Residents Express Concern over Crime in Hikes Point Neighborhoods
On January 8, more than three hundred and fifty residents attended a town hall meeting that focused on crime in the District 26 and District 11 Neighborhoods. Residents voiced their concerns to a panel that included Police Chief Robert White, District 6 Police Major J.T. Smith, Library Director Craig Buthod, Councilwoman Ellen Call (District 26), Councilman Kevin Kramer, Marty Storch (Metro Parks), Assistant Library Director Graham Cooke, Myers Middle School Principal William Bennett, Seneca High School Principal Mary Greenlee, and Walter Munday from the Dept. of Neighborhoods. Concerns included:
- Safety concerns at the Bon Air Library, Farnsley Park, and the Robben's Roost Skating Rink
- Safety concerns in the Avondale, Kingsley, Brookhaven, and Goldsmith Lane areas
- Concern over less visible police presence in the area
- Response time of the LMPD to resident's calls for service
- Truancy in area schools
- Safety concerns at area TARC stops
- Speeding and Reckless Driving
- Complaints regarding graffiti, trash, noise, and dangerous dogs
Chief White emphasized the importance of reporting criminal and/or suspicious activity to the police department (the District 6 police division phone number is 574-2187.) White also stated that he will send district majors to neighborhood and homeowner association meetings to address specific problems. White said he will personally address any concern that the police are not adequately responding to criminal activity.
Councilman Kramer emphasized the importance of neighborhood associations and block watch programs in combating crime. The District 11 Office is glad to support any neighborhood in setting up a neighborhood association or block watch program.
District 11 Neighborhood Leader Roundtable" will be held on January 20
The 2nd annual “District 11 Neighborhood Leader Roundtable” will be held on Saturday, January 20 from 9 am to noon at the St. Michael Orthodox Church Parish Hall (3707 St. Michael Church Drive.) This meeting will allow area leaders to come together to discuss issues and concerns they have in District 11. Guest speakers from Operation Brightside, the Metropolitan Sewer District, and Inspections, Permits, and Licenses will be present. Leaders of any District 11 neighborhood association, homeowner’s association, condo association, or neighborhood group are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to the District 11 office at 574-1111.
This workshop will be very beneficial for District 11 leaders and we hope to see you there!
Metro Council Elects Leaders in 2007
Newly Elected President Rick Blackwell recently announced Chair and Vice-Chair positions for the 2007 year. Councilman Kramer was named as the chairman for the Public Safety Committee. Kramer will also be a member the Government Administration and Budget committees.
The Louisville Metro Council's Minority Caucus has unanimously re-elected Robin Engel (District 22) as Caucus Chair. Councilman Engel, will serve a second year as Chair for the Council’s Republican Members and will be joined by Councilman Kevin Kramer (District 11) who was unanimously elected the Minority Caucus’ Vice-Chair.
Metro Council Defeats St. Gabriel Men's Club, Proceeds Benefit Fern Creek Ministries
On Saturday, January 6, the Louisville Metro Council defeated the St. Gabriel Men's Club in basketball by a score of 32-30! The game raised $5000 for the Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries Capital Building Fund.
For more information on the Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries and their capital building fund please visit www.fchum.org.
Buechel and Hikes Point Business Associations announce 2007 Meeting Schedules
Hikes Point Business Association Meetings
Location - McMahan Fire Dept. (4318 Taylorsville Rd.) unless otherwise noted:
February 6 - 7:30 am (Borders Bookstore, Hurstbourne and Taylorsville Road)
March 6 - 11:30 am (Central Bank)
April 3 - 7:30 am
May 1 - 11:30 am
June 5 - 7:30 am
No meeting in July
August 7 - 7:30 am
September 11 - evening networking event to be determined.
October 2 - 7:30 am
November 6 - 11:30 am
December 4 - 7:30 am
Buechel Area Business Association Meetings
Location - Buechel Fire Department (4101 Bardstown Road) unless other wise noted
February 7 - 4:30 - 6:30 pm (Derby City Antique Mall)
March 7 - 11:30 - 1:00 pm
April 11 - 7:30 - 9:00 am
May 9 - 11:30 - 1:00 pm
June 13 - 7:30 - 9:00 am
July - No meeting
August 8 - 11:30 - 1:00 pm
September 12 - 7:30 - 9:00 am
October 10 - 11:30 - 1:00 pm
November 14 - 7:30 - 9:00 am
December - No meeting
Jeffersontown Library Small Business Savvy Program - January 29
The Jeffersontown Library will host a free workshop on the valuable business information resources on the LFPL website and at the Main Library on Monday, January 29, at 10:15 a.m. The workship is designed for current and prospective business owners and will be presented by business information librarian Rae Shepherd-Schlecter. Sign-up requested at 267-5713. The Library is located at 10635 Watterson Trail.
"Meet Your Council Representative" Night to be held on February 19
On Monday, February 19, The Jeffersontown Public Library will host "Meet Your Council Representative" Night. Councilman Kramer and Councilman Stuart Benson (District 20) will be present to address issues and concerns.
NatureScape Grants Available
Brightside strives to find ways for all Louisville residents to become engaged in keeping our community clean and green - that is why we are so excited to present to you our newest program. NatureScape Grants are designed to help neighborhood groups and other non-profits keep the public spaces of the community looking its best by connecting your group with the needed resources to create the beautification project of your choosing. Application available at
www.brightsideinc.org through March 7, 2007.
Hikes Point Business Association Selling
Commemorative Pavers at "The Point"
The Hikes Point Business Association is currently selling commemorative pavers as part of their beautification project at "The Point" in Hikes Point. This project will coincide with the new Starbucks Coffee House and four-sided clock being built in Hikes Point. Anyone interested in one of the pavers may call HPBA President Debbie Williams at 458-3001.
Upcoming Events
January 20, 2007
District 11 Neighborhood Leader Roundtable
9 am to 12 noon
St. Michael Orthodox Church
3707 St. Michael Church Drive
RSVP at 574-1111
March 1, 2007
Metro Animal Services Rabies and Licensing Clinic
4 pm to 7 pm
McMahan Fire Station
4318 Taylorsville Road
Shots are $17 for altered pets and $43 for unaltered pets
Microchipping is offered for $25
March 31, 2007
Brightside Community Cleanup
Organize your group to participate and help keep our hometown clean. Brightside will supply free bags, gloves and t-shirts for volunteers. Contact MetroCall 311 or 574-5000 to register or visit www.brightsideinc.org.
Committee Meetings
Councilman Kramer serves as the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He is also a member of the Budget Committee, Government Administration Committee, and Committee on Committees. In addition, Kramer serves as the Vice-Chair for the Metro Council Minority Caucus. Committees meet the first and third weeks of the month and are broadcast live on Metro TV (cable channel 25.) Councilman Kramer is also a member of the National League of Cities Information, Technology, and Communications Steering Committee and the Kentucky League of Cities Legislative Committee.
Please let me know how you feel about these or any other issues. Contact my office at 574-1111 or e-mail
Kevin KramerIf you would like to be removed from this communication, e-mail
Kevin Kramerwith REMOVE in the subject line.