Metro Council's Democratic Caucus members encourage public to attend meeting concerning tolls for the Ohio River Bridges project

Members of the Democratic Caucus of the Louisville Metro Council are encouraging anyone who is concerned about tolls on the new Ohio River Bridges to voice their concerns or opinions at two open house meetings early next week.

“The project’s coordinators want to hear from any low income or minority groups that will feel the impact of tolls,” said Councilman David James (D-6), chairman of the Caucus. “It is important that all voices and all areas of Louisville and Southern Indiana be heard.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Indiana Department of Transpiration currently have a draft assessment of the impact of tolls for the project. The Open House meetings are being held to gauge more public input.

On Sunday, several members of the Democratic Caucus held a news conference encouraging public participation. “Right now all attention is focused on the beginning of construction but it is important to remember when these bridges are completed, tolls will become a reality,” said Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12).

“Many people are still struggling in this economy and for some these proposed tolls are going to be a burden. That’s why now is the time to voice how you will be impacted if tolls are placed on these new bridges,” says Councilwoman Attica Scott (D-1).

Here is the information for both meetings from the Ohio River Bridges Project::
· Monday, July 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT at the Holiday Inn Clarksville, 505 Marriott Dr., Clarksville, Ind.
· Tuesday, July 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, Ky.

 For those using public transportation, the route information for Transit Authority of River City (TARC) is:
· July 22 meeting – Take TARC to the Spring Street stops at 14th or 15th streets in Jeffersonville, Ind. Shuttle to Holiday Inn Clarksville will be provided at that point.
· July 23 meeting – Take TARC to the Muhammad Ali & 17th Street stop.

Dixie Highway "business census" to begin soon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brian
The Valley Report

Tell us what you think about newest retail/restaurant options

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

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

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

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

You know how I feel about these things.

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

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

LIHEAP enters "Crisis Phase"

The LIHEAP Crisis Phase began Wednesday, January 4, 2012.

LIHEAP, the Low income Home Energy Assistance Program, helps income eligible residents of Jefferson County with their utility bills. For the Crisis Phase, applicants must have received a brown, disconnection notice from their utility service provider, or an eviction notice if their utilities are included in the rent.

Appointments are required to apply for this program and are being issued in person only at the Central CAP Office only located at the Urban Government Center, 810 Barret Avenue. When scheduling an appointment, applicants need to bring a picture ID and a most recent heating bill (must be a "brown bill"), or an eviction notice if utilities are included in the rent. Beginning January 4th, appointments will be issued at all three CAP offices.

Please click here for more information about hours, addresses and criteria to apply.

Valley Post Office meeting TONIGHT

Reminder: An informational meeting concerning the closing of the Valley Station Post Office is being held today, Tuesday October 25th, from 7pm-8pm at the VFW Post located at 6518 Blevins Gap Road.

USPS officials will be on hand to answer your questions about the post office.

Southwest Center hiring qualified individuals

Our friends at the Southwest Center are hiring:

• SWC Off-Site Warehouse-Various Positions-full time and part time positions for 1st and 2nd shift at our warehouse location working with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

• Community Living Supports (CLS)-Part time position, 2nd shift and weekends, must be willing to work East End, South End and Fern Creek area, this position is one on one supports in the community or in the home teaching independent living and daily life skills. Must have reliable transportation.

• Residential Supports-Part time position and PRN, all candidates must be 21 or older, able to teach home life, social skills and able to do personal care, must be able to lift up to 75 pounds.

• Transportation - Part time driver’s position, must be willing to work split shift, must be 25 years of age and a clean driving record.

All applicants must be 18 and older, must be available to work evenings and weekends for most positions. Qualified candidates must past a TB test, Drug test, must pass criminal background checks, nurse registry and have a clean drivers record, valid driver licenses, high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants complete and application at Southwest Center 8009 Terry Rd, Louisville, KY 40258, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am-3:00pm. EEOC

Hat tip to The Local Weekly for this info!

Occupy Louisville begins Tuesday

Peaceful people of all ages and all walks of life will be convening Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 12 noon, on the corner of 4th and Jefferson Streets in downtown Louisville to begin an ongoing peaceful demonstration called Occupy Louisville.

The mission of the group, as developed by several participants who first met together on Sunday afternoon is simple:  

"Occupy Louisville will be an ongoing non-violent, civil disobedient demonstration opposing corrupt corporate influence in U.S. politics, the influence of money and corporations on democracy and a lack of legal and political repercussions for the global financial crisis. We will also be demonstrating our solidarity with those participating in Occupy Wall Street in New York, and like events all over our nation."

The group who came together and developed this mission also note their mission is subject to revision by a consensus of occupation participants as the action continues.

All participants who agree with the group's mission are welcome to join them, and any donations of food and/or public support from those who are unable will be much appreciated. The occupation, like other ones occurring throughout the country, is planned to continue indefinitely until concrete legislative changes are made that serve our mission.

"The smart rich know they can only build the gate so high. And, sooner or later history proves that people when they've had enough aren’t going to take it anymore." said filmmaker Michael Moore recently on Current TV's Countdown, who supports Occupy Wall Street.

Other celebrities who have already gave their support for Occupy Wall Street include Russell Simmons, Anti-Flag, Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Noam Chomsky, Bill McKibben, Radiohead and U.S. Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders.

Contact: 

curtis morrison

a communications liaison for #occupylouisville participants

curtster3@gmail.com 502.403.9498

Facebook Pages:

http://www.facebook.com/OccupyLouisville

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Louisville-Solidarity-with-Occupy-Wall-Street/156082817815249?sk=wall

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Louisville-KY/286725418004602

Facebook Event: 

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144798655617077

Twitter hashtag: 

#occupylouisville

Build the Southwest Bridge

"Jobs Not Cuts": Crowd calls for "New" New Deal

Several dozen protesters gathered at the federal courthouse at 6th & Broadway Wednesday to deliver a "Contract for the American Dream" to U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. The "contract", written by over 125,000 Americans, is a plan to create jobs rather than destroy them through budget cuts.

After delivering the message -which will be ignored by McConnell- the protesters marched down to the state unemployment office chanting "Jobs not cuts!".

The event, staged by Move on.org, raised a good point. We should be focusing on job creation instead of slashing programs that help the middle class and poor people. This country asks nothing from its millionaires or corporations and places the burden squarely on the shoulders of those who can least afford it.

Much attention was given to the nation's crumbling infrastructure and the jobs that would be created by fixing it, but sadly, everyone seems to have forgotten about the WPA and the New Deal. Except these guys:

Have any money in the bank? It's FDIC insured, thanks to the New Deal. Ever get an FHA home loan? Is anyone in your family collecting Social Security? That's all New Deal territory.

Full employment is a goal we should set. A major result of full employment at high wages is a sharp, permanent decrease in the level of income inequality.

That's what created the middle class. And that's good for America.

Valley Station Hallmark store shuttered

Photo courtesy of Corey Koellner

As many of you may know, the Hallmark Gold Crown store located in the Dixie Valley shopping center will close its doors at the end of July.

A store employee today said that the rent had been raised to a level that would not allow the business to remain in the center.

The employee told us today that the store would not be seeking a more affordable location and would be simply going out of business in Valley Station.

The Dixie Valley shopping center has been at the center of a controversy involving the new owners, Baceline Investments LLC of Denver, and the operators of a Vendors' Village flea market that is set to open in the old Kroger space. Wal-Mart is the "anchor" tenant in the center.

Baceline recently purchased Dixie Valley for $3.3 million dollars.

Valley's Heitzman Bakery location closes

After limping along for just over a year, Heitzman's Valley Station store has closed its doors.

The store, located at 5427 Valley Station Road, occupied the space formerly filled by Porky's Barbecue. Other prior tenants included Bake's Barbecue and a short-lived liquor store.

The property was once home to a Dairy Mart convenience-style market and gas station.

On a personal note, I'm sorry to see this place go. What does it take to get locals to support local businesses? Or does the community only want large chains?

Signs have been posted on the door and windows of the store referring customers to the Dixie highway location on the outskirts of Shively.

UPDATE: Dixie Valley Center owners respond to flea market critics

Following my article on Dixie Valley Shopping Center's new owners and the development's latest flea market tenant, south end resident and Valley Report reader Aaron Dutton did something great and decided to contact Baceline Investments, LLC to register his displeasure.

I don't know if you are the right person to email about this sort of thing, or if it will even matter. As stated in the subject line, I am writing in regards to the Vendor's Village that is moving into the Dixie Valley shopping center. According to a Business First article, Baceline Investments planned an aggressive revitalization that was designed to attract top tenants to the shopping center, and all we got was another junk store. I am not entirely opposed to junk stores but the southend of Louisville, KY is littered with them along with a number of other businesses that are a blight to our neighborhoods. And I would hardly call a flea market a TOP tenant. I am wondering since Baceline took over the property, that you guys might have some say as to who can take up shop. Or maybe you don't, I'm not sure. I guess this is not your problem but Vendor's Village is another example of the economic and cultural wasteland that is the southend of Louisville, KY. I am hoping that quality businesses will express an interest in leasing space at Dixie Valley, but with the arrival of this junk store, the prospects look grim. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Aaron Dutton

I would like to personally recognize Aaron's effort. It pleases and relieves me to know there are still people that care about the future of our area and that this man took the time to state his opinion.

The company replied to Mr. Dutton. They seem to leave the impression that it is the Kroger Company, not Baceline, that leased the space to the flea market. Here is their "excited" response:

Good Morning Aaron,

The tenant you are referring to is actually a sub-tenant of an existing tenant. Baceline Investments is quite excited to be a part of the community and is very committed to revitalizing Dixie Valley Shopping Center. Our leasing group is continually working with many different retail chains and reaching out to those companies we feel would represent what the demographic area is looking for in a shopping center.

We appreciate the fact that you took time to read about our entry into the Louisville area and our intentions for the Dixie Valley Shopping Center. As stated, we are very excited to have the opportunity to revitalize this shopping center and our team looks forward to bringing shoppers the businesses they enjoy visiting.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Melissa A. Wilson
Baceline Investments, LLC
720.382.2955 | direct

This story is still developing. More when I get it. And thanks for reading The Valley Report.

Free clinics for homeowners

From Councilman Bob Henderson (D-14):

FREE CLINICS FOR HOMEOWNERS

There will be two free clinics to help homeowners address issues they face with delinquent property taxes, the Homestead Exemption or Disability Exemption (for those 65 or older or those on Social Security Disability in helping reduce the property taxes owed by exempting the first $34,000 of the assessed value of your property), consult a housing counselor about reverse mortgages or consult an attorney about at will.

Protect yourself from excessive fees and even foreclosure by coming to a FREE clinic. All unpaid property taxes will be offered for sale to private investors at an auction on July 21.

The clinics will be held on:

June 11, 2011

11am-1pm

Shively City Hall

3920 Dixie Highway

~~~~

June 21, 2011

11am-1pm

Northwest Neighborhood Place

4018 West Market Street



For more information about the clinics, please contact George Eklund at 502-618-5892

Economic development forum set for tonight at SW Gov't Center

- "Movies Under the Stars" at the Iroquois Amphitheater continues this Sunday, June 12th. This month’s movie is "Secretariat" and begins at 9pm. Concessions available.

- The Southwest Dream Team is hosting an Economic Development Forum tonight at the SW Government Center. Here's the info from the email I received:

Light refreshments start at 5:00 p.m with the Forum scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mayor Fischer joins us along with Dan Jones from 21st Century Parks, Eileen Pickett from GLI, David Morris from the Economic Development Office and John Hollenbach, who is a developer in Metro Louisville. The other two panelists are Gant Hill, who is an area developer and Chuck Kavanaugh from the Home Builders Association.

We will be covering 5 topics in 15 minute intervals and plan on a lively discussion about the future of economic development in the South End and Southwest Louisville. Hope to see you there.

It doesn't look like any neighborhood activists or worker advocates are scheduled to participate.

Southwest Library Job Shop opens June 7th

Residents of District 14 and all of Southwest Louisville who are looking for a job now have a familiar resource at their disposal to help in the search. The Southwest Library is opening up a Job Shop on Tuesday, June 7th.

“The Southwest Library already is so important to residents in our area with its education programs for children and adults,” says Councilman Bob Henderson (D-14). “Now the branch is going one step further by offering its technical resources and assistance to unemployed members of our community.”

Henderson will join Mayor Greg Fischer on Tuesday, June 7th when the library opens its new Job Shop at 10:30am. The Job Shop provides computers, resources, trained staff and more than 600 square feet of space dedicated to job searching activities. The service is free and available to anyone during the operating hours of the branch.

“To someone who may not have access to a computer or the know how to search the internet for job openings, this can make a real difference,” says Henderson. “I am so pleased to see how our libraries adjust to helping the community.”

This is the second Job Shop operated by the Louisville Free Public Library. The first is located at the Main Branch on York Street.

For more information about the Southwest Library Job Shop, call the branch at 933-0029.

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]

Good times, bad times: Valley High getting $26 mil. makeover

First, the good/great news: JCPS is going ahead with plans for a $26 million "upgrade" at Valley High School. You can read about the details HERE. Still undecided is the question of renovation versus new construction.

Tax dollars spent on projects like these not only benefit the students and the neighborhood, but also benefit local workers and local businesses that cater to them as the project moves along.

In Kentucky, there are prevailing wage laws and rules that allow for Project Labor Agreements (PLA's) which require contractors to use a certain percentage of local workers. That's important, as many of our skilled trades workers are laid off or "on the bench", as they say.

Which leads us to the bad news.

There is a movement underway to undermine any Project Labor Agreements that may come before the the Jefferson County Board of Education. In this case, intimidation is the chosen tactic. You can read all the sorry and sordid details of that mess by clicking HERE.

Here we are in 2011, still trying to convince people that employing local workers on local projects is a good business and economic policy. Unbelievably, there are those that still swear by the practice of using out-of-town workers while our own are drawing unemployment benefits. The main driver for that behavior is greed, and if greed wins, greed will ruin us all.

If you have a moment today, it wouldn't hurt to contact your school board representative and let them know you want the Valley High School project to move forward with a strong PLA that guarantees employment for Louisville workers.

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.

Valley Farms headed to auction block

(Note: Terry Boyd of Insider Louisville contributed heavily to this story.)

It may be that 2010 is remembered as the "Year of Foreclosure" as the lag between the housing bubble bursting and bad deals winding their way through the court systems hit across the United States.

In Louisville, 2010 is going out with a bang.

Another in a series of giant apartment complexes is scheduled to go to foreclosure auction -the fourth to go on the Jefferson Circuit Court foreclosure docket in 2010- though it won’t be auctioned till February.

Valley Farms, 160 apartment units in 10 buildings off Valley Station Road, is scheduled to be auctioned Feb. 1. The amount to be recovered by the lender is $14.82 million, according to Jefferson Circuit Court records.

The lender is Wrightwood Capital Lender, a large, Chicago-based private equity firm.

The development, located just west of Jigg's Market, raised the ire of local community activists upon its announcement earlier this decade. The entire property, formerly a heavily wooded area adjacent to the railroad tracks, was clear-cut - a move neighborhood groups said "devastated" the landscape. Valley Farms was also criticized for being too dense for the area with too little attention paid to potential traffic congestion.

The project included single family homes, patio homes, condominiums and apartments.

Now, here’s the really scary bit: Valley Farms is one of dozens of major foreclosures in Louisville during 2010 that ranged from subdivisions to hotels to strip shopping centers to entire rental home portfolios held by fairly well capitalized, fairly sophisticated local investors.

Louisville NBA poll