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By a vote 21 to 3, the Louisville Metro Council has approved the Fiscal Year 2018- 2019 Operating Budget for Metro Government. By a vote of 20 to 4, the Council gave its approval to the Capital Budget for the coming year.
“The approved budget continues to heavily fund public safety and infrastructure, including paving and sidewalks. It increases funding for the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, which is helping to reduce crime in ways proven to work around the country. It maintains historically high funding for affordable housing. The Council has increased appropriations to the Library, to the Living Room project, which diverts people from the jail and emergency rooms, and to Dare to Care and New Roots, to address Louisville’s food insecurity issues. The budget also funds personnel and equipment to double the City’s graffiti abatement program,” says Councilman Bill Hollander (D-9) chair of the Budget Committee. “Budgets require compromise – and the results aren’t exactly what anyone wants. I thank the scores of people who appeared before Council to express their opinions on spending priorities, and Council members and staff who worked hard over the last two months to produce a budget that will continue to move Louisville forward.”
“This budget addresses many of the concerns that I and many of my colleagues had expressed regarding the Mayor’s proposed budget. Our amendments increased oversight and accountability in areas where additional scrutiny is needed and continues to push for a much needed new police headquarters and government building that will better help us serve the community” said Councilman Kevin Kramer (District 11), Vice Chair of the Budget Committee. “There were many areas of change that I would have liked to have seen incorporated into the final proposal, but I do believe that the budget that was passed tonight does continue to move our community forward.”
Aside from maintaining the operations and needs of Louisville Metro Government, the budget also highlights the following areas:
Preserves jobs at the Main Library and funds full staffing at the new Northeast Regional Library and the expansion of the St. Matthews Library. Requires Budget Committee approval of proposed renovations to the Main Library, including any changes to space utilization, staffing and services. ($265,000 increase in proposed budget to LFPL).
Focuses on food insecurity issues by doubling proposed funding to Dare to Care for general operations to a total of $200,000, and more than tripling proposed funding to New Roots to $70,000 (an increase of $100,000 for Dare to Care and $50,000 to New Roots).
Funds the Living Room program, diverting individuals from the jail and emergency rooms, at $1,000,000 and requires monthly reporting by Centerstone on usage and outcomes. ($350,000 increase in proposed budget).
Doubles Metro’s graffiti abatement program run by Codes and Regulation, providing for additional vehicles and personnel to operate them, beginning in February 2019.
Increases funding for the development of the new YMCA at 18th & Broadway by $50,000, bringing the total to $300,000.
Provides additional funding for Parks: $200,000 for Phase III of Charlie Vettiner Park; $75,000 to be matched by the Louisville Parks Foundation for soccer fields at William Harrison and Wyandotte Parks; and $50,000 for Quail Chase Golf Course.
Increases funding for Waterfront Development Corporation by $50,000, bringing Metro’s contribution to Waterfront Park to $1,037,000, to address an operating deficit and to provide for increased restroom cleaning in the park.
Allocates $1,000,000 for improvements at the Impound Lot (a reduction of $1,000,000 in the proposed amount due to timing issues on the need for the funds).
Maintains other recommended funding for paving, sidewalk repair and construction, LMPD, the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, Heritage West, Parks, the Zoo and other projects and services.
Funds increased pension and healthcare costs, with no layoffs of Metro employees and no increase in taxes.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
A fun – and free – family event will take place on the banks of the Ohio River in southwest Louisville on Saturday, June 16 as Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing hosts “Family Farm and Forage Day” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will explore historic and present-day farming with a variety of children’s activities, workshops, talks and booths.
Families can enjoy a milking demonstration featuring “Bluegrass Bessie” the cow; a farm animal petting zoo; horse-drawn wagon tours, barrel train rides as well as demonstrations on beekeeping, raising chickens, growing fruit trees, forage crops and more.
Another highlight of the festival is the Jefferson County 4-H Fair Open Youth Dairy Goat Show. The goats will be judged on adherence to breed standards and their youth handlers will be judged on showmanship. Late entries will be accepted the day of the show. The entrance fee is $5 per goat and champions will be awarded a small premium. For questions, contact Kelly Smith at the Extension office at 502/569-2344. All events and demonstrations are free, although a suggested donation of $5 can be made prior to tours of the Farnsley-Moremen house. Ehrler’s Ice Cream and Shack-In-The-Back BBQ will be providing concessions at Family Farm and Forage Day.
“This is a terrific family event that combines fun and learning,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Beyond the activities of the event itself, I urge citizens from all over the community to come out and see some of the great things that southwest Louisville has to offer.”
“I am so excited to see this wonderful farm event being held again this year at the Farnsley-Moremen historic property,” said Councilwoman Cindi Fowler, who represents District 14, where Riverside is located. “It is so important to educate the public on how our food gets from the farm to the table and past and present practices of how exactly that happens. I look forward to seeing you at this free event!”
This event is held in partnership with the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service and the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Other sponsors include Louisville Gas & Electric, Jefferson County Farm Bureau, the Future Farmers of America, the Louisville Water Co. and 4-H.
In addition to Fowler, Metro Council sponsors include Council President David Yates, D-25; Vicki Welch, D-13 and Rick Blackwell, D-12.
Louisville Metro Council passed an Ordinance requiring nutritional standards and a healthy default beverage in children’s meals, the first in the nation to adopt the combined standards. The so-called “healthy-by-default” rule that passed 13-11 by the Louisville Metro Council aims to tackle the city’s skyrocketing childhood obesity rate and worsening type II diabetes epidemic. This Ordinance follows the National Restaurant Association’s “Kids Live Well” Program.
Co-sponsor Councilwoman Vicki Welch (D-13) said, “Since restaurants are responsible for 25% of a child’s diet, this ordinance will be particularly effective in improving children’s health. Prevention of childhood obesity is also protecting our tax dollars from rising health costs of diabetes, tooth decay, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.”
In the upcoming months, restaurants that serve meals aimed at children will be required to provide milk, non-dairy milk, water, sparkling water or less than 25 calories/8 ounces drinks with no added artificial sweeteners as the default beverage option. Customers will still be able to purchase sodas, juices and other sugary drinks upon request.
“Parents will now be given the opportunity to start the meal off right with healthy beverage and food options,” Co-sponsor Rick Blackwell said. “We hope most parents will stick with the healthier option, protecting their children from the long-term chronic problems associated with sugary drinks, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and tooth decay.”
Various studies have linked a daily sugary drink habit to a 26% higher risk of type 2 diabetes, a 27% increased risk of adult obesity and a 55% greater risk of childhood obesity, as well as higher incidences of heart disease, liver disease and metabolic disorder. Sugary drinks contribute directly to diabetes by spiking glucose, converting fructose into fat in the liver and spurring excess insulin production, wearing out the pancreas. Sugary drinks also contribute to weight gain by adding empty calories – void of fiber and nutrients – that do not contribute to fullness.
Councilman Blackwell and Councilwoman Welch met with many interested parties in drafting this ordinance and believe the final product protects parents’ abilities to make decisions for their children while also minimizes the onus on businesses to comply with the new law.
Today, 30% of Louisvillians, 24% of sixth graders, and 18 % of kindergartens are obese. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one-in-three children born today will have diabetes by 2050.
“This policy is a common sense measure to support parents’ efforts to protect their children’s health. While communities all over the country wrestle with the disastrous consequences of growing childhood obesity and diabetes epidemics, Louisville drew a line in the sand.” said Welch. “The Council showed the powerful role that cities can play in solving big problems. Now, the healthy choice is the easy choice.”
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
He was a great leader, committed to being a voice for minorities and other disadvantaged citizens and his work will be long remembered by the people he served and touched in Metro Louisville and across the United States.
On Friday, May 18th Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) will join the family and friends of the late Rev. Dr. C. Mackey Daniels to unveil an honorary sign at the corner of 18th and West Chestnut Streets to commemorate his life and legacy.
“It was an honor to serve alongside Rev. Dr. C. Mackey Daniels on the Simmons College of Kentucky Board of Trustees. He provided informed wisdom and governed with a steady hand every step of the way. Simmons College of Kentucky and our community are better today because he lived a legacy-filled life,” says Sexton Smith.
A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Rev. Dr. Charles Mackey Daniels came to Louisville in 1977 to be the pastor of the West Chestnut Street Baptist Church and served there for 40 years. He passed away earlier this week at the age of 81.
Dr. Daniels earned a BA and BD from Morris College and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from both Morris College and Simmons College of Kentucky.
During his time as pastor, Dr. Daniels expanded the church’s youth and outreach ministries, as well as its physical structure by building a $1.3M Christian Life Center, and has improved the church’s beautification and strengthened its property assets and fiscal management. He also established the C. Mackey Daniels Scholarships to provide financial assistance to college-bound students, and a Bridge to Success program to help youth get ahead rather than having to play “catch up” in life
Under his leadership, the church has partnered with the Highland Presbyterian Church to embark on innovative, community ministries that include a court monitoring program, a reading program in the poorest elementary schools, a pulpit exchange, and annual joint worship service, all which have been interracial bridge builders that enhance on-going racial harmony.
In his lifetime, Dr. Daniels has served as President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention and as a member of the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, the Baptist Joint Committee, the Congress of National Black Churches, Inc., and U of L’s Upward Bound, and is a Lifetime Member of the NAACP, Urban League, and Trustee of Simmons Bible College.
Councilwoman Sexton Smith sponsored the Resolution which called for the placement of honorary street sign at the southeast corner of 18th and West Chestnut Streets to be designated as “Dr. C. Mackey Daniels Way.”
The Metro Council unanimously passed the Resolution.
The unveiling ceremony will take place at 2:30pm at the corner of 18th and West Chestnut Streets.
A spectacular day of Bluegrass and Americana music, food and beverages, craft vendors, and youth activities in a scenic environment awaits those who visit Jefferson Memorial Forest’s fourteenth annual Forest Fest on Saturday, May 19.
Forest Fest has been known for providing a great variety of bluegrass music; this year’s event expands on that tradition with five musical acts in the lineup. The music starts at 11:30 a.m. in the forest’s Horine Section, 12408 Holsclaw Hill Road.
The lineup starts off with the Local Honeys, followed by Louisville’s own Hog Operation. Kentucky native band Whiskey Bent Valley Boys play next. NPR acclaimed artist Nora Jane Struthers takes the stage next and 2015 IBMA Momentum Award winning band the Lonely Heart Strings round out the evening.
The event is free, but parking is $10 per carload. Bring a blanket or chair. Food, wine, and beer will be available for purchase along with items from various crafters. Outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome, and their owners are asked to be considerate of other patrons.
The event is made possible through the financial support of presenting sponsors, Metro Councilpersons Vicki Aubrey Welch (District 13) and Cindi Fowler (District 14), in whose districts Jefferson Memorial Forest is located, and David Yates (District 25) as well as assistance from Councilpersons Rick Blackwell (District 12), Marianne Butler (District 15), James Peden (District 23), Madonna Flood (District 24), Jessica Green (District 1), Barbara Shanklin (District 2), Bill Hollander (District 9), Pat Mulvihill (District 10), Glen Stuckel (District 17), Vitalis Lanshima (District 21), Robin Engel (District 22), Barbara Sexton Smith (District 4), Cheri Bryant Hamilton (District 5), Brandon Coan (District 8), and Stuart Benson (District 20). Also sponsoring the event are: Aetna, WFPK Radio Louisville, and 502 Yoga.
A variety of entertainment options for children, including live nature demonstrations and a climbing wall, will take place during the day, beginning at noon and ending at 5 p.m. Workshops by performers will begin at 1 p.m. Artists from across the region will demonstrate their skills as part of a craft fair, and food and beverages from Comfy Cow Ice Cream, Shack in the Back Barbeque, Lil Cheezers food truck, Brooks Hill Winery, Heine Brothers Coffee, Mr. G’s Kettle Corn, and local craft beer will be available for sale.
Forest Fest Band Schedule
- 11:30 a.m. Local Honeys
- 12:45 p.m. Hog Operation
- 2:00 p.m. Whisky Bent Valley Boys
- 3:50 p.m. Nora Jane Struthers
- 5:30 p.m. Lonely Heart Strings
Forest Fest Schedule of Activities
- 10:30 a.m. Booths open to the public; food areas open; Forest Nature booth opens for children
- 11:30 a.m. Music begins; Children’s activities begin (until 5 p.m.)
- 1-1:45 p.m. Band Workshop: Local Honeys Children’s songwriting
- 2-2:45 p.m. Band Workshop: Hog Operation
- 2:45 -3:30 p.m. Band Workshop: Nora Jane Struthers
- 4:30-5 p.m. Band Workshop: Lonely Heart strings
- 7 p.m. Forest Fest concludes
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
His high school baseball teams won six Kentucky State Baseball Championships. During his 39 year as the winningest coach in Kentucky, he posted a state record of 1,144 victories. He was the sixth winningest coach in the nation.
On Thursday night, the Louisville Metro Council approved a resolution for an honorary street signs for Bill Miller the late coach of the Pleasure Ridge Park Panthers to be placed in front of the school where he coached.
“Obviously Coach Miller is legendary based on his wins and state championships but the real measure of his achievements is the extraordinary number of lives that he touched in the process. Coach Miller helped so many students and athletes grow from boys to productive young men and hundreds of them attended the services to show their respect,” said Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12), the primary sponsor of the Resolution.
Coach Miller was born in Louisville and attended PRP graduating in 1967. He also attended the University of Alabama and played football for legendary Coach Bear Bryant. He also played baseball while with the Crimson Tide
After college, his 39 year baseball career began as a coach when he returned to PRP first as a teacher and then as coach of the freshman and junior-varsity baseball teams. During his career, the Panthers won state championships in 1994, 1995, 1996, 2008, 2013 and 2017.
He was inducted into the Dawahares/Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2017 shortly before his passing.
By unanimous vote, the Metro Council approved the placing of honorary Street signs at the northwest corner of Greenwood Road and Waller Lane, at northwest corner of Greenwood Road and Feyhurst Place and at the entrance to PRP High School at 5901 Greenwood that read “Coach Bill Miller Way”.
“I hope the honorary signs demonstrate our community’s appreciation for Coach Miller’s dedicated service to Pleasure Ridge Park High School,” said Blackwell.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin is encouraging residents of District 2 and the surrounding area to come out and enjoy a free event in Petersburg Park on Saturday, May 12th.
In partnership with Kentucky Shakespeare, the Councilwoman is sponsoring the “Shakespeare in the Parks” production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It is one of the Bard’s most enduring comedies involving love, marriage and magical misadventures. The play is one of Shakespeare’s most popular works for the stage and is widely performed across the world.
“We have enjoyed bringing these productions to our area for the last few years and this is a free weekend event for everyone,” says Shanklin. “Petersburg Park is a great place for this event, so bring a lawn chair and come join us.”
Shanklin and other Metro Council members are sponsoring this year’s free production tour of Kentucky Shakespeare in various parks throughout Metro Louisville. The tour is now in its fifth year.
Kentucky Shakespeare, a not-for-profit charitable organization, professional theatre company, and the oldest free Shakespeare Festival in the United States has been offering free Shakespeare in Central Park in Old Louisville during the summer.
Their 6-actor, 80-minute production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been touring 25 Kentuckiana locations this spring, bringing free Shakespeare to local neighborhoods until May 19th.
The event begins at 6:30pm. Petersburg Park is located at 5008 East Indian Trail.
For more information about Saturday’s “Shakespeare in the Parks” at Petersburg Park, contact Councilwoman Shanklin’s office at 574-1102.
