District 25 "Treasure Finders" needed

Do you have Southwest Louisville connections? You might find yourself to be a great Treasure Finder.

Councilman David Yates (D-25) has partnered with Kentucky State Treasurer Todd Hollenbach to recover an estimated $3.7 million in unclaimed property that’s owed to District 25 residents, and we need volunteer Treasure Finders to help us on Thursday, August 18 from 1 until 4 p.m. at the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Headquarters at 9500 Stonestreet Rd.

Volunteer Treasurer Finders will call District 25 residents who have been identified as having $100 or more in unclaimed property and provide details on how the property can be claimed.

Please e-mail Nicole Candler at Nicole.Candler@louisvilleky.gov if you’d like to volunteer. Training, phone and other information will be provided. You may also learn more about this program at http://treasury.ky.gov/Treasure+Finders.htm.

Big Ern, The Weasel and "Honest" Dick: An inside view of Kentucky's worst

Note: Terry Boyd of Insider Louisville contributed to this report.

Ah, it’s spring, and the scent of corruption and generally poor governance is wafting gently on the breeze here in Louisville. (Certainly more entertaining than the tree pollen to follow.)

LEO’s Philip Bailey got the jump on the Courier-Journal last week with “It’s not easy being Green,” his story about Dr. Judy Green, 1st District metro councilwoman.

Green has, uhm, issues related to very poor judgment – everything from tax evasion to creating a bogus “jobs programs” with her “Green Clean Team.”

Last summer, the Green Clean Team program ground to a halt after the city auditor tried to figure out what happened to the $55,000 grant to fund the program. (Oddly, Dr. Judy and husband James Green owe $55,000 to the Internal Revenue Services, a bill going back to 1998. How does that work?)

The finding – shockingly, a lot of the money went to 12 Green family members “working” in the program. The rest apparently evaporated into the ether, and nothing was accomplished except getting other Metro Council members out of their overall stupor long enough to start ethics proceedings.

The CJ followed up with a story about how the president and treasurer for 100 Black Men confirmed that the group had a side deal with Judy Green to request more city funding than needed, then redirect a portion of the cash at Green’s direction.

Oh, and then there’s the matter of the $25,000 Dr. Judy and her husband ran up on the credit card of Judy Green’s legislative aide, Andrea Jackson, a credit card the councilwoman took out with out Jackson’s consent!

To their credit, CJ reporters did a great job in 2005 of covering Green’s habitual failure to pay taxes - just the trait you want in an elected government official - and much of Bailey’s reporting in “It’s Not Easy Being Green” is built on their work

You can bet there’s more.

Wednesday Update: Manipulation in Frankfort, absenteeism in Indianapolis, new Ford cars and a budget meeting

- I was in Frankfort yesterday for the David Williams/Rand Paul "Amend Our Beloved Constitution Love-Fest". Read all about it. [Insider Louisville]

- It's car show time in Louisville again, and this year Ford Motor Company is bringing some pre-production models to town. The annual Carl Casper’s Custom and Louisville New Car Auto Show starts Friday. [Business First]

- About 100 people came to the Southwest Government Center last night for Mayor Fischer's city budget meeting. Did you go? Tell me your thoughts.[CJ]

- Democrats in the Indiana House of Representatives have beaten the so-called "Right to Work" legislation. They may return to the state this week. Good work. Next: Wisconsin. [CJ]

I Hate To Say It, But I Told You So....

If you didn't see this coming, you weren't paying attention. The official announcement comes today that will introduce Mayor Jerry Abramson as Governor Steve Beshear's running mate in 2011. The local media love-fest begins today.

HERE is the Courier-Journal's article.

Much, much more on this later. Stay tuned.

AFL-CIO to Beshear: Are You Nuts?

Many times in the past here on The Valley Report as well as privately among friends, I have stated my long-held belief that Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson would not seek another term. The reasons were often varied and occasionally complicated, yet I remain confident in my assessment of the situation. I even went as far as to make a large cash wager on the issue and expect to collect a rather handsome amount when this debacle is over.

We have since learned that Governor Beshear, in one of the heaviest and most terrible mistakes of his soon-to-be-over political career, is seeking to add Abramson to his ticket as the candidate for Lt. Governor. Many good people that follow these things closely are upset over the idea. In today's Courier Journal, Joe Gerth reports that Kentucky AFL-CIO President Bill Londrigan has gone on record opposing the addition of Abramson as a running mate.

In the article, Londrigan said, "Mayor Abramson has established a long record of antipathy towards organized labor, both during his tenure as Mayor of Louisville as well as the merged Metro Government." Truer words were never spoken. Naturally, one of the mayor's spokespersons squawked about how Jerry is a friend of the working man and how he hadn't made any decisions about his future. Those are two lies told right in a row.

Not only is this likely to destroy the Democrats' chance of retaining the Governor's Mansion in 2011, it also appears to be a foregone conclusion. People in the know in and around Frankfort have stated the Beshear/Abramson team is a "done deal".

Let me know what you think about a Beshear/Abramson ticket. I really want to hear what people have to say about this.

June District 12 Dialogue to Feature KY Lawmakers

Kentucky lawmakers to attend June District 12 Dialogue
Ormsby Heights Baptist Church to host Tuesday, June 16th event

Louisville – Councilman Rick Blackwell has invited members of Jefferson County’s Legislative Delegation to the next District 12 Dialogue on Tuesday, June 16th at the Ormsby Heights Baptist Church.
“Our State Representatives and Senators will have just begun a special session on the budget to deal with the current economic crisis,” says Blackwell. “This will be a chance to learn what kind of options are on the table in Frankfort in dealing with shortfalls that could affect Metro Louisville.”
Senator Perry Clark as well as Representatives Tim Firkins, Joni Jenkins, Dennis Horlander, Charlie Miller and Ron Weston will be among the lawmakers to discuss issues and answer questions from the group.
Joining state lawmakers at the meeting will be representatives from Louisville Metro Police, the Division of Licensing and Permits, Neighborhoods and MSD to answer questions about programs or concerns. A representative of Congressman John Yarmuth's office will also be in attendance.
“You do not have to have a question about the state budget to attend,” says Blackwell. “Our delegation is also helpful in many projects around the area that deal with safety and economic development, so I encourage you to come and meet them.”
Ormsby Heights Baptist Church is located at 2120 Lower Hunters Trace.
For more information about the June District 12 Dialogue, contact Councilman Blackwell's office at 574-1112.

It's Monday Night...Is There A Ballgame On Or Something?

- So much for the myth of "Japanese car plants or parts suppliers never lay anyone off". Toyota Boshoku America is laying off over 300 workers and closing it's plant in Leitchfield, KY. The company is moving the production to Mexico. WHAS11 has the story.

- The Kentucky Lottery turned 20 years old today, reminding us that gambling adds a lot of money to state coffers. Over $3 billion in proceeds have been paid to state education programs. As we reflect on that benefit to our Commonwealth, perhaps we should consider raising our voices in support of expanded gaming. Think about it.

- It is going to freeze tonight, so cover up those flowers or new plants you may have added to your garden. But don't use plastic. It doesn't work as well as cloth.

Wednesday Headlines

- Head on over to Broken Sidewalk this afternoon and vote in the BS Neighborhood Derby. The match-up is between South Louisville and New Albany, and as of right now, South Louisville is running behind! Follow the link above and vote today!

- The theme for this year's Pegasus Parade has been set. Thankfully, "Destinations and Discoveries" beat out "Divorce and Depression" by a wide margin.

- The Courier-Journal is reporting that laid-off workers may be eligible for a free class per semester at any of the 16 community colleges in the state. Please take advantage of this valuable program if possible.

- The plans to locate a Qdoba Mexican Grill in front of The Home Depot in Southwest Louisville has been abandoned due to problems with the developer. This does not, however, indicate one will not be built. The search is still on for a suitable location.

Have You Read Your Paper Today?

Monday usually equals a terrible newspaper, but today's Courier-Journal has come alive with no less than four (4) hot articles. Look:

- Absent a miracle, Stumbo's slot bill will not receive a vote this session. It looks as though some legislators are content to wait until the state's economic condition is terminal before doing anything to bring revenue. Read the details HERE.

- National coal waste storage standards are badly needed and may become reality soon thanks to a series of environmental disasters involving the millions of gallons of liquid poison sludge stored in "ponds". James Bruggers has the story HERE.

- One year after Metro Public Works engineering supervisor Ali Ahmadi illegally constructed the building housing the Javanon Soccer Club, neighbors are still outraged, the structure still stands and the club still operating. More about the cronyism HERE.

- Joe Gerth writes about the "Mayor for Life" and his political future. Juicy gossip HERE.

Gross Mismanagement at Housing Dept.

The Commonwealth's lovely and talented State Auditor Crit Luallen released the hounds on Louisville's Department of Housing and Family Services today, issuing a scathing account of what she termed "gross mismanagement" in the agency.

Auditor Luallen stated, “Any taxpayer ought to be concerned when we find an agency this large with a lack of competence, a lack of ethical guidelines and a lack of direction.”

The Auditor's full report can be viewed HERE.
The Courier-Journal has complete coverage of the investigation HERE.

Waverly Hills Casino - Let's Get It Done

WHAS11 has a report on Kentucky's newly-elected Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo's initiative to place slot machines at race tracks to help cover the state's enormous half-billion dollar budget shortfall. There has been much discussion on this issue in the past with both sides refusing to cede any ground whatsoever.

It is personally my opinion that the state should allow full-blown casino gambling, and not just the "half-measure" of slots at race tracks. The reality is that if we would allow casinos we would keep gambling dollars in Kentucky. That is the bottom line. The gamblers are already here. Currently, all of those dollars go across the river to Indiana and help educate Hoosiers and pave Hoosier roads. It isn't much of a moral issue, in my opinion. We allow much more "immoral" behavior in the commonwealth. Besides, no one is forced to walk into a casino and we can all certainly agree that the state needs the money. The revenue generated by state wide casinos would virtually eliminate the need for any tax increases on Kentuckians.

It has been a dream of mine to see a full service resort hotel, casino and entertainment complex constructed at the site of the old Waverly Hills Hospital in Southwest Louisville. One could only imagine the potential of having such a place on the hill and the economic boost it would give to the area. I envision a vibrant showplace that pays tribute to the history of the area, and architecturally stands out as a fantastic landmark. Let's face it; as it now stands, the property is a super-limited attraction, appealing to "ghost hunters", "ghost busters" and goofballs that want to vandalize something. The property deserves better than to be promoted as some type of haunted hotel and fodder for late night cable. HERE is the "official" website for the property.

Casino jobs pay well over the average of other service-related jobs and traditionally include benefits. The construction of the facility would create more opportunities for local trades. The location is ideal for travelers, since the area is well served by highways and interstates and perhaps, in the future, passenger rail.

What do you say? Let's bring an elegant first-class casino to our part of town and give our neighbors and the Commonwealth the opportunity to make some real money.