District 13 “Coffee with Your Councilwoman” set for February 18th

Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch is beginning a brand new year by once again extending an invitation to residents of District 13 to come out for “Coffee with Your Councilwoman” on Saturday, February 18th at 9:30am at First String Family Sports Grill .

“This is an event designed to offer an opportunity to talk with your Metro Council representative one on one if you have an issue in your neighborhood,” says Welch. “My staff and I will be on hand to listen to your concerns. We will also update you on projects and initiatives currently happening in District 13 as well as all over our community.”

The Councilwoman says “Coffee with Your Councilwoman” is designed to answer the following:

• Do you have a question about Louisville Metro Government?

• How about a concern for your neighborhood?

• Is there an important issue facing our community you’d like to share?

The February “Coffee with Your Councilwoman” gets under way at 9:30 am at the First String Family Sports Grill, 5921 New Cut Road. Coffee is complimentary from First String Family Grill for those who come out to talk. Breakfast may be purchased at a reasonable cost.

“This is a very casual and comfortable setting to have a conversation,” says Welch. “So come have a cup of coffee and just say “Hi” if you want. I would love to meet you!”

To learn more about the February District 13 “Coffee with Your Councilwoman” contact Councilwoman Welch’s office at 574-1113.

Rumor patrol: Ashby Lane apartments "upscale", not "Section 8"

Not a housing project.

There are rumors flying around the southwest about the housing development beginning to take shape near the Greenbelt Highway on Ashby Lane, and I think it is appropriate to address the issue to eliminate any confusion as to what is happening.

Ashby Green Apartment Homes are now under construction at 7401 Ashby Lane. The complex is owned by W.M. Bullitt, LLC.

Ashby Green is not "Section 8" or "low-income" housing nor is it a replacement for Iroquois Homes. It is not owned or being built by the government as a "housing project".

Floor plans and examples of units that will be available are online at the company's website, ashbygreenapartmenthomes.com

The developers of Ashby Green welcome your questions and comments and have made their contact information available on the website.

So now you know.

He's back: Hawkins to battle Thieneman in 37th district primary

Like a bad rash that won't go away, former Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins is back on the ballot.

Hawkins joins fellow Republicans Chris Thieneman and John Yuen in filing for the State Senate's recently-redrawn 37th district - a political hot potato that is being thrown around in Franklin County Circuit Court.

Incumbent Senator Perry Clark was drawn out of the district, and therefore is unable to retain his seat.

On the Democratic side, challengers include 21st District Metro Councilman Dan Johnson, attorney Robert Walker II and Democratic Party insider Steve Bittenbender.

Analysis: This should be an interesting race should all the candidates remain on the ballot. One item of particular interest is Chris Thieneman's current address. On the filing paperwork he submitted to the Secretary of State, Thieneman listed his address as 7650 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40258.

7650 Dixie Highway is the address for Fort Locks, a self-storage business of which Thieneman is listed as "manager".

Either Thieneman lives in a storage locker or something is wrong here.

Tan, rested and ready, Doug Hawkins tries to revive a dead political career by running in a race he's already lost. Hawkins was beaten by Perry Clark in a special election in 2006. The special election was ordered after it had been revealed the Republican winner had lied about her address.

The office of State Senate, like other state offices, has a residency requirement. For the Senate: "At the time of election, [the candidate] must be at least 30 years of age, a citizen of Kentucky, resided in the State 6 years next preceding his election, and the last year thereof in the district for which he may be chosen."

There will be more on this contest next week as the new, extended filing deadline approaches and as more information on the candidates becomes available.

Coffee with your Councilman set for January

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 4th.

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

“I invite the District 12 residents to come out for an informal chat,” says Blackwell. “There is no formal agenda so residents are welcome to voice their opinions or ask questions about issues that concern them.”

Sister Beans is located at 5225 New Cut Road.

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

Revised dumping ordinance allows confiscation of vehicles

Louisville Metro Council is sending a strong message to anyone illegally dumping in Metro Louisville. If caught, you not only face a fine, but impoundment of your vehicle for up to twelve months.

The Council on Thursday unanimously approved the new section to the illegal dumping ordinance.

“I want to thank the Council for their strong show of support,” said Councilwoman Marianne Butler (D-15), the primary sponsor of the ordinance. “We now have another tool at our disposal to make it very costly for anyone who decides to use an alley, side street, vacant property or empty field as their own personal dumping ground.”

The legislation allows for LMPD Officers, Code Enforcement Officers and any other city officials authorized to enforce any provision of the Louisville Metro Code the ability to enforce the additional section of the Code. Prior to releasing any vehicle that has been impounded, all outstanding citations, towing, handling and storage charges shall be paid in full.

During the review of the new law, Council members saw how easily hidden cameras used by Metro Public Works in certain areas clearly show illegal dumping and the vehicles involved.

“We feel strongly that this new law will put a dent in the illegal dumping problem. At a minimum, it might make someone think twice before dumping debris,” says Butler.

The measure will take effect once it is signed by the Mayor.

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