ransomware: If you receive a warning that appears to be from the FBI that says your computer is blocked due to the illegal viewing or distribution of copyright content and that you must pay a fine, it is a scam. Ransomware is installed by clicking malicious attachments or links in email, instant messages, social networking sites, or other websites. Once infected, computers become unusable, needing repairs.

5.  Mobile Phone Scams are on the rise. Smartphone users are app crazy, but as the popularity of apps grow, so are the chances you could download a malicious app designed to steal your information. Also beware of images you click on that could carry a virus that could infect your device.

6.  Online Classified sites can be a great place to look for holiday gifts and part-time jobs, but beware of phony offers that ask for personal information or ask you to wire funds via Western Union. These are most likely scams.

7.  Beware of iPhone 5 and iPad Mini Scams. Scam artists take advantage of the buzz surrounding new, hot products. They will mention the gift in dangerous links, phony contests, and phishing emails.

8.  Skype Message Scam: If you plan to use Skype over the holidays to connect with loved ones, beware of the messages you click on. A new message scam that attempts to infect computers and hold files for ransom is going around! Delete it!

9.  ECards are a popular way to send a holiday greeting, but some are malicious, containing spyware or viruses that download onto your computer. Only open e-cards from a trusted source, if you open them at all!

10.  Delivery Scams: If you receive an email from what appears to be UPS Shipments that states “your package has arrived,” and it asks you to click on a link, delete it! This is a phishing scam. Other emails ask you to download a form, which ends up containing a virus. Similar emails can come from “Fed Ex.”

11.  Scam artists offer Fake Gift Cards online. Be wary of buying gift cards from third parties. Buy from sources you know and trust. If buying at the store, be sure the card has not been tampered with. Also, read the fine print before you buy.

12.  Check Dear Santa Websites before your child logs on. While many are legitimate, some could be potentially dangerous, asking for personal information, or could have unwelcome content. Check the links on the site, the privacy policy, and do not share too much personal information. After all, Santa already knows where you live.