Happy Cinco de Mayo

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

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

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

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

Petition for Better Retail in SW Louisville

Help support the Southwest Dream Team's drive to attract a better retail shopping experience for SW Louisville. Sign the petition found at the link below.

I live/work/shop in Southwest Louisville and I would patronize a national brand retail store in the Shively Center or Southwest Louisville area. I am one of more than 153,000* Southwest Louisville residents who would like to loyally shop at a Southwest Louisville store, but have been forced to take my dollars elsewhere because of limited opportunities in our local area.

I support the Southwest Dream Team's vision for Southwest Louisville to be the best place to live, work and do business. I also know that a national brand retail store in a high-traffic area, in the center of our community, is critical to that vision.

According to Greater Louisville Inc., the Southwest Louisville area realized $1.4 billion in retail sales in 2007. However, study results released the following year showed that our area offers an additional $1.1 billion** in potential unrealized retail sales because of our preference to spend cash.

I encourage retail stores to consider a Southwest Louisville location, knowing they have my support.

http://www.swdreamteam.org/

Happy Derby Day

I wish you all well today. Pick a winner, and good luck.

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2009/

Moron Dressed As Klansman Embarrasses PRP, SW Louisville

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

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

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

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

Rainy Thursday Rundown

- As expected, Trey Grayson has formed an exploratory committee for a possible run for the U.S. Senate against Jim Bunning. Bunning has no comment as yet. Let the weirdness ensue. The C-J has it HERE.

- The Kosmosdale Oral History Group is having a reunion May 16 at West Point School in Hardin County. For more info, contact Ronnie Jupin @ 935-1959 or by clicking HERE.

- I have picked my Derby horse but I am still miles away on deciding an Oaks bet. What do you think?

- Don't forget, The Valley Report can now be accessed through www.southwestlouisville.com, and in a few days, we will be launching our Cafe Press Store!!

St. Paul's Derby Celebration Starts Tonight!

My friend David Yates passed this information on to me today. If you don't have plans, this is the place to be in SW Louisville!

I thought your readers might be interested to know that St. Paul's Derby celebration continues tonight and Friday Derby Eve 5 pm - 11 pm. There is free live music performed by DC-6 Band , Spare Change Band and Rock Station. Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Roast Beef and much more will be served along with Ice Cold Budweiser and Coca-Cola products. The show will go on rain or shine under the big tent. Its a great event here in the south-end.