Dixie Highway "business census" to begin soon

In the coming weeks, I and a handful of faithful volunteers will be conducting an informal census of businesses located along Dixie Highway, starting in the Valley Village area and extending to points north yet to be determined.

The point of all this is to properly illustrate and inventory the types of businesses we already have and compare them to the ones most commonly mentioned as ones residents say they would like to have in Southwest Louisville.

The census will be an informal affair and will not include any conversations with the owners or customers. We are after raw data, here. Not opinions.

If you are interested in helping out, drop me a line by clicking here. Don't forget to include the amount of time you would be willing to dedicate as well as what part of the highway you'd like to inventory.

I'm certain that, while we know what we have, we may be shocked by what we see. To actually see it written down in cold hard numbers may be a wake-up call to all citizens.

Thanks for your consideration, and thanks for reading the Valley Report.

Brian
The Valley Report

SW news updates 1/17/12

- The VITA Tax Service begins today. VITA has been a huge success, helping low income individuals prepare and send their tax returns. Click HERE for locations and times.

-  Councilman David Yates (D-25) has been named chair of the Metro Council’s Contracts Committee by President Jim King (D-10)

“I am honored for the opportunity to serve as Chair and I want tax payers to know, especially in these tight financial times, we will be very thorough in our review of how contracts are bid,” said Yates.

In his first year on the Council, Yates served as Co-chair of the Contracts and Appointments Committee.

“In that first year, I have seen numerous contracts come before us that I feel could have been bid out for a better return of the tax payers money,” said Yates.

The Contracts Committee reviews all contracts for goods and services used by the Metro Government. The Committee interacts with departments and agencies of government to learn what is being purchased and why it is needed.

-  This year, Kentuckiana Works Youth Career Center and partners are offering 16-21 year-olds the opportunity to be ready to meet employers at the Showcase with a series of Workforce Education Training Workshops. The two hour workshop prepares youth for the job hunt with tips on how to dress for success, how to complete a job application on paper and online, expressing their transferable skills as they build a resume and how to conduct themselves in an interview. Young people can get more information about these workshops at www.kentuckianaworks.org/foryoungadults

Yates seeking volunteers for veterans memorial clean-up

As we told you earlier this week, Councilman David Yates (D-25) has made keeping the district clean a top priority.

Today Yates announced a new initiative and is organizing a community clean-up event at the Southwest Government Center to help remove unsightly trash and litter around the Vietnam Memorial and Government Center building. They are seeking volunteers willing to help.

"We are taking residents concerns about cleaning up our neighborhoods seriously" says Yates, "Volunteer efforts like this will help with the awareness of the problem."

WHERE:

Southwest Government Center

7219 Dixie Highway

WHEN:

Saturday, January 14, 2012 12:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the office at 574-1125.

Yates cleaning up District 25

Councilman David Yates (D-25) is currently in negotiations with local businesses and community leaders to develop a more permanent solution to the problem of illegal dumping, primarily used tires.

Before the Christmas holiday, Councilman Yates and other volunteers cleaned up an illegal dumping site of discarded tires in the hopes that it would dissuade others from dumping in the area.

"Dumping is a big problem in District 25" says Yates, "We're tackling this problem head on and working to prevent this from continuing on a widespread scale."

Councilman Yates encourages residents to remain watchful and if you see someone dumping illegally, take down details- such as car color and make and description of the individual if possible, and report it to the Police.

For additional information, contact Councilman Yates office at 574-1125

Tell us what you think about newest retail/restaurant options

With the new year comes a flurry of announcements regarding new stores and restaurants scheduled to open in Southwest Louisville, but the quality of the merchants is up for discussion.

Many readers have asked about the new construction on Greenwood Road near the River City Bank location. The Valley Report has just confirmed the spot will be the site of another Family Dollar store.

A proposed Family Dollar store near Pendleton Road and a franchised salvage place opening next to Target on Dixie caused many residents to question the direction of economic development policy has taken in this part of town, and has strengthened my suspicion that we are doomed to a downward spiral of cash-based businesses that only sell "yard sale" quality goods or off-brand merchandise.

Several residents are now grumbling about the size of the new Cracker Barrel restaurant slated to appear on the corner of Dixie and Bethany Lane. The location is supposed to be considerably smaller than comparable locations throughout Louisville.

You know how I feel about these things.

It is now your turn to sound off about these new announcements. Yes or no? Will you visit these businesses? Or are you so disgusted with the new and existing options that you would consider moving away from the area?

Fire away with your opinions by leaving a comment, and thanks for reading the Valley Report.

Welch 'honored' by National League of Cities appointment

Southwest Louisville Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) has been appointed to Vice Chair the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2012 Human Development Steering Committee.

The Human Development committee is responsible for developing policy positions on issues involving social services, children and learning, poverty and income support, employment and workforce development, equal opportunity, Social Security and seniors, individuals with disabilities, public health care, mental health parity and immigration reform.

The appointment was announced by NLC President Ted Ellis, Mayor, Bluffton, Ind.

“I am honored and look forward to the challenge of leadership for this committee that sends resolutions to our federal government on issues affecting our cities and towns,” said Welch. "Louisville Metro has much to offer other cities with our many innovative programs initiated to improve the quality of life for our residents. And I can learn from other elected officials across our nation about their solutions to some of our shared problems.”

As a member of the committee, Welch will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions, while advocating on behalf of America’s cities and towns on Capitol Hill, with the Administration, and at home.

The chair of this year’s Human Development Steering Committee is Van R. Johnson II, Alderman, Savannah, GA. Serving as this year’s vice chairs are Mary Dorothy (Dot) La Marche, Vice Mayor, Farragut, TN., and Vicki Aubrey Welch, Council Member, Louisville, KY.

For more information on NLC’s other committees and councils, visit http://www.nlc.org/influence-federal-policy/policy-committees.

The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.