Off to the RACES…(forget the horses)

The race for mayor has certainly been the center of attention here in Louisville, and it has gotten off with a *BANG* this week.

  The Courier Journal did a fair of reporting the debate between the Republican mayoral candidates, and that is why we link it up right here: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100310/NEWS01/3090390/1008/NEWS01/GOP+mayoral+candidates+take+aim+at+each+other

  Besides that, the races have continued looking forward into the weekend with Hal Heiner’s campaign looking to go to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade that is expected to last from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The parade is expected to start at the intersection of Baxter and Broadway and continue to the Mid City Mall.

  Earlier this week the Hal for Mayor campaign brought forth Heiner’s  10 Point Plan for Accountability and Transparancy in Government:

  Heiner’s 10 Point Plan includes the following:
1.    Comprehensive Audit of All Metro Departments
2.    Metro Council Oversight on Expenditures
3.    Posting Louisville’s “Legal Books” Online
4.    Performance Metrics and Measurements in Government
5.    Post a Debt Calendar and Schedule Online
6.    Compile List of Non-essential Properties – Then Sell Them
7.    Issue RFPs for Development Deals
8.    When’s My Street Getting Paved?
9.    Who’s Driving that Metro Vehicle?
10.  Publish Financial Data for Quasi-Governmental Agencies

  David Tandy has also made some releases regarding his campaign for mayor. Here is a text release for his plans for education, should he be elected:

  ”

David Tandy, Louisville Metro Mayoral Candidate, released his plan to provide the necessary tools for every child in Louisville to learn in a safe and supportive environment.  Tandy met with voters at an education forum at Newburg Community Center this evening.

“I envision a Louisville where the community works together to ensure that primary school students learn basic skills, and all high school students graduate prepared to successfully enter the workforce or college,” said Tandy.  “I am committed to ensure that every Louisville family has the supports they need – whether social, economic, or medical – to be successful.”

Tandy’s plan will ensure that primary school students learn basic skills, and all high school students graduate prepared to successfully enter the workforce or college, part of David’s vision includes:

·      Making libraries, computers, and gyms available to the public after school so that our education resources are available to the entire community, and to keep children occupied between 3 and 6 p.m., when they often are unsupervised.  ·      Recruiting parents and volunteers to support our students with additional academic help and through programs such as Security Dads (where fathers patrol hallways, offer tutoring help, and attend after-school events).

• Promoting events like “Light’s On After School” or “School’s In” night to encourage parents to meet their children at school to help with homework, visit with on-site tutors, and meet with teachers and staff.
• Helping to secure funding for full time nurses throughout JCPS to promote and support healthy students and to lower the overall absenteeism rate.
• Expanding after-school, weekend, and summer programs through school-based community centers or other non-profit entities such as faith-based community development centers, providing positive activities that encourage educational achievement and prevent delinquency.”

  And for those of you who do not believe that the union primarily focuses it’s attention on Democrat candidates, the first union to prove you wrong has sided with David Tandy; endorsing him for mayor.

Glen Stuckel Appointed to VIPS Board of Directors

This came in today from the minority caucus of the Louisville Metro Council:

Councilman Glen Stuckel (District 17) was recently appointed to serve on the board of directors for Visually Impaired Pre-School Services (VIPS) for a term of four years. VIPS is celebrating its 25th anniversary of providing early education and intervention services to thousands of blind and visually impaired children throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Glen Stuckel- “I am honored to serve on the board of such a wonderful organization which has helped make an

impact in the lives of so many local children and their families. I look forward to being an outspoken advocate for VIPS

and working to ensure that these children are provided with every tool necessary for success.”

Median Work Shut Down Snyder Lane

Doug Hawkins has released information stating that there will be some work to repair the various posts in the median that have been knocked down. These posts were put up approximately one year ago, and now many of them have been knocked down.

  The release reads as follows:

The Department of Highways District 5 Office announces the temporary closure of the left lane on westbound KY 841 (Gene Snyder Freeway) in Jefferson County between mile points 0 and 3.  The lane closure is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23rd from 6:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. and will allow for median cable barrier repairs.

The actual starting date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.  Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

2010 Local Black History Nominees Announced

Tony Hyatt, Communications Director for the Majority Caucus of the Louisville Metro Council has sent out the list for the Local Black History Nominees for this year. They are as follows:

Special Honorees

 

Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky          Tyandriau Irving

African Americans in the Media

 (With emphasis on anchors & reporters)

WHAS:  

Renee Murphy, Adrianna Hopkins, Sherlene Shanklin

WAVE :

Dawne Gee & Shayla Reaves

WLKY:

Carissa Lawson, Ann Bowdan, Natasha Collins, Monica Hardin & Eric King

WDRB:

Stephan Johnson & Bill Alexander

District 1 – Norman Martin

 

District 2 – Earscine Mayberry

District 3 – Eula Frazier

District 4 – Dr. Daniel Withers

 

District 5 – Rudolph “Rudy” Davidson

 

District 6 – Walter Hutchins

 

District 7 – Erwin Roberts

 

District 8 – Dwayne Adams

District 9 – Gabriel Fritz

 

District 10 –Mattie Jones

 

District 12 – Dawne Gee

 

District 13 – Thornton Family

 

District 14 – Renee Loveless

 

District 15 – Tiffany N. Tatum

 

District 17 – Thomas Cork Sr.

 

District 18 – Beverly Truitt

 

District 19 – Dr. T. Vaughn Walker

 

District 20 – Jennifer Colley

District 21 – Sgt. Robert Brown

 

District 22 – Thomas Overall

 

District 24 – Ronnie R. Bowman

 

District 25 – William “Bill” Wilson

 

District 26 — Chuck Martin

Ethics Bill- maybe this week?

According to an update on the 10th, we may finally be seeing an ethics bill pass through the council this week.  (Don’t hold your breath, it has been WELL over a year and Democrats have fought the strength of the last bill tooth and nail)…

Should Pitino be packing?

  That seems to be the question on a growing number of Cardinal fans as many wrestle with what is arguably one of the most dissappointing schedules in recent history for the men’s basketball team. Fans that are faithful to Rick Pitino cite his incredible record at the University of Kentucky; yet others are not as easily convinced.

  Earlier this year Tom Jurich sent Steve Kragthorpe back to Oklahoma  after dismal records at the University of Louisville, but some fans are stating that Pitino’s record is not as impressive as they would like. Many individuals see his recent issues with Karen Sypher affecting the team and discipline, and some are tired of not being able to get into the final game. Further frustrating fans at this point is the fact that Louisville may not make it into the tournament at all this year.

  Accusations of Pitino’s inability to coach and his statements of integrity and lifestyle getting in the way of reality are beginning to emerge from segments of  the population that once supported him continually. With the rise in rage against Pitino emerging, as well as the history of how Tom Jurich has supported his friends, as well as the inability for the Louisville Cardinals to be a consistent team, one has to question: Should Pitino be packing?

Tina Ward-Pugh To Show How to Stay Warm and Keep $

Councilwoman Ward-Pugh and Project Warm host Energy Management Workshop

Event on February 8^th to help save money on energy bills

 

Louisville – January has already given Metro Louisville some of its coldest days of the year. Many homeowners may also be realizing just how drafty their home is when it comes to staying warm. What they may not realize is how much money they are losing as a result. 

            “This is an area where Project Warm will be able to help them out,” says Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh (D-9). “If they can spare about two hours, we might be able to show them how to save some money.”

            Ward-Pugh is hosting an Energy Management Workshop on Monday, February 8^th at the United Crescent Hill Ministries, 150 South State Street. The event gets underway at 5:30pm with a Meet and Greet with refreshments provided by Ward-Pugh. Then the workshop runs from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

            “Project Warm does a wonderful job of teaching folks how they can save money and energy by installing plastic over their drafty windows,” says Ward-Pugh. “They will also hand out free supplies to the job.”

            While the program is FREE, registration is required. If you would like to register for the Energy Management Workshop, call Councilwoman Ward-Pugh’s office at 574-1109.

Blackwell’s Coffee…

Yesterday Welch was announced to begin following in the shoes of Rick Blackwell, (Democrat-12th District). Now, Blackwell is back announcing his coffee with the councilman:

  ”

Metro Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12) will kick off another year of “Coffee with your Councilman” on Saturday, February 6^th beginning at 10:00am.

            “Last year, we had very good response with our Saturday morning conversations,” says Blackwell. “I want to invite anyone who may not have the time during the week to come and  talk about issues or your concerns over a cup of coffee.”

            The February “Coffee with your Councilman” will once again this year be held at Sister Beans, 4956 Manslick Road.

            “If you just want to come out and say hi, that is okay as well,” says Blackwell. “I just want to make sure that I and my office are available to the people of District 12.”

            For more information about the District 12 “Coffee with your Councilman”, contact Councilman Blackwell’s Office at 574-1112.”

Stumbo to Support David Yates?

In a brief media advisory, David Yates provides the assumption that Greg Stumbo, (current Kentucky House Speaker), will be supporting Mr. Yates at a fundraiser.

  The advisory states that the information is attached in a link, yet the link was to his website, which gave no updates. Further, when attempted to email via his own website, the site stated that the page could not be found.

  If we obtain more information, but at this time, Yates has been AWOL in regards to requests and current information…

Welch Taking Page Out Of Blackwell’s Book…

  It seems as if Vicki Aubrey Welch is attempting to take a page out of Rick Blackwell’s (Dem- 12th Dist) book. Blackwell has hosted ane event almost monthly known as Coffee With Your Councilman. According to the following press release, Vicki Welch has attempted to take that on and apply it in her own district as well.

Metro Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch is extending an invitation to residents of District 13 to come out and have some “Coffee with your Councilwoman” as part of her continued effort to bring Metro Government to the people.

            “This is a chance, in an informal setting, to come out and learn about key issues facing our District,” says Welch. “Once a month, we plan to have a local government leader or official be available to talk about what is important to you.”

            Metro Council President Tom Owen (D-8) will help Welch kick off the first event on Saturday, February 6^th at the First String Family Sports Grill and Pub, 5921 New Cut Road just off from the Outer Loop. It runs from 9:00am to 11:00am.

            “There are many times during a busy week that people just do not have the time to come downtown to Metro Hall to voice a concern or ask a question,” says Welch. “I hope this will be an easier and more relaxed way for someone to come and meet with us.”

            Welch plans to hold “Coffee with your Councilwoman,” on the first Saturday of every month and will invite department heads from MSD, LMPD and others to talk about issues.

            For more information about District 13’s “Coffee with your Councilwoman,” contact Councilwoman Welch’s office at 574-1113. “