Rick Blackwell is a charter member of the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Council. He was re-elected in November 2008 and represents the areas South of Shively and the Old City of Louisville, as well as the northern portion of Pleasure Ridge Park.
Councilman Blackwell has served in a number of leadership roles on the council. He has been elected Caucus Chair and President of the Council as well as Budget Committee Chair. He is currently a member of the Budget and Public Safety Committees in addition to serving as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee.
Blackwell is a lifelong resident of Southwest Louisville. He attended St. Clement Grade School and Bishop David High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bellarmine College and a Masters Degree from Spalding University. After college he began teaching at Mercy Academy, where he was part of 5 state championship teams as the school’s volleyball and softball coach. He currently serves as the Service Learning Coordinator of the school. Councilman Blackwell is married to the former Sherry Cook, and they have one son named Ryan.
He is particularly proud of his work with schools and youth in the district. Each month during the school year District 12 elementary and middle school students participate in Blackwell’s Bookworms, a program to encourage youth to read. He has helped install playgrounds at three elementary schools in the district and secured the funds for the renovation of Valley Sports Baseball/Softball Complex. In 2008 he hosted the first Blackwell’s Broadway Boot Camp to help area students be more involved in the arts community.
Councilman Blackwell does his utmost to stay in touch with the people of District 12. He hosts a District Dialogue each month. Each dialogue features a different agency of local government in addition to having representatives from MSD, Codes and Regulations, Louisville Metro Police Department, Department of Neighborhoods and Congressman Yarmuth’s Office. Councilman Blackwell also sends out newsletters a couple times a year in addition to enewsletters several times a month (to subscribe click here). This year Councilman Blackwell added a new venue to discuss issues, questions and concerns with his Coffee With Your Councilman. These less structured events take place one Saturday a month at 10am at local coffee shops. Call his office at 574-1112 or visit www.RickBlackwell.com for locations.