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Showing posts from March, 2011
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It's About The Money

As most of you know, the city has a $9 million shortfall for 2011 and a projected $12 million deficit for 2012 based on a continuation budget.  By law we must balance our budget, so there are bound to be cuts.  Layoffs are also possible.  You can view the current “budget in brief” here, and the ful…

Lessons for Lexington from Portland's Long Range Bike Plan

Portland, OR has long been one of our most livable cities, practically defining how attention to quality of life can drive economic development.  Part of what makes Portland so attractive is their excellent system of parks and trails.  With 314 miles of bike lanes, they are one of the most bicycle …

Pat and Me on GTV3

When I moved into my office at the Government Center (previous illustrious tenants of this office include Vice-Mayor Gorton and former At-Large representative Dr. David Stevens) I was faced with the question of what to put on the blank white walls.    After some thought I decided that the office mi…

Charles Young Center

Last week I attended the first meeting of the Charles Young Center Task Force.  While in its earliest stages, it is the beginning of a conversation on how best to use this asset to the benefit of the community.   This is an issue that has been before the council ever since the decision to close the…

Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

My aide Leah Boggs attended a meeting of the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association in which both long and short term solutions regarding the Versailles Road corridor were discussed.  What started with neighborhood residents’ questions and concerns, ended up as a bold vision for a main corridor of …

Legacy Trail Update: Phases 3A and 3B

Phase 3APhase 3A of the Legacy Trail, from the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden, (IMMAG), to 3rd and Jefferson Streets is funded and improvements should be complete by the end of 2011.  Final release of funds, pending an archeological survey of the IMMAG, is expected shortly.Phase 3BPhase 3B of the…

Southland Association Making Progress

My aide Leah Boggs recently attended the annual meeting of the Southland Association which includes businesses, commercial property owners, residents, and other neighborhood associations. The Association was instrumental in getting the Farmer’s Market on Southland and starting the Bluegrass Jambore…

Budget Process Begins

This week the budgeting process for Urban County Government started with a workshop for all council members and administrative staff. The Mayor and council have revised the budget development process to make it more collaborative. The initial news is that the administration is working to close the …

Affordable Housing Task Force Report

The Affordable Housing Task Force has completed its work.  The study they commissioned is complete and will be presented at the next council meeting on March 17 at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers on the 2d floor of the Government Center.  One presentation is scheduled before it.  There will likely be a…

Thanks Sarah, Welcome Leah

Last week marked a transition for my office.  Sarah Brown, who had served as an aide to former First District Councilmember Andrea James, agreed to stay on for two months as my aide.  I appreciate Sarah’s willingness to assist me during the transition.   The overall experience that she brought to t…