As many of you know, more winter weather is most likely heading our way. Commissioner of Environmental Quality & Public Works Nancy Albright sent the following email late Friday afternoon:

Our snow crews are starting to see a real difference on many of our Rank 3 and Rank 4 routes. Crews will continue to work overnight cleaning up roads and responding to slick call and downed trees. Tomorrow Streets & Roads and Water Quality will turn their attention to the section of town where we suspended waste collection on Thursday. Tomorrow Waste Management staff will run call trucks to collect areas that were still too slick to run our garbage trucks over this morning. Waste Management’s current plan for Monday is to go back and focus on those Thursday areas after they have been cleared.

I want to take a minute to update you on the planning for next week’s weather.  Emergency Management has been communicating with city departments about 2 snow events next week, each with the potential for quite a bit of snow and cold temperatures. Emergency Management is preparing communication for additional support that may be needed from agency partners, including the potential for the implementation of our snow emergency plan. Parks and Recreation, Facilities and Fleet Services, Environmental Services, Waste Management, Traffic Engineering and of course Emergency Management, Water Quality and Streets and Roads are once again coordinating needs and responsibilities should either event develop into more downed limbs and trees. These events may also once again impact waste management collections, we will keep you informed of changes to our current collection plan for next week.
 

The LFUCG Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention has extended the activation of the Community Emergency Winter Weather Plan until the morning of Tuesday, February 16th.

Shelter Needs

Mayor Linda Gorton, Governor Andy Beshear and Fayette Commissioner of Health Dr. Kraig Humbaugh Friday morning kicked off Lexington’s public campaign to educate and encourage citizens to get their COVID-19 Vaccine.

The Lex Do This! campaign got an immediate shot in the arm from a diverse group of ministers, who took part in the kick-off, then received their vaccinations at a clinic the Health Department is operating at Consolidated Baptist Church.

Lex Do This! emphasizes the need for everyone to get vaccinated when it’s your turn. “The vaccine is the best tool we have in our toolbox to fight COVID-19,” Gorton said. Lex Do This!  is focused on the importance of getting the vaccine so we can return to our schools, jobs, and friends and family gatherings.”

The Mayor’s Vaccine Task Force, co-chaired by Chuck Mix and Dr. Humbaugh, has worked on developing the campaign over the past several weeks.

Thanks to the support and expertise of Kip Cornett, who led the Education and Communication Vaccine Task Force committee, and the team at Cornett, the Lex Do This! campaign involves outreach through social media, television, radio, print media, billboards, and more. “The City is thankful for the many media partners who are working to help spread the campaign’s message throughout the community,” Gorton said. “And thanks to Monster Color, which provided the banners and posters.”

One focus of the campaign will be outreach to underserved communities. “Thanks to the ministers who are here today to get a vaccine,” Gorton said. “We hope they will be an inspiration to their congregations, and help build confidence in the vaccine.”

Dr. Humbaugh said, “We have worked with these pastors and clergy since the beginning of the pandemic to improve our outreach throughout Lexington. Today is another way to get more African-Americans in Lexington comfortable with getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This is especially important for those 70 and older, as they are at the highest risk of complications, including death, from this virus.”

Consolidated Baptist Church served as a testing site and is now partnering with the health department to help vaccinate Lexington citizens. “In the midst of this pandemic, we finally are seeing a glimmer of hope. Almost a year in with over 450,000 lives lost, many of which have been in the African American community, there is reason for hope,” said Pastor Richard Gaines, Consolidated Baptist. “Though we have a ways to go in this fight, Consolidated Baptist Church has gladly sought to be welcoming and to do everything within our power to aid in this struggle. We take great joy in having been able to partner with the Lexington Fayette County Health Department, Mayor Gorton, and Governor Beshear in this worthwhile effort.”

In order to make the campaign successful, the City received financial support from the Blue Grass Community Foundation. Foundation President / CEO Lisa Adkins pledged the organization’s support of our community. “For nearly 55 years, the Community Foundation has focused on bringing people together to do good,” Adkins said. “This initiative is another powerful example of how our community’s generosity can achieve great things … in this case, literally saving lives and helping our economy get back on track.” The Mayor’s Fund for the Greater Good also provided support. 

Individuals and businesses are invited to take part in the Lex Do This! campaign. Businesses and organizations can request campaign posters by emailing mayor@lexingtonky.gov. Individuals are encouraged to record their own Lex Do This! video explaining why it’s important they get their COVID-19 vaccine when it is their turn. Individuals should use #LexDoThis. A digital tool kit will be available on-line so anyone can get involved.

View the news conference here

So far in Lexington, the first-time doses (through Feb. 3) have been 77% white, 5.7% Black/African-American and 2.2% Hispanic. Lexington’s total population is 70.7% white, 15.1% Black/African-American and 7.4% Hispanic.

St. Patrick's Parade and Festival shifts to possible fall event
Last year on March 11, the Bluegrass Irish Society Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival. The event was the first of many we would see through the year that were cancelled, postponed or dramatically altered. 

Ten months later, we find ourselves in the position of once again putting our community first. The incidence of COVID-19 in Lexington, our state and nation has not eased and while the first of the vaccines that may stop the pandemic are being distributed, we are still months from significant progress. 

After consultation with our board, our partners at Lexington Parks and Recreation and the Lexington Fayette County Health Department, we regretfully announce that we are will not hold the Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival on Saturday, March 13. Rather, we will tentatively plan for a Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day mini-festival in September, with additional details to be announced.