Price Peddling Positive Plans

Okay. It has been extremely busy around The Valley Report HQ lately, and I have been deprived of my usual working space. This leaves me in a position where I am unable to perform any of my duties as blogger-in-chief. For what it is worth, I am sorry. So enough gibberish, let us get back to business:

- I received a message from Robert Price of The Southwest Dream Team. Mr. Price says Seay Properties is reviewing several possible tenants for the old Dillard's/Bacons building in Shively Center, not just the Peddler's Mall, and that there is currently NO LEASE AGREEMENT. This statement is contrary to the one made by the owners of the Peddler's Mall. The Peddler's state they are ready to move in July. Price, however, is confident that a business that is deemed a "good fit" for Southwest Louisville will enter into an agreement for the space, and has vowed to fight any negativity associated with Seay Properties. My comments on the situation were not meant to disparage Seay Properties, but to arm the community with enough information to make a decision on how to react.

The folks at The Southwest Dream Team continue to come up with great ideas to promote our area's best interests, and I have full faith in Mr. Price's knowledge of the situation. If Robert Price says the Dillard's building in Shively will get a "good fit" tenant, I believe him.

A representative from Seay Properties will be on hand as guest speaker at the Dream Team's next meeting, the details of which are outlined below:

Please mark your calendars! The next meeting of the Southwest Dream Team will be on Thursday, May 7th from 9:00-10:30am at the Waverly Hills Sanatorium. We will hear the most recent updates and reports from our busy committees. Benton Seay of Seay Properties will be our special guest speaker. To access the building enter off of East Pages Rd like you were going to Bobby Nichols Golf Course. Simply follow the road up the hill and to the left.

Due to the huge amount of interest in the history of Waverly Hills Sanatorium special arrangements have been made with owners, Charlie and Tina Mattingly to offer a tour of the building and grounds at the conclusion of the meeting. The building is not open to the public. Normally, there is an admission charge to enter the grounds and tour the building, but to attend the SWDT meeting there will be no charge. A charge will apply if you decide to go on the tour. Details are below…

If you would like to tour the Waverly complex you are encouraged to call 933-2142 now, to make your reservation. There will be one tour and only 40 people will be permitted to go. Please make plans and call them soon.

The complete tour will feature, The Body Shoot, Room 502, and the Children’s Ward, breezeways, the morgue and many other areas of the building. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended. Please note that you must be able to walk down and back up the hill on the body shoot portion of the tour. The building is dusty and appropriate clothing should be considered.

Children under 10 years of age will not be permitted. You may bring a camera, however, video cameras and bright lights will not be allowed. It is recommended that you bring a small flashlight to assist in darkness and low light conditions. Your guided tour will take approximately two hours from beginning to end.

There is a charge of $22.00 per person, if paying by credit card. A discount of $2.00 will be given to those paying with cash.

The Mattingly’s are very proud of Waverly and have invested a lot of time and personal resources into the refurbishing of the property. The work is funded solely through the income received from these tours. I am sure you will agree the tour is worth the money. They have a long way to go with lots of work yet to do. Your tour dollars will accelerate its completion. I enjoyed my tour and I am sure you will too! I hope to see you then.

Shively Center Development Takes Nosedive

- In a sharp blow to Shively and Southwest Louisville residents, Seay Properties has settled on a "Peddler's Mall" as the tenant that will fill the old Dillard's building in the newly renovated Shively Center. "Peddler's Mall" is a modern term for flea markets that occupy shabby buildings and drive down community pride and property values. Although Southwest Louisville is overserved by this type of nonsense, Seay Properties felt compelled to help create what just may be the largest one around. Residents were hoping to spend their many green dollars at a modern department store that would anchor the development. Now, citizens are left wishing the old Dillard's building would have been demolished. Sad ending to such a promising story.

- If you are interested, the local Republicans are having a tea-bag party downtown today. Don't ask. Don't tell.

Dealer's Ads Slam Alabama Sen. Shelby

How Long, O Lord....How Long?

- Can anyone tell me how many more of our friends and relatives must die to protect the profits of the massive, for-profit U.S. health-care system? People are dying because of a lack of insurance, to be sure, but also due to a lack of basic preventive care. Guys like Dave Ernspiker and a few of my other friends might be alive today if our system were more equitable and covered everyone. The time for universal health care is upon us, and if we let this opportunity pass us by without DOING SOMETHING about it, well shame on us. And our country.

It is a simple question. What does our society value? Is it really "the sanctity human life" or are we content to continue our legacy as people who worship at the altar of consumerism and say "to hell with everyone else, I have mine."? I am fed up. You should be too.

Healthcare NOW!

- In other Ernspiker news, there will be a tribute/benefit held for Dave & his family tomorrow night at City Block. The following appears courtesy of Jeff Puckett's CJ blog

Some of Dave Ernspiker's many friends are gathering April 14 at Coyote's at City Block to pay tribute to the late rock 'n' roll guitarist, who died last week at age 39. Proceeds from the show will go to Ernspiker's family to off-set funeral costs.

Spanky Lee, The Predators and the Big Rock Show All-Stars will perform from 7-11 p.m. for a $5 cover. Donations will also be accepted.

District 12 Dialogue To Feature Speaker From Metro Animal Services

If you live in Southwest Louisville and are curious as to how Metro Animal Services is run or have other questions about the agency, please take the opportunity to attend Councilman Blackwell's District 12 Dialogue on April 21 at 7pm. The guest speaker will be Jackie Gulbe from MAS. Bring your stinging inquiries.


Here's a copy of the release:

April District 12 Dialogue to focus on Louisville Metro Animal Services
Event set for Tuesday. April 21st at 7:00pm

Louisville – Have a question about a barking dog in the neighborhood? What is the cost of a dog licenses in Louisville?
The answers to those questions can be found at the April District 12 Dialogue on Tuesday, April 21st at Incarnation Catholic Church beginning at 7:00pm. The Church is located at 2229 Lower Hunters Trace.
“For this month’s District 12 Dialogue we have invited Jackie Gulbe of Metro Animal Services to update us on programs and issues involving animal control,” says Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12). “It’s important to know what you can do about a stray dog in your neighborhood.”
Joining Gulbe at the meeting will be representatives from Louisville Metro Police, the Division of Licensing and Permits, Neighborhoods and MSD will be on hand to answer questions about programs or concerns. A representative of Congressman John Yarmuth's office will also be in attendance.
For more information about the January District 12 Dialogue, contact Councilman Blackwell's office at 574-1112.

Eye Will Pay In April For 'Shrooms Sold Tuesday

I don't know how I missed this item in Thursday's news, but a member of my exclusive and trusted "Advisory Board" brought it to my attention today. Joshua Eye, a 30 year old administrative assistant for the Louisville Metro Council, was arrested last Tuesday after he allegedly sold an undercover narcotics agent $600 worth of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Eye was busted in Mount Washington by the Bullitt County Drug Force.

The Courier-Journal says Eye did not work for a particular council member, and has been employed by the city for just over a year. He is currently under suspension pending the outcome of his court case.

There has been no determination of a link between the irrational behavior at city hall and this guy peddling his wares, but I have feelers out just in case. Some of the proposals coming out of the mayor's office certainly seem to have been written while under the influence of something. More when I get it.