King announces appointments to Merger 2.0 Task Force

Metro Council President Jim King (D-10) has announced his four appointments to the Merger 2.0 Task Force.

“Both the Urban Service District and the suburban areas of Louisville will be well represented by these appointments to the Merger 2.0 Task Force,” said King. “These appointees bring merger-specific knowledge and expertise to this challenge.”

King has named Dan Johnson (D-21) and Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) as the representatives for the Urban Service District. Rick Blackwell (D-12) and James Peden (R-23) will represent suburban areas.

Councilman Johnson is in his 20th year as a member of both the Board of Alderman and the Louisville Metro Council representing south Louisville. Johnson was among the first to suggest a merger of the city and county. He is an expert on City services and can attest to the cut in services seen by residents of the Urban Service District since merger.

Hamilton is a 10 year member of both the Board of Alderman and the Louisville Metro Council. Hamilton represents western Louisville in the Urban Service District. She is a former clerk of the Board of Alderman and has a unique understanding of the needs of constituents in the oldest part of Metro Louisville.

Blackwell is an 8 year member of the Louisville Metro Council who represents a southwest Jefferson County district. He brings a unique understanding of the need for services in the county and the concerns of county residents that they have not experienced the full benefits of merger.

Peden is an 8 year member of the Louisville Metro Council representing areas such as Highview in southern Jefferson County. He is a volunteer firefighter and brings a unique understanding of our volunteer fire districts and how they interact with our City’s fire department.

In addition to these four appointments, President King has recommended three other members of the Metro Council to serve on subcommittees to be created by the task force. They are Councilman Jon Ackerson, Councilwoman Judy Green and Councilman David James.

The President has forwarded his Merger 2.0 appointments to Mayor Greg Fischer. The Merger 2.0 Task Force will be made up of 23 members and is chaired by former Louisville Mayor David Armstrong and former Jefferson County Judge Executive Rebecca Jackson.

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

District 12 "Coffee with your Councilman" set for Saturday, Feb.12

Councilman Rick Blackwell is starting off the new year with an invitation to residents of District 12 to enjoy a free cup of coffee and some conversation on Saturday, February 12th.

The first District 12 “Coffee with your Councilman” will get underway at Sister Bean’s beginning at 10:00am.

“This begins our third year of these informal chats,” says Blackwell. “I have found many people just enjoy the chance to come out and talk with me about anything. There is no formal program; I’ll buy the coffee if you want to tell me what’s on your mind.”

Sister Beans is located at 5225 New Cut Road.

“We have a new Mayor leading the city and I am sure there are some folks who have some thoughts on what direction we need to be moving,” says Blackwell.

For more information about the February “Coffee with your Councilman”, contact Councilman Blackwell’s office at 574-1112.

NLC reappoints Welch to serve on Human Development Policy and Advocacy Steering Committee

Metro Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) will continue to work with representatives in other cities on issues that affect the health and well being of all Americans in the coming year.

National League of Cities President James Mitchell, Jr. announces Welch’s reappointment to the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2011 Human Development Policy and Advocacy Steering Committee.

“I am honored to be re-appointed for the 3rd year to this most important Committee which makes recommendations for quality of life issues for our cities,” says Welch. “Our city has benefitted in numerous ways from the work done at the National League of Cities.”

This Committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions in the areas of social services, education, employment and workforce development, Social Security and seniors, individuals with disabilities, public health care, mental health, and immigration reform.

“The work of this committee becomes even more important as the President and Congress continue to turn around our economy,” says Welch. “Many cities are still faced with challenges in job growth and at the same time key components of the new health care law are continuing to take effect, it will be an important year for the NLC.”

For more information on NLC’s other committees and councils, visit http://www.nlc.org/inside_nlc/committeescouncils.aspx.

Louisville Loop Signage System Public Meeting

Louisville Loop Signage System Public Meeting

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

6:30-8:30pm

Riverside, the Farnsley-Moreman Landing

7410 Moormen Road

Exercise enthusiasts and the public are invited to give feedback on the $200,000 federally funded sign and way finding master plan for the Louisville Loop, the 100 mile shared use path that will one day circle Louisville.

Metro Parks staff is developing guidelines for improving access, safety, education and the overall experience of the existing and future sections of the Louisville Loop.

Citizens may sign up for emails about the Louisville Loop by visiting

www.metro-parks.org/cityofparks

“Coffee with your Councilwoman” - Saturday, February 12th

Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) begins a new year of ”Coffee with your Councilwoman” programs by hosting the newly appointed Third Division Commander of the Louisville Metro Police Department, Major Kelly Jones on Saturday, February 12.

“It gives me great pleasure to introduce Major Jones to constituents in District 13 for our first “Coffee with your Councilwoman” of 2011,” says Welch. “I have known Major Jones for many years and I am thrilled he is our new Commander for the LMPD Third Division. He is committed to partner with Southwest Metro Council members and work toward crime prevention in each of our districts.”

“Coffee with your Councilwoman” is again located this year at the First String Family Grill, 5921 New Cut Road. It begins at 9:00am. The event is open to the public and First String will provide free coffee for everyone.

The program began last year, as a way for Welch to bring local government officials and agencies out into the district to meet residents.

“I hope every one will come out and meet Major Jones because it is important to know who is in charge of the brave men and women who patrol our streets,” says Welch. “Our police officers and commanders rely on the public to help them fight crime. Public safety is one of my top priorities for our community.”

For more information at the February District 13 “Coffee with your Councilwoman”, contact Councilwoman Welch’s office at 574-1113.