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Five members of the Louisville Metro Council are seeking public comment on the proposed 2017 -2018 Capital and Operating Budgets at a special community meeting on Monday, May 22nd at the Louisville Urban League.
Councilmembers Jessica Green (D-1), Mary C. Woolridge (D-3), Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4), Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5), and David James (D-6) are inviting their constituents to come out and share their thoughts on what should be in the upcoming budget.
“It is important to me that the citizens of District 1 have a voice in this budget process because for far too long, they have felt ignored and left out,” says Green. “I want everyone to have an understanding not only of what the process is, but what is actually in the budget in order to be able to advocate for what citizens in my community want and need.
“Everyone knows there are not unlimited resources so we invite the community to help us set priorities for funding that improves the quality of life of our residents,” says Hamilton.
“We want to reach out to everyone. It is important that we hear from folks in the neighborhoods, homeowners, and business owners.” says Sexton Smith. “We have to rely on the public to give a perspective we may not be aware of when it comes to priorities and we want to make it easier for them to participate and ask questions.”
The Metro Council Budget Committee has already begun its hearings on the budget and will spend the months of May and June reviewing Metro Government needs before a vote on June 22nd.
The Budget public meeting will be held at the Louisville Urban League, 1535 W. Broadway from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
“We need public input into the 2017-2018 Louisville Metro Recommended Budget from the community and I am happy to make the effort to hear from taxpayers. I know it is not always easy to come downtown to City Hall due to parking constraints,” says Woolridge. “I hope everyone will attend this community meeting regarding Mayor Greg Fischer‘s Budget. Tell us what you would like to see in this Budget.”
“Bringing the budget public input process from City Hall to the community to hear what the citizens have to say about the budget is a vital step in this process,” says James. “It’s your money and we need to know how you feel about how we are spending it.”
Photo: KY Education and Workforce Development
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary April unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. The unemployment rate for April 2017 was up 0.1 percentage points from the 5 percent reported in March 2017.
The preliminary April 2017 jobless rate was 0.1 percentage points higher than the 5 percent rate recorded for the state in April 2016.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate for April 2017 was 4.4 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are based on estimates from the Current Population Survey of households. It is designed to measure trends rather than to count the actual number of people working. It includes jobs in agriculture and those classified as self-employed.
In April 2017, Kentucky’s civilian labor force was 2,082,476, an increase of 17,282 individuals compared to the previous month. Employment was up by 14,832, while the number of unemployed increased by 2,450.
“The data suggests Kentucky’s employment situation continues to improve as more residents are working,” said Kentucky Labor Market Information Director Kate Shirley Akers, Ph.D.
Akers said that the unemployment rate increased because more individuals are entering the labor market. “The increase in the unemployed rate for April appears to reflect workers who are returning to the labor force. Individuals who stopped looking for work over the past few years appear to be searching for employment again as the state’s economy has improved,” she said.
In a separate federal survey of business establishments that excludes jobs in agriculture and people who are self-employed, Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 600 jobs in April 2017 compared to March 2017.
“The establishment survey indicates employment increased in April, however the number of jobs added in April was lower than in the past few months,” Akers said.
Nonfarm data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Employment Statistics program. According to this survey, five of Kentucky’s 11 major nonfarm North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) job sectors registered gains in employment, while five declined from the previous month and one was unchanged.
Kentucky’s leisure and hospitality sector showed the largest month-to-month increase in April 2017, growing by 1,600 jobs. This sector includes arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services.
The construction sector and the education and health services sector each added 1,500 jobs in April 2017.
Employment in Kentucky’s construction sector for April 2017 was 4,000 higher than in April 2016. This represents an increase of 5.2 percent. The education and health services sector was also 4,000 or 1.5 percent higher in April 2017 than in April 2016.
The financial activities sector added 500 jobs in April 2017. Since April 2016, this sector gained 2,600 jobs or 2.8 percent.
Other services, which includes repairs and maintenance, personal care services, and religious organizations, increased by 800 jobs since March 2017 and 1,900 since April 2017.
Information sector jobs remained steady in April 2017 but has risen by 1,200 jobs since April 2016. The industries in this sector include traditional publishing as well as software publishing; motion pictures and broadcasting; and telecommunications.
Manufacturing declined by 2,900 jobs since March 2017. “Manufacturing employment varies from month-to month. While April showed a decline, the number of manufacturing jobs in Kentucky has steadily increased since the recession,” Akers said.
Since April 2016, manufacturing was up 4,200 jobs or 1.7 percent. Most of the decrease from March 2017 to April 2017 was in durable manufacturing, which accounted for 2,500 of the 2,900 decrease in manufacturing. Nondurable manufacturing accounted for the remainder of the decrease this month.
Trade, transportation, and utilities sector decreased by 1,300 from March 2017 to April 2017. Since April 2016, this sector is up 4,400 jobs or 1.1 percent.
Government employment declined by 500 jobs in April. Government jobs include public education, public administration agencies and state-owned hospitals.
Professional and business services declined by 400 jobs from March 2017 to April 2017. Over the past 12 months, however, this sector has increased by 7,900 jobs or 3.7 percent.
The mining and logging sector declined by 200 jobs in April 2017.
Civilian labor force statistics include nonmilitary workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.
Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are seasonally adjusted. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events, such as weather changes, harvests, holidays and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. However, because of the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.
Learn more about the Office of Employment and Training at http://www.kylmi.ky.gov/.
Photo: Kentucky Heritage Council
Renaissance Covington was one of three communities honored recently with a 2017 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) presented by the National Main Street Center, Inc. (NMSC) during its annual conference in Pittsburgh. Other honorees were Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants and Business Association, New Orleans; and West Chester Business Improvement District, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
“The 2017 GAMSA winners showcase the realized potential of commercial district revitalization,” said Patrice Frey, president and CEO of NMSC. “Whether it’s attracting independent businesses, repurposing historic buildings or cultivating a thriving food scene, this year’s winners all understand the importance of growing communities that value historic preservation while supporting the changing shift in population and trends.”
Renaissance Covington is nationally accredited through the Kentucky Main Street Program (KYMS), administered by the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office. Kentucky Main Street is the oldest statewide downtown revitalization program in the nation, created in 1979 as a means to spark community economic development within the context of preserving historic buildings. The program utilizes NMSC’s successful Four-Point Approach® of organization, promotion, design and economic vitality.
“This award is a tremendous honor for a Main Street community to receive, indicating the quality of our statewide program and illustrating Kentucky’s success with economic development and downtown revitalization through historic preservation,” said Craig Potts, KHC executive director and state historic preservation officer. “Covington is a true standout and we are thrilled that their outstanding program has been recognized by the National Main Street Center.”
Situated in Northern Kentucky along the Ohio River, Covington is made up of 19 neighborhoods and commercial districts. According to the NMSC community profile, “The area features a casual mix of Midwestern strength and Southern charm and has developed a flourishing creative population. Brimming with beautiful Italianate brick buildings, the district has seen an influx of new independent businesses and insatiable demand for downtown residential units over the past few years.
“Established in 2003, Renaissance Covington has played a key role in spearheading efforts that integrate small business with creative public space projects to encourage civic engagement and Main Street revival. Since 2010, more than 40 new businesses have opened in formerly vacant storefronts, and many upper floors have transitioned into urban lofts. Since 2003, vacancy rates have dropped from 26 percent to 5 percent, and the district has added 790 jobs.”
For highlights including a video, visit https://goo.gl/qYA7YK.
Currently, 37 communities participate in the Kentucky Main Street Program, last year reporting a cumulative investment of $110 million including $75 million of private investment matched by $31 million in public improvements. KYMS can document more than $3.9 billion in public-private investment generated in participating communities since the program’s inception.
KYMS participation requires community commitment and financial support, with a local Main Street director administering the program through a volunteer board. The Kentucky Heritage Council provides technical and design assistance, on-site visits, a resource center, national consultants and grant funding.
The 2017 Great American Main Street Awards were made possible through support from PNC Bank.
Photo: Kentucky Department Fish and Wildlife
The months of May and June make for two of the best for catching largemouth bass. The weather is warm, but not too hot, and the largemouth bass feed heavily as warmer water temperatures increase their desire to eat.
Largemouth bass are one of the most popular sport fish in Kentucky. Two of Kentucky’s excellent state resort parks, Barren River Lake State Resort and Lake Barkley State Resort Park, lie on two of the best largemouth bass lakes in our state.
A buddy weekend of largemouth bass fishing while staying at one of these top class state resort parks could be the trip of the year.
Barren River Lake State Resort Park:
The 2017 Fishing Forecast produced by the Fisheries Division of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources rated the largemouth bass fishery in Barren River Lake as good/excellent, noting the lake is chock full of 2- to 4-pound fish.
“You are launching at a good spot at the Barren River State Resort Park ramp,” said Geoff Roberts, conservation educator at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Salato Wildlife Education Center. “You are within a very short run to the biggest tributaries on the lake: Skaggs Creek and Peter Creek. Barren River State Resort is also near deep main lake spots that are productive for largemouth bass in summer.”
Roberts knows Barren River Lake like the back of his hand and has landed myriad largemouth bass in the 3- to 5-pound range from the lake over the years with some larger bass mixed in with these. In early summer, he likes a jig in hues of green pumpkin, brown, orange with a touch of chartreuse or a medium running shad-colored crankbait to catch largemouths.
“The bass move to main lake points after they spawn,” Roberts said. “Focus on ones that are near deep water. They need deep water nearby in summer.”
A river or major creek channel swinging close to one of those points supplies the needed deep water sanctuary.
“As you fish those points, work the drop that falls off into the river or creek channel,” Roberts said. A jig fished in a slow pull and drop retrieve works great in these spots as does the crankbait worked shallow to deep.
“The state resort park is also close to main lake bluffs that are productive for largemouth and Kentucky spotted bass in hot weather,” Roberts said. A crankbait worked parallel to the bluff walls picks off bass suspended in the water column near the bluff, waiting for a school of shad to amble by.
“I also like to throw topwater baits in the early morning during summer,” Roberts said.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park:
Lake Barkley is not only one of the best largemouth bass lakes in Kentucky, but also one of the best in the nation. It consistently rates high in Bassmaster Magazine’s Best 100 Bass Lakes in the country.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park is in the Little River arm of the lake. A bass angler could have an excellent weekend of early summer largemouth bass fishing without ever leaving the Little River arm.
A shallow lake by Kentucky standards, fishing near the submerged creek channels is key to catching early summer largemouths on Lake Barkley. Anglers who pound shallow cover near the bank will pick off the occasional small largemouth, but anglers who want quality must fish near the channel.
In the early morning, largemouth bass move onto the flats near the channel to feed on shad or small bluegill. Those flats with some brush or other cover on them are best. A medium-running shad-colored crankbait fished on the flat allows an angler to cover water and catch bass. A white buzzbait fished in the same area draws vicious hits from bass in the low light of dawn.
As the sun rises in the sky, an old school 3/16-ounce Texas rigged curly tailed worm in the plum glitter or junebug colors fished along the channel drops draws strikes. A 6-inch green pumpkin lizard fished on a 1/2-ounce Carolina rig also works well in summer, especially if the water has some color to it. Cast the Carolina rig onto the flat and work it back into the channel.
When the truly hot weather sets in, bass anglers move to the main lake and the mouths of major creek arms and fish humps and channel drops near deep water. Locals call these spots “ledges.” A 10-inch plum glitter or red shad-colored curly tailed worm fished on 5/8-ounce Shakey heads draws strikes. A 3/4-ounce black and blue jig and trailer combination also works well on the ledges for largemouth bass.
Slowly crawl these lures on the bottom along the ledge. Fishing the ledges may present the best chance of the year to catch a largemouth bass larger than 6 pounds.
Head to Barren River Lake or Lake Barkley State Resort Parks for a fun weekend of bass fishing and boating this summer.
Develop Louisville will hold nine open house forums for the public to view the work completed to date on the Comprehensive Plan update and provide feedback. Develop Louisville encourages all residents to attend the forums, particularly those who have not yet participated in the Comprehensive Plan update process
“The Comprehensive Plan will shape our city’s growth for the next 20 years, therefore we are soliciting broad and diverse input to help create the plan,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “I encourage residents from all neighborhoods of our city to attend a forum and share your thoughts on the future of our community.”
Forum locations, dates and times are as follows:
- Monday, May 22: Main Library (301 York Street) from 4-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 24: Southwest Library (9725 Dixie Highway) from 6-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 30: Bowman Field (2815 Taylorsville Road) from 6-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 31: Sawyer Hayes Community Center (2201 Lakeland Road) from 6-8 p.m.
- Saturday, June 3: The Table (1800 Portland Avenue) from 9-11 a.m.
- Monday, June 5: Fern Creek High School (9115 Fern Creek Road) from 6-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 6: The Jeffersonian (10617 Taylorsville Road) from 6-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 7: Shively Community Center (1902 Park Rd) from 6-8 p.m.
- Saturday, June 17: Sir Friendly C Community Center (822 S 15th Street) from 1-4 p.m.
The Comprehensive Plan will guide the growth of the community for the next 20 years and serves as the basis for land use and transportation policies. This update will build upon the success of Cornerstone 2020, the current comprehensive plan, and will be informed by recent planning initiatives, including Vision Louisville, Move Louisville, Healthy Louisville 2020, and Sustain Louisville.
To date, the Comprehensive Plan team has held or been a part of over 100 meetings and events to gather input from the community. Examples of outreach include meetings with an Advisory Committee, work groups, suburban communities, neighborhood groups and business organizations.
For information on the Comprehensive Plan, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design/comprehensive-plan
Nonprofit organizations committed to creating a culture of health and wellness can now apply for a 2017 Mayor’s Healthy Hometown mini-grant.
Mini-grants are awarded annually to non-profit organizations offering programs or services within Louisville and Jefferson County that align with the focus areas and goals of Healthy Louisville 2020:
- Healthy Homes and Healthy Neighborhoods
- Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies
- Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Obesity Prevention
- Social Determinants of Health
- Substance Abuse Prevention
Applicants must be incorporated nonprofits that have been qualified to do business in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for a minimum of the past three years. Applications must be submitted online. To access the online application manual, go to http://bit.ly/2pY31VP. To access the online application, go to http://bit.ly/2qKOi1x. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 13. Applications will be reviewed and scored by a panel of representatives from the community.
Organizations interested in applying can participate in a call to provide technical assistance and answer questions on Wednesday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The number to call is (502) 574-6164
In 2016, awards ranged from $7,500 to $11,000 and were presented to: the Academy of Music Production Education and Development (AMPED), Girls on the Run of Louisville, the Metropolitan Housing Corp., and 2NOT1 Fatherhood and Families, Inc.
Since 2005, the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement has awarded more than a half million dollars in grants to more than 100 community groups.
Councilwoman Marianne Butler is once again encouraging pet owners to take advantage of the next S.P.O.T. Clinic for residents of District 15 set for Saturday, May 20th.
“S.P.O.T. Clinics are an effective way to provide needed veterinarian services at a low cost for pet owners,” says Butler. “If you have not had time during the week to take care of your pet, this clinic is one way to renew a license and update vaccinations.”
Here is a list of services offered at the District 15 Spring S.P.O.T. Clinic:
- 1 year rabies vaccination: $10.00
- 3 year rabies vaccination: $15.00
- DAPP: FREE!
- 1 year altered license: $10.00
- 1 year altered senior license: $5.00
- 1 year unaltered license: $60.00
- 3 year altered license: $27.00
- 3 year senior license: $13.50
- Microchip: $25.00
The S.P.O.T Clinic (which stands for Stop Pet Overpopulation Today) will be located in the front parking lot at the Salvation Army building, 1010 Beecher Street. The hours of operation are from 9:00am until 12:00pm.
For more information about the S.P.O.T. Clinic, contact Councilwoman Butler’s office at 574-1115.
