The Political Bridge

Rep. Meeks Presents Grant Check to Kentucky Shakespeare Festival

February 10, 2010 Contact: Ed Lawrence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    Communications Director    

    502-564-3757, ext. 473

    [email protected] 

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Arts leaders came from across the Commonwealth today to celebrate the public value of the arts and to thank legislators for their continued support of the Kentucky Arts Council.

Rep. Reginald Meeks presented the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival with a ceremonial check for $27,347 for a Kentucky Arts Partnership competitive grant awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council in July 2009. James F. Wilson, interim executive director, accepted the check on behalf of Kentucky Shakespeare.

Kentucky Arts Partnership grants provide operational support to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations to ensure year-round arts activities and opportunities are available to Kentuckians.

“It is not often that you can receive something of such great value for free. The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival’s ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ is quality arts entertainment for the people of Louisville at no cost, making it accessible to anyone and everyone who wants to participate,” said Rep. Meeks.

“Not only does Kentucky Shakespeare Festival provide the city with great annual events, they work tirelessly in schools during the rest of the year to assist teachers in using the arts to teach a variety of areas, including conflict resolution, through professional development and residencies,” said State Sen. Denise Harper Angel, who was unable to attend.

Kentucky Shakespeare Festival provides free classical theatre performances to over 12,000 audience members each summer. The organization's programs engage children, educators and others in Kentucky all year long in the literature and history of Shakespeare's plays and the discipline of the performing arts. Kentucky Shakespeare Festival has toured in all of Kentucky's 120 counties.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Click on link below to download print-quality photo.

http://artscouncil.ky.gov/ArtsDay/photos/KyShake.jpg

Photo 1 Caption: L. to R. Lindy Casebier, deputy secretary, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet; Rep. Reginald Meeks; James F. Wilson, interim executive director, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival; and Lori Meadows, executive director, Kentucky Arts Council

New Campaign Headquarters Opening for Tyler Allen's Candidacy for Mayor of Louisvillle

Please join the Tyler Allen for Mayor Campaign at the grand opening of our new Campaign Headquarters on Saturday, January 23rd. Come meet Tyler, the staff, fellow supporters, and hear more about how you can help Tyler continue his conversation about making Louisville a better place for everyone.

Here are the details:

Saturday, January 23rd at 11:00am

Billy Goat Strut Building

600 East Main Street

Louisville, KY 40202

As you know, Tyler is running for mayor to make this a smarter city. A city that is smart enough to know its strengths and build on them. A city that is smart enough to know its weaknesses and learn how to make things better. A city that is smart enough to unleash the power and potential of its people.

This is an exciting time for Louisville. Tyler represents a new kind of leadership. We urge you to join us as we strive to build a better city for everyone. Tyler has made it clear that we are going to compete for every vote across Louisville: from Valley Station to Lyndon and Russell to Fern Creek.  We need your help making phone calls, knocking on doors, writing letters, and talking to your neighbors about why you support Tyler.

The conversation starts this Saturday morning. Bring your family and friends as we begin sharing our vision for this great city.

See you Saturday!

From the Louisville Mayor's Office: Schedule of Free Energy Management Workshops

 

For dates and locations  Download Energy Management Workshops

(opportunities from now until December 14)

 

Neighborhood & Community Leaders

 

Attached is a list of FREE Energy Management Workshops offered by Project Warm.  Attendees will receive weatherization materials for their homes along with “how to” training.

 

Please forward to all interested parties.

 

To Register:

Call the phone number on the attached chart

 

Questions: 

If you have questions about these training opportunities, please do not hit “Reply”, but forward your inquiries to

 

Project Warm

502-636-9276

www.projectwarm.org

[email protected]

 

From the Office of Congressman John Yarmuth(D-KY): The Impact of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) Upon Residents of Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District

PleaseDownload Benefits of the Affordable Health Care for America Act - KY3[1]    for information on the potential impact of the Affordable Health for America Act on residents of Kentucky ’s 3^rd Congressional District.

Famed Social Activist and Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney to Speak at the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression’s 12th Annual Unity Dinner

 

Dear Friends:

Join us in welcoming Cynthia McKinney to the 12th Annual Unity Dinner sponsored by the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. It takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Mastersons on Third Street.

Tickets are $45 each. Tables of 10 are $450. We are also asking organizations and individuals to take out an ad in the program-$100 for a full page, $50 for a half page, $25 for a quarter page.

The Unity Dinner each year is a gathering place for all of Louisville's justice community to mix and mingle and celebrate our victories. We are sure this year's dinner will match the inspiring evening we had in 2008 with Dr. Joycelyn Elders that you may have attended.

Cynthia McKinney is a former 6 term congressperson from Georgia, the first African-American to represent that state. She also was the 2008 Green Party candidate for president running with hip-hop artist and activist, Rosa Clemente. Ms. McKinney has taken strong stands on the rights of Palestinians to LGBT rights and everything in between and has remained principled even at risk to her own career and life (e.g being imprisoned by Israeli Defense Forces for trying to take aid to Gaza.)

We will also be recognizing former Kentucky State Senator, Georgia Davis Powers, the first African-American in the state legislature, with the Anne Braden Lifetime Achievement Award.

Honorees
Pam McMichael-Director of the Highlander Center in Tennessee and former leader of Louisville's Fairness Campaign
Khalilah Collins-Director of Women in Transition
Bud Dorsey - Longtime photojournalist recording the African American history of Louisville for the Louisville Defender

CALL 778-8130 BETWEEN 10AM AND 2PM WEEKDAYS OR CONTACT   [email protected] for tickets, program ads or more information.

Send checks to
KY Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression
PO Box 1543
Louisville KY 40201

We look forward to seeing you there!

K.A. Owens, Kathleen Parks, David Lott
Kentucky Alliance co-chairs

Courtesy of KY State Senator Denise Harper Angel: Heating Aid Registration Begins in Louisville, KY

 

 From The Courier-Journal

People can now schedule an appointment to apply for the Metro Community Action Partnership’s low-income, home-energy assistance program, which offers financial aid to help needy residents pay utility bills.

The benefit that a household can receive is based on its poverty level and the type of fuel used for heating.  The subsidy will be in effect from Nov. 2 through Dec. 11.

All residents wishing to apply are required to have an appointment. Appointments can be scheduled, in person only, at three Community Action Partnership locations:

Central Office — Urban Government Center, 810 Barret Ave., Room 134, Phone, 574-1157

East Office — Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Ave., Phone, 574-1270

South Office — Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Highway, Phone, 574-1272

The schedule for making appointments:

Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., only at the Central and South sites.

Appointments can be made at the central site only on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Endorsement News from the Greg Fischer(D) Campaign for Mayor of Louisville

Our campaign kickoff and headquarters open house event is less than 48 hours away but I wanted to share some breaking news with you. 

Today, the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 862 announced their endorsement for our campaign and belief in my ability to create the jobs that Louisville needs.  The UAW's endorsement is hugely significant, as the union represents more than 10,000 active and retired members in the Louisville area.

On top of that, an impressive coalition of very strong state and local elected leaders from the South End of Louisville banded together to endorse my candidacy.  This group, consisting of Kentucky State Senators Denise Harper Angel and Perry Clark; Kentucky State Representatives Larry Clark, Charlie Miller, and Ron Weston; and Shively Mayor Sherry Conner, will be in attendance on Saturday to announce their support for our campaign. 

Congressman John Yarmuth Secures More than $1 Million for Louisville Projects: Funds To Support Metro Fire Department, expand New UofL Research Initiatives, Strengthen Flood Control Measures

Congressman John Yarmuth

Representing Kentucky’s 3^rd Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE  

   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 29, 2009     MEDIA CONTACT

Trey Pollard 202.225.5401   

(Washington, DC) Yesterday, President Barack Obama signed the final versions of the FY2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act and the FY2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, approving funding for five Louisville projects requested by Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3).

“I am thrilled to bring this critically-needed funding back to Louisville,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “These investments will help protect Louisville families by supporting vital research and flood reduction measures while ensuring our first responders have the resources they need during times of emergency.”

Congressman Yarmuth’s requests in the final Energy and Water bill include $350,000 for a research facility for the Meteorology and Atmospheric Science Program at the University of Louisville. That facility would be used in partnership with the National Weather Service and the United Parcel Service.

“We are very pleased with the funding secured by Congressman Yarmuth.  This will enable the University of Louisville to expand its research mission by joining with the National Weather Service and UPS to build a research facility in atmospheric science,” said Dr. James Ramsey, President of the University of Louisville. “As we have witnessed ourselves with the August flash flooding, Louisville lies in the path of super cell thunderstorms and severe weather.  That makes us vulnerable to a wide array of significant weather-related phenomena.  The funding for this research facility will have a direct impact on the safety of our community and its economic well-being."

$103,000 in funding to improve flood control in Louisville was also included in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill, as well as $97,000 to inspect the safety and soundness of completed Army Corps of Engineers projects.

"These worthy projects will help us reduce flooding and restore our natural environment, which improves the quality of life for all Louisville residents," Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson said.

$500,000 requested by Congressman Yarmuth for the purchase of emergency back-up generators for the Louisville Fire Department was also approved in the Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The funds will be used to support the fire department’s plan to purchase back-up power generators at 19 of the area’s 21 fire stations, as well as the department’s Automotive Services facility.

“Extreme weather that struck Louisville in the past year knocked out power at as many as nineteen of our city’s fire departments for several days,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “It’s vitally important that our brave first responders can rely on these back-up generators to protect our community during times of crisis.”

FY10 Homeland Security Appropriations Projects

$500,000 – Emergency Generators, Louisville-Metro Government.  This funding will be used to install emergency back-up power generators in 19 of the existing 21 fire stations and the Automotive Services facility. The funds will be for the equipment and installation of a generator at each facility.

FY10 Energy and Water Appropriations Projects

$350,000 – University of Louisville, Meteorology and Atmospheric Science Program.  This funding will be used to establish a research facility in atmospheric science in the Department of Physics and Astronomy that would be an integrated partnership between the University of Louisville, the local offices of the National Weather Service, and United Parcel Service. It would meet the growing need to expand the understanding of regional climatic changes through the use of modern modeling and forecasting methods associated with atmospheric studies and meteorology due to Louisville’s strategic location.

$103,000 – Army Corps of Engineers, Metropolitan Louisville, Mill Creek.  This feasibility study will provide detailed evaluation of the flood risks and flood damage reduction measures in the Mill Creek basin area of Louisville. 

$97,000 – Army Corps of Engineers, Inspection of Completed Works.  This project will provide resources to inspect projects the Army Corps of Engineers oversees, and ensure the safety and soundness of Louisville’s infrastructure.

Army Corps of Engineers, Beargrass Creek and Eva Bandman Park Ecosystem Restoration, Louisville, Kentucky.  This project will restore the aquatic ecosystem along a stretch of Beargrass Creek, which has been degraded due to the channelization of the creek, the draining of natural wetlands, and the extensive urban development done in the upstream areas. 

No specific amount of money has been appropriated because the Committee is allowing the ACOE to prioritize the account based on which localities can meet the matching requirements.

Louisville's Urban Residents Score Victories against Environmental Polluters from R. Voice

Brief update on class action lawsuits:

 

1.  Judge ruled Zeon lawsuit as unfair and it has been thrown out.  This is a victory for residents.  However, the class action attorneys are scrambling to negotiate another settlement.  Please keep us informed if you receive any letters from the attorneys.  We want to make sure we have any new settlements reviewed to make sure they are fair to residents.

 

2.  The judge informed Rohm and Haas and DuPont that they would need to modify the terms of the settlement involving the scholarship fund.  Rohm and Haas did not want to modify the agreement and dropped out of the case.  DuPont however decided to modify the terms and have paid their portion of the scholarship fund to the Louisville Community Foundation.  They have also paid attorneys fees.  Because Rohm and Haas dropped out, the fund for scholarships was reduced by the amount they initially pledged.  We do not have information about the scholarship fund but if interested contact the Louisville Community Foundation.

 

This blog entry will give you a glimpse into how the meeting went last night.  I know blog posts are supposed to be short but well I'm just not so good at short.

 

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/greenblog4/blog.html

 

An Important Environmental Meeting in Louisville, KY

A Community Meeting Regarding the Rubbertown Chemical Plants

Tuesday, October 27th, 6:30PM

New Zion Baptist Church

1501 S. 34th Street

(at the corner of 34th and Southern, near Russell Lee Park)

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE to let the city know about the horrible odors you have smelled over the years.  LET’S HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!!

GUEST:  Lauren Anderson, Executive Director

Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District

 Why do you need to attend?

1. There will be a brief update about the RUBBERTOWN LAWSUITS

 2. You have a chance to speak directly with the person who heads the agency that has the power to punish Rubbertown for any violations they may commit.  She needs to hear your story about how  Rubbertown has affected your quality of life

 3. This meeting will also be informative, providing you with information on how to report odors and the responsibilities of the Air Pollution Control District.

This meeting is not only for people living near the chemical plants but also those who support them, worship in the area, work in the area, attend school in the area or are just generally concerned about our exposure to toxic chemicals coming from Rubbertown chemical facilities.

REACT (Rubbertown Emergency ACTion) email:  encreact@gmail.com