Copart's junkyard close to becoming reality

In a note to constituents today, Councilman David Yates (D-25) tells the awful truth about Copart and the company's plans to open what any sensible person would call a junkyard on Pond Station Road.

There has been significant outrage in the community since Copart's plans were revealed.

Yates' statement:

The District 25 office has been notified by Metro Planning and Design that the proposed Copart Facility does not require a Conditional Use Permit, citing that their operation does not exceed the already permitted use of the property under the Land Development Code.

Metro Planning and Design has based their decision on the contention that Copart has applied to only stores vehicle, will not "part" them out for sale, and may only store them in a manner that allows for ease of access.

After several meetings with Copart representatives and their legal counsel, we have voiced our objection to the proposed use at the proposed location. However, our office has continued to work diligently to assist Copart in finding an alternative resolution for all parties- that embraces new business, but protects the use and enjoyment of our neighbor’s properties and the integrity of neighborhoods. We have proposed four alternative suitable options as locations for the Copart facility in other, already heavily industrialized areas more suitable for their business, and we will continue to lobby for their consideration of another site.

It is an understatement to say that we are disappointed with Metro Planning and Designs decision. Based on the current Zoning of the proposed location, it was understood that your Metro Council did not have the authority to review the BOZA decision of the conditional use permit. However, both I and several of my colleges on the Metro Council were prepared to speak out for our constituents and voice our concerns with the proposed use. It is unfortunate that we will no longer be afforded the opportunity to make a public argument to a neutral board on behalf of the citizens directly and indirectly affected.

We will continue to keep you up to date on the progression of this issue.

Click HERE for a copy of the Opinion from Planning and Design.

Please contact our office should you have any concerns, or would like any additional information.

How this plan fits in with the Southwest Greenways project, the Louisville Loop project or the Dixie Highway Corridor Study plan isn't clear. That is because it doesn't fit.

Promised improvements to "quality of life" are obviously not coming for people here.

Just more junk.

The next time you see the mayor, you should ask him what he thinks of our new junkyard. Hell, maybe he will cut the ribbon on it.

While timing the traffic lights on Dixie Highway is nice and new bus shelters and trash cans are better than the over-turned shopping carts riders sit on to wait for the next TARC, these things do not make a real difference in people's lives.

It doesn't help political careers, either.

Last year, people said they didn't want Miller Transportation to build a giant bus maintenance facility at the entrance to a neighborhood. Residents lost.

Last year, people said they didn't want a developer to transfer a parcel of property over to the city because Metro Parks couldn't explain what they were going to do with it. Residents lost.

This year, people said they didn't want these yard sale or flea market businesses to be able to pop up just anywhere. Residents lost.

This year, people said we have finally have enough Family Dollar and Dollar General stores. Please stop granting them permits. Residents lost.

It is over.

We lost.

Like gypsies in the night: LMPD 3rd Division crime trends for January, 2012

Courtesy of your SW Metro Council representatives, here are the most recent Crime Trends for the LMPD 3rd Division. Specific trends to be aware of are as follows:

There were three separate burglaries reported in the 4800-4900 blocks of Dixie Hwy. Each time, a concrete block was thrown through the front window of the business and all three happened after dark. One report had a suspect listed as a white male.

There was a home burglary reported in Hunters Point. The victim was inside when a white or Hispanic male wearing a red hat and blue jacket, forced his way in the back of the home. Please call police with any information you may have regarding this case.

A green utility trailer was reported stolen from a driveway off Upper Hunters. The trailer is reported to be metal with wooden sideboards and floorboards and has B &G Framing written on the side in black marker. If you spot this trailer, please call police.

3 car break-ins were reported on the lot of Wal-Mart at 7100 Raggard Rd. Police arrested the suspect, who admitted to breaking in to all 3 cars. All property was then returned to the victims.

A theft of a vehicle was reported on Freeman Ave. The vehicle was taken while the victim still had the keys. SUV is a red Mercury Mountaineer KY 040MBN.

A separate vehicle was reported stolen from Iroquois Gardens Dr. That vehicle is described as a 1997 black Honda Civic KY 111HES.

A home burglary was reported on Palatka Rd. where 2 guns were stolen, along with other valuables. The weapons are described as a .22 Springfield rifle and a Remington 12 gauge shotgun.

A burglary of a garage was reported on Elmer Ln. An unknown suspect kicked in the door and took tools along with a red Honda motorcycle.

Vehicle parts were taken from a car lot on National Turnpike during closed business hours. Parts were later recovered after being found by the business owner. Please keep an eye out if you are out along this road, especially during the overnight hours.

A burglary was reported on Gleam where the back door was kicked in and 2 guns, along with a computer were stolen. The weapons were a 12 gauge shotgun and a Remington 860.

2 thefts from autos were reported on East Dr. One vehicle had the window broken out and the other was left unlocked with a purse and its contents taken from inside. Remember to always lock your cars while away from them.

An air conditioning unit theft from a church was reported on Deering Rd.
 
A business burglary was reported on Valley Station Rd. Entry was made to the building and a safe with cash inside was taken.

Another air conditioning unit theft was reported from a church on Valley Station Rd.

Sun Valley on Ashby Ln. was burglarized last week when an unknown suspect/s gained entry to the parking lot and building and took a trailer and valuables. Any information you may have regarding this, please call the police.

There were 5 home burglaries reported South of Greenwood Rd and North of Hwy 841 during the last week, all were entered with force. Keep an eye out, especially if you are home during the day, for any suspicious activity or people that may be around your neighbors or your own home. Never hesitate to call the police with any concerns.

2 home burglaries were reported on Kinross Dr. The back door was pried on one and valuables were taken from inside both homes.

A John Deere green and yellow Gator was reported stolen from a construction site on Lower River Rd. Any information you may have in regards to this theft, please pas along to police.

Again, 2 separate vehicles were reported to have been “broken in” to by the victims leaving them UNLOCKED. If you have anything inside valuable enough to report to the police, LOCK YOUR CAR.

We appreciate any help from the community to solve crime. Please talk to all of your friends, family members, social and professional organizations and make them aware of this new service the Louisville Metro Police Department is offering. The more the information gets out to the community the better our chances of keeping Louisville safe.

On again, off again: SW Cracker Barrel deal turns sour.

Parody: Not to be taken seriously.

Chris Thienenman's deal with the folks at Cracker Barrel has taken yet another twist.

After jumping through flaming hoops for the neighbors, the city and the people running the company, Thieneman says the restaurant chain is now demanding city tax credits to build the project in Valley Station. If newly-elected Greg Fischer doesn't come of his wallet, the ol' hacks at Cracker Barrel will balk on the deal.

Good. Let 'em go somewhere else, I say.

One day people will look back on this extortion by the corporate chain and be amazed that such a demand could be made of the citizens. It is, indeed, who pays for "tax credits" to businesses in the first place.

Interested parties are already saying that this is Fischer's "chance" to "do something" for southwest Louisville.

I disagree.

This isn't about creating jobs. Restaurant servers earn $2.13 an hour. That's not an amount that's enough to justify dumping a truckload of city money on the corner to entice them to operate here.

This is about a rich company's attempted hold-up of this community by first agreeing to do business here, then not agreeing to do business here unless its potential customers foot the bill for construction, training, or whatever else they say they need.

Recently, much was made of a proposal in the state legislature to make mandatory drug testing a requirement to receive government assistance. In that spirit, I would demand a hair and urine sample from the businessmen making these tax credit demands over at Cracker Barrel headquarters.

We will be in touch after the results are in, fellas.

As far as Chris Thieneman is concerned, the local Tea Party's sweetheart sure was singing a different tune when he was running for mayor. The one-time "free market" supporter is now demanding the "boot heel" of metro government be applied in the form of free tax money so he can close his deal and line his own pockets.

As for me, I will continue spending my money at locally owned and operated businesses that don't threaten the city over tax credits. The money spent at these establishments stays in the area.

I hope you will join me in buying local first, and resist this destructive and dangerous trend of corporate welfare without any guarantees.

Will Kentucky be the next Arizona? Observations of a heavily armed liberal in Louisville

Re-posted from my 'Tucker Everblasting' blog at Insiderlouisville.com:
 
My thoughts on this weekend’s events are many, and they are complicated. In a few instances, they are contradictory.

But so what? I lived for eight years under the presidency of George W. Bush in these United States, and I never once tried to jack up a member of Congress.

These are strange and terrible times in Arizona and everywhere else in America, and we were warned. Hell, I even warned a few people.

So maybe we all share in the blame as a society for this weekend’s brutal murder of six people and the wounded survivors that include the main target, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. One didn’t have to own a crystal ball to see what was coming.

On one hand, I can’t stand any more progressives or liberals taking the “high road” on this. Those types of self-righteous, “non-violent” attitudes and holier-than-thou missives thrown from ivory towers are what got us here to begin with.

They refused to champion their own ideals and let the steamroller of Stone Age beliefs embodied in the Tea Party curb-stompers roll straight into power.

They sat on their hands and let Keith Olbermann do the talking as Sarah Palin’s “hit list” map was revealed, were quiet as church mice while crackpot Sharron Angle declared her “Second Amendment Solution” time after time on national television and kept silent as the conversation in this country turned curiously toward violence.

Hundreds of rally signs spotted and photographed at Tea Party rallies said, “I came unarmed … this time.”

All the left could muster to counter those now non-idle threats was a letter writing campaign to the New York Times.

Violence is the only thing these people understand, and the only thing the Republicans fear is a group of heavily-armed liberals.

But the right doesn’t have to worry about a gunfight. They’re fighting the Democrats.

They traditionally surrender before the fight starts. And they are doing it again by refusing to call a spade a spade when it comes to saying, out loud, why this happened.

On the other hand, I see many of my teabagging friends have lost their Internet connections and phone service this weekend. Nary a sound from them, except for a few who call the alleged shooter a “communist liberal.”

They should be, to preserve their own standing – or what is left of it – unilaterally condemning these types of actions. Considering that the far right has stoked the flames of violence to this degree is sickening.

They owe this country – indeed the world – an apology for turning what should be the envy of the planet (America) into a shooting match in a grocery store parking lot.

As of this writing, I am personally unaware of any public statements from Rush, Hannity, Palin or any other of those dingbats and dunces that own this mess.

Why not a call to “lock ‘em all up” or demand end to such crazed threats and actions? I believe they all share responsibility for the recent threats and violence because they never say “Don’t do that.” Instead, they put out political propaganda with gun targets on people’s faces and say “Let’s take ‘em out!”

What does that say to crazy people?

As I read on Facebook today, “It’s like Pontius Pilate saying, ‘Let’s not put any religious significance into this crucifixion thing.’ “

The left will react predictably and use this as an opportunity to push for tighter gun control. The right will do as always and attempt to distance itself from the heavily armed nutcases and wackos it relies upon to win elections.

What is next for America in 2011?

It looks like the best the public can hope for is the return of “Dancing With The Stars” or “American Idol” to soothe the psyche and properly numb the mind. Then the rest of us can get back to business.

As for me, I’m taking the advice of a long time friend just as I always have: “Buy more ammo.”

Commentary on Miller Transportation's zoning hearing in Southwest Louisville

After careful thought and consideration, I would like to share with you my opinion on the proposed relocation and expansion of Miller Transportation's current facility in District 25, Southwest Louisville to a wooded area adjacent to the entrance of the Candlelight Neighborhood in District 13, also in Southwest Louisville. The more I think on the subject, the more angry I become. I don't do this very often, if ever, but there may will be profanity below. You have been warned.

Begin rant:

First, as you are all aware, the hearing that will be held before the Metro Planning Commission will occur this Thursday at 1PM at the Old Jail Building downtown. This time of day for which the hearing is scheduled is outrageous and unacceptable. 1PM is a time when most affected residents would be at work, and the lawyers who want to ram this project through on behalf of Miller Transportation do not want your participation. Without you there, it will be much easier to do a quick hand-job on the commission. This allows Miller Transportation to say, "See? No one even bothered to speak against it." The commission, after listening to Miller's high-priced attorneys clear their fucking throats for 15 minutes, will grant the request if residents don't come out in droves and act like savages.

Second,  I feel it is necessary to have an open, public forum for residents FIRST to air concerns and open a dialogue with the business owners that allows everyone to speak. The fact that Miller did not reach out to residents and seek their approval FIRST speaks to how seriously the company takes its responsibility to the community. Only after some type of forum is held should any hearing be scheduled, and residents should have some type of input on the time of the hearing. These are our neighborhoods, not a never-ending supply of cheap land for you to exploit.

Third, while we in Southwest Louisville appreciate the efforts of all local businesses and want them to succeed, sooner or later you people are going to have to come to grips with the fact that WE LIVE HERE, and your profit margins and your competitiveness and your part-time driving jobs and your idle threat to move out of town do not mean much to us if the way you plan to conduct your operations lowers our "quality of life". Good riddance.

Fourth, the environmental impact of such a business needs to be fully and thoroughly studied before any type of hearing is held on the matter. Creating a parking lot with over 200 spaces by paving over a wooded area does not do much to improve existing drainage issues in the area, bus exhaust isn't fun to breathe and lighting up a residential neighborhood at night does not improve "quality of life".

Fifth, the Southwest Dream Team's effort to encourage a letter-writing campaign on behalf of a bunch of millionaires is nothing more than corrupt communication and is one of the most misguided, destructive and disgusting things I have witnessed in a long time, and I have seen some pretty silly shit out here. What started as a noble effort to include everyone at the table to gain influence for our area has been ruined by the insatiable greed and stupidity of local business associations that exist only to serve the interests of a few fellow back-scratchers. And listen you insensitive assholes, you don't go around calling all concerned residents "a few nay-sayers". That takes balls. Those pesky "nay-sayers" are worried about their plummeting home values, something your flimsy organization should be trying to improve. Has anyone on the Dream Team ever considered what it would be like to try to sell a house - the value of which has already been depressed by the economy- right next to a huge bus maintenance facility that runs high pressure sodium lights all night long?

Lastly, the attempts by all sides to cockblock residents participation should backfire. I sure hope it does. And I hope the good people living in the Candlelight Neighborhood, a neighborhood consisting of several hundred modest homes as well as Lassiter Middle School, have the grit and ability to show up Thursday at 1PM to send a strong message to and make an example out of Miller Transportation and the once-proud Southwest Dream Team.

As stated previously, all email and letter correspondence either in favor of or against this project should to be sent to the attorney at the following email address: chashburner@wyattfirm.com. Email and letters should be addressed to: The Louisville Metro Planning Commission; Chief Rich Carlson, chair- c/o Cliff Ashburner, attorney.

End Rant.

Paul to U.S. workers: The war is on

Confirming our suspicions, Senator-elect Rand Paul has hired one of the most anti-union bastards in the country to be his Chief of Staff, thus having applied the "boot heel" to the throat of America's union workers.

Doug Stafford, former Vice President of the National Right to Work Committee, believes in absolute corporate tyranny - total freedom for businesses to do whatever they like while employees are fitted with leg irons and ball gags.

Stafford's ruthlessly conservative opinions are well documented. (See HERE - hat tip to Ville Voice)

Paul and Stafford are part of a group of millionaires that want to take away a worker's right to organize, lobby for better conditions and bargain collectively all while protecting the businesses right to join things like manufacturer associations that lobby for weaker safety laws and bargain collectively with other companies.

This move should come as no surprise to anyone that followed Paul and his insane campaign, but should be recognized as what it is: A slap in the face to American workers.

Hawkins crew resorts to stealing signs, says Yates

In a press release just issued, 25th Metro District candidate David Yates says American Patriot and cheap bully Doug Hawkins is responsible for the theft of ''hundreds'' of Yates for Council yard signs.

It's a weak and desperate move and the mark of a loser.

HUNDREDS OF YARD SIGNS STOLEN IN SOUTH LOUISVILLE

Louisville, Ky - Over the past two evenings, hundreds of "David Yates for Metro Council" Yard Sign have been stolen across the 25th District. Yates, the democratic candidate for Metro Council's 25th District, said that his campaign has received numerous emails that supporters' yard sign have been stolen from their yards. Additionally, Yates' yard sign was the only one stolen at homes with multiple yards signs of other democratic candidates.

"This is nothing more than Doug Hawkins being Doug Hawkins," Yates said. "Year after year Councilman Hawkins pulls these antics, and voters are going to go to the polls this year and show that they're tired of his tricks. I'm expecting a robocall tonight from Hawkins to voters with some outrageous lie about me and my family."

Yates filed a report with the police department Monday afternoon after spending hours canvassing and noticing that his yard signs were gone. Yates' campaign distributed over 600 signs during the past month, and the campaign believes that over 300 have been stolen in the past 48 hours.

Video of State Senator Dan Seum "manhandling" private citizen

Here it is...the video that we have been waiting for. Dan Seum forcefully grabbing a citizen that was trying to record the illegal and unethical Rand Paul rally held at the Southwest Government Center last month. The whole story can be found HERE.

Coal Ash Public Forum - This Thursday!

The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, part of the Energy and Environmental Cabinet, has received a special waste application from Louisville Gas and Electric, Cane Run Station located in Jefferson County. The administrative portion of the application has been deemed complete and review of the technical portion of the application has begun. This application, if approved, would expand the facility by 49.4-acres and allows the disposal of industrial wastes generated from the combustion of coal for electrical generation.

The cabinet has scheduled a public forum to be held on October 14, 2010, 6:00 p.m. at Conway Middle School, 6300 Terry Road, Louisville, Kentucky.

The purpose of this forum is to educate the public about the laws and regulations governing special waste, discuss the facility's proposal, and to answer questions concerning the proposed application. In addition to representatives from the Solid Waste Branch, State and EPA Region IV Superfund personnel will be available to discuss the Lee's Lane Landfill. The format will be question and answer in small groups, with no central meeting. The public may come anytime between 6 pm to 9pm to ask questions or receive information. It is not necessary to attend the entire length of the event. The cabinet provides, on request, reasonable accommodations necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services, programs, and activities. To request information in an alternative format, contact Anita Young at 502-564-6716.

Tip O' the hat to my friends at The Local Weekly.

News From The Department of WTF

- The second worker death this week has been reported at Jeffboat.  Both victims fell to their deaths, the first on Monday.  More on the sad, sad news at the CJ. [LINK]

- Burglaries are rising sharply in South/Southwest Louisville.  No one knows why. Go home and lock up all your stuff.[WHAS11]

- Doug Hawkins brags of endorsement from "Miss Wheelchair KY" in his latest campaign email. Laura Reynolds points to improvements in Waverly Park, saying "Hawkins made sure it was all handicapped accessible."

Isn't that part of the deal? I mean, is that an option? To make it inaccessible?

- Councilman and mayoral candidate David Tandy claims he's really standing on that construction crane in his campaign commercial. Take a look. What do you think?

LG&E Seeking Expanded Coal Ash Pond at Cane Run

The following was copied from an environmental activist's facebook page. It is very real and is eye-opening stuff. Although the deadline for action has passed, please familiarize yourself with this issue and take a stand when you can against any more of these fragile holding ponds. Coal ash exposure puts our health at risk. The EPA estimates that up to 1 in 50 nearby residents could get cancer from exposure to contaminants in poorly stored coal ash. Other health effects may include damage to vital organs and the central nervous system, especially in children.

E.ON’s Cane Run Power Station has applied for a Section 404 permit through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to add a 60-acre coal combustion waste (CCW) landfill adjacent to the power plant.

The current CCW pond on-site at the Cane Run Power Station is one of 44 classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as “high hazard” – meaning that a spill would result in significant damage or loss of life.

CCW is the solid waste left over from burning coal. CCW is a combination of waste from the coal plant’s air filters and the residue from coal boilers. The ashy part of the waste, called coal ash, contains concentrated pollutants, including many toxins known to cause cancer in humans.

The proposed permit would:

* Allow 5.7 million cubic yards of CCW, which contains toxins known to be hazardous to human health, to be dumped on site. The U.S. EPA states that 1 in 50 adults and 1 in 100 children that live near CCW storage sites are at risk of developing cancer

* Allow more than 3,000 feet of ephemeral and intermittent streams and 8 wetland areas to be filled

* Allow use of an inferior containment liner that deteriorate over time, likely resulting in toxic chemicals leaching into groundwater

* Ignore restoration requirements for 5 of the wetlands and require only minimal restoration for the other 3

* Allow this waste to be dumped on land located at the end of the Ohio River floodwall, clearly in the river’s flood plain putting residents downstream at risk


--Find out more about the impacts coal ash can have on your community and health here.
--Louisville District Corps of Engineers Public Notice No. LRL-2010-35 is available for viewing here.

"Undecided" Leads Mayor's Race

- The Courier-Journal/WHAS11 Bluegrass Poll on the race for Louisville Mayor reveals, despite big money being raised, "Undecided" seems to have the advantage.

- An 11 year old Valley Station boy was killed yesterday after being shot with a BB rifle. [CJ]

- PRP Skate Zone opens March 17 at 6pm. Admission is only $5.00. Come on out and enjoy the grand opening.

Mayor Vetoes Local Worker Ordinance

The labor ordinance that would have put more local residents to work on government-financed construction projects was vetoed by the mayor yesterday. He and his GLI acolytes spun the issue as one of high, unrealistic wages and other phony, nonsense arguments. The ordinance was less about wages than where the wage earners come from. Everyone can see that.

Everyone can also see that since the mayor receives a portion of his income from GLI, it makes sense that he would follow the wishes of the Chamber of Commerce rather than the will of the citizens. The mayor wants you to forget that fact. The mayor wants to tell you that your wages are too high. This veto action has only insured that we will continue to have high local unemployment while out-of-town workers reap the benefits of government-financed construction in Louisville. These are your tax dollars going into the pockets of out-of-state corporations with out-of-state workers.

So, Mayor Abramson, keep drawing that big check from GLI while you can. We know where your allegiance lies.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

- Ever wonder what Cinco de Mayo really is? Click HERE for a complete history lesson.

- The EPA has told power companies that regulation of coal-ash is near. Coal-ash is the waste product produced when coal is burned. The CJ has more HERE.

- The Local Weekly is reporting vendors at the Peddler's Mall at 5138 Dixie Highway are being officially notified the location will close on June 15. The new location will open July 1st at the Shively Center. This is what I reported to you previously, and what most of us had feared. It seems as though the guarantees from civic leaders have been set aside in the name of the almighty dollar. SW Louisville has suffered another serious blow to it's image. Thank you, Seay Properties, for destroying the hopes and dreams of thousands of Southwest residents by leasing this grand building to a flea market. We hope the rent you are getting is worth it the wrath of the community. We do not forget.

One wonders how many more let-downs of this magnitude SW Louisville can handle.

Moron Dressed As Klansman Embarrasses PRP, SW Louisville

I have avoided this story since it broke, hoping it would be buried under the crushing weight of Swine Flu Madness, but alas, it is being covered heavily by WHAS11 and I am now forced to say something about it.

Robert "Danny" Heil, a man who holds the rank of Captain with the PRP Fire Department, has been suspended without pay after he allegedly dressed up in a white sheet and hood and exclaimed "It's dark now, it's KKK time". If true, this act illustrates an astonishing display of stupidity on the part of Heil, who has been with the department for more than 10 years. This incident, along with another last year and the frequent, ongoing use of the "N-Word" by Heil is the subject of a criminal complaint filed by Christopher Glass, a black PRP firefighter.

People in the workplace, particularly people in leadership positions, that demonstrate such creepy, ignorant behavior should be given the firefighter's boot to the ass and thrown out the door with no recourse. We in Southwest Louisville have tried very hard to show the community that our part of town is not some haven for racist rednecks in white sheets...then a Captain in the fire department does something like this to blow the whole thing. Sadly, Southwest Louisville is once again, in the eyes of the community, a gang of ignorant Klansmen with NO CLASS or MORALS. Thanks, Heil. If this case ends up as a civil claim, it is anyone's guess as to how much money this could cost the fire department.

The PRP Fire Chief says Glass' claim is being taken seriously. I believe that to be true. If guilty, Captain is a rank of which Heil is spectacularly unqualified to fill. This is one fire PRP should allow to burn out.

City Block Closes - City Says "Too Bad"

City Block, the entertainment complex formally known as O'Malley's Corner, has closed. The place had been in business for 18 years and employed 100 people. Owner Ward Plauche says City Block was at a competitive disadvantage, having to go up against corporate-owned and city financed 4th Street Live. Plauche has been trying for 2 years to meet with city officials to discuss help for his business. The promise of city help finally came Wednesday, the day the bar closed. Louisville Metro Economic Development Director Bruce Traughber offered $200,000 in forgivable loans which has been termed by the owners as "too little, too late". City Block's owners had invested over $20 million into the property since the late 1980's.

The city has dumped millions into Cordish Co.'s Fourth Street Live project, most recently to renovate a bowling alley into a sports bar. The city has guaranteed Cordish yet another $850,000 for an unnamed renovation of the complex downtown. The CJ is covering the story HERE.

I cannot properly express to you how utterly stupid this situation has become. The city lets a local business owner fail by financially backing a competitor, then refusing to help the local guy.

Enough is enough.

The Mice of St. Andrews

WLKY is reporting on a story that needs some attention. Two local guys are renting an apartment at the complex known as "The Oaks of St. Andrews", located in South Louisville on Brooklawn Drive. It seems to have what professionals may deem a "rodent problem". The men became aware of the infestation in January and notified the out-of-town landlord. Anonymous tenants claim there were 13 dead mice occupying a single unit, and residents say they cannot bring food or children into the space because of the rotten living conditions. The manager of the complex laughed at tenants when they complained.

I searched for more information about the complex, and came up with a sales pitch on why you should move there:

Maybe you long for a quiet, comfortable home with an excellent location or the prompt maintenance. Perhaps it's the friendly atmosphere. Whatever the reason, The Oaks at St. Andrews is apartment living at its best! This community is what easy living is all about. It features all the amenities and comforts any discriminating apartment shopper could want. And it's close to major employers, fine restaurants, Dixie Manor, Westland Mall and Southern Terrace. The Oaks at St. Andrews... you'll be proud to call it home.

I cannot imagine anyone having to live in these conditions, especially in America, 2009. The two guys have a lease that isn't up until August, and if they took the owner's offer to move to a new location, the guys would be out many green dollars transferring things like cable installation and utilities. Not to mention the guys would still be living under the same group of slumlord's that allowed this situation to spiral out of control. Someone connected with the case called Metro Call 311 to complain, but the operator reportedly told the caller it would be 20 days before someone could handle the problem.

Think about this, and if there are any attorneys out there who want to do a good deed, look these guys up. Tip O' the Hat goes to my friend Steve from Louisville History & Issues.

Shively Center Development Takes Nosedive

- In a sharp blow to Shively and Southwest Louisville residents, Seay Properties has settled on a "Peddler's Mall" as the tenant that will fill the old Dillard's building in the newly renovated Shively Center. "Peddler's Mall" is a modern term for flea markets that occupy shabby buildings and drive down community pride and property values. Although Southwest Louisville is overserved by this type of nonsense, Seay Properties felt compelled to help create what just may be the largest one around. Residents were hoping to spend their many green dollars at a modern department store that would anchor the development. Now, citizens are left wishing the old Dillard's building would have been demolished. Sad ending to such a promising story.

- If you are interested, the local Republicans are having a tea-bag party downtown today. Don't ask. Don't tell.

How Long, O Lord....How Long?

- Can anyone tell me how many more of our friends and relatives must die to protect the profits of the massive, for-profit U.S. health-care system? People are dying because of a lack of insurance, to be sure, but also due to a lack of basic preventive care. Guys like Dave Ernspiker and a few of my other friends might be alive today if our system were more equitable and covered everyone. The time for universal health care is upon us, and if we let this opportunity pass us by without DOING SOMETHING about it, well shame on us. And our country.

It is a simple question. What does our society value? Is it really "the sanctity human life" or are we content to continue our legacy as people who worship at the altar of consumerism and say "to hell with everyone else, I have mine."? I am fed up. You should be too.

Healthcare NOW!

- In other Ernspiker news, there will be a tribute/benefit held for Dave & his family tomorrow night at City Block. The following appears courtesy of Jeff Puckett's CJ blog

Some of Dave Ernspiker's many friends are gathering April 14 at Coyote's at City Block to pay tribute to the late rock 'n' roll guitarist, who died last week at age 39. Proceeds from the show will go to Ernspiker's family to off-set funeral costs.

Spanky Lee, The Predators and the Big Rock Show All-Stars will perform from 7-11 p.m. for a $5 cover. Donations will also be accepted.

Citizens Enraged As Mayor Engages Cordish Co.

It seems as every day passes, we learn more about how close Louisville's mayor is to the folks at the Cordish Co. WHAS11 is reporting on the controversy surrounding a $950,000 give-away by the mayor to Cordish for a new sports bar at Fourth Street Live. The Cordish-owned sports bar will replace an individually-owned bowling alley-themed sports bar.

Ward Plauche, the owner of City Block (formally O'Malley's Corner) wants to know how he can get some free money for his bars. In an article in today's Courier-Journal, Plauche says, "Who can't be successful if they get money from the city and don't have to pay it back?" Indeed.

These actions by the Mayor's office cause suspicion and anger among citizens and confusion among the members of the seemingly powerless Metro Council. It illustrates how important the failed "transparency bill" was to be in helping to eliminate shady, backdoor deals like this one by stripping absolute power from Louisville's mayor. Abramson claims he has the right to spread money around, without any council or public approval, to out-of-town companies like Cordish.

But having the right to do something does not mean you should actually do it.

For more on the powerful Cordish Co. and information on their projects in other cities, see below.

http://www.pitch.com/2008-02-14/news/drunk-on-power/
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/02/04/story4.html
http://hipsubwg.blogspot.com/2009/02/cordish-co-says-proposed-dress-code-law.html
http://voices.kansascity.com/node/1943