District 11 Town Hall Meeting Will Be Held on April 22
Councilman Kramer will host a District 11 Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, April 22 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Christ Lutheran Church, 9212 Taylorsville Road. Representatives from the Louisville Metro Police Department, McMahan, and Jeffersontown Fire Departments, MSD, LG&E, Public Works, the Louisville Water Company, Animal Control, the Department of Neighborhoods, and the Department of Inspections, Permits, and Licenses will be present.
Volunteers Pitch In to Keep District 11 Clean
On March 31, volunteers worked to clean up the parcel of land adjacent to the Raintree Drive railroad tracks. The District 11 office has received many calls about this area and the need to pick up trash and debris here. Volunteers spent several hours cleaning trash and yard waste from the site. Special thanks to Operation Brightside for providing us with cleaning supplies.
District 11 Nights at Louisville Slugger Field - August 4 and August 6
Join us for District 11 Nights at Louisville Slugger Field this year!
Monday, August 4th OR Wednesday, August 6th
What: Free Tickets, Free Food (Limit 4 tickets per family)
Where: Louisville Slugger Field
R.S.V.P. : Graham Honaker @ 574-1111, graham.honaker@louisvilleky.gov
* This event is not funded by taxpayer dollars
Corporate Sponsors Step Up to the Plate To Help Youth Sports Leagues With Lighting Bills
A full roster of local corporate sponsors will provide one-time funding to cover electric bills at Louisville Metro Parks fields used by youth leagues.
Pledges of more than $65,000 from leading Louisville companies will help leagues pay their LG&E bills for the rest of the calendar year, giving teams more time to determine ways to pay their own electric costs next year. The contributors are:
- PNC Bank
- National City Bank
- Fifth Third Bank
- Hillerich & Bradsby
- BB&T
- Central Bank
- King Southern Bank
- Chase
Taxpayers have been subsidizing the cost of electricity – about $60,000 annually – for private leagues for many years. Metro Parks announced last month that it would require youth sports leagues to pay for the utilities they use on the ball fields and at concessions stands to help close the city’s $9.4 million budget shortfall.
Mayor Jerry Abramson said the dozen or so private organizations that sponsor soccer and baseball must begin paying for their electrical expenses. But the mayor agrees the timing of the policy change, which came after many had already collected fees from participants without factoring in added costs, is a hardship for some of the groups.
The money will be given to the Louisville Metro Parks Foundation, and youth leagues will submit their electric bills for reimbursement, said Metro Parks Director Mike Heitz. The foundation is a new non-profit organization that works to improve recreation opportunities for Metro Parks.
Metro Parks will work with the leagues on ways to conserve energy – and therefore cut costs. Measures include not turning on the lights until they are needed and not leaving them on overnight.
District 11 Funding Assists Boys Haven
Councilman Kramer has appropriated funding that will assist in bringing new computer equipment to Boys Haven. Boys Haven is a recipient of a grant that will establish new computer labs at the facility. This program was initiated through the ConnectKentucky program.
"Boy's Haven is such a deserving recepient of these computers," according to Rene True, executive director of ConnectKentucky. "For more than half a century, they have been a pioneer in the welfare of boys and girls in Louisville who need a helping hand. We look forward to seeing the meaningful and inventive ways these boys and girls take advantage of this technology."
ConnectKentucky connects people to technology in world-altering ways: improving the lives of the formerly disconnected; renewing hope for previously withering rural communities; driving increases in the number of tech-intensive companies and jobs; and nurturing an environment for lifetime learning, improved healthcare, and superior quality of life.
Charitable Solicitations Calendar
The District 11 Office often receives calls about groups soliciting at intersections in our area. The Metro Council has enacted an ordinance that requires groups to register with the Department of Inspections, Permits, and Licenses. Groups must also adhere to safety provisions (wearing safety vests, using cones, refraining from solicting during rain, etc.) We will be periodically listing a calendar of groups who are registered with IPL. A full listing for the year can be found on the IPL webpage here: IPL Solicitations, you'll need to click on "Charitable Street Solicitations Calendar". The following is a listing for April:
April 11 - The Lords Kitchen, Breckenridge Lane & Taylorsville Road
April 12 - Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Breckenridge Lane & Taylorsville Road
- Evangel West Church, Bardstown Road & Goldsmith Lane
April 18 - The Lords Kitchen, Breckenridge Lane & Taylorsville Road
- The Lords Kitchen, Hikes Lane & Buechel By-pass
April 19 - On Fire Christian Academy, Bardstown Road & Hikes Lane
- Evangel West Church, Buechel Bypass & Hikes Lane
April 25 - The Lords Kitchen, Breckenridge Lane & Taylorsville Road
- Kosair Shrine Temple, Bardstown Road & Bashford Manor
- Kosair Shrine Temple, Bardstown Road & Goldsmith Lane
- Kosair Shrine Temple, Bardstown Road & Hurstbourne Pkway
-The Lord's Kitchen, Hikes Lane and Buechel Bank Road
Auto Crime Prevention Campaign Unveiled
A new awareness campaign has been introduced that is designed to reduce the number of auto thefts and thefts from autos. Those two offenses account for nearly 30% of Louisville Metro's crime rate.
In the first two months of this year, Louisville Metro Police responded to 360 auto thefts. There were a total of 3,327 auto thefts for all of 2007. Both of those numbers increase greatly when looking at thefts from autos. A large number of the crimes occurred when citizens failed to properly secure their vehicles or the items inside. The use of a few simple, proactive measures can easily reduce the two offenses and the number of citizens who fall victim to auto-related crimes.
In 2007, Metro Police distributed nearly 10,000 anti-theft stickers that included a warning to citizens, and criminals respectively, to secure their vehicles and the penalties for auto related thefts. Postcards with tips on preventing auto related crimes were also placed on vehicle windshields.
This year's campaign will focus on billboards reminding people to "Put Your Junk in Your Trunk." Officers throughout the department's eight divisions will also begin distributing bright green "tickets" to citizens recognizing them for their good theft-prevention habits. On the reverse side of the "ticket" will be tips on how to prevent auto thefts and thefts from auto. A specially designed cut-out in the image of a criminal will make its way to neighborhood meetings and community fairs reminding people not to become a victim of crime.
Among auto thefts, Metro Louisville had a 64% recovery rate in 2007 which is slightly higher than the national average rate of 60%. Nearly half of auto thefts occurred when the keys were left inside the vehicle or the vehicle was left running unattended. Ten months ago, the Ford F-150 topped the list as the most stolen vehicle in Louisville Metro. That title has since been overtaken by the Oldsmobile Cutlass, which now heads the list with 116 models stolen in 2007.
For more information about the Keep Louisville Safe initiative, visit www.LouisvilleKY.gov or call (502) 574-LMPD.
City-Wide Blitz Aims to Repair Potholes
Starting April 2, crews from the Louisville Metro Division of Streets and Roads began a two week long, city-wide pothole repair blitz. Crews expect to cover 1,000 miles of road and fill 3,500 potholes. Crews have already filled 6,035 potholes since the beginning of the year.
Ten crews made up of five employees will concentrate on filling potholes and pavement failures created by the weather. Pothole teams began work in the center of the city and are working their way out to the far corners of the community. Each crew is assigned specific geographic areas.
This is the first year that Metro Public Works has utilized a regularly scheduled overnight crew. When those crews were not preparing roads for snow with brine or salt, they were filling potholes. The overnight crews have improved efficiency and allowed more potholes to be repaired when traffic flow is minimal.
To a report a pothole, call MetroCall 311 or visit the “I want to” section of www.LouisvilleKy.gov. Crews will make every effort to fill the pothole within 48 hours, weather permitting.
Buechel Train Depot Rentals
Buechel Train Station
2230 Buechel Avenue
Available for Rental --- Ideal for Parties and Meetings
Restrooms
Refrigerator
Microwave
Tables & Chairs
Ample Parking
$100.00 Per Day Call 491-0085 and ask for Yogi
All proceeds go to the Train Station's Maintenance and Upkeep
Volunteers Needed for Pegasus Parade
Volunteers are needed to serve as Unit Hosts for the individual equestrian units during the Pegasus Parade. Two people are assigned to each unit. They meet the units and escort them down the parade route. Help is needed at different locations at the beginning, end and various locations along the route. To volunteer, please call Talbott Allen at 451-3776 or e-mail
talbott.allen@insightbb.com
Win 2 Seasonal Tournament Passes to the 2008 Ryder Cup!
Thanks to the generosity of the PGA of America, South East Area Ministries is raffling 2 Ryder Cup Tournament
Passes for $100 per chance. Only 250 raffle tickets will be sold. Winner will receive 2 Tournament Passes to the 2008 Ryder Cup to witness the most spirited event in golf. Each Season Ticket will allow access to the grounds all 6 days of the Ryder Cup, off-site parking with shuttle service, and a copy of the official Ryder Cup Journal.
To purchase tickets, call Mary Beth Helton at 499-9350 or e-mail her at
SEAM@iglou.com. The drawing will be held on May 24 at a free concert which will be held at St. Andrew UCC, 2608 Browns Lane, 7 - 9 p.m. Winner does not have to be present to win. All proceeds will be used to help at-risk children in our area. Help a child "Make the Cut" in reading and math. Get your ticket
Get Your District 11 News Here!
Get timely updates on District 11 happenings at
www.connect2kramer.com
Upcoming Events
April 16
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 is National Start! Walking Day.
Grab your coworkers and support the fight against heart disease – the No. 1 killer in the U.S. – by taking a walk with us from one of our central downtown locations such as Jefferson Square or the Belvedere.
Walking route maps are attached. Most routes are ½ mile to Fourth Street Live!
Walking starts at 11:30 a.m. The first 20 walkers at each location will receive a FREE t-shirt. All participants will also receive discount coupons to the Louisville Bats game.
I hope you will join us! For more information click here
April 16
Dog Day in the Park
Louisville Slugger Field
Four-legged and two-legged fans are invited to come watch the Louisville Bats play on April 16 from a special VIP Section at Louisville Slugger Field! The Louisville Bats will host DOG DAY IN THE PARK to help raise money for needy animals at the Kentucky Humane Society. The best part -- you can bring your dog for a fun-filled evening at the ballpark!
212-2287 or www.kyhumane.org
April 20
Spring Junk Drop-off and Recycling
FREE JUNK DROP-OFF FOR METRO RESIDENTS
Date/Time: Sunday, April 20, 2008 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: 2673 Outer Loop Landfill
Items accepted: Appliances, household junk, and other large items not accepted by the waste haulers.
Items NOT accepted: Yard waste (grass, limbs, leaves, etc.), hazardous liquids, paints, tires, and commercial trash.
Metal items including appliances should be kept separated; all of those items are recycled.
Materials such as paint, etc. that are not accepted at the drop-off can be taken to Metro's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center - HazBin.
For additional information, contact MetroCall 311 or 574-5000
April 20
YMCA/Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement “Healthy Kids Day”
1pm-5pm
Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium
There are healthy events and activities for kids and adults. Also, there are free t-shirts for the first 2,500 kids who arrive.
587-9622 or www.ymcalouisville.org
April 23
Crusade for Children Golf Scramble
9am
Quail Chase Golf Club, 7000 Cooper Chapel Road
Hosted by Louisville Fire and Rescue and WHAS, participate as an individual or as a team in a golf scramble to benefit Crusade for Children.
For more information regarding entry fees, please call 432-6204 or 432-6203
April 25
Brightside Pre-Derby Cleanup
5pm – 10:00pm
Downtown Louisville
Join Louisville residents from throughout Jefferson County and help make downtown the clean and green for Derby.
574-5000 or www.louisvilleky.gov/brightside
April 27
Louisville Youth Orchestra Concert
Iroquois Amphitheater
Enjoy an afternoon outdoors, enjoying some of our area’s finest talent.
368-5865 or www.iroquoisamphitheater.com
May 10
Hikes Point Area Business Association
Showcase & Health Fair
9:00 - 3:00 pm
Meadowview Presbyterian Church
2944 Breckinridge Lane
Go Red For Women
It’s more than just a fashion statement.
Each month through November, a different Louisville boutique will host a “Girls Go Red” night out event to support the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women program. There, people can enjoy red refreshments and decor, perhaps win a sponsored prize, and support the American Heart Association’s effort to reduce heart disease and stroke in women. Each boutique will donate a portion of its sales during the event to the Go Red For Women movement.
Upcoming Girls Go Red event dates and locations:
April 15—Boutique Serendipity, 3937 Chenoweth Square
Committee Meetings
Councilman Kramer is a member of the Budget Committee, Accountability/Audit Committee, Appropriations Committee, and Committee on Committees. In addition, Kramer serves as the Chairman 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
contact me.
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