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.

Had enough? Old Melton's now a junk yard/flea market

The Valley Report facebook page has been buzzing with activity over the opening of yet another flea market/yard sale store in the space formerly occupied by Melton's Food Mart on Valley Station Road near the railroad tracks.

Commenters say they are "fed up" with this type of development.

Join our discussion and tell us how you feel about this latest store, and while you are there, check out the photos of this atrocity.

How long do you think it will last? How long can you live with this type of commerce?

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.

2011 Labor Day Weekend events: What to do, what to avoid

The coming weekend brings with it the worker's holiday, Labor Day, and there are many events happening around town. Here is a list of events you should consider. Please choose wisely, and remember the holiday for what it really is.

Respect hard work. Celebrate Labor Day.

- 12th Annual Labor Day Picnic & Car Show, sponsored by Greater Louisville United Labor. For union members and their families. Louisville Zoo. Monday, September 5th. Always well attended and always a great time. Celebrate the true meaning of Labor Day with your fellow union members at the Louisville Zoo and enjoy food, music and a car show all for a low price. Click the link to view the official flyer for this year's event (pdf). Contains admission and important parking information.

- Belle of Louisville Labor Day cruise. 4th Street Wharf. Monday, September 5th.

- WorldFest 2011 on the Belvedere. Friday, September 2nd through Sunday, September 4th.

There are a few other events being held this week and on Labor Day Weekend that do not deserve your consideration for various reasons. Here are the ones to avoid completely:

- Grand Opening of Vendors' Village Flea Market. Thursday, September 1st. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here...BOYCOTT THIS DUMP.

- Mayor's Hike, Bike & Paddle. Monday, September 5th. Tell the Mayor to end the practice of holding these events on important holiday weekends. Memorial Day belongs to our lost veterans. Labor Day belongs to workers. Pick another time or end them all together. 

 - The Kentucky Flea Market, Friday, September 2nd through Monday, September 5th. Kentucky Fair and Expo Center. Save yourself the $8 parking fee and find something worthwhile to do. Didn't they get enough of your money for parking during the State Fair? Dixie Highway is a Flea Market paradise full of free parking. Besides, don't you have enough of that junk already?

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.

Local activists protest Chase Bank branch in Louisville - Tom Owen tries to avoid crowd

Chase Bank, Baxter & Highland

Yesterday afternoon a group of local union activists gathered on a Louisville sidewalk to protest the greed-driven actions of JPMorgan Chase. The protest, held in front of a Chase Bank location at Baxter and Highland, drew support from passers-by as well as Chase customers.

The protests were part of a nationwide action against the bank yesterday.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Chase is #1 in foreclosures, many processed improperly (some during the federal loan modification process), causing great harm to American homeowners, property values and the nation's economy.

Chase has $18.9 billion worth of home loans in foreclosure on its books as of September 30, 2010. 7.48% of all JPMorgan Chase-owned residential mortgages are in foreclosure, the largest foreclosure rate among the big banks.

JPMorgan Chase reported 2010 net income of $17.4 billion, an increase of 48% compared with $11.7 billion for the prior year. Earnings per share were $3.96, compared with $2.26 for 2009. For 2009, JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO James Dimon received a $1 million salary and equity awards valued at $14 million.

The protesters, demanding that Chase declare a moratorium on home foreclosures, were approached by people on the street that had problems themselves or knew someone who was having problems dealing with Chase on their mortgage.

"My poor mother is going through this exact thing with these bastards!", said one woman who stopped to see what the fuss was about. "Oh my God, they are such liars. They keep saying they lost my mom's modification paperwork like 10 times, and now they're in the process of taking her house away before she can get the modification approved."

Sound familiar?

Tom Owen (D-8): "What, me worry?"

The strangest moment of the hour-long rally came when Metro Councilman Tom Owen (D-8), while walking a bike, attempted to pass through the middle of the protest without taking literature or even acknowledging the presence of the crowd. Protester Kirk Gillenwaters, a local UAW retiree, said of Owen, "Tom Owen has a reputation of being a good listener, but we sure didn't see that here today. I practically had to jam this flyer under his arm. In a district that has had as many foreclosures as Councilman Owen's, I sure would have thought he'd have taken this issue more seriously today considering some of the people affected by this bank's actions are his constituents."

Councilman Owen, with flyer in hand, hastily made his way across the street after trying his best to ignore the issue.

The attempt to send a message to Chase continues on March 18, culminating in a rally at the bank's headquarters in New York.

Friday Update: Endless Madness

I am having mechanical difficulties with the hot tub at Headquarters today, so upon submitting the following report I will attempt a more conventional method of relaxation that may or may not involve brewed beverages and some companionship of questionable character. But fear not, your Friday Update is NOW:

- In a passing reference, I had mentioned The Pie Pantry at 9208 Dixie Highway near Johnsontown Road is no longer open for business. I had one comment and a few emails on the subject, so I thought the item should get its own sentence. The Pie Pantry, sadly, is no more. We initially received a rumor that it was to re-open at a different location, but have heard nothing else.

The Pie Pantry, opened with much fanfare, received a write-up in the Courier Journal and was the recipient of several favorable reviews.

- JPMorgan Chase is being accused in a lawsuit of being "at the center" of the Bernie Madoff scheme. In recent years, Chase has been sued more times than the National Enquirer. In case you didn't know how I feel about Chase, click HERE. Also, today (Friday) around noon at the Chase branch in Louisville located on Baxter Ave., there will be a protest by activists bringing awareness to Chase's actions on home foreclosure and the bank's dealings with tobacco farm workers. Read more about that HERE.

Diggity Dave

- In light of the news about the Kentucky Derby Festival people temporarily dropping "Kentucky" from the name this year, it has occurred to me and my Advisory Board that this may be a first step in an attempt to bring in a corporate sponsor for the festival. Example: The 2012 Humana Derby Festival, or The 2013 Humana-YUM! Brands-Advance Auto Parts Derby Festival.

Idea: Let's have the 2011 Jim Butner Auto Sales Pegasus Parade Sponsored By Jim's Towing featuring  Diggity Dave as this year's Grand Marshall. If you're gonna go off the deep end, go big.

I bet you can't wait for the fun to start.

Mayor Fischer's latest back-room deal crushes Iron Quarter

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer confirmed the suspicions of his detractors yesterday when it was announced yet another "back room" secret deal had been made, this time between the new mayor and developer Todd Blue.

Blue will be allowed to raze the historic Iron Quarter buildings on Main Street within 90 days, "hopefully" saving the facades.

A Leo Weekly article from May 2010 cited the Main Street corridor as "home to the second-largest number of cast-iron facades in the world, exceeded only by the famed Soho district in New York City. At least two of the buildings owned by Blue are listed on the National Register of Historic Places."

A Fischer spokesperson says a deal was made because the city was afraid it might lose in court. That is an unfamiliar tactic in Louisville. The city always seemed willing to pursue every other case to the bitter end -even when it was wrong to do so- as it did during the recent legal battle with the firefighters on overtime pay.

But in this case, a deal that circumvented public input and tip-toed past the Landmark Commission was the best the city could do.

In an interview on Fox41, developer Blue said he was impressed with the "pro-business" attitude of the city's new administration while he, like so many others, struggled to make the transition to saying "Mayor Fischer" rather than "Mayor Abramson". It is worth noting that former Mayor Abramson wanted to protect the buildings and tried to coax Cobalt into a deal to save face and get out of the project in 2008.

Blue purchased the dilapidated buildings and allowed them to deteriorate further under his watch. That much is certain.

Holes in the roofs of the buildings since 2008 have gone ignored by Blue and his company, Colbalt Ventures.

Fischer will go to the Metro Council with a request that $450,000 be given to Cobalt Vultures Ventures.

The ultimate fate of the buildings now seems clear.

A sad day. A sad fate. One question remains: What's next?

Read More: Insider Louisville - Downtown getting new parking lot? Iron Quarter deal with city gives Todd Blue permission to clear historic buildings

2010 Year-End Headlines

- During a cliche-riddled discussion with The Voice-Tribune's Angie Fenton, incoming Louisville mayor Alfred E. Neuman Greg Fischer says he will go around "testing the temperature of the community."

I will leave it to you, dear reader, to discern exactly how Fischer will be taking your temperature. Hold on to your pants, this may get weird.

- Reasons Why I Hate Insight Communications #145 and 146:  Insight Communications has offered luxury suite tickets to Metro Council members for tomorrow's UK-U of L game in the downtown arena just prior to a vote by said council members on Insight's franchise agreement. It is an agreement that strengthens the company's monopoly on cable service in Louisville and allows them to gouge residents for bad, overpriced service. [WFPL's The Edit]

This delightful nugget of info comes a day after I received a letter from Insight telling me I am now required to have a box for every single television hooked to their mediocre cable. Cable-ready sets are now obsolete, as one may soon only be able to receive cable by means of the cheap, clunky, impractical new converter box. Personally, this action makes my highly prized, under cabinet, 7 inch TV set worthless. Unless, of course, I don't mind installing a goddamned converter box on my countertop.

Since I needed to make a New Year's Resolution, it may as well be this one: I will stop watching television.

- There are tons of prefiled bills to be taken up during the upcoming legislative session by Kentucky Lawmakers, and most of them were filed by reactionary douchebags. Same old, same old. [WFPL]

Dan Seum: What have you done for me lately?

Dan Seum, former Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-Teabagger, is up for reelection on Tuesday. Dan is a man whose last major accomplishment was helping to eliminate the VET program in 2003.

That's seven (7) years to you and me.

Dan is content to hang his hat on VET testing as a means to keep his seat - a seat that has been thoroughly warmed by the long-time incumbent. In an age where media outlets and loudmouths tell us to "throw the bums out", career politicians like Dan should be having a tough time.

In recent weeks, Seum & Co. have resorted to running radio commercials and using Doug Hawkins' metro government email list to reach voters. The radio piece is conspicuously misleading and paints Seum as a caped hero to whom we should all rally behind. Dan is adept at negative campaigning and during this election cycle has aligned himself with some of the trade's worst purveyors of negativity.

This Tuesday, will you vote for accomplishments of long ago? Or will you take a look at a positive message of progress?

Fire off in the 'comments' section.

To see a map of the 38th District, click HERE.

Donohue ruled ineligible - crashes, burns

Jeff Donohue, candidate for state representative in the 37th district, has been ruled ineligible by Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Fred Cowan. The outcome was expected by many observers and was, in my opinion, the correct judgment. Click HERE for background on the debacle. It is a terrifying story of spectacular failure and arrogance.

Donohue's attorney has promised an appeal, the thought of which sends shivers down many Democrat's spines for it is insanely bad politics. Insanely. Bad.

Insiders familiar with the whole shebang say Donohue had it coming. They also say to "watch where he ends up" with respect to future employment. One blamed retiring incumbent Ron Weston, saying Weston "did everything else for him [Donohue], walked him around like a toddler, got him out there talking right...I guess Ron should have done Jeff's damned paperwork too."

I had high hopes for Jeff Donohue. It should have been an easy win.

Louisville/Jefferson County Democratic Party Chairman Tim Longmeyer and attorney Jennifer Moore deserve the credit for starting this trend in the first place by filing lawsuits to remove candidates that were certain losers from the ballot. Well done. You two are about as sharp as a rat’s turd in a glass of buttermilk.

Thieneman Admits To Bribery

I offer the following without comment. Click HERE for the entire story.

March Madness: State Legislature May Go Into Overtime

- The Kentucky General Assembly has wasted so much of your time this session with silly resolutions, unconstitutional laws, weasel-like maneuvering and massive amounts of throat-clearing that they are now nearly certain to require a special session to finish any real work. They should have to do this on their own time, since they wasted all of ours. [CJ]

- Entrepreneur, businessman, robotic drone, candidate for mayor and magic ice machine inventor Greg Fischer is receiving probing questions over at The Ville Voice regarding the amount of invention he actually put into that little ice machine deal.  Fess up, Greg.  The last thing Louisville needs is another cagey, shady, smiling jackass running the show. [VilleVoice]

- It has been revealed that nearly everything about Sarah Palin is phony. Even her FOX show. [NPR]

- The reviews are in and it looks as though Southwest Louisville has a hit on its hands with the PRP Skate Zone. Stop by soon and support your local independent businesses.

Bunning Sucks...And Other News

- I have avoided writing on this humiliating Jim Bunning mess with hopes that it would disappear. Last night on my way home from work I heard a report on the story by the BBC. I realized the story had made it around the world in short order, partly because of the sadness of it all.  The saddest part: Democrats had a lead of 60 to 40 in the Senate and couldn't get a damn thing passed.  Evidently all you need is one (1) doddering old man with a burr up his ass to stop progress on anything.

- Question for the mayoral candidates: How do you feel about Jim Bunning?

- WHAS11 says a New York Times report states LG&E is up for sale. Can WE buy it?

- A new Southwest Library? I'll believe it when I see it. HERE is the mayor's official release.

Shallow Hal Refuses Debate

My old friend, former coworker, radio host and fellow blogger Ed Springston has received word that 19th district Metro Councilman and Republican candidate for mayor Hal Heiner has refused to appear on Ed's radio show for a debate with Chris Thieneman. Hal's gang gives flimsy excuses on the refusal and sheepishly accuses Ed of extreme bias. Read all about it HERE.

Shallow Hal's campaign is clearly doomed and is now showing the fear.

An aside: Every time you hear Heiner speak, he brags about creating thousands of jobs in Louisville. He claims, as mayor, that he will bestow his genius upon the unwashed masses in order to continue to create jobs...but the only thing Hal is creating is an illusion.  In 1997, Hal "tapped into his life savings", bought some cheap land and developed it using out of town contractors.  A few companies moved in and hired some people at a low wage, and BANG!  That's Hal's record of "creating jobs".  I can tell you about a few more jobs he didn't create in Louisville. His campaign website, www.halformayor.com, was created by The Stoneridge Group, 554 W. Main Street, Tannery Row, Bldg. A - Suite 200, Buford, GA 30518.

That's Georgia, and that's all folks.

Thursday's Southwest News

- Rather than attack the real problem, (a foreign-owned, for-profit utility that threatens you with service disconnection before holding you at knifepoint and raping your pocketbook), some Metro Council members see fit to pad the utility's bottom line by raising money through non-profits to help struggling citizens pay heating bills. The idea of helping people stay warm is a noble one, but there is a better, more forcible way.  Stronger action must be taken immediately to lower costs, prevent service disconnections and protect the needy from the whims of the greedy, profit-mad e.On/LG&E monster. Here's more on the valiant, yet shortsighted effort.

- The May primary for the City of Shively's political offices is crowded. With Democrats. No Republicans filed to run. [CJ]

- It's that time again. The Louisville Asset Building Coalition, Metro United Way and your Metro Council are again sponsoring the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. This year the Southwest VITA office is located at the Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane. The phone number for that VITA office is 292-6171.

VITA provides FREE tax service to families and individuals making less than $49,000. Your return will be prepared and reviewed by an IRS Certified Volunteer Tax Preparer. You will need to bring your Social Security card, Drivers’ License, and earnings statements (W2’s, interest and dividend statements, etc.)

Your Southwest VITA office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am - 7:00 pm, Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Runaway Toyotas!!

They say the cover-up is always worse than the crime, and this case seems to be no exception. But that is what you get for buying a Toyota. Company loyalists and spin doctors are all over the news doing damage control but the cold, hard facts remain. Here are some articles on the "runaway Toyota" accelerator problem.  One of them is from 2007.  Keep in mind that federal investigators have conducted six (6) separate investigations into this matter since 2003 regarding the same complaint and that, to date, there is no solution to the problem. Park your Toyota.  Or better yet, trade it in for an American car.

- ABC News (2009)

- autoevolution.com (2009)

- consumeraffairs.com (2007)

Gray Sky Blues

What a rotten way to start this new year. I had such high hopes. The sun hasn't been out in what seems like weeks, and the dark, sullen populace in Louisville looks to be showing signs of cracking under the pressure with murders and robberies skyrocketing in the last 24 hours.  What the hell is going on?  Can we get some sunlight around here before we all turn to rabid zombies?  No. There's going to be cold air and snow blowing in by Friday.  But so what?  This is January.  The weather is supposed to be terrible and we are supposed to be hiding from the elements by hunkering down underneath many blankets with good gin and interesting people.

Please try and keep your wits.  Spring is coming.  Soon.
Now the news:

- Ed Springston is officially in the race for Kentucky's 28th District House of Representatives seat.  Ed is running as a Republican.[Louisville News & Politics][WLKY32]

- Louisville Metro Government is jacking up fees for liquor licenses, and while they are at it, are making up laws as they go along. Yes, I know....what else is new? [C-J]

- A formal announcement is expected Tuesday on the future of Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant and the Ford Explorer. If it is good news, will the mayor try to take the credit?  Will the Governor? Or will someone remind these fools that the employees made all the sacrifices? [WAVE3]

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.

China: The High Cost of Cheap Junk

Authorities have found yet another inferior slave-labor product from Communist China that was imported to the United States and has turned out to not only be below-par in quality, but also may be hazardous to you and your family's health and safety. An AP Impact report out today states that Chinese-made drywall brought into the U.S. by builders "gives off fumes that can corrode copper pipes, blacken jewelry and silverware, and possibly sicken people."

Import records show that over a four year span, 500 million pounds of the tainted drywall was installed into over 100,000 homes, including some houses rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. The drywall emits a very foul "rotten egg" odor that gets worse as temperatures and humidity rises. The product has left some homes uninhabitable. Five states and the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission are investigating. Property owners have nowhere to turn.

A U.S. Congressman from Florida has introduced a bill that would ban Chinese-made drywall until more is known about the chemicals used in its production.

This is the latest in a long line of hazardous, Chinese-made junk that has made its way into the U.S. due to the insatiable American demand for cheap consumer goods. You get what you pay for. Read the labels and do some research before you buy. Buying American now may not only save a job, but save a life, too.