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Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Mayor Greg Fischer and Metro Councilmen Stuart Benson (D-20), Robin Engel (D-22) and Kevin Kramer (D-11) participated in a ribbon-cutting yesterday to formally open the newly renovated picnic shelter in Charlie Vettiner Park, located in southeast Louisville.
The shelter project, which cost $370,000 to finish in its entirety, includes the new shelter on Chenoweth Park Lane, a new retaining wall, decorative fencing, new electrical outlets and water fountains. The shelter also provides a scenic view over an adjacent pond.
The funding for the project came from city general fund dollars as well as support from Benson, whose district the park resides in, Engel and Kramer.
“The summer is off to a great start for families and kids in the area, and it’s easy to see this new, spacious, modern shelter becoming THE place in southeast Louisville for birthday parties, family reunions, picnics and community events,” Mayor Fischer said. “I’d like to thank Councilmen Benson, Engel and Kramer for supporting the creation of this great new amenity in Vettiner that’s sure to see a lot of use.”
“With nearly 300 acres of open space, Charlie Vettiner Park is one of our community’s great assets. I am proud to have the support of neighboring Councilmembers Kevin Kramer, Robin Engel and our Metro Council colleagues as we have worked, since 2006, to secure annual funding for this latest improvement to the park,” Councilman Benson.
To reserve the shelter, the public can call the Metro Parks and Recreation permits office at the Iroquois Amphitheater at (502) 368-5865.
Gov. Matt Bevin today announced the creation of the Kentucky Work Matters Task Force at a press conference with federal and state officials and other special guests in the State Capitol Rotunda.
The new 23-member task force will bring together every department of state government that has a hand in workforce development with members of the private sector. Their mission is to address barriers to employment and promote workforce inclusion among people with disabilities, foster children, disabled veterans, and individuals burdened by substance abuse or criminal records.
“There is dignity that comes from work, and there is a sense of satisfaction and respect—for oneself and for others—that comes from being an engaged part of the community,” said Gov. Bevin. “And there’s nothing more integral than the dignity associated with being part of the fabric of that community through work.”
Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Sheehy of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy commended Kentucky, which is the first state in the nation to initiate such a task force.
“We realize that the real change and the real work does not happen at the federal level,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Sheehy. “We need to look at what federal policies do work, but also what is happening in states that works—and then support that.”
Gov. Bevin and Deputy Assistant Secretary Sheehy were joined at the press conference by Council of State Governments director/CEO David Adkins, Kentucky Labor Cabinet Secretary Derrick Ramsey, Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Hal Heiner, and Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development executive officer Vivek Sarin.
Also participating in today’s event were Little Caesars Pizza franchisee Mike Michalak, Cincinnati Reds batboy Teddy Kremer, and Spalding University men’s golf coaches Michael Carter and Grant Gupton, who underscored what can be achieved when individuals are given opportunities.
Current statistics show Kentucky’s labor participation rate at 54.7 percent, well below the national average of 62.9 percent. In addition, 15.7 percent of the Commonwealth’s population is classified as “disabled,” compared to only 10.4 percent nationally.
Gov. Bevin strongly believes that citizens with disabilities and Kentuckians facing other obstacles to employment have valuable and unique contributions to lend to our society and our labor force, yet in many cases are underutilized. Employment is the most direct and cost-effective means to empower these individuals to achieve independence, economic self-sufficiency, and a greater sense of dignity and self-worth.
The Kentucky Work Matters Task Force will work closely with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy and their State Exchange on Employment & Disability (SEED). SEED is a collaborative effort with state intermediary organizations, including the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and The Council of State Governments (CSG), to help state leaders effectively address policy barriers that may hinder the employment of people with disabilities.
Members of the task force include:
- Adam Meier, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Bevin
- Secretary Scott Brinkman, Executive Cabinet
- Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson, Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Secretary John Tilley, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
- Secretary Derrick Ramsey, Labor Cabinet
- Secretary Hal Heiner, Education and Workforce Development Cabinet
- Secretary Tom Stephens, Personnel Cabinet
- Secretary Greg Thomas, Transportation Cabinet
- Vivek Sarin, Cabinet for Economic Development executive officer
- Deputy Commissioner Bryan Hubbard, Division of Income Support
- Buddy Hoskinson, Department for Aging and Independent Living
- Commissioner Beth Kuhn, Department of Workforce Investment
- Commissioner Stephen Pruitt, Department of Education
- President Bob King, Council on Postsecondary Education
- Senator John Schickel
- Senator Robin Webb
- Representative Jim DeCesare
- Representative Arnold Simpson
- Katie Shepherd, Kentucky Supreme Court designee
- Mike Michalak, citizen at-large (Shelbyville)
- Katie Wolf Whaley, citizen at-large (Lexington)
- Beth Davisson, citizen at-large (Louisville)
- Tim McGurk, citizen at-large (Prospect)
The group will present a final report that will include policy recommendations on improving workforce participation rates for individuals with disabilities, as well as other populations with impediments to employment, across the Commonwealth.
Today’s full press conference can be viewed on Gov. Bevin’s Facebook page, and an infographic detailing factors affecting Kentucky’s workforce can be downloaded here.
Photo: KY Department of Corrections
Department of Corrections Deputy Commissioner Kimberly Potter-Blair today announced that Jessica Johnson has been selected as a program administrator in the Curriculum Branch of the Division of Corrections Training. Her new position was effective June 1.
“Jessica Johnson has a long history in training, both in the department and during her military service,” said Potter-Blair. “I know the experience and expertise she brings to this position will be invaluable.”
Johnson began her career with the Department of Corrections in 2012 as a correctional officer at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women (KCIW). She was then promoted to sergeant in June 2013. From 2014 to 2015 Johnson provided research, curriculum development and coordinated training when she was promoted to institutional training coordinator. She was promoted to a unit administrator in October 2015, where she also served as the KCIW Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) commander. In March 2016 she assumed the role of training coordinator/instructor at the Harold E. Black Training Center in LaGrange.
Johnson is a veteran of the United States Army National Guard. She received numerous medals during her military service, including an Army achievement medal and the National Defense Service Medal. She has served as an instructor for the use of firearms, Tasers, and controlled force during her corrections career. She is a member of the Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency (KCCD). Other noteworthy accomplishments include graduating from the I-LEAD program, participation in CERT from 2013 to present, and being a recipient of the 2013 Achievement Award for KCIW. Johnson obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration at Strayer University in 2014.
In his ongoing efforts to help improve responses to victims, Attorney General Andy Beshear and his Office of Victims Advocacy have created a statewide map of victim advocates that includes local and regional prosecutors and law enforcement agencies.
A core mission of Beshear’s is to seek justice for victims, and the map is necessary to strengthen and publicize the network of victim advocacy across the Commonwealth, Beshear said.
“We are focused on empowering victims of crime, including advancing victim-centered services, trainings and policy, and raising awareness,” Beshear said. “This map will guide survivors and their families to the appropriate agency in their county or region who can counsel them and advise them of their rights as victims.”
The map provides information on the state’s victim advocates – county attorneys, commonwealth’s attorneys, sheriffs’ offices, police departments and the AG’s office.
Beshear said Kentuckians become victims every day from surviving the violent death of a family member, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, gun violence and other violent crimes. Having information about their rights and access to advocacy may help victims in their healing and pursuit of justice, he said.
Beshear’s Office of Victims Advocacy will host the Victims Assistance Conference June 13 and 14 in Frankfort at the Administrative Office of the Courts to train victim advocates, survivor leaders, prosecutors, law enforcement and other allied professionals.
At the conference, Beshear’s office will present the inaugural Attorney General Distinguished Service Award to Marlene Zimmerman. Zimmerman is a victim advocate with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office of Domestic Violence, Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit. Zimmerman is being recognized for “her tireless commitment, distinguished service and significant contribution to protecting victims’ rights to justice, and to improving the treatment of crime victims over the past 23 years,” Beshear said.
The conference will feature national speaker Julie Brand. Participants may choose from multiple workshops and plenary sessions for new, intermediate and advanced victim advocates. Educational topics include promoting resiliency for victims/self; ethics in victim services; examining hate crimes; navigating human trafficking cases; stalking; and sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) kit research.
Beshear provided $4.5 million in settlement money to lawmakers in 2016 to fund requested Kentucky State Police crime lab upgrades and an additional $1 million from the settlement to aid law enforcement and prosecutors in conducting victim-centered investigations and prosecuting sexual assault offenders.
Along with funding, Beshear has created a survivors council; held multiple state trainings on the SAFE kit backlog; launched a collaborative research project with the University of Louisville to provide accountability to address the backlog; and collaborated with the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs to hold the #VoiceOfJustice video contest to raise awareness of sexual assault on campus.
Gov. Matt Bevin today recognized the sacrifice of three Fort Campbell soldiers—Sgt. Eric M. Houck, 25, of Baltimore, Maryland; Sgt. William M. Bays, 29 of Barstow, California; and Corporal Dillon C. Baldridge, 22 of Youngsville, North Carolina—who died while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
According to the Department of Defense, the Fort Campbell soldiers died on June 10 in Peka Valley, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, of gunshot wounds sustained there. The incident is under investigation.
The soldiers were assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Company D, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Service arrangements for the soldiers are not yet complete. Gov. Bevin will order flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Sgt. Houck, Sgt. Bays and Corporal Baldridge on the date of interment, and encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute.
For more information, media may contact the Fort Campbell Public Affairs office at 270-798-9963.
Flag status information is available at http://governor.ky.gov/flag-status.
Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14) has a great way for families and senior citizens to cool off this summer at the Sun Valley Pool beginning on Tuesday, June 13th.
“I am happy to again sponsor FREE Family Swim Nights on Tuesdays and Senior Citizen Swims on Thursday mornings during the summer,” says Fowler. “It’s a great way for everyone to cool off from the summer heat, spend time with your family and enjoy some exercise at one of the greatest pools we have in Metro Louisville.”
This year, the extended swim hours for the Sun Valley Pool will run from June 13th through July 27th.
Here is this year’s schedule:
FAMILY SWIM NIGHTS
- Tuesdays, June 13th – July 25th; 6:00-8:00pm
SENIOR CITIZEN SWIMS
- Thursdays, July 6th – July 27th; 11:00am – 1:00pm
Please Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult all times.
No drop-offs or unattended children will be permitted.
There will also be a special Summer Bash Pool Party Hosted by Councilwoman Fowler on Tuesday, August 4th as a way to bring summer fun to a close and get ready for a new school year.
“This is a great way to get away from the TV, the IPad or video games to enjoy a summer night, and get caught up on things between parents and their kids,” says Fowler. “You might also find that the Sun Valley Community Center is a great place offering different types of programs all year round.”
The Sun Valley Community Center and Pool is located at 6505 Bethany Lane.
For more information about this summer fun at Sun Valley, contact Councilwoman Fowler’s Office at 574-1114
Attorney General Andy Beshear today announced that his office is working with Tennessee law enforcement to focus on the effective prosecution of vehicular homicide cases.
The annual training event, being held in Pigeon Forge June 13-15, brings together Kentucky commonwealth’s attorneys with prosecutors from the Tennessee District Attorney’s Office and crash reconstruction officers from both states.
“Unfortunately, the Commonwealth has experienced a 10 percent increase in annual highway fatalities from 2015 through 2016,” Beshear said. “My administration is focused on addressing the persistent challenges our families face, and one of those is better addressing Kentucky’s drug epidemic. Every time our families, our friends or our children get in a vehicle, they are at risk of being harmed by a driver under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.”
In 2016, 834 people were killed on Kentucky’s roadways.
A statistic that remains constant, Beshear said, is that one in five highway fatalities are in crashes that involved alcohol.
In Kentucky last year, there were more than 6,228 collisions involving alcohol and drugs, resulting in more than 2,900 injuries and 167 fatalities.
Advanced training in this area by prosecutors and crash reconstructionists will improve the ability of prosecutors to both recognize these events as well as to successfully prosecute them when warranted, Beshear said.
Attorney General’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Robert Stokes will work in coordination with his Tennessee counterpart to present the training, which is open to the media. The training is at the Courtyard Marriott at 120 Community Drive in Pigeon Forge.
The goal of the training is to create a team building approach between crash reconstruction officers and state prosecutors, Stokes said.
The training is presented under the direction of the American Prosecutors Research Institute’s (APRI) National Traffic Law Center. Last year’s training was held at Lake Barkley State Park in Cadiz.
