Councilman Yates talks about new SW library

Metro Councilman David Yates (D-25) has issued a statement on the new SW Regional Library scheduled for construction this year. His remarks are included below. To see what the library will look like, click HERE.

On Monday, February 4th, Mayor Greg Fischer, Library Director Craig Buthod, and the design team celebrated the unveiling of the design for the new Southwest Regional Library. This 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art Southwest Regional Library will be located in the 9900 block of Dixie Highway next to Meijer.

Groundbreaking will occur in May and the grand opening will be Summer 2014.

At more than twice the size of the current branch, this new resource library will enhance service for nearly 100,000 people in southwestern Jefferson County. Filled with new books and cutting edge technology, the library will also be a community anchor where librarians will help families, children and adults access tools to improve their lives.  It will be a destination where community members gather to share ideas.  It will be a place that encourages learning and inspires the imagination. Here are just a few of the exciting features you asked for the in new Southwest Library:

• Community Meeting Rooms-A central meeting room accommodating groups as large as 100, a smaller meeting area for groups up to 45 people.

• Glass-enclosed study rooms.

• A large Children’s Library

• More Books-100,000 more then current SW Branch location.

• “Green “ Eco-friendly design, with State-of –the-art technology-More computers for all ages, 

• Touch-screen and self-check out.

• A dedicated teen library, and plenty of, cozy places to read.

It's back: Free VITA tax service resumes at Sun Valley

It is a program that has returned millions of dollars to thousands of low income families in Metro Louisville and this Thursday, January 31^th the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will return to the Sun Valley Community Center.
 
“For five years now, VITA has been a free and valuable service to many area families,” says Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14). “As we begin this sixth year, the goal is to help as many people maximize their returns, including the Earned Income Tax Credit.”
            
The purpose of the V.I.T.A. program is to offer free tax preparation to persons making $50,000 or less. Over the years, volunteers have been able to find deductions to help families receive better tax returns when filing their federal income taxes, returning much needed money back into the area.
            
 The V.I.T.A. operation at the Sun Valley Community Center will begin on Thursday. The Community Center will offer the assistance Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturday until April 13^th, 2013. 

The Hours of operations are as follows:
Tuesdays 9:30am to 4:00pm
Wednesdays 9:30am to 7:00pm
Thursdays 9:30am to 7:00pm
Saturdays 10:30am to 1:30pm

Participants need to make sure they bring all pertinent tax information as well as a Social Security card and photo ID.

The Louisville Asset Building Coalition has offered VITA at the Sun Valley Community Center since 2008. Every year the number of volunteers and those taking advantage of the service continues to grow.
    
“Many families are still struggling as the economy continues to slowly improve. Everyone can use some extra help from time to time and in this case it’s free,” says Fowler.
           
The Sun Valley Community Center is located at 6505 Bethany Lane.
            
For more information about the V.I.T.A. programs, contact Councilwoman Fowler’s office at 574-1114 or call 292-6230.

SW Louisville well represented on council committees

The Louisville Metro Council's committee assignments for 2013 are now complete, and Southwest Louisville is well represented. Of 18 regular and ad-hoc committees, eight are chaired or co-chaired by a representative from the southwest.

Newly elected Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14) has been appointed co-chair of the Community Affairs committee and landed spots on the Public Works, Bridges and Transportation Committee and the Committee on Sustainability.

David Yates (D-25) is now chairperson of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and co-chair of Public Safety. Yates also will serve on the Planning/Zoning committee.

Vicki Welch (D-13) is chairperson of the Committee on Health, Education and Housing.

Of the 11 members of the Budget Committee, four are from the south or southwest area.

To see the complete listing of committees and members, click HERE.

Register now for Neighborhood Institute Spring 2013

The Center For Neighborhoods has launched the Neighborhood Institute for Spring 2013.

It will be held at New Directions Housing Corp. (1000 East Liberty Street) January 29th - April 16th. The Institute is held every Tuesday for 12 consecutive weeks from 6:00-8:30pm and dinner is provided each week. 

The Neighborhood Institute Spring 2013 is open to all neighborhoods, Metro Council Districts and the whole community. 

To register for the 12-week program, contact Lisa at 502.589.0343 or lisad@centerforneighborhoods.org. 

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About The Neighborhood Institute:

Begun in 1987, the Neighborhood Institute is a comprehensive leadership program designed to provide neighborhood leaders with the skills and understandings necessary to lead effective neighborhood organizations.  The Institute is conducted as a twelve-week seminar twice each year.   

The Center For Neighborhoods (formerly the Louisville Community Design Center) envisions a community driven by an array of lively civic institutions working in partnership with local government and one another to create sound neighborhoods and community. The purpose is to empower citizens and citizen-based institutions to have an effective role in making their neighborhoods good, decent, and attractive places to live. Continuing 33 years of work, the Center For Neighborhoods pursues its mission and fundamental purpose through leadership education, through community planning, and by assisting neighborhood-based development and improvement.

Flea market fail: Vendors Village closing doors

Vendors Village, Dixie Highway

Multiple sources are confirming that the Vendors Village flea market at the old Kroger location in the Dixie Valley Shopping Center will be closing permanently on January 31, 2013.

Reports are circulating that Planet Fitness will take the place of the controversial flea market.

Opened last year, Vendors Village was the subject of heavy criticism from some forward-thinking Valley residents who had higher hopes for the then-vacant retail space. Prompted by anger and frustration, several residents wrote letters to Baceline Investments of Colorado, the owner of the shopping center.

Shortly after my series of columns appeared on the subject, I was contacted by Baceline executives and assured that the flea market would not remain in the Dixie Valley Center, as a flea market business was not what they considered to be a desirable tenant.

Baceline's David Puchi said last year, "We had no control over that flea market going in there, and we are committed to bringing in high-quality tenants, and that does not mean a flea market … that doesn’t fit with our plans for the center.”

Messages left for executives at Planet Fitness were not returned.

But a win is a win. Let's do more of that around here.

Thanks for reading the Valley Report.

Open door: Councilwoman Fowler takes reins in 14th District

Council members Rick Blackwell, Vicki Welch, Cindi Fowler and David Yates

Residents of Metro Louisville's14th District finally have an available and capable representative as Councilwoman Cindi Fowler has officially been sworn into office.

Since the merger of city and county government in 2002, the 14th District office has been occupied by Bob Henderson - a polarizing figure who never seemed to resonate with citizens, despite his long tenure as councilman. Says a neighborhood activist, "There were so many people who would run against him, it constantly split the vote too many ways and he'd get back in. If you ever argued or disagreed with him, he took it personally, and you could never get anything done. Calls weren't returned and there was little or no communication between the office and the people, particularly toward the end of Bob's last term. He was just absent. We are thankful to be able to turn that page of history and look forward to the future with a team that seems ready to improve the southwest area. It's an exciting time."

In the past, I had my share of run-ins with the councilman. He never seemed to forgive me for my criticisms of his performance and always treated my questions as a nuisance to be endured rather than a chance to move forward.

But it is a new day in the 14th and we don't have to talk about that nonsense any longer. With the election of Cindi Fowler, the team is now complete. With all of Southwest Louisville's elected representatives working together for the common good, progress and opportunity should be much easier to obtain.

Councilwoman Fowler has already promised to begin the practice of constituent meetings and says she will treat communication with residents as her highest priority. I personally look forward to hearing from her office as the agenda is set for a new direction in Southwest Louisville.

A press release regarding Councilwoman Fowler's swearing-in ceremony follows:

On Monday, January 7^th, Cindi Fowler joined 25 others as one of two new members of the Louisville Metro Council following the 2013 Organizational Session. Fowler won the seat in the November 6^th election and is ready to begin her four year term as Councilwoman.

           

“I am ready to begin the work of serving the people of District 14,” said Fowler. “I want the people of the district to know I am ready to listen to them as I join others on the Metro Council. Together, we can make this a better city for everyone.”

Fowler says she plans to stay in regular contact with constituents in Valley Station, Pleasure Ridge Park, Kosmosdale and other areas of the district through email newsletters and community meetings.

Michael Bowman has been selected to be Fowler’s Legislative Assistant. He has served the last year as coordinator for the Southwest Regional Office for Councilmembers Rick Blackwell (D-12) and David Yates (D-25).
 

“I plan to follow through on what I heard from people during the campaign. I will be out in the district keeping everyone informed on issues and how I will address them.” 

            

For more information, contact Councilwoman Fowler’s office at 574-1114.