LET'S PLAY CATCH UP

So much has been going on the last few days I am a bit behind so let's get right to it.


TERM LIMITS:


Much is being made about possible term limits thanks to a CJ story Metro council to debate limiting mayoral terms courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal. What makes this so interesting is that this is not a new or fresh idea but one that is finally coming to light because the media finally brought it up.


The shame of it is that the CJ brought it up with their own slant. Brent Ackerson, a DEMOCRAT Metro Council member has brought up the possibility of changing the law to hold an elected Mayor to a 2 term limit. Unfortunately the CJ chose to make this an attack on the Republican Party instead of allowing an open honest discussion of what this could mean.


For those who do not know currently the elected Mayor of Louisville is subject to a 3 term limit (12 years) and the goal is to get that down to a 2 term limit (8 years). Seems simple enough doesn't it?


To accomplish this would require a ballot initiative for we the voter to decide. The earliest option available for putting it on the ballot is next year. Personally I believe it is a worthy goal and while we are at it we should make it a 2 term limit for Metro Council members as well. Term limits have been a part of my platform for years and I support it fully.


WATER COMPANY WANTS RATE INCREASE (AGAIN):


Here we go again. It seems the Louisville Water Company is planning on raising our water rates between 4.5% and 5.5% on January 1. Once again we must ask why? Water rate increase on tap courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal

The claim is that they need to raise rates to help pay for improvements to its aging system and to meet expected tougher drinking water standards. By all accounts, and my personal experience drinking water from other states and communities across the Country, Louisville has one of the best drinking waters in the Country.

So what gives with the excuses?

Many in the community, including myself, think the Water Company is essentially used in many ways as a form of "illegal" taxation. The Board is appointed by none other than, you guessed it, Jerry Abramson, and they can raise rates each year with no approval by anyone.

The sole stockholder for Louisville Water Company is the City of Louisville. This begs one simple question:

Should Government be in a for profit business for their own gain?

Essentially that is what we have here. A government owned business in a for profit category. This surely defeats the free enterprise system of government does it not?

The city owns 100 percent of the stock in the company and gets an annual dividend. Certainly this should raise a red flag about Government being in the for profit business.

The new budget includes a $17.7 million dividend to metro government, paid quarterly. That compares with a $17 million dividend expected to be paid this year. We also have literally no oversight of the Water Company's business.

How is this possible?

Is the reason for yet another increase to the citizens of our community because of the need for cash once again for the City? While Abramson and his machine cannot sell a new tax on us this is certainly one way to gain money for the City is it not?

Abramson is now FINALLY settling with the firefighters for approximately $45 million, a figure that would have been much lower had he done his job and honored our commitment to them years ago, while at the same time he is seeking $17 million in new funds through bonds.

A rate increase gives the City of Louisville an extra profit of $700,000 per year. Of course that number raises next year when they increase the costs yet again. Combined with the MSD fees and their continual rate increases one has to wonder.

The water company charges for water coming into a home, including tap water used for drinking, bathing and washing clothes and cars. MSD charges for treating water that goes down the drain.

The Louisville Metro Council members have no opportunity to vote on water rates.

Is it time for the Metro Council to have oversight and control over the Louisville Water Company and MSD?

I believe so.

Your thoughts?

WEST END FORUM

You know I have spent a few years trying to push the fact that the West end has been left behind and in need of some serious work. I have been demanding and even made it a part of my platform in the 2006 Mayoral election that we need to push an agenda that involves a serious economic development plan and pay attention to the West End residents who feel like they have been left behind.

The West End has been crying out for help for years and we got lost in the hyperbole of so called leaders like Louis Coleman whose message may have been correct but was publicized in a way that divides not unites leaders to help make a difference.

Today in the Courier there is an interesting article that may help lead us to the work that needs to be done. Unfortunately the story also includes some of the problems with why nothing has been done.

Here is the story: Politicians, meet the West End courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal

Interesting that in the story Gerth points out yet another campaign violation possibility by Jim King but the one thing that stuck out to me is the quote by David Tandy.

Tandy states the following:

“And it's not about the color of skin,” he said of Democratic Metro Council President David Tandy, another mayor candidate, who is black. “The West End does not know David Tandy.”

The reason this is interesting?

Tandy was quoted in the CJ on October 5 "Tandy has said he doesn't believe he'll need as much money as other candidates because his base in western Louisville will give him a significant advantage in the primary."

And therein presents yet another example of why much will not be done to aid the West End.

Tandy clearly believes because he is African American that he will get the vote regardless of his saying he does not believe color will matter. His statements lead one to believe that it does matter. In his eyes anyway. King has not done anything whatsoever to aid the West End since being on the Council. The others truly do not care either.

So what is going to be done? Probably nothing as history has shown us and that is the problem.

The West End at one time was the economic heart of Louisville and in a time when racism was rampant (not that it does not exist in a lesser form today) Louisville migrated east and decided the West End could fend for itself.

The leaders left the West End to the wayside in favor or East end economic development and a new Downtown based on the whims of leadership. When we did this we told the citizens in our community that leadership would do what it wanted at their whim and not necessarily for the betterment of ALL of us who live here.

The West End is a primary example of what is wrong with leadership and why it is so important for us to get involved in changing it.

I applaud the think tank for taking this action but sincerely hope that they will remember who has done nothing for the West End, hint David Tandy and Jim King, and open their eyes to helping elect someone who just may follow through.

It is long past the time where we ignore our citizens and begin healing the problems that have arisen because of it.

My plan included an economic revitalization plan that would bring jobs to the West End and a focused plan on helping rid the problems in the neighborhoods that hold the people back. Problems that all neighborhoods are facing today but no focus has been on in helping fix them.

Crime, drugs, these things are hurting as much as anything. You can read more about that here: Louisville News and Politics: WEST END CRIME

When we begin anew a dedication to bringing some jobs and a new awareness that there are options beyond the streets then we begin the revitalization that gives hope to our young and begin the process of having pride in oneself and our neighborhoods.

Mayoral candidates should heed this warning: If you choose to continue ignoring the problems our leaders have created over the years the problem will fester and get worse resulting in a chaos that will hurt our community deeper than one can even imagine.

My hope for voters in the West End is that indeed color does not matter. But I also hope that indeed the candidate with the most money does not matter either.

It is time those seeking office and votes do the right thing.

Do not ignore this opportunity and be sincere in your efforts.

Some of us are going to hold you accountable.

MYVIEWMATTERS RADIO SHOW W/PATRICK DUERR

Tonight's MyViewMatters Radio Show featured Metro Council District 9 challenger Patrick Duerr. Mr. Duerr is running in the Republican Primary for Councilwoman Tina Ward Pugh's seat.


The economy was a major topic of conversation and the show is a must hear.


Listen below!

PATRICK DUERR TO RUN IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 9

This is the official press release for Patrick Duerr who is announcing his entry into the Metro Council District 9 race. Mr. Duerr will be running in the Republican primary and seeking to unseat Democrat Tina Ward-Pugh.

Patrick will also be the featured guest on the MyViewMatters Radio SHow this Thursday October 8 at 7pm on WKJK 1080 AM.

Tune in and listen. Call in with any questions during the show at 571-1080 or of course as always email me with questions you want asked.

Local Businessman Patrick Joseph Duerr to Run For 9th District Metro Council

October 7, 2009 - Louisville, KY. – (www.patrickduerr2010.com) Louisville native and businessman, Patrick Joseph Duerr, is officially announcing his candidacy for the 9th District Louisville Metro Council. Mr. Duerr has filed his Letter of Intent with Kentucky Registry of Election Finance for the 2010 election.

Duerr is the Senior Marketing Executive for Delta Direct Staffing and Delta Logistics & Distribution. He is a graduate of Trinity High School and the University of Louisville . “I believe the constituents of Louisville have been crying out for employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, and their voices have yet to be heard,” Duerr said. “I am committed to a job growth movement in and around our city of Louisville and that is my primary reason for stepping forward.”

A fiscal conservative Republican, Duerr believes his experience as a financial advisor and small business executive is exactly what Louisville needs during this economic downturn. “The city leadership has dropped the ball on too many opportunities to bring new business and jobs to Louisville . We have fallen behind the other cities in our region and we need a consolidated community effort to reestablish ourselves as an industry leading city,” Duerr said.

Duerr will be a guest on WKJK 1080’s My View Matters radio show Thursday night at 7pm to discuss his stance on the issues facing Louisville.

Duerr resides at 3403 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40207 and can be contacted at 502-894-9311.

He can also be reached through Adam Hitt, Campaign Manager, at ahitt@patrickduerr2010.com.

WLKY EXCLUSIVE: KING CASE APPOINTED A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR

I admit I was surprised when I received a phone call from Andy Aalcock at WLKY telling me that AG Jack Conway had indeed appointed a Special prosecutor to investigate the charges against the King's I have been working on for over a year.

I was surprised because the AG was asked over a month ago and most recently stated he would make a decision after the KREF made their ruling. In short I figured he would hide behind the faulty ruling of the KREF who incidentally did not address all the issues in the complaint so there will be more to follow charges brought.

I have been critical of Jack Conway in regards to this case for many reasons. He stated at Fancy Farm he is "one tough sonofabitch" and yet considering his own brother was a one time treasurer of the Katie King campaign he did not decide what to do until a month after the fact.

So yep I was surprised and admit even I underestimated Jack Conway to date. He may have made me reconsider my decision to vote against him. We sill see about that once this case is investigated.

The WLKY story is below. Andy Aalcock is the only reporter who has stayed with this case since the beginning all the way from May of 2008 and deserves credit for staying with an ongoing investigative story like this one. It is rare that anyone stays on a story anymore and Andy has proven himself to be a very credible reporter. I haven't always agreed with the story in every way but he has done a good job of laying out both sides.

Additionally the Courier Journal had this story: Special prosecutor named to study King complaint courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal

There are many other charges to be brought and will be brought over the coming weeks. There will be a complaint lodged with the Kentucky Bar in regards to Sheryl Snyder, Amy Cubbage, and Frost, Brown, and Todd for starters. Additionally, there were several issues the registry just did not address in my complaint and those will be recharged as well on appeal.

I will also be sending the KREF a statement asking for the maximum fine of $65,000 total for the King's AND having a signed admission of guilt. No I will not hold my breath waiting for it I assure you.

The investigation into the special prosecutor has already begun to insure that this is not a political appointment.

I promised going into this we would have fairness and accountability. I will not falter in my commitment.

Stay tuned.................

LATEST FROM GATEWOOD/RILEY CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR

US Census Bureau 2008 Poverty Ratings for Kentucky.

See the Lexington Herald Leader website Kentucky.com http://www.kentucky.com/latest_news/story/956615.html

Our ranking is now 17.3 percent. What is most devastating about this statistic is that it is up from 15.4 percent in 2001. Over the past 7 years, 2 percent of Kentucky’s total population have fallen into poverty, despair and hopelessness. How many people is that? 738,579 or approximately the number of people who live in Jefferson County.

This fact is inexcusable.

During those 8 years we have elected two new administrations, one Republican and one Democratic, yet the statistics are worsening by the day. This statistic is not the fault of the economic crisis gripping our country, but rather has increased exponentially since 2001 - long before the 2009 Recession.

Each of those individual politicians who have been repeatedly elected from both parties have failed the people of Kentucky. Now’s the Time to elect an Independent ticket, beholding only to the People of Kentucky. We are committed to making a difference and qualified to accomplish the task.

We are the only candidates who have NO AGENDA other than to serve fully the people of Kentucky and restore Kentucky to Prosperity. As your Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Gatewood and I, can and will affect true change. I suggest you and everyone else you can influence become active in our campaign and put us to work defeating this travesty.

This is a direct result of corrupt malfeasance, the way it has been and the way it will continue to be unless the people of Kentucky determine to VOTE OUT the PROBLEM. How can those elected officials stand by and watch the people of Kentucky go hungry while they spend 2.4 million dollars on travel expenses.

The PEOPLE of Kentucky have only one choice – Gatewood Riley 2011. - Dea Riley

MYVIEWMATTERS RADIO W/MARILYN PARKER

Tonight's MyViewMatters Radio Show featured Republican candidate for John Yarmuth's 3rd District Congressional Seat in the House of representatives.

Marilyn discussed her economics plan and healthcare.

Tune in for the whole interview!