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.

Big Ern, The Weasel and "Honest" Dick: An inside view of Kentucky's worst

Note: Terry Boyd of Insider Louisville contributed to this report.

Ah, it’s spring, and the scent of corruption and generally poor governance is wafting gently on the breeze here in Louisville. (Certainly more entertaining than the tree pollen to follow.)

LEO’s Philip Bailey got the jump on the Courier-Journal last week with “It’s not easy being Green,” his story about Dr. Judy Green, 1st District metro councilwoman.

Green has, uhm, issues related to very poor judgment – everything from tax evasion to creating a bogus “jobs programs” with her “Green Clean Team.”

Last summer, the Green Clean Team program ground to a halt after the city auditor tried to figure out what happened to the $55,000 grant to fund the program. (Oddly, Dr. Judy and husband James Green owe $55,000 to the Internal Revenue Services, a bill going back to 1998. How does that work?)

The finding – shockingly, a lot of the money went to 12 Green family members “working” in the program. The rest apparently evaporated into the ether, and nothing was accomplished except getting other Metro Council members out of their overall stupor long enough to start ethics proceedings.

The CJ followed up with a story about how the president and treasurer for 100 Black Men confirmed that the group had a side deal with Judy Green to request more city funding than needed, then redirect a portion of the cash at Green’s direction.

Oh, and then there’s the matter of the $25,000 Dr. Judy and her husband ran up on the credit card of Judy Green’s legislative aide, Andrea Jackson, a credit card the councilwoman took out with out Jackson’s consent!

To their credit, CJ reporters did a great job in 2005 of covering Green’s habitual failure to pay taxes - just the trait you want in an elected government official - and much of Bailey’s reporting in “It’s Not Easy Being Green” is built on their work

You can bet there’s more.

Caught on film: Doug Hawkins does John Boehner impression

Hawkins crew resorts to stealing signs, says Yates

In a press release just issued, 25th Metro District candidate David Yates says American Patriot and cheap bully Doug Hawkins is responsible for the theft of ''hundreds'' of Yates for Council yard signs.

It's a weak and desperate move and the mark of a loser.

HUNDREDS OF YARD SIGNS STOLEN IN SOUTH LOUISVILLE

Louisville, Ky - Over the past two evenings, hundreds of "David Yates for Metro Council" Yard Sign have been stolen across the 25th District. Yates, the democratic candidate for Metro Council's 25th District, said that his campaign has received numerous emails that supporters' yard sign have been stolen from their yards. Additionally, Yates' yard sign was the only one stolen at homes with multiple yards signs of other democratic candidates.

"This is nothing more than Doug Hawkins being Doug Hawkins," Yates said. "Year after year Councilman Hawkins pulls these antics, and voters are going to go to the polls this year and show that they're tired of his tricks. I'm expecting a robocall tonight from Hawkins to voters with some outrageous lie about me and my family."

Yates filed a report with the police department Monday afternoon after spending hours canvassing and noticing that his yard signs were gone. Yates' campaign distributed over 600 signs during the past month, and the campaign believes that over 300 have been stolen in the past 48 hours.

Yates fights back against robo-calling incumbent

Wednesday morning at 10:30am David Yates, Candidate for Louisville Metro Council, District 25 will be hosting a press conference in front of City Hall on Jefferson Street. Yates will address the robocalls that his opponent has been sending across south Louisville in response to the issues set out in Yates' direct mail pieces.

Over the past three weeks voters in Louisville's 25th District have been receiving Direct Mail literature from democratic candidate David Yates. The second piece sparked a great deal of controversy and even lead to Yates receiving death threats at his office. The second piece called "Apples and Oranges" set out the difference Yates sees between himself and his opponent.

"Voters in the 25th District have a clear choice in this election, and we're showing that these differences are like apples and oranges," Yates said.

Today Yates dropped a mail piece telling voters about the $7,000 worth of neighborhood funds that Hawkins has spent on the Private, East End Soccer Club, Javanon. "Doug Hawkins took dollars designated to rejunivate our neighborhood and gave them to his friends in the east end so their families could play soccer in a private club," Yates delcared. "That's unacceptable. Our neighborhoods and community deserve a partner on Metro Council who will reinvest our neighborhood dollars in our community, not the east end."

Javanon is the same 23,000 sq. ft. Soccer Club that was constructed in a residential neighborhood (Tucker Station) without city approval, and resulted in an illegal, secret backroom meeting to get off the ground. Allegations unearthed by The Ville Voice "exposed a routine way of doing business in the city’s Planning Department, one that all-too-often favors developers at the expense of the actual rules and the rights of neighbors. It exposed the fact that attorneys for developers exert pressure on BOZA members and the too-easy access they have, to the point that if requested, they can persuade officials to hold illegal meetings to make sure things go the way they want in public."

"We learned two important lesson with this one debacle: First, south end neighborhood funds need to be reivested into the south end. Period.

Second, our system of government must be more transparent and accountable to taxpayers. No more back room deals or secret meetings," Yates said.

District 25 beat down - Must see video!

The debate that took place last week between District 25 incumbent Doug Hawkins and challenger David Yates is now available for viewing via Metro TV. Click HERE to see all the gritty goodness.

Analysis: Hawkins turns to jelly and interrupts, goes over time, disregards the rules and -as if we expected anything different- generally acts like a horse's ass for 30 minutes.

Voters in the 25th finally have a gin-clear choice in November. The ineffective, unethical laughingstock or a new, real leader with fresh ideas and new perspectives.

Please leave your comments below after viewing this savage beat down.

"GrassGate" Envelops District 25

The Kosair Shrine Circus isn't until February, but you can catch the dazzling act of Louisville's Main Clown just by checking your inbox.  Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins (R-25) sent out an email a few days ago in an attempt to churn up some manufactured outrage over unmowed grass along 3rd Street Road near his home.  Here is a picture that accompanied the email:

Hawkins claims this grass is a "visual obstruction". While unsightly, the grass does little more than hide railroad tracks that lie to the right, and in no way impede a motorists view of anything other than the trash that is being thrown from car windows.

Today, Hawkins croaks about an "update" to this very serious situation, and claims that because of "public outcry", the grass is now scheduled to be mowed on September 20th. It's a mayoral conspiracy!!  Expect more shenanigans from District 25's low-rent version of Bozo as election day draws near.

Thanks, Doug, for your vigilance in pursuing this injustice to mankind.  On second thought, you could have cut it yourself and not relied on "the government" to solve your problems.

Not Everyone Has Email

Another day, another ridiculous email from Doug Hawkins. This time, it's about saving your tax dollars by refusing to support the U.S. Post Office he claims to have saved in Valley Station.

"Help me cut government waste by sending out information through e-mails. E-mails are free and timely.
A constituent asked me, “Why don’t you mail newsletters through the post office?”

It would cost metro government almost $8,000 to mail one newsletter to every household in a council district. Those are your tax dollars!

That’s a lot of money to spend on information that may be two weeks old by the time you write it, print it and mail it. For those reasons, I have never used your tax dollars to mail newsletters. Some council members mail newsletters through the post office quarterly, costing tens of thousands of dollars.

...

Like you, I’m tired of government wasting our tax dollars."

Peanut VS. Wingnut - An Epic Struggle

Wingnut Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins (R-25) is claiming in an email blast that State Auditor Crit Luallen's report on the sorry state of oversight and fraud out of the mayor's office has somehow "vindicated" him. While we agree that the situation is worse than we thought, the idea that Hawkins has been vindicated is ludicrous, offensive, self-serving and downright stupid . Councilman Hawkins, if anything, is a co-conspirator in this ordeal, given his elected position on the council. He then has the balls to blame the misspent funds and abuse uncovered by Luallen as the reason the South End has been "neglected".

My friends, it is the policies, attitudes and sick, destructive politics and pandering by Doug Hawkins that is to blame for the state of his district. If he had spent as much time representing the voters in the 25th as he has patting himself on the back, creating phony emails, doing push polls and offensive robo-calls, the 25th would be a much more enjoyable place to live and work. He has embarrassed himself and the 25th since Day One in office with his tiring antics and goofiness.

We constantly hear that we need investment in Southwest Louisville. District residents have nearly knelt and begged for retail, infrastructure improvements and jobs. They have not materialized under the watch of Doug Hawkins. I do not know how much more clear it could be. Hawkins simply is incapable of representing his district, and that is the real shame here.

If the filing deadline had not already passed, I'd run my miniature schnauzer Peanut against him in the primary.

The amateurish, idiotic email sent by Hawkins is copied below for your [dis] pleasure:

Hawkins Vindicated By Auditor Again!

Metro Louisville is once again abuzz over another financial scandal in the Mayor’s administration, with a highly critical State Auditor’s report and the firing of two top officials. But let’s face it, what is really new here? The State Auditor, a long time, high-ranking Democrat, has once more confirmed the exposure of these financial problems are not just partisan talking points. They are the considered opinion of every honest official of either party who has looked into this mess.

The Auditor was particularly critical of the sweet-heart deal the Cordish Company received for a downtown project likely never to happen. Same old story- tax dollars taken to support a few friends of the administration for pie-in-the sky idea downtown, rest of community, like South End neglected. Again, what else is new?

The Auditor hits a gusher of problems every time she looks into any corner of our Metro Mayor’s administration, from the callous and incompetent way the Animal Services is run to the fiasco she found two years ago when the Housing Department lost millions of dollars through sheer neglect and outright theft by the head of that department.

That’s not even mentioning the numerous other scandals Metro Council has been able to uncover on its own such as- the sweetheart deal sale on Naval Ordinance the Mayor gave his law clients that’s cost us millions of dollars, the give-away of Slugger Field, the staggering mismanagement of MSD and the massive fee increases to fix the problems, the never-ending saga of chiseling police or firefighter pay and pensions, the misuse of private funds and tax money by the Health Dept. and the Free Public Library for political campaigning, and on and on.

Is it any wonder the Mayor had his friends in Frankfort hold up Sen. Seum’s transparency bill, SB 80 once again, to keep the Metro Council from having any real oversight of Metro finances? The current state of affairs is so sad that the Metro Council has much more information about the operation of independent offices, like the County Sheriff and the County Clerk, than it does over the actual government, Metro Louisville, it is supposed to be in charge of.

I know some people have thought I was too critical over the years about the Mayor’s financial policies and budget. But can any serious person in our community now say my concerns were not justified?

It’s too bad so much of the hope and opportunity in our Metro government has been squandered these last 8 years. We can at least thank our State Auditor for showing us part of what went wrong and that the villains in all this have names and faces.

Villains. As if we are engaged in "an epic struggle of good vs. evil". Hell, we just want a department store and a steak house.

Hits & Misses

- In the latest email blast from Councilman Doug Hawkins, he discusses the issue of requiring a prescription for over-the-counter drugs like Pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a main component in the manufacture of methamphetamine, but it also a powerful decongestant used in medicines like Sudafed. As we approach spring, more and more people will be reaching for these types of medicines to treat seasonal allergies. Hawkins says he disagrees with the proposal to require a doctor's prescription for Pseudoephedrine, as do I. I think the system that monitors who is buying Pseudoephedrine and how often they buy it is effective if used correctly. This proposal essentially transfers the responsibility to the doctor to "police" the availability of these medicines, and I think that's wrong. So, Hawkins and I agree. But the reason Doug doesn't like the idea shows just how out of touch he is with his constituents. And reality.

"I oppose this resolution," says Councilman Doug Hawkins. "It does not make sense to inconvenience law abiding citizens by forcing them to go see a doctor just to receive an over the counter prescription for cold medicine. Most people right now do not have the extra money to spend on a co-pay for a doctor's visit plus a co-pay for a prescription"

For Hawkins to assume that everyone has health insurance and can just run to the doctor is alarming and shows a basic lack of understanding. It is not because people can afford the co-payments, Doug. It's because they're uninsured.

- "Chronic vandalism" could force Metro Parks to permanently close the Sylvania Community Center. [CJ]

- There are only 52 days until Derby 2010.

- In another email, this time from the David Tandy for Mayor campaign, Tandy takes credit for getting two (2) new parking garages downtown.  He will join Mayor Abramson tomorrow for a groundbreaking ceremony. Yes, for parking garages. They are really stretching it over at Tandy Headquarters. Read more:

These are the types of projects that David has worked hard to bring to Louisville as President of the Metro Council, and the type of commitment to economic development project.

I think that quote is all ye need to know about David Tandy and his campaign for Mayor. Have a nice day, and thanks for reading The Valley Report.

Doctor Thrasher to Challenge Hawkins in 25th

Lifelong Valley Station resident Dr. Robert G. Thrasher of 4620 Palma Road in Southwest Louisville's 25th district has officially filed to run against reactionary incumbent Doug Hawkins, triggering a Republican primary this coming May. It should be a lively contest. I, personally, cannot wait for the battle to begin.

The following appears courtesy of my friends at The Local Weekly:

Dr. Thrasher is a graduate of Valley High School (1970) and holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Louisville in Education Leadership and Development. He has recently taught at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He is currently on a sabbatical from the university. His past accomplishments include coaching the Girls Softball team at Valley High School (2004), the Boys Baseball team (2005), both Men’s and Women’s Basketball at Lindsey Wilson College (1980-1982), along with starting the Baseball Program at Lindsey Wilson College in 1980. He is a member of the Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church located on Stonestreet Road. He devotes countless hours at his church while serving on several committees there. He also is a board member of the Valley High School Alumni Association. You can find him usually at the school on nights of football and basketball games running the official score clock.

Dr. Thrasher believes in term limits for all political offices including Metro Council. He also supports the National Republican Party platform. He feels he can make a difference in Southwest Jefferson County in particular, Valley Station.

Currently, Dr. Thrasher is writing a book entitled "After the Lights Went Out", an autobiography of his four years of undergraduate work at the University of Louisville and the school's sports programs. He also is working on several research articles dealing with college student-athlete gambling habits. He has published two of his articles to date, "The Impact of Gender and Varsity Athletic Participation on Gambling Attitudes and Subjective Norms of College Students", Journal of Contemporary Athletics and "The Efficacy of the Theory of Reasoned Action to Explain Gambling Behavior", College Student Affairs Journal. His third article, "The Efficacy of a Modified Theory of Reasoned Action to explain gambling behavior in college students" has been submitted to the Journal of Gambling Studies.

Dr. Thrasher has also presented peer-reviewed presentations at the International Conference of Sport and Entertainment Business at South Carolina University, Sport Management Conference at Florida State University, and the 2006 North American Society for Sport Management in Kansas City, the National Conference on Gambling and Addiction in Las Vegas, and the Troy University Southern Sport Management Conference. He currently has submissions to the 2010 University of North Carolina Scholarly Conference on College Sport and the 2010 National Council on Problem Gambling Conference.

While impressive, there is nothing here to suggest Thrasher has any political experience whatsoever. Besides his "support" for the Republican National Platform, there is only one policy position listed ... his obsessive, conspicuous hatred for the games of chance. It always strikes me as odd when one hails from and aspires to political office smack dab in the middle of the home of the world's most famous horse race carrying the "anti-gambling" banner. It's like running a temperance movement from inside a brewery.

I would encourage and hope for a clean, fair primary from these two candidates. Let the fun begin. The winner will face Democrat David Yates in November.

Valley Post Office To Remain Open

The good news...the Valley Station post office will remain open.
The bad news...Councilman Doug Hawkins takes credit.

Watch him strain to pat himself on the back:

Valley Station Post Office
Will Remain Open
We Won!

The day after Councilman Doug Hawkins and Brenda Silveria hand delivered petitions with over 2000 signatures to the postmaster, the spokesman for the post office issued a press release announcing that the Valley Station Post Office will continue serving the Valley Station area by keeping the post office open. Hawkins and Silveria appreciate Postmaster Curtsinger accepting the petitions and listening to the community’s request on keeping the post office open at its currently location on Dixie Highway..
“The Valley Station Post Office is no longer on the chopping block,” says Hawkins. On July 31, the post office listed four branches that were going to be considered for “consolidation or closure.” Brenda Silveria led a grassroots effort collecting signatures to let the decision makers know how much the community needs a post office.
Councilman Hawkins wishes to thank everyone who visited the “Call for Action” page at www.DougHawkins.com and signed the on-line petition. Councilman Hawkins also thanks Postmaster Curtsinger for working with him and Ms. Silveria.
Please continue supporting the Valley Station Post Office by using the facility and the many services they offer.

You Creepy Bastards....

Thanks to the ever-watchful Councilman Doug Hawkins (R-25), we are delighted to bring you some information on what a bunch of perverts you guys are. Today in an email blast to his constituents, Hawkins pimps the results of some Google Trends data that says Louisville residents are the most likely in the country to search for "obscene material". Read more....

Louisville Ranked Most Obscene City in the Nation

Google Trends are a way of categorizing what people are searching for most often on the internet. As it turns out, Google has reported the top 10 cities most likely to search for obscene material. Unfortunately, Louisville is ranked number one. Of special concern is the material that deals with small children. Please use the websites below to help keep your children safe. While we just recently sent this information to constituenmts, in light of this new survey, it bears repeating. If you know of any other sites that could be beneficial, please contact my office to help spread the word!

The 10 American Cities Most Likely To Search For Obscene Material:

1. Louisville, KY
2. Rochester, NY
3. Philadelphia, PA
4. Newark, NJ
5. Los Angeles, CA
6. Irvine, CA
7. Pittsburgh, PA
8. Las Vegas, NV
9. Albany, NY
10. Orlando, FL

For more information on this story, check out the article below:
FOX41: Survey calls Louisville "most obscene" city in U.S.

Thanks Doug, for calling us out. Were are a filthy and disgusting lot. We are worse than those whores in Las Vegas and those seedy pimps in Albany.

Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital Update

I have received the following from CM Doug Hawkins' office regarding the condition of STS. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital in Southwest Louisville:

Flooding rains last week caused the Emergency Department at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital to remain closed until further notice. Damage to the infrastructure was substantial, including mechanical systems, electrical systems, phone systems and boilers/chillers. (To put it into perspective, the influx of water moved the fifty-year old boilers weighing over 10 tons off their foundation.)

Progress continues to be made at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital where additional services continue to reopen. The hospital’s main goal is reopening the emergency department, along with the laboratory and radiology departments this week.

Now open:
Physician Offices
SMEH Surgery Center (outpatient surgery) 502-366-9525
Diabetes Education Center at SMEH Plaza I, Suite 202B. – need to have a referral
Sleep Center 502-554-3537 (temporary number)
Wound Healing Center 502-439-7275 (temporary number)
Frazier Rehab Institute at SMEH 502-439-9585 (temporary number)

Opening on Tuesday, August 11:
SMEH Women’s Center at 11 a.m.

Areas that remain closed at this time:
Emergency Department
Hospital inpatient beds

Hawkins Panders While Southwest Suffers

Words cannot properly describe my frustration when it comes to this nonsense. Check this out:
Doug Hawkins "interviews" Pastor Ken Pagano of New Bethel Church regarding the upcoming Open Carry Celebration:

2009 Movie Nights @ Iroquois Amphitheater

If you are looking for family-friendly entertainment this summer, you simply cannot beat this program. Come on out for a wonderful evening at the beautiful Iroquois Amphitheater and enjoy a free movie with your kids. Press release below:

Free Movie Nights returns to Iroquois Park for 2009
Family entertainment on Saturday nights through the summer

Louisville – What has become a summer tradition returns to Iroquois Amphitheater on Saturday night, May 23rd when the 2009 Movies Nights debuts for another entertainment season.

“This begins our third year of offering free family movies in Iroquois Park for the summer,” says Councilwoman Marianne Butler (D-15). “We have some very good movies for everyone to enjoy.”

The first movie kicking off the 2009 program is “Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa” on Saturday, May 23rd at 8:00pm.

Joining Butler in funding the 2009 Movie Nights are Council members Dan Johnson (D-21), Rick Blackwell (D-12), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) Bob Henderson (D-14) George Unseld (D-6) Jim King (D-10), Jon Ackerson (R-18), Brent Ackerson (D-26) and Robin Engel (R-22).

“The purpose of this program is to not only provide something for families to do and enjoy over the summer but to also give people a chance to enjoy Iroquois Park,” says Butler.

The remaining schedule of movies is as follows:

Yes Man - Saturday June 13th 9:00pm
Pink Panther 2 - Saturday July 11th 9:00pm
Hotel for Dogs - Saturday August 8th 9:00pm
Beverly Hills Chihuahua - Saturday September 12th 8:00pm

For more information, contact Councilwoman Butler’s office at 574-1115. Or go to: http://www.louisvilleky.gov/metroparks/IroquoisAmphitheater.

An aside: I have a concern about the absence of funding from Councilman Doug Hawkins (R-25) for this series of family events. His district is next door to Iroquois Park and many of his constituents will be enjoying this opportunity. I have sent a request for information to his office about the issue, and I will let you know his response when I receive it.

UPDATE, Thursday, May 21: Councilman Hawkins has kicked in and is now helping fund this event. Thanks, Doug.

The "Nose" Always Knows.....

When economic times get tough, crimes like robberies and burglaries are almost certain to rise. LMPD 3rd Division Major Jim Sohan says there has been a “substantial rise in residential burglaries in the last month.” This is enough to send most residents in a hot sprint to the gun shop. But in this time of record unemployment, even thieves may be running out of work soon.

You see, arrests have been made in a vast majority of the burglary cases. You can credit your "nosy neighbors" for being more active in reporting suspicious activity to police. Why so many reports to police by nosy neighbors you may ask? Because more people than ever before are laid off from their jobs. Nearly everyone is home due to lack of work, and they are bored to death. What does one do between watching Maury, clipping toenails and surfing the internet for job opportunities? You turn into the ubiquitous "nosy neighbor". Hear a car door slam? Take a look out the window. Hear glass breaking? Pick up the phone and call police. Bingo...we've got action!

I am certainly thankful for my nosy neighbors, unemployed or not. Looking out for one another is part of being a great community. If you have no nosy neighbors or are surrounded by them, you should consider organizing them by forming a block watch in your area. Let's put the people to work and put thieves out of business.

Click HERE for a list of frequently asked questions about neighborhood watch programs and information on starting your own.


[Hat-tip to the office of Doug Hawkins for providing crime info]

Meeting Tonight on Otter Creek Options

Interested in what you can do to support Otter Creek Park? Then you will want to be at the Southwest Metro Government Center tonight at 7:00PM. Activist Patsy Bowman is inviting supporters to attend a public meeting to discuss options on how to keep Otter Creek open. Ms. Bowman has invited the Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet to attend.

This is an excellent opportunity for concerned citizens to gather in a warm place to trade ideas on how to save the park.

And special thanks to Doug Hawkins for sending out an email blast on the subject.

Update: Southwest Community Association of Neighborhoods (SCAN)

**UPDATE**

This is a follow up to my prior story on the Southwest Community Association of Neighborhoods and its Founder, President and Director Letty "Diana" Newton, a group that I had been told was no longer a going concern by several interested parties. According to the latest available information, Mrs. Newton is still an employee of Louisville Metro Government and works in the office of Councilman Doug Hawkins (R-25). I opined that the group appeared to be raising funds but not following the law in filing the proper IRS 990 forms.

After a little searching I found some information on the Kentucky Secretary of State's website that pertains to this group. It is, indeed, still operating, although not in any real sense in service to Southwest Louisville's neighborhoods. The group's mailing address has been changed to a P.O. Box downtown. The group has also been filing reports with the Kentucky Secretary of State's Office. To Wit:

My concerns are now amplified on this subject. We have this group, SCAN, that claims to be representing Southwest Louisville neighborhoods that is not doing anything of the sort. This group is also very possibly raising money, which should mean they are distributing money to others. After checking with the Internal Revenue Service, I found there are no records pertaining to the required yearly reports (Form 990) for this 501(c)3 group in the federal government's possession. And the group's founder, president and director, Mrs. Newton works for a Metro Councilman, which to any concerned citizen would logically seem like an enormous conflict of interest. The organization has a website, but it has been abandoned and has not been updated since 2004.

The questions are: When will SCAN file the required 990 reports with the IRS? Will Councilman Doug Hawkins disclose if he or anyone on the Metro Council has directed any city funds toward this group? Who is benefiting from any funds dispersed by the group? Is the group still based in Southwest Louisville now that it's chief officer has moved from the area? Is it legal or ethical for the group's leader to be working for and have access to city government or its resources?

These are questions being asked by me on behalf of the citizens of Southwest Louisville. Not out of malice, but because we need good, quality organizations that are looking out for our best interests. This is obviously not such a group. The questions asked here must be answered thoroughly, and soon.

More to come.

Kenwood Warning Siren UPDATE

It has been eight days and counting since I last spoke with Scott Harrington, Legislative Assistant to Doug Hawkins (R-25) on the issue of the warning siren at Kenwood Elementary, and there has been no response to the public safety concerns expressed by the citizens. The last I heard, Harrington was going into a meeting with city emergency management over the siren. I have not been contacted by the office since last Wednesday.

Please contact Councilman Hawkins and remind him of the importance of having warning sirens in working order, and tell him it needs to be repaired. You may reach him at 502-574-1125 or by clicking HERE.

UPDATE 11/21/2008, 3:45pm: I received the following information today. Please see below.

Kenwood Outdoor Siren will be Relocated To Increase Coverage Area


The winds from Hurricane Ike in mid September knocked down the Outdoor Emergency Siren located at Kenwood Elementary School. The outdoor siren was damaged and removed.

Doug Hamilton, Director of Emergency Management, has been diligently working on replacing the old outdoor siren with a new outdoor siren that will cover a larger area.

The Kenwood outdoor siren was a 1950’s era type known as a Thunderbolt.
It did not have battery backup so if the electricity went out, the outdoor siren would be inoperable.

Jim McKinney, Emergency Management Siren Coordinator, said the new outdoor warning sirens have battery backup and have the ability to communicate with a central control office. The newer outdoor warning sirens use four 12-volt marina batteries and are activated by radio signals. “This is a far superior outdoor siren,” said McKinney. He added “…not only does it have battery back-up but it encompasses a greater coverage area.”

There are three outdoor sirens that overlap the same areas that the Kenwood outdoor siren once covered. The other outdoor sirens are located at Auburndale Elementary School, Guthermuth Elementary School, and Fairdale Fire House located on Third Street Road. Consequently, a new outdoor siren was installed at Medora Elementary School last year to cover a large area that previously had no warning sirens.

There are 120 outdoor sirens in Jefferson County which provides coverage to 97% of the population and 67% of the total metro acreage.
However, there is a avoid in outdoor siren coverage in the area just north of Iroquois Park. Emergency Management will install a new outdoor siren just south of Iroquois Park. “The Kenwood outdoor siren will be relocated just north of the existing location. The new location will not compromise existing coverage but will expand coverage to the North,” said McKinney.

Councilman Doug Hawkins has ensured that Emergency Management is working closely with Jefferson County Public Schools and the students attending Kenwood Elementary will continue to be alerted in case of an emergency.
“The public school system has approved relocating the outdoor siren and they will continue to have a full proof system to alert the school,”
said McKinney. The new location of the outdoor siren will be able to reach Iroquois Park to alert people outside to go indoors.

There are a couple of locations that are being considered for installing the new outdoor siren. Last week, Emergency Management was approved under the State’s Declaration of Emergency to receive funding for a new outdoor siren and expect to have it installed as soon as possible.

It is important to note that Outdoor Warning Sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors to seek shelter indoors. Emergency Management says that the best way to be alerted of severe weather is by having a battery powered weather radio.


Scott W. Harrington

Legislative Assistant to

25th District Councilman Doug Hawkins

601 West Jefferson Street

Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2741