Good times, bad times: Midweek Update

- Many people have become angry about the newest dildo store on Dixie Highway in Shively, saying Shively officials "gave in" to a high-priced attorney's "scare tactics" in granting the store a general business license. Here's the thing: If no one shops there, it will close. That's how you get rid of things like that, so stop going in there. [CJ]

- Ford CEO Alan Mulally was in town last night for GLI's annual meeting. A WHAS11 report says he is "optimistic" about the future of the Louisville Assembly Plant and gives the United Auto Workers union high praise for cooperating with the company. [WHAS11]

Insiders attending the meeting say Mulally then went on to shamelessly promote the awful idea of passing the Korea/US Free Trade Agreement, saying Ford was still unable to compete without the deal. More on the proposed agreement and its effect on U.S. jobs - [Insider Louisville]

- The Local Weekly has a nice story about Mary Lou Rippy of Dixie Florist. Mary Lou was a finalist for the 2010 Epic Award given by the National Association of Women Business Owners’ Louisville Chapter.[The Local Weekly]

- REMINDER: Saturday, March 19,  Councilwoman Vicki Welch hosts her next "Coffee with Your Councilwoman" at First String Family Sports Grill at 5921 New Cut Road. This month's coffee features District 5 school board representative Linda Duncan and gets underway at 9am.

- Valley High School Alumni Association has their regular monthly meeting this Thursday, March 17th, at 6:30 PM in the old TV Science Room. All alumni are welcome to join. Membership dues are $10 per year. Come on out.

Here's your midweek update

- The strategy of an entity going bankrupt in order to void a labor contract is a popular one these days, and the tactic is being used locally against the musicians in the Louisville Orchestra. A judge ruled today in favor of the musicians against the orchestra's board in a case where the musicians simply asked to be paid for their work. The board had obviously expected the musicians to play for free due to real or imagined financial problems, then threatened to file bankruptcy and void the negotiated agreement between the parties. The orchestra's board, sitting on a $10 million dollar endowment, is claiming they are broke and cannot afford to pay.  The contract between the orchestra and the musicians expires in May. [WFPL]

- In more positive news, a former stripper has been charged with arson and wanton endangerment after going bananas back in March. The woman, then working at Deja Vu in South Louisville, felt the other girls were stealing her customers and felt compelled to burn all of their dirty stripper-like stuff. [Herald-Leader]

- Shively's mayor and city council officially take the oath of office this Friday. [CJ]

SW Political News Roundup

Here are some interesting developments and things to ponder as we approach what will surely be a crazed, whiskey-soaked election season:

- Teamsters Locals 89 and 783, UFCW Local 227 and JCTA have endorsed Republican candidate Brian Simpson in his bid against incumbent Larry Clark in the state's 46th House District.  Clark is rapidly losing labor support and is the subject of various "whisper campaigns" among union members. Influential and important people I have spoken with on the matter are taking great joy in watching Clark turn to wax as payback for years of what has been described as "back stabbing", "dirty-dealing" and "cork-screwing".

- Mayoral Candidate Hal Heiner speaks on bridge tolls:

“This afternoon the Louisville Southern Indiana Bridges Authority submitted a report to the regional planning agency with estimated tolls of $6 per trip. This would represent one of Louisville’s largest tax increases and I will not support this rate. While we realize this is a preliminary number, I urge the authority to work diligently to reduce this rate. If $6 per trip is the only way the authority can build 2 bridges, then I believe we need to reduce the scope of the project by breaking it into more manageable phases with the east end bridge being the first phase of a multi phase project. While I believe I-65 and Spaghetti Junction will ultimately have to be addressed, I find a $6 trip financially irresponsible and a burden Louisvillians will not accept.”

- Marty Meyer, candidate for the 38th District State Senate, has been busy raising big green dollars along with his campaign's profile by holding many summer events.  Neighborhood walks and phone banks are already underway, and the campaign's presence is now being felt throughout the district.  This, my friends, is how to win a race based on ideas.

- Impressive: The City of Shively has "$2 million in the bank". [CJ]

Thursday's Southwest News

- Rather than attack the real problem, (a foreign-owned, for-profit utility that threatens you with service disconnection before holding you at knifepoint and raping your pocketbook), some Metro Council members see fit to pad the utility's bottom line by raising money through non-profits to help struggling citizens pay heating bills. The idea of helping people stay warm is a noble one, but there is a better, more forcible way.  Stronger action must be taken immediately to lower costs, prevent service disconnections and protect the needy from the whims of the greedy, profit-mad e.On/LG&E monster. Here's more on the valiant, yet shortsighted effort.

- The May primary for the City of Shively's political offices is crowded. With Democrats. No Republicans filed to run. [CJ]

- It's that time again. The Louisville Asset Building Coalition, Metro United Way and your Metro Council are again sponsoring the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. This year the Southwest VITA office is located at the Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane. The phone number for that VITA office is 292-6171.

VITA provides FREE tax service to families and individuals making less than $49,000. Your return will be prepared and reviewed by an IRS Certified Volunteer Tax Preparer. You will need to bring your Social Security card, Drivers’ License, and earnings statements (W2’s, interest and dividend statements, etc.)

Your Southwest VITA office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am - 7:00 pm, Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Drug Testing and A "Pact With The Devil"...Thursday's Nuttiness

- Shively's City Council has voted to exclude themselves from the city's new random drug testing policy. Shively's mayor, Sherry Conner, thought the city's elected officials should lead by example, but a majority of the council thought otherwise. Do as we say...not as we do. [C-J]

- If you want to own a business that never has to take a loss, buy an electric company. LG&E is seeking yet another rate hike (+12% electric and +9% natural gas) to cover the cost of storm repairs and to pay for things normally associated with routine maintenance. The Kentucky Public Service Commission is expected to rule on the phony request by Aug. 1. [C-J]

- Wacked-out "religious" nutcase Pat Robertson has stated Haiti has been cursed by a pact with the devil, hence the devastating earthquake that may have killed thousands. He then went on to mutter some nonsense about voodoo rituals. Question: If we pray for Robertson's speedy death, do we feel guilt when he croaks or is it simply God's will? [Yahoo]

Shively Gets Tough On Residential Parking

The Shively City Council has voted to strengthen enforcement of a law that prohibits residents from parking any vehicle in one's yard or any other area that is not paved. Citations will be written by Shively Police, rather than relying on code enforcement officials. Citizens in violation will receive a warning, then have 10 days to move the vehicle. Fines will range from $25 to $100.

The CJ has an article on the story, but there is no word on permits for extraordinary events, such as Derby parties.

What do you think? Ham-handed silliness or reasonable policy?

Find A Felon Friday - January 16

This week we are going back a dozen years to catch a little weasel that shot and killed Joyce Skees in a Shively bank parking lot. The sketch of this jackass has been altered to show age progression. When/if you see this man, show no mercy.

Let's get 'em, boys!

Shively Thief Takes "Highway to Hell"

It is a new low, and unfortunately, it is happening in Shively. Some scumbag is stealing from automobiles parked in Louisville Memorial Gardens Southwest while the owners are visiting the grave sites of loved ones. Rarely do I feel shocked to see something odd, or to react this way to an item or event, but this one got me. It is as though this guy is on some type of drug that no one knows about.

WLKY has the story.

When they catch this idiot, I hope the Shively Police let the citizens dole out the punishment. One shot at a time.

Shively Area Ministries Report

On Christmas Eve in the Courier-Journal, there was a piece written on Shively Area Ministries and their Angel Food program. It was a wonderful story about a family that pitches in for the greater good. I had the good fortune of growing up in the same neighborhood as the family featured in the article. They are the real deal; an asset to our community. Read the story HERE.

There should be more stories like this these days. It is always refreshing to read some positive news. Stories like this illustrate just one of the reasons I choose to live in Southwest Louisville. We are lucky to be surrounded with such caring individuals as these.

Restaurant Added to Shively Center

Ground was broken for a new Bob Evans Restaurant today to be located at the renewed and revitalized Shively Center. A portion of the new Norton's Medical Center Plaza located in the Shively Center is now open. Although the property did not develop into shopping as residents had hoped, the Center is nearly full of tenants and the building no longer an eyesore for residents or those entering Southwest Louisville via I-264. For that the community can surely be glad.

Find A Felon Friday

The Shively Police Department is looking for a guy named Juan Ramirez-Saenz for murder and tampering with physical evidence. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Black Hair, Brown Eyes, 5'10, 200 lbs.

Since this photo was taken, he has shaved his head and wears a small ponytail. (?)

With a head like that, this freak should be easy to find. If you see him, call the Shively Police Department @ 502-448-6181

HERE is the full release. Let's get 'em boys!!