Mayor Greg Fischer is urging citizens to do their part to help the community get through this latest snow and ice. According to meteorologists and the National Weather Service, a significant amount of snow – 7 to 11 inches – is headed toward Louisville.

As soon as the snow starts, the nearly 300-person Snow Team will be out salting and plowing, working in 12 hours shifts around the clock. They will focus on the main routes -- the streets that, once treated, will help improve mobility through the city. Since the snow was preceded by steady rain, it was not possible to pre-treat the roads with brine.

Fischer said residents and businesses can do two critical things to help. First, all parked cars should be removed from the city’s 98 major snow routes by 6:00 p.m., so that crews can quickly get in and plow. 

“It’s also critical for everyone to pitch in and help clear sidewalks so people have a place to walk and citizens using walkers or wheelchairs have ample space to move about,” Fischer said.

The Mayor said the best time to do this is immediately after the snow has stopped falling but before it’s compacted and turns to ice. After it’s compacted, removing it is much more difficult.

“We also need citizens to help us remove snow from around the nearly 5,000 TARC bus stops,” Fischer said. “During the last snow, many TARC stops became a hazard because they were icy and frozen.”

Fischer said employees from several city government agencies and inmates from Metro Corrections are being pulled together, along with employees of TARC, to create a TARC Dig Out Team. These employees will focus on the most highly-used TARC bus stops. But even with this new combined approach, there’s no physical way the city can address all of the bus stops. Since most TARC bus stops are on sidewalks, property owners are technically responsible for clearing sidewalks in and around TARC stops.

“That’s why we are asking for citizens to pitch in and help. Our TARC Dig Out Team will do its part and we need citizens to do their part,” Fischer said.

Every year, in honor of Black History Month, we recognize an outstanding individual from our district that contributes positively to the community. This year, District 12 was proud to honor Allen Evans, Jr.. 

Allen Evans is a native Louisvillian, graduating from Shawnee High School in 1975. He has worked security for Pleasure Ridge Park High School (PRP) for 20 years. An outstanding role model for students, teachers, and staff, he exemplifies the model we all aspire to be. Allen is caring, strong, and committed to the mission of helping our students become productive citizens and happy individuals. Allen has the ability to talk with students and convince them to do the right thing.  He can break up a fight and escort the most upset students to a secure location with less opposition than anyone would expect.

Allen Evans has the rare quality of drawing people to him. He has worked in the community as a minister of faith and of hope as the Senior Pastor at St. James Missionary Baptist Church since 1981.  His strength is his ability to earn trust. It is very important for students to feel that they have been fairly treated. Even in the midst of the most challenging situations, students know that Allen will be fair, will be an advocate, and, ultimately, will be a friend. PRP is a better place for students because of his dedication and we are grateful for his service to the community.      

Join the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund’s Board of Directors and open the door to more affordable housing in Louisville. If you reside W of I-65 and if you are a representative of:

·        Social service provider

·        Neighborhood association representative

·        Representative of nonprofit housing developers OR

·        an affordable housing consumer/low income housing consumer (someone who lives or formerly lived in subsidized housing, i.e.: Habitat home, public housing, etc.) –

you may be eligible! Contact Director Rachel Hurst for more information at 502-637-5372 or info@louisvilleahtf.org. This is a great opportunity to get involved with a wonderful organization and we hope you will consider it or share with friends who may qualify.

During the unofficial five month snow season between November 1 and February 28, Public Works generally patches about 8,000 potholes on Metro maintained roads—more than half the annual total in our year round patching effort.

Potholes result from a combination of water that seeps through cracks caused by normal wear and tear in asphalt, repeated freezing and thawing temperatures, and the weight of traffic. Cold temperatures cause the water to freeze and expand, weakening the pavement. The weight of traffic on the weakened pavement then breaks the asphalt, eventually leaving a hole that grows as more traffic goes over it.

Citizens are urged to report potholes to MetroCall by dialing 311 or 574-5000. Reports may also be made through an online service request at www.louisvilleky.gov/government/metrocall-311.

Potholes on interstate highways should be reported to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 1-877-For-KYTC (367-5982).

AARP Tax Assistance is currently being offered at the Southwest Government Center until April 9th. AARP Tax Site closings due to weather generally follow the school closing schedule for county schools. Call 502-394-3443 to confirm closings.

WHERE: Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Hwy

WHEN: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

New Directions Housing is now accepting application for Repair Affair 2015 until April 30, 2015. Repair Affair is completely volunteer-drive. All repair work is performed by volunteers. Repair Affair is not a decorating, remodeling, or an emergency repair program. Repair Affair is for small repairs that improve the safety, security, and weather efficiency of the home. We do not guarantee assistance to everyone who applies. There is no cost to apply, but there are several eligibility requirements for Repair Affair: To qualify you must:

• Be 60 years of age or older or certified disabled;
• Own and reside in a single-family home;
• Qualify as low income

If you know of anyone who would like to apply, please have them call Jacie Morgan at (502) 719-7153.

It's time for Doing Our Part From The Heart! Until the end of March, Councilwoman Madonna Flood, with the help of the community, will collect toiletries, snacks and other items to send to our military overseas. These are items we take for granted but to service men and women stationed in a remote desert or outpost, these items lift spirits and make life easier. Money is also being raised for postage, which is $15 per box. 

Items needed: Chewing Gum/Mints/Lifesavers, deodorant, lotion, foot powder, razors, body wash, band-aids, q-tips, hand sanitizer, wet ones, Kool-aide/Gatorade (individual packs), peanut butter, individual snacks/candy (that won't melt), chips, pretzels, Neosporin, beef jerky, sun block, after sun lotion, nasal spray, Tylenol/pain relievers. 

Drop off locations include any Republic Bank (“From the Heart Account”), Jackson-Hewitt Tax Preparers (all locations), BC Roosters (4420 Dixie Hwy), City Hall (601 W. Jefferson) and various other locations around the city. For a full listing and updates about the campaign, please click here.

Ready to launch a new career in manufacturing? Or are you looking for an opportunity to certify your skills in the manufacturing field and get a better job? The Kentucky Manufacturing Career Center will offer the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council "Certified Production Technician" course at the NIA Center in West Louisville beginning March 16 and running through April 10. Classes are held 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, with testing each Friday.

Such companies as GE Appliance Park, Westport Group, Universal Woods, Paradise Tomato Kitchen, Mondi, Dakkota Integrated Systems and Derby Fabricating Solutions have expressed a preference for candidates with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council's "Certified Production Technician" credential. Graduates will have opportunities to be interviewed by these and other companies who recognize the credential. More than 40 companies have participated in the past year.

Your first step is to attend a required Orientation Session at the Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway, Third Floor Conference Room. Call 502-574-4100 soon to pre-register for an Orientation. The only dates remaining are Thursday, March 5th at 2:00 p.m. and Monday, March 9th at 2:00 p.m. At the Orientation Session, you will learn more about the classes and the requirements for admission. Act now to start the process -- seats in the class are limited. To qualify for the course, you must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED. You also must pass the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate assessment at the Silver level and pass a drug screen.