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A fun – and free – family event will take place on the banks of the Ohio River in southwest Louisville on Saturday, June 17 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, cultivating beneficial garden insects, growing fruit trees and more.
New this year to the festival – in its second year – 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 the LaRue County Pork Producers 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 behing held 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.
Attorney General Andy Beshear announced yesterday that he is demanding Gov. Matt Bevin rescind a June 2 executive order dissolving and reorganizing numerous state education boards.
Failure to do so, Beshear said, would result in legal action by the AG’s office challenging last week’s unlawful and unconstitutional move by the governor, which mirrors conduct taken by the governor against the boards of the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Retirement Systems.
“The governor does not have ‘absolute authority’ over state boards,” Beshear said. “He cannot ignore laws passed by the General Assembly that create independent boards, lay out their structure and set mandatory terms for their members. Put simply, he cannot rewrite laws he does not like through executive orders.”
Beshear said his duty is to the law and to enforce Kentucky’s system of checks and balances. The power claimed by the governor to dissolve or reorganize any state board eviscerates all checks and balances and would effectively give the governor control over all decisions of every state board, including the Registry for Election Finance or the Executive Branch Ethics Commission.
“I’m especially troubled that the governor has hit Kentucky’s education system with yet another executive overreach,” Beshear said.
Last year, Beshear challenged the governor’s illegal and wrongful withholding of $18 million from Kentucky’s public colleges and universities. The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled in September 2016 that the money was unlawfully withheld, and stated in its decision that the job of the attorney general is “to vindicate the public rights of the people of the Commonwealth.”
Beshear’s request to the governor to rescind the June 2 executive order is not about charter schools nor is it a challenge to Senate Bill 1, he said.
In fact, Beshear said the governor’s board reorganization last week ignores and rewrites portions of Senate Bill 1.
“Gov. Bevin did not veto SB 1,” Beshear said. “But now he wants to substitute his judgment for that of the General Assembly and singlehandedly change the law.”
In the June 2 executive order, the governor dissolved four statutorily created boards, removing more than 35 members before the end of their mandatory term. He then created four new boards with the same names and duties but allowing himself to appoint all new members and the chair.
“We have seen this type of illegal behavior by the governor time and time again,” Beshear said. “My job as attorney general is to enforce the Constitution, to maintain the separation of powers and to ensure no branch of government exceeds the powers that we the people granted to it. I’m hopeful the governor will rescind his executive order and allow the education boards to properly operate under the law – without his undue influence.”
Photo: State Treasurer website
Treasurer Allison Ball will voluntarily cut current year general fund appropriation spending by one percent, her office announced yesterday morning.
“My role as State Treasurer is to be fiscally responsible with the money taxpayers send to Frankfort,” Treasurer Ball said. “As state government continues to sort out budget challenges and pension liabilities, I am committed to doing my part to ensure my office is financially efficient without disrupting services and also ensuring state budget obligations are met.”
Treasurer Ball’s decision to voluntarily cut her current year general fund appropriation by one percent comes at the request of Budget Director John Chilton, who sent a letter to the State Treasurer’s Office in addition to the other Constitutional Officers asking them to join the Governor in cutting their budgets. Treasurer Ball also cut last year’s general fund appropriation by 4.5% for similar reasons, saving thousands of dollars for Kentucky taxpayers.
“I take my responsibility as watchdog for taxpayer dollars very seriously,” Treasurer Ball said. “My staff has been able to maintain, and in some cases improve, the quality of service we provide while also saving taxpayers money.”
Despite Treasurer Ball’s voluntary cuts, under her leadership her office has improved service quality. Last year the Treasurer’s Office reduced an unclaimed property backlog from ninety days to zero days, and launched a new transparency website at no new cost to taxpayers. Treasurer Ball also started the STABLE Kentucky initiative to help people with disabilities save and invest up to $445,000 over a lifetime. This major change in the law also came at no additional cost to Kentucky taxpayers.
Photo: Kentucky Cabinet For Economic Development
Kentucky received a 2017 Gold Shovel award from Area Development magazine, recognizing the commonwealth’s success last year attracting corporate investments that create jobs and grow the economy, Gov. Matt Bevin and the publication’s editors announced earlier this week.
The honor, a first for Kentucky, follows the recent announcement that, in only five months of 2017, the state shattered its all-time, full-year record for corporate investment.
“This Gold Shovel award brings additional national attention to the fact Kentucky is a serious economic development contender, both in our recent achievements and for what we have in the pipeline,” Gov. Bevin said. “We’re making changes to improve Kentucky’s business climate by cutting red tape, revolutionizing our workforce development and building our reputation internationally as a top choice for engineering and manufacturing projects, tech investment and service-related businesses. We’re honored to receive this award and are moving forward with focus and urgency to bring investment and new jobs to communities across Kentucky.”
The annual Shovel Awards by Area Development, a leading trade publication, recognize state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that attract new employers and investments in new and expanded facilities.
Area Development invited each of the 50 states to submit information about its top-10 job creation and investment projects initiated in 2016. Based on the number of high-value-added jobs per capita, amount of investment, number of new facilities and industry diversity of the 10 submitted projects, Kentucky qualified for the Gold Shovel award among states with populations between 3 million and 5 million. The top-10 projects and associated job creation figures are listed here and a full report of 2016 corporate investment is available here.
“The states and communities receiving 2017 Shovel Awards have compiled impressive lists of new and expanded facilities,” said Geraldine Gambale, editor of Area Development. “They have found the right recipe for success and deserve to be recognized for winning high-impact economic development projects.”
Commenting on Kentucky’s award, she noted “the state’s economic growth is broad-based, as evidenced by new projects under way in a diverse range of sectors, including automotive, distribution, biotech and food processing.”
Terry Gill, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development secretary, said he expects the performance to continue throughout this year.
“This Gold Shovel award not only highlights policy achievements at the state level, but also recognizes the dedicated work of our Cabinet staff and our partners,” Sec. Gill said. “Without enthusiastic participation from regional, county and city economic development organizations, the state’s business community, utilities, non-profits and educational institutions, the recent successes that drew this award and those that are propelling our current record-breaking performance wouldn’t be possible.”
Kentucky previously received Silver Shovel awards in 2007 and 2011–2016.
A full review of this year’s Gold and Silver Shovel award winners will be published in the Q2/2017 issue of Area Development and posted online at www.areadevelopment.com in early June.
This year’s corporate investments in Kentucky – at nearly $5.8 billion – already topped the 2015 record of $5.1 billion.
Those investments also put Kentucky on pace this year to create the most new jobs in a decade. To date in 2017, more than 9,500 new jobs have been announced. And the numbers for both jobs and investment are increasing daily.
Kentucky’s low costs of housing, innovative workforce-training and pipeline programs, and its ideal location within 600 miles of 60 percent of the U.S. population all make it a top choice for new business locations and expansions.
Nineteen interstates and highways, major rail networks, barge traffic on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, five commercial airports and dozens of regional airports all serve Kentucky businesses. As well, electricity costs for industrial use are nearly 20 percent lower than the national average.
Kentucky holds a leading position in air cargo capability, offering the UPS Worldport and Centennial ground hub in Louisville, DHL Americas hub and Amazon Prime Air in Northern Kentucky and several large FedEx facilities throughout the state. This strong distribution logistics presence allows products to move anywhere in the world virtually overnight.
The commonwealth’s geographic advantage as a gateway between the Midwest and South, make it an ideal location for engineering and manufacturing operations including steel and aluminum-related operations. A strong automotive, appliance and aerospace presence – including factory systems designers and integrators – provide new and expanding businesses with ready sources of raw materials, finished components, expertise and customers.
Other core and high-growth sectors include food and beverage production – which encompasses the bourbon and spirits industry – technology, healthcare research and development and chemicals and rubber production.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook or follow on Twitter. Watch the Cabinet’s “This is My Kentucky” video on YouTube.
Gov. Matt Bevin has made the following appointments to Kentucky Boards and Commissions:
Frank E. Collecchia and John Valentine Boardman III have been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System.
- Frank E. Collecchia, of Louisville, is an adjunct professor of finance at the University of Louisville. He shall serve for a term expiring March 10, 2019.
- John Valentine Boardman III, of Lexington, is a financial planner. He shall serve for a term expiring March 10, 2021.
The Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) is administered by an 11-member Board of Trustees. Two, the education commissioner and the state treasurer, serve by reason of their office. Two, who are required to have investment experience, are appointed by the governor. The remaining trustees are elected by TRS members to staggered four-year terms. Kentucky law requires that four trustees be active members, one trustee be a retired member and two trustees be from outside the teaching profession.
Patrick Kelly Downard has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Kentucky Retirement Systems.
- Patrick Kelly Downard, of Louisville, is retired from the Louisville Metro Council. He will replace Mark Lattis, who has resigned, and shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term ending June 17, 2019.
The Kentucky Retirement Systems (KRS) is governed by a 17-member Board of Trustees. It administers retirement benefits for approximately 365,000 current and former employees of state and local government—through the Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS), the County Employees Retirement System (CERS), and the State Police Retirement System (SPRS).
Credit: Louisville Metro Police
Louisville Metro recently discovered an incident that may affect the security of personal information stored within our environment. This notice is meant to provide information about the incident, steps taken since discovering the incident, and information on what potentially affected individuals can do to better protect against the possibility of identity theft and fraud.
A computer used by two Assistant County Attorneys was recently stolen from the Louisville Hall of Justice. The computer, about the size of a book, was located in a publicly accessible conference room and not secured to the table it was stationed on. After the theft was reported, Louisville Metro launched an internal investigation and retained third-party forensic experts to determine what information may have been stored on the hard drive at the time of the theft. Though the computer was later recovered, the hard drive had been removed. The investigation determined that the emails of the two attorneys may have been saved locally to the hard drive.
Though Louisville Metro has no evidence that the data contained on the hard drive was subject to unauthorized access, on April 19, 2017 Louisville Metro discovered that certain personal information was contained within the email account of one of the attorneys. While we are unaware of any actual of attempted misuse of this information, in an abundance of caution, we are providing notice of this incident. The information stored on the computer and potentially subject to unauthorized access included some individuals’ names, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and driver’s license numbers.
Notices have been mailed to the less than 175 individuals affected by this event.
To Learn More
Louisville Metro has established a confidential call center regarding this incident. The call center is staffed with professionals who can answer questions about this incident and provide information on how to protect against misuse of personal information. The call center is available Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. E.T. at 1-800-939-4170.
Louisville Metro encourages potentially affected individuals review their account statements and credit reports for suspicious activity.
In addition, under U.S. law affected individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. You may also contact the three major credit bureaus directly to request a free copy of your credit report.
Individuals may also contact the three major credit reporting agencies below to put a “fraud alert” or “credit freeze” on their credit file.
Equifax
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348
800-525-6285
www.equifax.com
Experian
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
888-397-3742
www.experian.com
TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
800-680-7289
www.transunion.com
Further, affected individuals can educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, and the steps you can take to protect yourself, by contacting the Federal Trade Commission or your state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission can be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580, www.identitytheft.gov, 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement. Kentucky Residents: The Kentucky Attorney General’s office can be contacted at 888-432-9257 or 502-696-5389.
Gov. Matt Bevin has made the following appointments to the Charter Schools Advisory Council:
- Brandon Kyle Wilson, Cunningham, represents parents. He is a farm manager for Davis Brothers Farms, former lecturer at Murray State University, and holds a master’s degree from Murray State and a Ph.D. from Auburn University. Wilson shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;
- Holly Iaccarino, Versailles, represents attorneys. She is an attorney for Barnett Benvenuti & Butler PLLC and holds a bachelor’s degree from Asbury University and a Law degree from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law. Iaccarino shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;
- Wayne Lewis, Versailles, represents members with education policy expertise. He serves as executive director of education policy and programs for the Kentucky Education & Workforce Development Cabinet. He holds a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University. Lewis shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;
- Martha Fitts Clark, Owensboro, represents members with business or finance background. She is a former teacher and a CPA. She holds a master’s degree from Western Kentucky University. Clark shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019;
- Aaron Thompson Jr., Richmond, represents members with education policy expertise. Most recently, he has been executive vice president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and interim president of Kentucky State University, and holds a Ph.D. from Eastern Kentucky University. Thompson shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019.
- Milton Seymore, Louisville, represents the Kentucky Board of Education. He is a pastor at Energized Baptist Church and holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Seminary. Seymore shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2018.
- Ben Lovell Cundiff, Cadiz, represents the Kentucky Board of Education. He is a farmer and a graduate of the Kentucky Military Institute of Louisville. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and law degree from Vanderbilt University. Cundiff shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2018;
- Gary Wayne Houchens, Bowling Green, represents the Kentucky Board of Education. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Administration, Leadership and Research at Western Kentucky University. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Louisville. Houchens shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2018; and
- Valerie O’Rear, Fisherville, represents the School, Curriculum, Assessment, and Accountability Council. She is a retired military officer and the owner of Live Well, Live Wisely. She holds a master’s degree in Physical Education from Texas Tech University. O’Rear shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2018.
Lewis will serve as chair and Iaccarino as vice-chair.
