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Mike O’Connell was named Outstanding County Attorney of the Year at the Kentucky Prosecutors Conference Thursday afternoon at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington.
The award, presented by the office of the Attorney General to only two of the Commonwealth’s 120 county attorneys each year, comes as part of the annual gathering for the state’s prosecutors for training in the aid of their public service. Bobbi Jo Lewis, the Anderson County Attorney since 2003, was also honored this year.
“I am humbled that my peers serving as county attorneys across the state feel that the good work we do in Jefferson County should be recognized,” O’Connell said. “This award belongs to the people of this community and to the assistants and staff in my office who pursue justice every day.”
A lifelong Louisvillian, Mike O’Connell graduated from St. Xavier High School and and later Xavier University in Cincinnati. He obtained his law degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1974 and became a civil trial attorney, as well as an assistant Jefferson County Attorney.
In 1980, he was appointed and twice elected to the Jefferson District Court Bench where he served until 1987, at which time he was appointed and then elected to the Jefferson Circuit Court.
In 2008, O’Connell was appointed Jefferson County Attorney. He was elected in 2010, re-elected in 2014 and will run for re-election again next year.
During his time as Jefferson County Attorney, he has introduced restorative justice practices in juvenile court and started a pilot project for restorative justice in the adult division of Jefferson District Court. He actively worked for passage of a Senate Bill 40 in 2016 that established a pilot project for opening Family Courts in the state.
Under his leadership, his office continues to be on the forefront of prosecutions in the areas of drunk driving and domestic violence—operating specialty units in those areas and a 24-hour Domestic Violence Intake Center. In addition to its work as prosecutors in Jefferson District Court, the Jefferson County Attorney’s office also serves as the legal representative for Louisville Metro Government and helps to collect more than $65 million each year in child support for families in Jefferson County.
O’Connell is heavily involved in efforts in addressing the role addiction plays in our legal system. His office has been instrumental in forming and supporting the Jefferson County’s Drug Treatment and Veterans’ Treatment Courts, and he has supported the use of Casey’s Law in Kentucky, which allows parents, spouses and others to seek the court’s assistance to order their loved one into treatment for drugs or alcohol.
Mike is a past board member of the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission, the Little Sisters of the Poor, Beacon House, Catholic Charities and Jefferson County Juvenile Justice Commission.
Mike and his wife Ellen celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in June. They have three children, Annie, Michael and Matt, and two grandchildren, Emily and Drew.
The city has contracted with the local Falls Art Foundry to remove a vandal’s paint from the Castleman monument in Cherokee Park. The $8,200 contract includes the cost for paint removal and re-waxing of the monument.
Falls Art Foundry is a fine art, lost wax, casting and design facility located in the historic Portland neighborhood. It specializes in the production of expertly crafted bronze sculpture for public, private, gallery and museum presentation, and is a member of The National Sculpture Society and The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.
A start date has not yet been determined, but once begun, the cleanup is expected to take about one week to complete.
The statue was vandalized on August 13. On August 14, paint removal methods were tested by Metro staff to determine the scope of work that would be required to remove the paint. Metro then consulted specialists with expertise in maintaining bronze sculpture on costs, timing, and methods.
After this vandalism occurred, Mayor Greg Fischer called for a review of the city’s public art inventory to develop a list of public artwork that could be interpreted to honor bigotry, racism and/or slavery. The Commission on Public Art will hold a public meeting on Sept. 6 from 4-7 p.m. in the Old Jail Auditorium (514 W. Liberty) to review and to discuss the artwork it believes merits further discussion and analysis.
Following the Commission’s meeting, the city will lead a public engagement effort to gather further input from the community. No decisions about the future of any public artwork will be made until after this public engagement process is complete.
Citizens may submit thoughts and comments on the city’s public art collection online at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/public-art/public-art-review and through Develop Louisville Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Written comments may also be mailed to Commission on Public Art, 444 S. 5th Street, Suite 600, Louisville, KY 40202.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Registration for Metro Parks and Recreation fall athletic leagues has been extended by one week and will now close on Friday, September 1.
League play will begin the week of September 11. Spots are still available for league play in basketball, softball, volleyball, flag football, kickball and dodgeball. For more information on schedules, sites and times, click here.
To pre-register for an Athletic League, participants can use this online form: Adult Leagues Pre-Registration. Payment can be made over the phone with credit card (Mastercard/Visa), or in person, by cash, check or credit card, at the Athletics Office located at the Metro Parks and Recreation Athletic Office at the Cyril Allgeier Community Center, 4101 Cadillac Court.
Payment must be made in full at the time of registration in order to reserve team’s place for the season. Registrations after the deadline will be subject to a $35 late registration processing fee.
For more information, call (502) 574-4515.
Work will get underway during the second week of September on a $630,000 package of safety improvements for a section of Lexington Road. The segment between Payne Street and Grinstead Drive will be converted from the current design of two travel lanes in each direction to one travel lane in each direction plus dedicated turn lanes.
The new configuration is intended to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents as previously demonstrated by similar projects across Louisville. The road will be repaved and buffered bike lanes will be added on both sides. Drainage will also be improved.
The project is part of the 2015 Lexington Road Corridor Transportation Plan and the broader Move Louisville multi-modal transportation plan that seeks to improve all facets of the city’s transportation network for all of its users. Learn more about the Lexington Road Safety Project.
On August 21, 2017, Louisville Metro Housing Authority was selected to join the new ConnectHome Nation cohort alongside 30 other communities. These communities were chosen after an open application process and review by EveryoneOn.
“ConnectHome and now ConnectHome Nation is a first of its kind, public-private partnership that is committed to ending the digital divide in public housing across the United States,” said Chike Aguh, chief executive officer of EveryoneOn. “We are so excited to welcome this new cohort of communities who are committed to changing the life trajectory of some of the most in need in our country. These communities’ commitment to ConnectHome Nation shows that when you collaborate across public and private sectors, you can solve any problem.”
In May 2017, EveryoneOn announced the expansion of the ConnectHome pilot initiative, which launched in 2015 in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and was created to bridge the digital divide in 28 pilot communities. Rebranded ConnectHome Nation, the goal of the initiative is to expand to 100 communities and connect 350,000 people living in HUD-assisted housing by 2020.
As part of this expansion, new communities will have access to the following:
- Access to stakeholder commitments;
- Continued assistance with stakeholder negotiation by EveryoneOn as communities seek to add new partners to the initiative;
- Monthly webinars with EveryoneOn for help with local efforts and best practices;
- Access to a mentorship community to help guide progress; and,
- Access to the Digital ConnectHome Platform, which will include resources and collateral created for ConnectHome and would serve as a space for communities to connect, ask questions, and collect data.
Since summer 2016, Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA) has partnered with the Louisville Metro Government (LMG) Office of Performance Improvements and Innovation to develop strategies that address the growing digital divide in Louisville. This work culminated in the release of Louisville’s first Digital Inclusion Plan (digitalinclusion.louisvilleky.gov) in May 2017. Along with several other partners, this group has opened the PNC Gigabit Experience Center at Louisville Central Community Centers in Russell, expanded public Wi-Fi options in west Louisville, connected residents to low-cost home internet plans, and piloted additional projects to decrease the digital divide. The many resources that ConnectHome Nation offers will fuel this already robust work.
The California Neighborhood will come together once again in pride and unity as one of Louisville’s oldest and proudest communities celebrates a rebirth when Councilman David James (D-6) hosts the Annual California Day Celebration on Saturday, August 26th.
“This one day in August highlights the continuing spirit of community for the people of the California Neighborhood,” says James. “It is a spirit that is shared all year round. So we celebrate by taking the time as a community to enjoy some fun for children of all ages, music, entertainment and food in the natural beauty of California Park.”
The 2017 California Day Celebration will be held from 12:00pm until 9:00pm. There will be fun activities for the kids and families with a bouncy house, tug-of-war and kick ball and a basketball tournament.
There will also be Back to School giveaways for children in the area on a first come first serve basis. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be served from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Local food trucks will be available, with separate business rates, for those who want something more.
As for music, DJ and the Unlimited Show Band will be providing music and fun throughout the day.
“As the summer winds down, the California Neighborhood is ready to come together, kick back and relax and enjoy an old fashioned neighborhood get together,” says James.
All events are free and open to the public.
California Park is located at 1104 South 16th Street.
If you would like more information about California Day, contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.
It is the time of year as summer winds down to kick back, relax and enjoy the smooth jazz and beautiful music filling the air in Old Louisville when Councilman David James (D-6) once again presents “Jazz in Central Park” on Sunday, August 27th.
“Central Park has had another great summer of fun activities for the people of Old Louisville and now the rest of Metro Louisville can come enjoy this great event. Summer wouldn’t be Summer without Jazz in Central Park,” says James. “This is a great way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon with a wide variety of music and entertainment, and best of all its free and open to any and every one.”
“Jazz in Central Park” is always a free event and open to everyone in Metro Louisville. It will be held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. This year’s event is hosted by Miss Krystal of WLOU, Spike Davis and Dawne Gee of WAVE TV.
Entertaining this year are the following artists:
- TRI+ADD Music
- Delfeayo Marsalis & Jerry Tolson Group
- Craig Waggner
- Carly Johnson
- Charles Walker
- Maestro J
- Kiko Sebrian
Local food vendors will also be on hand for the afternoon.
“Central Park is a great venue to bring friends, families or come by yourself to hear some very talented people bring jazz to the Old Louisville area,” says James. “So please, come and join us.”
Joining the Councilman as sponsors of the event this year are Clariant and Genscape.
For more information about “Jazz in Central Park”, contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.