Council seeks to limit constable powers

The following is a press release from Tony Hyatt on behalf of the Louisville Metro Council regarding the stupid and insane behavior of "Constable" David Whitlock. Wanna-be Whitlock and his outrageous mockery of law enforcement ended with a shooting in the parking lot of a south west Louisville Wal-Mart last month.

Tony Hyatt is certainly nicer and more diplomatic than I would be about it. Perhaps that is why he is the Communications Director for the Majority Caucus and I blog about Valley Station. Whitlock is a punk and a poser with a badge and a gun, and the state legislature should eliminate this ridiculous title from the ballot. It isn't 1850 anymore. We don't need constables. -Brian

For Immediate Release:

Council members propose resolution calling for the investigation of Constable David Whitlock

Ordinance proposed to tighten controls over constables


Louisville – After meeting with Chief Robert White, three Louisville Metro Council members are moving forward with a proposed resolution and ordinance which deals with Jefferson County Constable David Whitlock.

Council members Rick Blackwell (D-12), Kelly Downard (R-16) and David James (D-6) have been in the process of reviewing the duties of Constables since a shooting last month involving Whitlock.

The resolution calls upon the Jefferson County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office to review alleged violations of Kentucky Revised Statues by the Constable. The resolution says the review should determine if there has been misfeasance or malfeasance in office or willful neglect in the discharge of his official duties.

“In reviewing what actions can be taken, this appears to be the proper course of action in dealing with an elected state official,” says Blackwell. “As a matter of public safety, the time has come to review someone who is allegedly not interested in upholding the laws of the Commonwealth.”

The resolution cites Whitlock in several alleged violations; wearing a uniform and using a badge, failure to file monthly reports on activity with the Jefferson County clerk, using oscillating blue lights and a siren which has not been allowed by law since 2007 and illegally deputizing staff members to perform the duties of deputy constables.

The proposed ordinance re-enforces what a constable can and cannot do in Jefferson County.

“The ordinance will clearly spell out that a constable can wear a badge and a uniform but the uniform must not resemble that of the Jefferson County Sheriff or Sheriff’s Deputy and it must not resemble the uniform of a Louisville Metro Police Officer. The staff of the Constable will not be allowed to wear a uniform or carry a badge.” says James.

Violation of the proposed ordinance would be a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by a fine ranging from $250 to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

“We are adding more teeth to the current ordinance,” says James. “The public should know that a constable is restricted by the State Constitution to certain legal duties. There is a major safety concern when we have peace officers that are untrained and unwilling to follow the law.”

Both measures will receive first reading on Thursday night during the Metro Council’s regular meeting.

Searching for Pimp Z's 'Little Black Book', and other Louisville Metro news

- Now that Louisville Metro Animal Services is rid of alleged pimp and rumored scofflaw Wayne Zelinsky, the main question that should be on everyone's mind is: "Where's the 'Little Black Book' of clients?"

If such a thing exists, it may just have the power to destroy the entire city government as we know it, exposing everyone connected to the Derby City VIP operation. Read about the events that lead to Zelinsky's resignation from the agency. Then ask where the black book is being hidden. [Ville Voice] Any thoughts?

- In today's second item of incredible stupidity, a riveting article on the CJ website explains how the brain trust running the Kentucky Derby Festival has decided that it will drop the "Kentucky" part of the name for this year, leaving just the words "Derby Festival".

Among the organization's ludicrous claims for the move: "streamlining promotions".

For perhaps the first time in courierjournal.com history, everyone agrees with one another in the 'comments' section. That has to mean something is terribly wrong with this decision.

No word on the fate of the awful Pegasus sport coats yet, however.

- For those of you living within the boundaries of Kentucky's 29th House District: Rep. Kevin Bratcher (R-29) has told me that he "will not vote for" HB281- the measure that would require all cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine to be available only with a doctor's prescription. A prescription mandate is not an effective law enforcement tool. Bratcher agrees with me in that this is NOT the right way to address our state's meth production problem.

Special thanks to Rep. Bratcher for answering my letter so quickly, and thanks for taking the concerns of your constituents seriously.

Sun Valley to host "Meet and Greet" featuring metro, state lawmakers

UPDATE:Due to potential snowfall and the current winter weather advisory in effect for the area on Thursday, January 20th, the “Meet and Greet” event set for the Sun Valley Community Center has been postponed to a later date.

With a new year underway, three members of the Louisville Metro Council invite residents in southwest Jefferson County to an Old Fashioned “Meet and Greet” on Thursday, January 20th.

Council members Bob Henderson (D-14) Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) and David Yates (D-25) will join members of the Kentucky General Assembly at the event beginning at 6:00pm.

“The people of our districts will have a chance to come out and speak directly to us and let us know if there are any concerns or issues they want us to be aware of,” says Henderson. “With state lawmakers in Frankfort, it’s a good time to tell them your concerns on a state level.”

Joining the Council Members will be State Representative Charlie Miller District 28, Rep. Joni Jenkins District 44 and State Senator Dennis Parrett of District 10.

“I am looking forward to meeting constituents in what will be the first of many events like this,” says Yates. “I want to hear from the people of District 25 and this is an easy, informal way to come out and talk with the people who represent you.”

The Pleasure Ridge Park and Valley Woman’s Clubs are hosting the event which includes an “all you can eat” Bean Soup and Cornbread Dinner. The cost is just $6 per person and the money raised from the dinner will benefit the Club’s Scholarship Fund. The Dinner will begin at 5:00pm.

“Metro government can do many things to help an area but we need to have feed back on how well things are working,” says Welch. “But it is also important that resident get to know the people who pass laws and handle problems in their area and I look forward to meeting with them.”

The event will be held at the Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane.

For more information about the “Meet and Greet: Call Councilman Henderson’s office at 574-1114, or Councilwoman Welch’s office at 574-1113 or Councilman Yates office at 574-1125.

Big trouble - Soon come: Happy New Year 2011 Edition

"So let's drink to Kentucky, way out in the east, where a woman's ass and a whiskey glass made a horse's ass of me.”

Governor Beshear

Tonight is "amateur night" at parties and bar rooms all over Louisville. Places like the venerable Phoenix Hill Tavern will, at the stroke of midnight, have its restrooms coated with vomit by the uninitiated.

It takes years of practice to learn how to celebrate appropriately on New Year's Eve and by the time one is old enough to actually do so, the whole idea of going out has lost its luster.

I have not been out in years. Mostly because of the constant threat of police roadblocks and mass arrests on the streets. But there was a time at a place in Louisville called The Toy Tiger, and I was there and in proper form.

That is a story for another time.

My current New Year's Eve ritual began a couple of years ago. In a lasting fit of boredom, I checked out the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission's website and read the "prefiled bills" to be considered for the upcoming session of the General Assembly. It has become a tradition among some of my friends to make bets on which bills will get out of committee, and this year's collection contains some real gems.

- Making over the counter medicines like Sudafed require a prescription. [BR12]

- Forcing school districts to implement "wellness programs" and mandating physical activity time. [BR13]

- Creating a behemoth, regional MSD-type agency for Bullit, Hardin, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, and Spencer Counties [BR19]

- The Kentucky Firearms Freedom Act. [BR92]

- Amending the state constitution to extend the terms of State Representatives from two to four years and State Senators from four to six years. [BR249]

There are many more examples of disturbing behavior emanating from Frankfort, but we can save those for the New Year. Chew on these prefiled bills for a while, then place your bets. And avoid the Jägermeister.

In 2011, four blessings upon you:

Older whiskey.
Younger women.
Faster horses.
Smarter government.

Happy New Year.

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]

Full-Tilt Bullsh!t

UPDATE: A revised, longer version of this article can be seen HERE at Insider Louisville. - Brian

State Senator Dan Seum has spent nearly three (3) decades in elected office. Dan represents the state's 38th District, some of which is in Southwest Louisville. He is 70 years old.

Seum has a pattern of blowing hot and cold on issues and cannot make up his mind on which political party he wants to be affiliated with. Shortly after being re-elected in 1999 as a Democrat, he switched parties and became a Republican. This switch threw the power to David Williams and has allowed the ogre-like Williams to essentially paralyze the Commonwealth by stopping all progress in the legislature.

Today we find Dan Seum chasing after the Tea Party vote. Although Seum hasn't been seen out in the community or in his district talking with regular voters, he can always be found at Tea Party rallies or other closed-door events, complaining about taxes and government. He sees no problem, however, in lining his pockets with extra money from "the government" during Special Sessions for failing to do his job in passing a state budget.

People like the elderly Dan Seum want Frankfort politicians and bureaucrats to run the Jefferson County School system, then crowing about "local control" when it comes to other issues.

I have family members that have known Dan Seum for many years. They go way back to the "Malano" days, when Dan's restaurant/bar was rumored to be a hot spot, and not always in a good way. Even the old folks say Dan has changed more than his party affiliation. "It's like that old Dan never existed", they say.

A racehorse that is beyond his prime doesn't know he can't do it anymore. He has to have someone put him out to pasture. Let's do the humane thing. Retire Dan Seum.

Local campaign gets national attention

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which tracks over 6,000 races a year and is charged with helping democrats win and retain state house and senate seats, recently placed Democratic Candidate Marty Meyer's state senate campaign on its Top 20 Must Win Legislative Races.  Meyer is running in the state's 38th Senate District.

Meyer's is the only campaign to make the list from Kentucky, a state where Democrats need to unseat three republicans to take back control of the state senate chamber.

"Of the hundreds of political campaigns being waged across Kentucky and thousands across the nation, I'm honored that our local, grassroots campaign in Southern Jefferson County is being targeted as an 'essential state race'," Marty Meyer said.

Boondoggle Is Now!

- Monday morning, September 13th, at 10:30am, Democratic candidate for Kentucky State Senate Marty Meyer will hold a Press Conference downtown in front of City Hall on Jefferson Street to announce his pledge to never take a single dime of tax payer money if he is called back to Frankfort in the event the legislature fails to create a budget. That's something that matters to me, and I think it matters to you. Meyer's opponent, career politician Dan Seum, has a race on his hands.

- The Louisville-Jefferson County Democratic Party is circulating an email claiming Republican mayoral candidate Hal Heiner "changes his opinion on the Bridges project depending on who he is talking to." The message goes on to say, "Is Hal incapable of making a stand..taking a position? Or is he just trying to tell people what they want to hear?"

I've been critical of Heiner in the past, even referring to him as Shallow Hal. But to this charge I would say, "At least Hal is capable of forming a real position based on the wants and needs of the community, and may be actually willing to engage people and learn enough about the issues to change his opinion to reflect the will of the voters." What do you think? As Democrat Greg Fischer flips and flops all over the place on card check legislation, privatizing metro government jobs and THE BRIDGES PROJECT, is this a credible attack?  Sound off in the comments section.

Tuesday Update

- Mayoral candidates Greg & Hal will debate Wednesday at 12 noon in front of a meeting of the Louisville Forum. The debate will be broadcast at 8pm on 89.3 WFPL.  [WFPL]

- The calendar has been set for the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly's 30 day session. [lrc.ky.gov]

- The city has won its appeal on a FEMA disaster claim related to The Great Ice Storm Clean-Up Debacle of 2009. [Metro News]

- 8,000 people celebrated Labor Day at the Louisville Zoo. [WHAS11]

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.

Insane and Extreme Behavior in Frankfort

Two Republican idiots in the Kentucky State House of Representatives are so preoccupied with insanely bad politics that they are jeopardizing the only good legislation emanating from that particular chamber this session. Rep. David Floyd (R-Bardstown) and Rep. Tim Moore (R-Elizabethtown) are guilty of dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming elected officials in this Commonwealth, and that is saying something.  Their crazy abortion amendments to a combined seven (7) good bills have surely wrecked each and caused the few sane legislators in the House to go into a defensive crouch.  Is this what we deserve? Is this "good government"? Yes to the former, hell no to the latter.  Any crowd that would elect either of these morons to any office deserves exactly what they are receiving.  You can read about the affected bills and the religious insanity surrounding both perpetrators HERE, courtesy of the baby-killers at the CJ.

This is the "lowest common denominator" style of politics, the kind I abhor, that is used successfully and exclusively on rubes and hapless dupes nationwide, where logic and reason are casualties in a war against reality.  These two hacks, if they even rise to that level, are pure scum that do not even deserve to witness a session of the state legislature, much less participate in it.  If you are against abortion, that is fine and that is your right as a Kentuckian and as an American.  But you have no right, NONE, to destroy good legislation that could actually help this sorry, bankrupt, backward-ass state that happens to be inundated with sick, undereducated, uninsured and abused children.

Floyd and Moore believe in a right to a life without any rights. Or hope. Or health. Or proper pediatric care.  May the Good Lord see fit to exact a full and fitting punishment for this, our Commonwealth's greatest legislative embarrassment of the 21st Century.  Smite them, O Lord, and afflict them with painful testicles for all the days of their lives.

Amen to that.

Meanwhile, behind the facade of innocent-looking homes from Pikeville to Paducah, mothers struggle with ways to provide medicine for sick children, or the means to pony up $20 per month so their kid can get KCHIP.  And the games in Frankfort play on....

General Assembly Gets Weird, Wastes Time

Rather than deal with a massive budget deficit, revamping an outdated tax system, attracting new high-paying jobs to the state or allowing people to gamble as they see fit, Kentucky's General Assembly seems content to while away the days passing ridiculous and unnecessary measures which do nothing for the average citizen of this once-great Commonwealth. To Wit: Today, the dolts in the House passed legislation that creates an "In God We Trust" license plate. Here's a snippet from the CJ article:

In 2008 the religious group Reclaim Our Culture Kentuckiana sought permission from the state Transportation Cabinet to create a specialty plate that would have cost $34 to purchase.

Those who bought the plate could then have volunteered to contribute $10 more to the group.

The Transportation Cabinet rejected that request, saying that the group promotes a “specific faith or religious position.”

So, instead of a private "group" promoting a religious position, we have an entire government doing it.

In other General Assembly idiocy, a House panel has approved a measure that would ban texting while driving.  Driving while distracted is a dangerous proposition, but here are many questions with this bill and how it will be enforced.  The bill allows you to make a phone call while driving.  How can a police officer tell the difference between someone placing a call or texting?  Why are police officers exempt?  Can you be pulled over for an alleged violation?

HERE is an article about a study on texting-while-driving bans.  They do not work.

The time has come to seriously consider term limits and a return to biennial sessions for the State Legislature The legislature clearly has lost the will to deal with any of the major problems facing the Commonwealth, choosing instead to focus on folly. When we impose term limits and only allow them to meet every other year, they have less of an opportunity to take up time-wasters like these. What say ye?

"Innocent Until Proven Guilty" No Longer Law In KY

Department of Crazy Shit Report: The Kentucky House of Representatives has passed an unconstitutional bill that will tag "innocent until proven guilty" domestic violence suspects with GPS-tracking bracelets in order to monitor their location relative to the alleged victim. This "tagging" would take place before any trial or conviction.  The bill, known as "Amanda's Bill", was crafted in response to former Republican lawmaker Steve Nunn's alleged murder of his ex-fiancee. The woman had taken out a protective order against Nunn after a fight and was found shot to death in September 2009.

Another problem with this type of reactionary bill is the unprecedented speed with which it was crafted and passed.  It took 2 (two) years for the General Assembly to pass and implement the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) phone system, a hotline that notifies crime victims of an inmates release status. Amanda's Bill took just 120 days, and several lawmakers, including former state Attorney General Greg Stumbo, have stated there may be serious questions about the bill's constitutionality. 

Steve Nunn awaits trial in the Fayette County Jail.

Read more on the sorry state of affairs HERE.

Seum is Out of Mayor's Race, As If He Was Ever In....

- WHAS11 is reporting that Dan Seum will not be running for mayor of Louisville. My true and trusty "advisory board" members have been telling me this for a month, and have not squandered the opportunity to say We Told You So. Dan says he wants to stay in the state senate where he can "most effective". Seum will be running against Democratic challenger Marty Meyer for the seat next year.

This particular news item also mentions the really terrible idea of Doug Hawkins running for mayor. One word: Unwinnable.

Friday News & Nuttiness

- The repulsive ogre that is State Senate President David Williams has "predicted" the slots bill will fail. I don't know what Williams has against the Commonwealth's signature industry but he obviously has a problem with seeing it prosper along side slot machines. The Courier-Journal has more HERE.

- Speaking of horses, there's some big-time night racing happening tonight. Go be a part of history. And be sure to buy a few $6 cups of warm beer. HERE's more.

- A judge has ordered JCPS to turn over a portion of the files related to the school system's "investigation" of the Max Gilpin matter to the commonwealth attorney's office. This is good news. HERE is the article.

- This is an interesting story: A Louisville woman was arrested on meth charges after she allegedly attempted to buy, among other items, 3000 boxes of matches at a local Kroger store. WHAS11 has a short report HERE.

Marty Meyer to Challenge Seum in Senate

Marty Meyer announced his plans today to become a candidate for the 38th State Senate District. He will be facing incumbent Dan Seum. Marty is well known in the district and has a proven track record of success. He currently works for Congressman John Yarmuth (D-3) The 38th Senate District is large and covers a vast portion of Southern Jefferson County. HERE is a map of State Senate Districts.

Marty's campaign website can be seen HERE.

This will definitely be an exciting race to watch. More info as it becomes available.

8664 And You: The Future of Transportation

Tyler Allen is electric, and if you ever get the chance to listen to him speak, listen closely. Allen fronts the group known as 8664. He went toe-to-toe with Tim Hagerty tonight at the monthly meeting of the Metro Democratic Club. Hagerty is an attorney with Frost Brown Todd, LLC (Jerry Abramson's former employer), and represents the Bridges Coalition. Hagerty is a nice guy. But Allen is clearly more enthusiastic and, in my opinion, has a better idea.

The plan to expand Spaghetti Junction will produce a highway that is 23 lanes wide at a cost of nearly $2 billion dollars. The thick slab of super-road will also encroach into a wide swath of the Butchertown neighborhood. 8664 believes the East End bridge, which was proposed decades ago, should be built along with a visionary, surface level parkway that would replace the elevated I-64 that currently cuts downtown off from the waterfront . The Bridges Coalition believes both a downtown and an East End bridge should be built along with the gigantic, expensive expansion of the junction. The Bridges Coalition also sees no problem with I-64 as is.

Tyler Allen represents what could be. Hagerty represents the status quo.

The following is a clip by 8664 that was shown at the meeting:




There has not been much discussion on this issue in Southwest Louisville, but there is a definitive need for one because, sooner or later, you will be affected by the bridges project in a way you may not like. The discussion touched lightly on the side-issue of a "tolling authority". This authority, which appears to be on a fast track in the General Assembly, would initiate tolls on roads and bridges as a way to help pay for them. The tolling authority would be appointed by the mayor, and would not only have the power to initiate tolls on any new bridges, but would have the power to initiate tolls on bridges that are currently in use that have already been paid for . How much are you willing to spend to get to Bass Pro Shops, Horseshoe Casino or Sportsdrome Speedway? We may be close to finding out. Look out for 8664 and Tyler Allen, and take a moment to consider this revolutionary, lower cost proposal.

And Now, A Word From Cecil Roberts....

Cecil Roberts is the International President of the United Mine Workers of America and is one of my personal heroes. If you have ever heard him speak, you know why. You will never forget it. The following letter to the editor was printed in this morning's Courier-Journal:

It's open season on coal miners in the Kentucky legislature all of a sudden. Just two years ago, the state was among the leaders in the nation in upgrading state mine safety and health laws. But today, a concerted effort to roll back critical elements of those improvements is under way in Frankfort.

One bill would reduce the availability of fast medical care for injured miners. Another would allow dangerous levels of explosive methane to build up in mines. A third would virtually eliminate actual inspections of mines by real inspectors to ensure they are being operated safely.

Supporters of these attacks on miners' safety say they are taking these steps to help smaller mine operators, who apparently don't have the business acumen to sell coal in the current strong coal market and make money.

One thing you can say about these folks: at least they aren't trying to hide the truth of their greed. They are willing to be quite up front about their desire to put profits and production ahead of safety in Kentucky coal mines -- even if those extra profits amount to just a few bucks a month.

And those profits could come at the cost of miners' lives.

An argument in favor of these changes might be made if Kentucky mines had become completely safe all of a sudden. But that's not the case.

Despite the enhanced safety laws the state enacted in 2007 Kentucky is still among the nation's most deadly states for coal miners.

Last year, eight miners were killed on the job in Kentucky, tied for the most of any state in the nation. Since 2006, 25 miners have been killed in the state, including one this year. So far in this decade, 79 miners have died in Kentucky mines -- 26 percent of all the coal mine fatalities in the nation.

That's not a record to be proud of. You would think the state government would be doing all it could do to beef up mine safety even more than it did in 2007. Instead, some in the legislature would have the state slide backwards, and put more miners' lives at risk than even before 2007.

And that's just fine with the coal operators, who are loudly chafing at the new laws and regulations put in place at both the state and federal levels after the tragedies that struck coal mining in 2006 in Kentucky and West Virginia -- laws and regulations the UMWA was a leader in getting passed in Frankfort and Washington, D.C.

The head of the Kentucky Coal Operators Association, Bill Caylor, even went so far as to spout some nonsense about how the UMWA's insistence on safer mines means that the union somehow wants to put small mine operators out of business.

What a crock. The UMWA's only goal is to keep all miners alive and in one piece when they are at work. If a mine operator in this day and age can't or won't do that, then the truth is they shouldn't be in the coal business, whether they operate small mines or big mines.

Taking Mr. Caylor's statements to their logical conclusion, one could reason that he believes a miner working in a smaller mine doesn't deserve as much safety and health protection on the job as a miner in a larger mine. Mr. Caylor appears to be saying that putting miners' lives at greater risk in smaller mines is just another part of doing business. The UMWA rejects that view.

We have been and will remain the only voice miners have in the halls of power, standing up for better safety and health for all miners, whether they enjoy the benefits and protections of a UMWA contract or not. That's what we did after the Sago disaster in West Virginia and the Darby tragedy in Kentucky, even though the miners at both those mines were not UMWA members. We will continue to fulfill that role.

Kentucky took a bold and positive step when it upgraded mine safety and health in 2007. To roll back that legislation now will increase the risk to miners' lives and limbs. If that's a step the state's political leadership ultimately decides to take, then they must be prepared to live with the consequences. What's most scary about this is that some of them already are prepared to do just that.

CECIL E. ROBERTS

International President

United Mine Workers

of America

Fairfax, Va. 22031

Transparency Bill Shot Down in Flames

The much-discussed transparency bill met a painful death in a House committee today, effectively killing the attempt to force Mayor Abramson's administration to "show us the money". I supported this bill, as did many other pro-labor Democrats in Louisville. We have simply grown tired of Abramson's cagey answers on the city budget. The Ville Voice is reporting the vote was along party lines, with only Rep. Reggie Meeks voting with us.

The House Democrats that killed this bill should be ashamed.

More on Stinson Evidence

UPDATE: You can now read the court documents HERE, courtesy of the C-J.

The Courier-Journal has filed another story on the prosecution's evidence in the Max Gilpin case, and it is pretty damning stuff. The paper reports witnesses hearing Coach Stinson calling players "cowards" when asking for water. The evidence made available seems to confirm the suspicion that the coach was utterly negligent. Judging by what I have read, Commonwealth Attorney Dave Stengel presided over a thorough investigation that, I believe, shall ultimately convict Jason Stinson. No mention was made of JCPS's pathetic attempt at an investigation.

In related news, the Kentucky House passed HB383 yesterday, the so-called "athlete safety bill", after eliminating the requirement that pools of ice be on site during games or practices during hot weather. The bill only requires the Kentucky Board of Education review and look at revising it's "hot weather" policies.