3 out of 4 ain't bad: Upcoming SW Metro meetings!

If you have a local government issue, question, or concern that you would like to have addressed by a live person, there are three (3) upcoming opportunities for you to do so (with one notable absence, as always).

Three of the four Southwest Louisville representatives of the Metro Council have events for constituents to air concerns. As is the usual custom, District 14 has no meetings or communications with residents. None whatsoever. Not even a monthly or yearly email. 

If you live in District 14, I urge you to attend one of these meetings instead. You can have your concern addressed by a capable, competent and trustworthy representative that has made him or herself physically present for a frank, casual conversation. The people below are not hiding from you or avoiding your calls. They, unlike the District 14 office, go out of their way to hold meetings so they can listen to what you have to say. Please oblige them! And remember to VOTE in November!

Coffee With Your Councilwoman

 District 13

 Saturday, August 11, 9:30am.

First String Family Sports Grill

 5921 New Cut Road. 

For more information, contact Councilwoman Welch’s office at 574-1113.

Coffee With Your Councilman

 District 12

Saturday, August 11,10:00 am.

Sister Beans Coffeehouse

 5225 New Cut Road.

 

If you would like more information, contact Councilman Blackwell’s office at 574-1112. 

Talk to David

District 25

Tuesday, August 21, 7 p.m.

 Southwest Hospital Community Room

9820 Third Street Road (Use Stonestreet Entrance)

 

For more information, Call the District 25 office at

574-1125

Not to be missed: The Southwest Center's upcoming events

The Southwest Center is holding two fabulous events this month. Please make some time for them. The Southwest Center and the people who run it stand for everything that is good and positive in our community.

• The Southwest Center’s 8th Annual Open Rod Run: Saturday, August 11, 2012 from 10am-4pm at the Center, 8009 Terry Rd Louisville, KY 40258. Registration is only $15. Food, Cars, Raffles, Cars, Silent Auction and more Cars All proceeds benefit the people who attend the Southwest Center.  
• Back To School Golf Scramble: August 25, 2012 at Quail Chase Golf Course, start at 1:00pm All proceeds to benefit Southwest Center and Pitt Academy. Pitt Academy is an accredited, independent, non-profit school that serves students in K-12 with learning differences or learning disabilities. The Center needs golfers and sponsors! Cost is $300 per Team .Sponsorships start at $50. For more information, Please call the Southwest Center at 502-935-1848

The Southwest Center is a 501 C(3), non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a supportive environment combined with enriching work opportunities that foster growth and independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. All services provided are designed to help each person to live and enjoy life in his or her community.

For information, please contact the SWC at 935-1848.

Louisville Metro Council passes scrap metal ordinance

A new law will enhance a state requirement of daily tracking of scrap metal purchases in Louisville.

By a unanimous vote, the Louisville Metro Council is putting into place significant steps to address the problem of scrap metal theft throughout the city. In recent years, a growing number of small businesses, churches and residents have reported metal as stolen.

Commonly stolen items include air conditioners, gutters, piping, manhole covers, sewer grates and even cars - all taken to scrap metal buyers who pay cash for the value of the metal.

The ordinance will offer tools to track scrap metal transactions and make it more difficult for scrap metal thieves to successfully sell stolen property. “Working with the recycling and scrap metal industry locally along with Metro Police, we believe we can now realistically track the theft of scrap metal and catch those who have victimized so many groups and individuals,” said Councilman David James (D-6), the primary sponsor of the ordinance. Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh (D-9) is a co-sponsor of the legislation. “It was critical to our success that all the stakeholders worked out a solution that adds new tools in law enforcement’s bag to stem the tide of metal theft,” says Ward-Pugh. “I particularly appreciate the legal expertise around the table of River Metals Recycling, who helped lead the statewide amendment in the Spring General Assembly.

The Council’s action follows recent legislation passed by the Kentucky General Assembly. The ordinance enhances the requirements of House Bill 390, calling for daily reporting of purchases made by scrap yards.

In addition, the measure includes:

· A requirement that no vehicle 10 years or younger may be sold to a scrap metal business without a title;
· The creation of a database maintained by the Louisville Metro Police Department that will aide LMPD in their investigation of scrap metal theft;
· Confiscate any vehicle used in the act of scrap metal theft.

“This is a good piece of legislation that enhances what state lawmakers have already passed,” said Councilman David Yates (D-25). “We are now putting those on notice who think they can steal scrap metal for profit that you are going to be caught.” Since last year, James along with Ward-Pugh, Yates, and Council members Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13), Marianne Butler (D-15), Kelly Downard (R-16), Jerry Miller (R-19), Kevin Kramer (D-11), Councilman Bob Henderson (D-14) and President Jim King (D-10) along with others have talked with representatives from the scrap metal industry and the law enforcement community to come up with a solution to the growing problem of metal theft.

The new ordinance will take effect upon the signature of the Mayor.

Copart's junkyard close to becoming reality

In a note to constituents today, Councilman David Yates (D-25) tells the awful truth about Copart and the company's plans to open what any sensible person would call a junkyard on Pond Station Road.

There has been significant outrage in the community since Copart's plans were revealed.

Yates' statement:

The District 25 office has been notified by Metro Planning and Design that the proposed Copart Facility does not require a Conditional Use Permit, citing that their operation does not exceed the already permitted use of the property under the Land Development Code.

Metro Planning and Design has based their decision on the contention that Copart has applied to only stores vehicle, will not "part" them out for sale, and may only store them in a manner that allows for ease of access.

After several meetings with Copart representatives and their legal counsel, we have voiced our objection to the proposed use at the proposed location. However, our office has continued to work diligently to assist Copart in finding an alternative resolution for all parties- that embraces new business, but protects the use and enjoyment of our neighbor’s properties and the integrity of neighborhoods. We have proposed four alternative suitable options as locations for the Copart facility in other, already heavily industrialized areas more suitable for their business, and we will continue to lobby for their consideration of another site.

It is an understatement to say that we are disappointed with Metro Planning and Designs decision. Based on the current Zoning of the proposed location, it was understood that your Metro Council did not have the authority to review the BOZA decision of the conditional use permit. However, both I and several of my colleges on the Metro Council were prepared to speak out for our constituents and voice our concerns with the proposed use. It is unfortunate that we will no longer be afforded the opportunity to make a public argument to a neutral board on behalf of the citizens directly and indirectly affected.

We will continue to keep you up to date on the progression of this issue.

Click HERE for a copy of the Opinion from Planning and Design.

Please contact our office should you have any concerns, or would like any additional information.

How this plan fits in with the Southwest Greenways project, the Louisville Loop project or the Dixie Highway Corridor Study plan isn't clear. That is because it doesn't fit.

Promised improvements to "quality of life" are obviously not coming for people here.

Just more junk.

The next time you see the mayor, you should ask him what he thinks of our new junkyard. Hell, maybe he will cut the ribbon on it.

While timing the traffic lights on Dixie Highway is nice and new bus shelters and trash cans are better than the over-turned shopping carts riders sit on to wait for the next TARC, these things do not make a real difference in people's lives.

It doesn't help political careers, either.

Last year, people said they didn't want Miller Transportation to build a giant bus maintenance facility at the entrance to a neighborhood. Residents lost.

Last year, people said they didn't want a developer to transfer a parcel of property over to the city because Metro Parks couldn't explain what they were going to do with it. Residents lost.

This year, people said they didn't want these yard sale or flea market businesses to be able to pop up just anywhere. Residents lost.

This year, people said we have finally have enough Family Dollar and Dollar General stores. Please stop granting them permits. Residents lost.

It is over.

We lost.

Get on board for the New Cut Road Trolley Hop, beginning July 28

Saturday, July 28th brings a monthly opportunity to see and enjoy the best attractions in South and Southwest Louisville when the New Cut Road Trolley Hop kicks off its inaugural run.

“We are announcing an easy way to combine the fun of many events in our region with a convenient and economical way to spend a great day with family or friends,” says Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13). “This Trolley Hop is a first for our area and wonderful way to showcase some of the great places we know and love in the Southwest.”

On its inaugural run, the New Cut Road Trolley Hop leaves the Iroquois Amphitheater headed for the Jefferson Memorial Forest's Welcome Center. Along the way, there will be stops at the Little Loomhouse, Auburndale Village Shopping Center, the southwest corner of Third Street Road and New Cut Road; Outer Loop Center, northwest corner of New Cut Road and Outer Loop and the new Fairdale Library.

“Our kickoff coincides with the Kentucky Music Weekend at Iroquois Amphitheater which is a traditional event for the summer,” says Councilman Dan Johnson (D-21). “This event is a tradition for many people and the Trolley Hop will show people who may not come out to this area that we have some great attractions.” Metro Council members are providing the funding for the program.

Joining Welch and Johnson as sponsors are Rick Blackwell (D-12), Bob Henderson (D-14), Marianne Butler (D-15) and David Yates (D-25).

While the July Trolley Hop is being held in conjunction with the Kentucky Music Festival, in August the Trolley Hop will run in conjunction with "H.M.S. Pinafore," the classic Gilbert and Sullivan musical that will have a six-night run at the Amphitheater.

September's Hop will feature the Fairdale Community Fair.

October will highlight the Mayor's Healthy Hometown Hike at the Jefferson Memorial forest.

“This is another example of the Southwest members of the Metro Council working together and, in this case, promoting a growing area that is special and unique to us,” says Yates. 

For more information about the kickoff of the New Cut Road Trolley Hop, click HERE.

Yates and fellow SW Councilmembers invite residents out to discuss Dixie Highway Corridor Study

Councilman David Yates (D-25) is encouraging business owners along Dixie Highway and residents throughout South Louisville to come to a special public meeting on Monday, July 16th at the Southwest Government Center.

Council members Rick Blackwell (D-12) and Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) are working with Yates to actively encourage residents of southwest Louisville to attend the meeting which seeks public comment as the Dixie Highway Corridor Study moves into its final phase.

The meeting is also an opportunity to see how the project is moving forward. “We have now arrived at the point where the consultants will soon begin finalizing their recommendations for the full length of this project, “says Yates. “We need to hear from the people who live, work and drive along Dixie Highway to ensure all hopes and concerns are addressed.”

Yates secured $52,000 in the 2011- 2012 budget to fund the planning initiative.

HNTB is the consultant firm on the project.

The Dixie Highway Corridor Study is an effort to revitalize one of the area’s busiest thoroughfares and continue to seek improvements for traffic flow, economic development and sustainability. “This study is critical if this area plans keep pace with others areas of Jefferson County,” says Blackwell. “We cannot neglect Dixie Highway if there is a way to improve it in the future.”

Joining Southwest Metro Council members at the meeting to answer questions will be Mayor Greg Fischer, State Representatives Joni Jenkins, Charles Miller, Dennis Horlander, Mike Nemes and State Senators Perry Clark and Dan Seum and Louisville Free Library Director Craig Buthod.

“It is crucial to this community to bring Dixie Highway into the 21st Century,” says Yates. “If anyone has a thought or idea on how to achieve that goal, they should attend this meeting.” The Southwest Government Center is located at 7219 Dixie Highway For more information, call Councilman Yates’ office at 574-1125